Podcast Starter Kit – Best Equipment For Beginners

Are you looking for a way to start making money online? Do you want to learn how to create a successful podcast? If so, then this is the perfect guide for you.

Podcasting is a new form of media that allows people to create and share audio content online. It has been steadily increasing in popularity over the past decade. A recent study found that 40 of the US population has been listening to a podcast. They certainly have plenty of options, with thousands available for download. More shows are being created every month as innovative individuals explore this relatively new digital medium.

If you’re interested in starting your own podcast or just learning more about it, here are some tips on getting the best podcast starter kit. 

The Best Podcast Starter Kit Review

A good podcast starter kit will help you get started quickly without having to spend too much time searching around for information. This means you can focus all your energy on creating great podcasts instead of wasting hours trying to find out what equipment you need. We have reviewed 6 of the best models, and now let’s take a look at each model in more detail.

1. Presonus AudioBox iTwo Studio

Specifications and features include:

Bus-powered USB, 24-bit resolution, and iPad audio interface. The podcast starter kit pack also features 2 microphone inputs, class-A mic preamplifiers, +48V, and two switchable instrument inputs. 1*1 MIDI In/Out and two balanced ¼” TRS main line-level outputs, studio magic plugin suite, stereo headphone, and 4+ GB of third-party software, instruments, and loops are other items that come with the product.

Pros

PreSonus has designed the AudioBox iTwo to excel as a mobile podcast interface. Wherever your travels take you, your AudioBox interface is all set to perform. If you are seriously looking for a simple, flexible recording interface that works well with a PC, MAC, and iPad, the Presonus studio is the best choice.

Cons

The body of the product has sharp edges that need finishing. The software kit does not support the plugins (even those plugins that are included). Despite these cons, the product is the right choice for creating breezing music.

Bottom line

The Presonus AudioBox iTwo Studio is an ideal option to get going with this and song recording. In return for a modest price, you can reap the benefits of innovative features of the product for song recording. This is why most modern music lovers choose to buy this unit to enhance their podcast skills.

2. PreSonus AudioBox Studio

Are you looking for a professional yet affordable way to record a podcast on your computer? Look no further. The PreSonus AudioBox Studio podcast starter kit is not your average setup and not your average price. What most users love most about this product is that they find that they do not have to spend a fortune to create results that sound like they cost one. Let’s take a look at what you can expect to get with your PreSonus AudioBox Studio a little more in-depth.

It comes with everything that you will need to record a podcast on your computer:

• AudioBox USB podcast interface kit with cable
• M7 microphone
• Studio One software
• HD7 headphones
• Internal mixer 1/3U rack-mountable with zero-latency monitoring
• kit

If you are looking for an at-home studio that allows you to make music from the comfort of your living room, this might be the pick for you. Affordable and effective, AudioBox is quickly becoming a musician’s and podcast best friend.

3. Focusrite Scarlett Solo Studio

Are you planning to buy an all-one podcast starter kit for your requirements? If yes, the Focusrite Scarlett Solo Studio might be an ideal podcast option for you. There are many features and benefits of using this podcast product. The following review will explain the kit specifications in detail.

Specifications and features

The unit comprises of:

• a pair of headphones
• cables,
• microphone
• Scarlett Solo interface
• podcasts

Whether you are a professional musician or budding, the Scarlett Studio is meant to cater to all of your podcast recording needs. The studio records at sample rates of up to 192 kHz.

Pros

Due to exceptional features, creating a masterpiece mix is now a breeze with the Scarlett Studio. You don’t have to buy one piece of equipment from one brand and another piece of recording from the other store. The Scarlett Studio comes equipped with all that is needed to start a podcast right away.

Cons

Some users have reported too much latency in the output. It would be best if you used direct monitoring for a no latency output. All in all, the product makes the best choice for music and podcast lovers of all levels.

Bottom Line

Whether you are an established or just starting, the Focusrite Scarlett Solo Studio podcast starter kit is an ideal option to realize your dreams. Top-of-the-line features, higher longevity, and affordability are some of the perks of investing in this top-class studio. This is why more and more choose to have this podcast product.

4. Yamaha MG10XU 10 Channel Mixing Console Bundle

Running in its 3rd generation, the MG Series kit introduced by Yamaha is a perfect embodiment of the fine craftsmanship and inventiveness reflected in all the products introduced by the company. This series comes in the wake of the company’s quest to create and market an unmatched range of world-class musical instruments for personal and professional use.

