Quick question, what is the first thing that you notice when listening to a podcast? Is it the content or the quality of the audio first? You might be attracted by various attributes of a podcast. But, as a general principle, the first thing that someone will notice when listening to any podcast is the quality of the voice.
Crystal clear voice will do wonders in keeping your audience hooked to your podcast. Truthfully, even if your content is super good if your audio quality is bad, your listeners will be turned off. The sound quality of a podcast can be affected by various factors such as background sound.
So, if you are planning to start a podcast (and looking for a Cheap Podcast Setup, yet a quality one), it is advisable to get the right tools for the job. When starting a podcast, there are a variety of podcast gears in the market. It is critical to know the right podcast equipment kit that will suit your podcast type.
In this post, we will share with you some of the non-technical podcast gear at a low cost. The equipment we will highlight here is perfect for a starter with a tight budget. However, we strongly believe in dependability and quality equipment.
We will not only tell you the best microphones, headphones, and other cheap tools, but also we will ensure that the equipment is durable. After that, why should we highlight a tool that will break down and stop working after a few weeks of use?
Without much ado, let us dive into podcast equipment that is good for your pocket and a good fit for your podcast type.
We will divide this equipment into the following categories:
- Microphones
- Headphones
- Mixer and Audio Interface
- Recording Software
- Cables and Cords
Podcast kit:
1. Microphone
The most significant piece of equipment when starting a podcast is a microphone. It acts as the major link to your audio quality.
On one hand, if you get the wrong microphone, then there is very little that you can do to improve the quality of your sound. On the other hand, if you get the right microphone, you can be sure of superb audio quality for your podcast.
Depending on the type of podcast you want to start, different microphones are meant for different jobs. The biggest mistake you can make is not knowing the right mic for your podcast. We will help you make the right choice of a microphone by suggesting some of the best on-budget microphones on the market today.
1. Audio Technica 2005USB
Audio Technica is a renowned brand that produces high-quality audio products. Without a doubt, Audio Technica 2005USB is the best podcast microphone for a start on a tight budget. It costs below the $100 mark.
The Audio Technica 2005USB is a cardioid kind of mic which means it can pick up audio signals from all directions. The merit of a cardioid microphone is that it blocks out any background noise.
Additionally, it comes with various output options such as USB and XLR and a headphone jack. With the jack, you can monitor your sound even as you record.
The XLR allows you to connect the mic to the mixer. Alternatively, if you want to connect it to your computer, you can do so via the USB cable.
In terms of audio quality, the Audio Technica 2005USB will help you record a decent podcast that your listeners will enjoy listening to.
Pros
- Affordable
- Cardioid type
- Various output options
- Outstanding audio quality
Cons
- None to note
2. The Blue Yeti USB Microphone
If you are a YouTuber and you want a cheap microphone that will make your voice sound great, go for the Blue Yeti USB Microphone.
One of the outstanding features of the Blue Yeti USB Microphone that makes it stand out from the rest is the USB cable that is compatible with both PC and MAC.
Also, there is a dedicated knob for adjusting the volume plus a mute button. In addition to that, it comes with a zero-latency headphone output.
Furthermore, the Blue Yeti USB Microphone has a variety of patterns that you can choose from. You either choose the stereo, cardioid, omnidirectional, or bidirectional.
Besides that, the Blue Yeti USB Microphone is very straightforward how to use it. This allows you to set it up quickly and start your recording.
That’s not all, in terms of design, the Blue Yeti USB Microphone has a robust and sturdy construction which ensures that it will last for many days. Also, the design is very sleek.
Pros
- Superb sound quality
- Easy to use
- Compatible with both MAC and PC
- A variety of patterns are available
- Dedicated buttons for easy control
- Durable
Cons
- None to note
2. The Headphones
On a light note, no matter the type of headphones you buy, you might not like your voice when you first hear it. However, after a while, you will get used to hearing your voice.
When it comes to headphones, some are better as compared to others. But the first and most essential thing you should consider when buying headphones for your podcast is noise leakage.
You should buy headphones that do not leak any sound. This is critical because the noise leaked from your headphones might again be picked up by the microphone. This will greatly affect your podcast’s audio quality.
Choose headphones that are comfortable because you are likely to wear them for a long time. Here are some of our top choices:
1. Behringer HPX2000
One thing about these headphones is that they are available at a pocket-friendly price. And they work so well with podcast recording.
In terms of audio quality, they have a superb sound output. Also, if you are a bass lover, the Behringer HPX2000 has a booming bass output.
However, some people might find the Behringer HPX2000 a little heavy after wearing them for a long time.
For a beginner, they are a good value for your money and they will get the job done.
Pros
- Affordable
- Excellent audio quality
- Booming bass for bass lovers
- Sturdy construction
Cons
- A bit heavy after wearing it for a long time
2. Audio-Technica ATH-M20x
Next on our list of the best cheap headphones for podcast startups is the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. This pair of headphones is designed for professional use for studio monitors. But they are a great catch for podcast use.
They are very comfortable thanks to the cushioned earbuds. Therefore, you can wear them for a long time without experiencing any discomfort.
Apart from that, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x is cheap. In terms of audio quality, they come with enhanced noise isolation ability. This will ensure all unwanted sounds are shut out.
