When I spotted the trend, I decided to wait a little longer, despite the enormous opportunity. After all, I am a firm believer in focus and I was banging on about content marketing and SEO.
And I have always achieved good results by doing one marketing channel very well first and only then expanding to another channel.
But in the meantime, my SEO and content marketing are running so well that it's time to take advantage of the podcast opportunity. And so I went back to my article about the best podcast microphone and checked if it was up to date.
I was surprised how relevant it still was. But podcasting is more than just recording audio. Especially if it is a serious marketing or business opportunity.
It is about quality, flexibility and productivity.
So I put together a podcast studio set with the best podcast equipment that my budget (€1,200) allowed me to buy.
In this article I share which podcast equipment I have purchased, what you need as a minimum for your podcast and above all... why you need it.
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My set of podcast equipment
Before I explain what it all is and why you need this podcast equipment, I'll start with an overview of my equipment.
Rodecaster Pro
The Rodecaster Pro is an all-in-one solution for podcasting that saves me a lot of time in recording and production.
2x SE Electronics X1 s microphone
In addition to the table microphone from my first article, I also have two studio microphones from SE Electronics that I use. These microphones with arms prevent ticking and banging noises.
Aluminum case with foam
This aluminium pilot case has 2 layers, so I can put all my podcast equipment in 1 case. You can easily adjust the supplied foam.
2x Sennheiser headphones (6mm jack)
The headphones don't have to be too expensive. I have chosen 2 Sennheisers with a 6mm jack. You can then connect this to the Rodecaster Pro.
2x Microphone arm
I use a Microphone arm. In combination with X1 s-set, bumps and taps against the desk are absorbed. This particular set has the perfect bridging distance.
2x Micro SD card
I have 2 Micro SD cards (with converter) that fit into the Rodecaster. This is where the podcast is recorded. Choose quality, because you don't want your cheap card to crash with your podcast on it.
The "receipt" of the whole set
Please note. Prices are subject to change. These prices are based on the time of writing.
The podcast studio composition
Okay, now you have an idea of the podcast equipment you need to build a podcast studio that is also mobile enough to podcast in remote locations.
Now it's time to explain why I put together my podcast studio in this way and why I chose this specific equipment (see photos below).
Compatibility
One of the most important points I based my choice on is compatibility. If the podcast equipment doesn't work together, it's no use.
The connections and plugs must match. Sounds simple, but I'm not the only one who finds out too late ;)...
Price/quality
The trick for me was to find the best value for money. A podcast with bad sound will never be successful. And on the other hand, good equipment can make the difference between hours of editing or just publishing without editing.
The podcast microphone (in my case the X1 s) has the greatest effect on quality, but the Rodecaster ensures that the sound of you and your guests can be easily matched. This prevents you from being heard very softly and your guest very loudly, for example.
A good MicroSD is vital, because if a card becomes corrupted, and this happens more often with cheaper cards, you may lose your best work... and all for the sake of saving a few euros.
Flexibility & mobility
Another aspect I have paid attention to is flexibility and mobility. Flexibility as in the possibility to expand later with other podcast equipment and mobility as in easy to set up elsewhere.
Because sometimes you will record from your own location, but sometimes you will record a podcast at your guest's place and then you want the same quality as the podcasts you record at your own location.
The mobile podcasting studio I have put together can be fully up and running in 5-10 minutes.
The Rodecaster Pro
The Rodecaster Pro is one of the reasons why I decided it was time to start podcasting. This is because the 'post production process', or post processing of recordings, was very unpleasant for me.
When I was still a big photographer, I was always disappointed if, after shooting beautiful images, I had to spend hours polishing small mistakes or imperfections.
With audio, this can be even more difficult if the quality is not good enough. The Rodecast ensures that you hear the result as it is recorded. This makes it easy to make small adjustments to improve the quality via the panel.
The power of simplicity
The Rodecaster excels in simplicity. The podcast panel does not contain any superfluous functions, so that you can get used to it in just half an hour.
This simplicity is also found in the functions. You can start a podcast with a simple press of a button, and even add a podcast intro or sound effect to your recordings with one press of a button.
The great thing is that the guests can also hear this, so they know what is happening in the background.
Finally, the simplicity is found in the manual... there is none. There are 2 large sheets with instructions, as you can see below.
Versatile and contemporary
The Rodecaster Pro gives you the opportunity to connect 4 microphones, record a phone call via Bluetooth or connect an audio source via a USB-C connection, for example a laptop/iPad to record a Zoom call.
Especially if you want to interview busy guests, it is useful that you can record telephone and Zoom conversations.
