Everything You Need to Start a Podcast
You don’t need a studio to make a podcast that sounds professional. What you need is a decent microphone placed close to your mouth, a quiet room, headphones so you can hear what you’re actually recording, and a simple way to publish. Everything else is a nice-to-have.
Below is the gear we’d recommend, from a single USB mic you can plug in tonight to the dynamic microphones and mixers serious shows end up using. After the list, you’ll find a step-by-step guide to recording, editing for free, publishing your RSS feed and getting your first listeners.
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The podcast starter kit
- 1Best first mic
Samson Q2U
A dynamic handheld mic with both a USB and an XLR output. Plug it straight into your computer today, then move it to an interface or mixer later without buying a new mic.
- USB and XLR in one mic
- Dynamic capsule rejects room noise
- Headphone jack for zero-latency monitoring
Best for: First-time podcasters on a tight budget
- 2Best premium USB mic
Shure MV7+
A dynamic broadcast-style mic with USB-C and XLR outputs and Shure’s companion software for tone and level control. It gives you a polished radio sound without needing an interface.
- USB-C and XLR outputs
- Broadcast-style dynamic sound
- Software controls for gain and tone
Best for: Solo hosts who want great sound with one cable
- 3Best value XLR mic
Rode PodMic
A solid, heavy dynamic XLR microphone built specifically for podcasting, with an internal pop filter and an integrated swing mount. It pairs naturally with an interface or a RØDECaster.
- Made for spoken word
- Built-in pop filter
- All-metal build
Best for: Multi-host shows recording through an interface or mixer
- 4Best upgrade
Shure SM7B
The dynamic microphone you’ve seen on countless podcasts and radio studios. It sounds warm and controlled, but its output is low, so plan for an interface with plenty of clean gain or an inline preamp.
- Industry-standard broadcast sound
- Very forgiving of untreated rooms
- Built to last for years
Best for: Established shows ready to invest in their sound
- 5Best simple interface
Focusrite Scarlett Solo
A compact USB audio interface with one XLR mic preamp and an instrument input. It’s the easiest way to connect a single XLR microphone to your computer.
- Plug-and-play on Mac and Windows
- Direct monitoring for headphones
- Small enough for any desk
Best for: One host with one XLR microphone
- 6Best all-in-one
RØDECaster Duo
A podcast production console with two mic inputs, built-in voice processing, sound pads and recording to a memory card. It replaces an interface, a mixer and a recorder in one box.
- Two hosts in one box
- Onboard processing — less editing later
- Records without a computer
Best for: Two-person shows that want a real studio workflow
- 7Best portable recorder
Zoom PodTrak P4
A small battery-powered podcast recorder with four XLR mic inputs that records to an SD card and can also work as a USB interface. Ideal for interviews on location.
- Four mic inputs
- Runs on batteries
- Doubles as a USB interface
Best for: Interview and on-the-road podcasts
- 8Best monitoring headphones
Sony MDR-7506
Closed-back studio headphones that have been a broadcast staple for decades. They isolate well, so your mic doesn’t pick up what you’re listening to, and they reveal clicks and noise before your audience hears them.
- Closed-back: no bleed into the mic
- Detailed, honest sound
- Folds for travel
Best for: Every host and every guest
- 9Best boom arm
Rode PSA1+
A desk-clamped studio boom arm that keeps the microphone close to your mouth and off the desk, where it would pick up taps and keyboard noise. It moves smoothly and quietly.
- Keeps the mic at the right distance
- Quiet, smooth movement
- Frees up your desk
Best for: Anyone recording at a desk
- 10Best room fix
Auralex Studiofoam
Acoustic foam panels that soak up the echo that makes home recordings sound like a bathroom. A few panels around your recording spot make a bigger difference than a more expensive microphone.
- Cuts room echo
- Light and easy to mount
- Cheaper than a better mic
Best for: Rooms with bare walls and hard floors
What to buy at each budget
Starter: one person, one evening
A USB dynamic microphone like the Samson Q2U, a pair of closed-back headphones and a cheap desk stand or boom arm is all you need. Dynamic microphones are more forgiving than condenser mics in untreated rooms: they pick up your voice and much less of the echo and the fridge humming in the next room.
Serious: a regular show with guests
Move to XLR microphones (Rode PodMic or Shure SM7B) and either an interface like the Scarlett Solo for one voice, or an all-in-one console like the RØDECaster Duo for two. XLR gear is modular: you can add microphones, change the interface or record on location with a Zoom PodTrak without replacing everything.
Recording tips that matter more than gear
- Stay close to the mic. A hand’s width away from a dynamic microphone is the sweet spot. Distance is what makes a room sound echoey.
- Pick the softest room you have. A bedroom with a bed, curtains and a rug beats a big empty living room.
- Record each person on their own track. It lets you fix one voice without affecting the other.
- Leave headroom. Aim for your voice to peak well below the maximum; a quiet recording can be raised, a distorted one can’t be repaired.
- Record ten seconds of silence at the start. Noise-reduction tools use it to learn your room’s background noise.
Free software to record and edit
Audacity (Windows, Mac, Linux) is free and handles recording, cutting, noise reduction and loudness. GarageBand is free on Mac. For remote interviews, record each guest locally when possible, or use a remote recording service that captures each side separately, rather than recording a video call.
Before publishing, normalise your episode to a consistent loudness so listeners don’t have to reach for the volume between your show and the next one.
Hosting and publishing your RSS feed
A podcast is distributed through an RSS feed. A podcast host stores your audio files and generates that feed; you then submit the feed once to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other apps, and every new episode appears automatically. Choose a host that lets you export your feed, so you can move later without losing subscribers.
You’ll need cover art (a square image, readable at thumbnail size), a show title, a short description that says who the show is for, and a category.
Getting your first listeners
- Publish two or three episodes at launch so new listeners can binge.
- Keep a regular schedule — weekly or every two weeks.
- Turn each episode into short clips for social media.
- Invite guests who will share the episode with their own audience.
- List your show in every directory you can — including ours: submit your podcast to ArtisFind for free, and browse the ArtisFind podcast directory for inspiration.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum gear needed to start a podcast?
A USB microphone, a pair of closed-back headphones and a computer with free software like Audacity. That’s enough to record, edit and publish a good-sounding show.
USB or XLR microphone — which should I choose?
USB is simpler and cheaper for one person. XLR needs an interface or mixer but scales to several hosts and lets you upgrade parts separately. Hybrid mics like the Samson Q2U and Shure MV7+ offer both.
Do I need a condenser or a dynamic microphone?
For most home podcasts, dynamic. Condensers capture more detail but also more room echo and background noise, which is exactly what untreated rooms have plenty of.
How do I get my podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts?
Upload your episodes to a podcast host, which creates your RSS feed, then submit that feed once to each platform. New episodes then appear everywhere automatically.
Can I list my podcast on ArtisFind?
Yes — it’s free. Submit your RSS feed from the podcast submission page and your show will appear in the ArtisFind podcast directory once reviewed.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra and helps keep ArtisFind free.