This series integrates the same technologies that have been designed for use in top-end professional consoles that include studio-quality pre-amps with heavy digital processing capability and a sturdy and lasting build. The MG Series prides itself on having a long list of compact mixing consoles offering 6 to 20 channel mixers, ideal for a wide range of professional podcast applications with a perceptive and user-friendly interface.

The Yamaha MG10XU 10 Channel Mixing Console Bundle gives 4 XLR channels with 3 bands Equalizer with 2 featuring 1-Knob compression and 4 mono and 3 stereo line inputs. Because of its unique capabilities, the MG10XU gives you the perfect mixing capabilities for use at practice spaces, relatively smaller acoustic shows, and electronic musician performances that require complete control to mix the many components of the music. Besides offering stable main and headset outputs, MG10XU boasts Monitor and Aux (FX) outputs to enhance flexibility. The MG10XU also gives you a 24-bit USB Audio Interface and a powerful SPX Digital Multi-Effect Processor.

5. Zoom LiveTrak L-12

The Zoom LiveTrak L-12, a digital podcasting mixer with tons of great podcast features, is all the rage with small bands and recording artists looking to create a high-quality studio or live performance recordings. Not only does this digital mixer offer some fantastic features such as 16 onboard Effects, eight mono channels with a dedicated compressor, and 12 multi-track recordings directly to an SD card. It’s not overly priced considering all that it can do.

What sets the Zoom L-12 apart from other digital mixers?

This mixer is unique because of its innovative design, which makes handling easy and combines the mixing, recording, and monitoring process in one portable unit; for bands or other artists looking to record live performances, it’s the perfect tool. It’s the only digital podcast console that gives you the ability to mix your live show and record up to 12 channels simultaneously with five individual custom headphone mixes.

This is not a super high-tech podcast mixer, but it does offer several key features that you won’t find in other digital mixers in the same price range. Here are a few of the L-12’s key features:

• 16 Onboard Effects
• Custom Scene Settings
• Slate Mic and Metronome
• 3-band mid-parametric EQ

 A combination of excellent podcast starter kit features, streamlined designs, and excellent price give the L-12 an A-plus rating.

6. Behringer Podcastudio USB

A lot of people are trying their luck. Higher-income and consistent work is the prime reasons why many people are taking up this venture. If you wish to be successful as others, you may want to buy the Behringer Podcastudio USB.

Specifications and features

Behringer’s Podcastudio USB comes with a complete recording studio, including the USB/audio interface, headphones, and lots more. It also features a 5-input mixer with 2-band EQ (British style). You also get a dynamic microphone with a desk mount along with the cable. With all its features and inclusions, the product makes great startup equipment.

Pros

The unit is easy to use. Whether you are a podcast amateur or an experienced podcaster, you can use the team without any issue. Also, the product is highly durable to lasts longer. Most importantly, the unit comes with a smaller price tag.

Cons

For enhanced usage, you will need to upgrade the product. Some users find it difficult to set up the kit. Other than these things, the product makes an ideal fit for any application.

Bottom line

The above review makes it pretty clear that the Behringer Podcastudio USB is an ideal choice for beginners and professionals in the podcast world. Better quality, durability, innovative features, affordability, etc., are significant reasons many buy this top-quality product. If you want to take your venture to new heights, invest in this top-rated USB and register a huge success.

Those who wish to enter the fray should get themselves adequately equipped to survive. After all, the listeners have high expectations. Some people rent a professional studio that already contains everything they need. Others convert a spare room into their recording studio and invest in the necessary equipment. If you are keen on the second podcast strategy, then read on to learn about the items that you need:

Podcast Pack Gear Needed

A good quality podcast starter kit or podcasting packs consist of the following:

1. Microphones

You will need this input device to capture your voice and other sounds for the recording. Indeed, you might want to get several microphones for co-hosts and guests. They come in all shapes and sizes. Even phones and laptops have small mics though these are generally of poor podcast quality. A dedicated podcasting microphone Condenser mics are expensive and fragile, but they tend to pick up sound better than dynamic mics. They are a good option if you can soundproof your room. If not, then they might pick up too much noise from the podcast studio surroundings.