Finally... and this is particularly interesting for the more advanced podcasters, the Rodecaster takes multi track on. This gives each guest (or effect) its own audio file. You can thus edit each individual channel without affecting the others (e.g. if one guest had bad sound).
The sE Electronics X1 s microphone
I'm going to be very honest with you here... at first, I ended up with this microphone because everything else was sold out. Because it was obvious to get a Yeti or a Red NT1 to buy one. I already had a Yeti and the Rode NT1 is the industry standard.
But of necessity, I had to look for an alternative and discovered that my first options were mainly motivated by social proof. Just because everyone chooses those microphones.
The SE X1 s is actually a very good choice. And certainly if you look at the price/quality ratio. You get a full-fledged studio microphone, including pop filter and shock mount for the price for which you would normally only buy the microphone.
The pop filter ensures that pop sounds are recorded when you pronounce a loud 'p' or similar. The shock mount picks up vibrations from, for example, your desk.
The pilot case with foam
The pilot case has not much to do directly with podcast equipment, but indirectly it is primarily an investment in the protection and preservation of the equipment.
The equipment in the podcast studio often contains vulnerable parts. Think of the microphones that are full of 'fine' electronics and sensors. But you also have to take good care of the Rodecaster.
I chose this case because it consists of two separate compartments, both of which are fitted with protective foam that you can easily adjust to suit your equipment. No hassle with knives. Just carefully tear off the foam strips in the shape you want.
Another advantage of this case is that you can also pull it behind you as a trolley. Handy if you have to walk through half of Amsterdam to get to your location.
Finally, it is a nice idea that the suitcase is protected by a 6-digit code for both compartments.
Sennheiser Headphones
I don't want to go into too much detail here, because basically any headphone will do. There is only one thing you need to pay attention to and that is that you need a 6mm jack (plug).
Do you already own wired headphones, but with the 3.5mm (small) jack? No problem either. In that case, you can buy a set of adapter plugs for a few euros on Bol.com.
Red microphone arm
I have chosen a microphone that I can mount on a microphone arm. The main reason for this is that the arm forms a filter/buffer between desk noise and the microphone. For example the tapping on a keyboard or when you bump into your desk.
With a table microphone, those kinds of noises can come in hard on the microphone, and if that happens too often in your podcast, people will drop out... because you'll scare yourself to death 😉 .
What you should pay attention to is the length of the arm and the type of connection (if any). Some microphone arms come with an integrated USB cable and others with an XLR connector. The latter you need for the X1 s microphone.
It is also good to look at the dimensions. I first bought a cheaper version from Trust, but it was too short and did not reach far enough to get near my mouth.
In the end, I am at This Red microphone arm It is large enough to fit most desks and tables. It is big enough for most desks and tables.
MicroSD cards
As I wrote earlier in the article, it is essential that you choose quality MicroSD cards. The cheaper cards tend to damage the data, which means that you actually lose your recordings. The brand doesn't really matter, but the ones from SamSung came out well in the test.
I also recommend that you always format the card before a new podcast and always transfer the recordings to your laptop and the Cloud after a podcast.
Podcast hosting
Now that we've covered the podcast equipment in detail, it's a good idea to think about the hosting of your podcast files. Because you can store them on your own server webhosting This can lead to a slow website. That is why you use podcast hosting.
Another big advantage of specialised podcast hosting is that you get good statistics and analytics. If you host your podcast in-house, then you have to get the statistics from the various platforms, such as Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.
Podcast software
Even if you use the Rodecaster, you will still need to do some editing from time to time. Of course, there is a world of software apps for that, but these are the most used ones:
- Audacity (advanced and free)
- Garageband (Easy & free on Mac)
- Adobe Audition (advanced and paid)
I myself work in Adobe Audition or Garageband. Audacity can do the same and possibly even more than these two, but I can't get over the very outdated interface. If that doesn't bother you, that's also an interesting one to look at.
Do you need a professional podcast studio?
The answer to that question depends on a number of things, the most important of which is your ambition for the podcast. Another consideration is how critical your listeners are.
If your podcast is for a less tech-savvy audience, you may not need to invest in professional podcast equipment. If you're targeting marketers, entrepreneurs, or musicians, then it's a good idea to invest in quality podcast equipment.
But if you can't spare €1200, you can also start with a single podcast microphone.
A few final words about my podcast set
In this article I have shared which podcast equipment I use and why I chose this studio equipment.
Personally, I value the quality of the equipment, but also the podcasts I follow. But in the end, you have to choose the solution that suits you best.
Even more important than the podcast equipment is the content. Make sure the content is worthwhile. Are you doing interviews? Then select guests who have something to say. Are you sharing your knowledge and insights? Make sure they are valuable tips that you share.
That was it. Now it's up to you 😉 .
