Since I started podcasting in 2012, the technology and equipment available to anyone who wants to make a podcast or Flash Briefing has improved considerably and prices have dropped. You can get a good quality setup for a couple hundred bucks. There’s no reason you can’t have great sounding audio just like the pros.
Clients getting started with a podcast or Flash Briefing often ask me what they should buy. Here’s what I recommend. This is perfect equipment for beginners or intermediate level. I made this post short and simple so you don’t have to deplete your ego wading through options and reviews. Just buy a few of the items below and get to recording!
At the very minimum, you need the mic (#1). The pop filter (#2) is a good add-on to that. #3 is a bundle if you are starting with absolutely nothing and want a total starter kit including headphones. If you don’t buy the bundle (#3), I suggest 1, 2, and 4. #4 is optional but nice to have along with #1 and #2 if you don’t buy the bundle.
IN A HURRY?
A) Buy my exact setup:
- Blue Yeti microphone
- Foam windscreen
- Desk clamp boom arm
- USB-c hub dongle (9 ports) OR this one by TOTU if that’s sold out – works if you have only a USB-c port as MacBook does
B) Or see my Amazon List with notes on each item here.
Want to do a video podcast? Watch my video. If you’re doing just audio, read on below.
Disclaimer: If you decide to buy anything here, please use the links in this post or the YouTube description to support the Beetle Moment Marketing Podcast, which I independently host and produce. These are Amazon Associate links, meaning I get a small referral fee for sending my readers to buy the items I recommend. Disclosure Policy.
1. Best All-Around Value Podcasting Microphone
Blue Yeti. It’s currently $119.99 on Amazon Prime (or $149.99 non-Prime). That is a fantastic price. The mic sounds great. I get compliments on my audio quality frequently, especially on my Flash Briefing because many briefings just don’t have the best sound quality since people looking for shortcuts/ease of use often record with Voice Memos on their phones (no mic means no barrier to entry but poorer sound quality). Listen to a sample from my short daily briefcast on Alexa: Voice Marketing – Daily Beetle Moment:
1-click subscribe to this briefing in any podcast app
The Yeti is affordable and perfect for podcasting. It has four cardiod settings including one where you can record two people sitting across from each other for an in-person interview.
Mic Option B: Audio-Technica
This is less expensive at $63.00 on Amazon Prime. and a good competitor to Yeti. Plus it’s handheld, which works well for shooting YouTube videos if you do a video and audio podcast: Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB Cardioid Dynamic USB/XLR Microphone
This is a handheld dynamic microphone with USB digital output and XLR analog output. The Audio-Technica is popular and many clients like it. It sounds just fine. I personally like Blue Microphones but otherwise I’d grab this one especially if you’re shooting a video podcast so you can move more easily.
Blue has been at this awhile and they know mics. (I even interviewed Blue’s Ben Thompkins about mics on my podcast.)
2. Pop Filter
Pro tip: Use a simple pop filter to reduce the air sounds from your Ps. Popping Ps sound like extra breath or air and disrupt the level smoothness of your recorded voice. You want to speak from about six inches away from the mic, with the pop filter protecting the sensitive surface of the microphone. Grab a foam windscreen as well to reduce interference from wind or breath.
3a. Desk clamp / boom arm
I clamp this Disino boom to my desk, screw in my Blue Yeti, throw on a foam shield and swivel it in front of my face for Zoom calls or podcasting. See it in my video (timestamped to the exact section). This is the easiest and best setup I’ve found.
3b. Isolation stand
If you don’t want a boom stand and you want extra protection from wind and surrounding noise (even your air conditioning will be audible with the Yeti), here’s a neat product to dampen surrounding sounds. The Yeti mic screws into this stand, elevating it off your desktop to minimize vibrations. You can combine the Yeti (#1 above), with the pop filter (#2) and this for a great little setup if you don’t want a boom (which is part of the bundle in #4).
Monoprice Microphone Isolation Shield:
4. Bundle
Great if you’re podcasting from a sturdy desk or table and don’t have decent headphones): Blue Yeti setup with desk clamp boom arm, pop filter, and headphones $149.99 on Prime. Good value. Why these items: the boom arm will reduce vibrations and make for a clearer sound. The pop filter reduces the “p” air sound that happens naturally. You can make your own bundle out of #1, #2, and #3 (what I’ve done) or buy this if you plan to record from a desk or table. I use a closet or studio to reduce echos and room noise but you may be doing this at an office, so this bundle would be great for that.
Hear this equipment in action!
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