Moreover, they are constructed from high-quality material which ensures that they will last for a long time.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Noise isolation ability
- Comfortable
- Affordable
- Outstanding audio quality
Cons
- None to note
Interested in recording??
3. Mixer and Audio Interface
For you to get your recorded sound into your computer, you will need a mixer. A mixer is an interface where you plug in your microphone. Additionally, you can plug other media devices such as tablets, phones, or even a sampler into your mixer.
It can receive and send numerous audio signals. A basic mixer will give you an interface to control the volume, panning, and EQ.
When buying a mixer, ensure that it has a mix-minus that allows you to split your audio into various channels. This is critical if you have a guest on your podcast. A mix-minus option will enable you to control both voice channels and each voice on a different channel.
Another essential feature of a mixer is the aux. this will allow you to send and return vocals without affecting either channel.
In addition to that, ensure that the mixer you purchase has a USB port. You can opt for a simple mixer with only one USB port which allows you to send the vocal signal to your computer alone. Such a mixer is easy to use but it will limit you on how to control the final vocal output.
There are a variety of good and cheap mixers on the market. All you need is an interface that will give you maximum XLR outputs and audio channels sufficient for your podcast. Here are some suggestions:
1. Behringer Xenyx Q502 USB
The Behringer Xenyx Q502 USB is a small mixer that comes with two inbuilt USB ports which makes it ideal for a podcast with 2 guests. Thus you will be able to record the vocals of the other partner on separate channels and control time effectively.
Besides that, this mixer is available at a pocket-friendly price. It is a wonderful, cheap, and simple way to get good audio for your podcast into your computer and mix it for uploading to your podcast.
Pros
- Cheap
- Inbuilt 2 USB ports
- Has 4 mono inputs
- Comes with 2-band EQ for vocals
Cons
- None to note
2. Behringer UMC404HD
If you run a podcast where you host up to 4 people at a go, then this is the right mixer for that job. The Behringer UMC404HD comes with an interface with 4 microphone inputs and channels.
However, if you are planning to host up to 4 people in your podcast, then the cost of starting a setup might go a bit higher.
Pros
- 4 microphone inputs
- 4 channels
- Affordable
Cons
- None to note
4. Recording Software
Once you have recorded your voice and stored it on your computer, you need software that will help you to edit. This is where recording software comes in handy. In this case, this software is referred to as the DAW.
There is a wide variety of recording software available on the market today. On one hand, those software are available for free while on the other hand some come with a monthly subscription fee.
When starting a podcast, a free DAW is all you need. There is one such great software in the market:
Garageband (or Audacity)
For a beginner, the Garageband (or Audacity) has the most user-friendly interface in the market. You only need to drag and drop the audio file. Then you will split it or rearrange it to make it market-ready.
However, if you are using a PC, you might not be able to use the Garageband software because it is designed only for Mac computers.
One of the merits of using Garageband is that it can handle a variety of channels at ago. Apart from that, it has a variety of effects that allow you to independently control all your audio.
However, if you are using a PC, then you can go for the Audacity software. It is free to use with a PC. Although it is not as professional as its Garageband counterpart, it will get your editing job done.
However, Audacity software does not come with an inbuilt MP3 mix-down option. Therefore, you will have to look for a third-party plugin for this work.
Generally speaking, either of these recording software is good for podcast editing. Also, they are both available free of charge which reduces your budget greatly.
5. Cables and Cords
You will need different kinds of cables and cords. They can be a bit confusing if you do not know which one is used where. Some of the standard cables you will need include balanced and unbalanced cables.
On one hand, an unbalanced cable is used to send signals only. In most cases, it sends left and right mono signals on separate unbalanced cables. The longer the unbalanced cable, the poorer the audio signal sent. Therefore, ensure that the unbalanced cable you buy is less than 10 feet to avoid sound distortions.
On the other hand, a balanced cable is capable of sending 2 signals at ago. Besides that, their audio quality is superb since they can eliminate unwanted sounds. Even if it is long, the sound quality will not be affected.
Generally speaking, all microphones use balanced cables. Also, all stereo signals use balanced cables.
It is very easy to identify if a cable you are buying is balanced or unbalanced – check the type of connector used. An unbalanced cable has only one divider thus it will have a tip-sleeve (T-S) connector. Similarly, a balanced cable has 3 dividers thus it will have a tip-ring-sleeve (T-R-S) connector.
Besides that, you will require the RCA/AUX cords. These are mono cables that are bound together and they will come with a white and red output at the end. These cords are commonly used for connecting the audio interface to the mixer.
Generally speaking, cables and cords are not expensive.
Conclusion
Starting a cheap podcast is not easy but it is possible when you know the right podcast gear that you need. Alternatively, you can buy second-hand equipment which is still in good condition and at cheap prices.
However, as a beginner, it is very easy to be overwhelmed with the right podcast setup. Therefore, you must analyze the kind of equipment your podcast type requires. With the right information, you can easily make the right decision.
Most importantly, getting the right podcast equipment will go a long way in deciding the future of your podcast. With the affordable equipment that we have highlighted in this post, we are confident that you will have a good-sounding podcast for your audience.
Moreover, you can start with this cheap podcast gear and upgrade later. The most important thing at the moment is you get your podcast started.
Are you a podcaster already? Which pieces of equipment did you use to start your podcast that we have not captured in this post? You are welcome to share your thoughts and views in the comment section below.