2. Podcasting Headphones

Wearing headphones will allow you to monitor the podcast audio being recorded. They can also block out noise from the outside so you can concentrate on the recording. Passing cars and background chatter will not be a distraction. Please resist the temptation to cross them out of your list and depend solely on your ears. They are indispensable if you are attempting to improve the quality of your recordings. Headphones make it easier to detect problems and implement solutions during recording. As a result, there will be fewer issues during post-processing.

3. Digital Recorder

While recording audio on a computer or smartphone is possible, most serious people depend on a digital recorder instead. This is a portable podcast device just a bit larger than a deck of cards. Digital recorders can take it to the field for on-the-spot interviews like sporting events, public demonstrations, product launches, and other gatherings. The units have their mics, control buttons, speakers, and advanced features. The best models can also be used inside a studio, thanks to their input and output ports. The conversations will be recorded directly on a memory card as WAVE or MP3 files.

4. Audio Mixers

Some podcasters use audio mixers to gain greater control over how the inputs blend. It is an optional piece of equipment that can make life a lot easier if multiple podcast panelists. The host can mute everyone except the designated speaker to prevent overlap and confusion. Volume can be changed on the fly if required. And annoying feedback loops can be prevented. Ensure that you get a model with enough channels for all the inputs you want to hook up. Go for respected brands in the industry like Behringer and Mackie. Read online reviews to learn about user experiences with each podcast device.

5. Accessories

Smaller kit items will help you get the best audio possible in your podcast starter kit. Get yourself a sturdy yet adjustable boom arm for the mic. It will allow you to move freely in your studio. This should have a shock mount at the end to reduce noise from vibrations. Pop filters can also reduce unwanted sounds, including pops and hisses. They will make the listening experience more pleasant for your audience. A headphone amplifier should also be considered if there are several people in the podcast recording studio.

6. Computer

The raw audio will often be plain. The show can be made livelier by editing it on a computer. You can add music and effects at just the right moments. Having a unique intro and outro will also help in branding. They might also want to delete or mute parts that are not fit for broadcast. They can compile several interviews in one show, along with other segments. All of these can be accomplished on a desktop or a laptop with a little bit of patience. The computer does not have to be as powerful as a gaming rig, but it should be good enough to handle podcast audio editing without any lags. It is also helpful in preparing the show notes, including episode descriptions, relevant links, and significant pictures.

Other Starter Kit Requirements For Podcasting

No Podcast Is Complete Without This

Assembling the hardware is an important step, but it does not end there. Other requirements have to be taken care of to create a good show and deliver them to interested parties. They include editing software, a web hosting account, and a means of promotion.

1. Editing Software

You need to install podcast audio editing software on your computer to start with post-processing. Don’t worry if you are running low on funds because of all your purchases. You can get this for free, thanks to generous developers. The best free software is called Audacity, and you can download it from the official website. Check the system requirements to ensure compatibility. It should run well on most Windows and Macintosh computers. There are numerous online tutorials on how to use its various features. Mac owners also have the option of using GarageBand, which comes pre-installed on their system.

2. Hosting

The episode files will have to be uploaded to the Web to be accessible to podcast listeners. You will need to pay for a web hosting account as low as a few dollars a month. The price goes up if you want more storage, bandwidth, and features. Several companies specialize in hosting. They are more reliable than generic web hosts for this type of activity. Some of them provide integration with other helpful tools like YouTube and WordPress. Among the most popular hosts are Libsyn, Podbean, and SoundCloud. Read more about each platform to discover its strengths and weaknesses.

3. Promotion

You will want to create a blog that listeners can visit to check for the newest episodes and additional content. They may also leave comments and form a community on the site. As previously stated, they can be easily integrated into some content management systems like WordPress. Promoting the podcast using social media is also crucial to its success. Maintain a regular presence in all top networks—post about upcoming guests, topics, giveaways, and other things that might interest the listeners. Please encourage them to leave reviews on iTunes to help it get more credibility and exposure.

Conclusion On This Podcast Starter Pack

Countless podcast shows are popping up everywhere. Before you launch your podcast, make sure that your show stands toe-to-toe with those in your niche. Get the basics right for a solid foundation. Acquire the necessary podcast starter kit and equipment with the highest level of quality that you can afford. Create the best that your budget currently allows. Upgrade as you get more funding. Adhere to a lofty standard of production at all times. Listeners of podcasts will appreciate your efforts and reward you with their loyalty.

Are you looking for more ideas?  Take a look at this best podcast kit article as well.