Beginner’s Guide to Podcast Equipment Part II

Beginner’s Guide to Podcast Equipment Part II

In the first part of the Beginner’s Guide to Podcast Equipment, we laid out the importance of getting the right equipment to prepare when you’re about to record your podcast. Today we will talk about the equipment necessary during recording and editing. 

Getting a high-quality output is the goal whether you’re recording the audio only or if you are also recording a video podcast. A cleanly edited podcast makes it easier to communicate with your target market and looks professional. To achieve this, here are our recommended beginner’s podcast equipment: 

• Audio Interface
• Camera
• Lighting
• Podcast Editing and Recording Software

Audio Interface

Audio interface is useful especially if you will have multiple guests during your podcast. This is advisable to add variety to your episodes and give more value to your listeners. The interface plugs into your computer and acts like a bridge to the analog equipment especially when you’re using XLR mics for your guests. Remember to have enough channels for the guests, sound effects, music. etc. 

Camera

Maximize your podcast by taking a video recording and repurpose it for your marketing efforts. According to Vimeo, viewers are more engaged than listeners since their attention is on you. For podcast beginners, any web camera will do but experts recommend cameras with a resolution of 1920×1080 (1080p) and frame rate of 24fps or 30fps. A higher resolution means bigger file size which can make loading your video online longer.

Lighting
Good lighting adds professionalism to your video podcast and can be beneficial if you will be demonstrating something. If you’re just starting, natural light can work as long as it doesn’t cause any unwanted shadows during the recording. You can also opt for clamp lights but make sure to have the bulb colors so it will look consistent even when viewed from different angles. 

Podcast Editing and Recording Software

After recording everything, you need to edit and stitch videos so you can maximize your airtime. An average episode duration is around 20-40 minutes so you can edit yours at the same time. There are different podcast editing and recording software out there with free and paid versions. Before purchasing, consider your skill level and the output you want. Remember that there is a learning curve which can take up your time. If you want to focus on content building and your business, opt for a podcast production agency like Podcast Town. It frees up your time and lets professionals do the job for you. 

Ready to start recording? Remember that aside from the equipment, your listener is the star of your podcast. Carefully plan the message and the learnings so your listeners will listen to future episodes. Ensuring good quality means the message is clearly communicated and can be shared to other potential fans as well.

Want to start a podcast or grow your existing show? Check out the Podcast Town Academy!