Ready to start a podcast?
Audio quality is clearly one of the most important factors – and for that, you’ll need a good microphone.
As you add more people, you will need some additional gear to get everything hooked up and recorded on your computer. It’s not complicated – and I’ll tell you exactly what you need to get started.
I’ll give a lower budget (but quality) recommendation and some suggested upgrade options as well.
Get The PDF Guide: Best Podcast Starter Kits (for any budget)
–> Click Here To Download The Starter Kit Guide.
You’ll get a simplified & straight-forward guide for easy access anytime.
For recording software, just use GarageBand if you have a Mac or Audacity (for Mac & PC). They’re both free recording and editing software. If you have an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription, you can use Adobe Audition, but there’s no need to pay extra for it to start.
You will also need a place to host your recorded MP3 files. I recommend Buzzsprout podcast hosting (use this link for a free $20 Amazon gift card). It comes with free podcast statistics and great support (it’s what I use).
You don’t need to do it to first launch your podcast, but I recommend you get your own website host (separate from the podcast host) so that you have complete control over your everything: design, speed, email sign-ups, etc.
If you don’t want a slow website, check out Kinsta ($30/mo) or Bluehost ($3.95/mo + a free domain name). Don’t forget to get your own domain name!
Contents
Buzzsprout will provide you with your podcast RSS feed that you will submit to iTunes, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, etc. Also, take a look at the podcast distribution guide for info on getting more listeners.
Now on to the podcast starter kit recommendations:
1 Person Podcast Starter Kit
Entry Level Option
 | Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB
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 | Audio-Technica ATH-M30x
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Ready to start a solo podcast? Here’s what you need:
Seriously, that’s it.
This is the Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB. Even Tim Ferriss uses this mic. It has both USB and XLR plugs so you can start by plugging it straight into your computer. Later on, you can look into getting a mixer or audio interface.
It also has a headphone jack so you will be able to hear yourself recording. You’ll also want a decent pair of closed-back headphones. The Audio-Technica ATH-M30x headphones are my favorite budget choice.
Feel free to check out the ATR2100 review for the recommended shock mount (to reduce vibrations) and a few more details.
Intermediate Option
 | Blue Yeti USB Microphone
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 | Blue Radius II shock mount
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 | Heil PL2T boom
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Blue Yeti USB Microphone – USB only, but has a ton of features and great sound quality. This is what I started with and it’s extremely popular for good reason. For a 1 person podcast, a quality USB mic is a great choice.
I paired it with the Blue Radius II shock mount
and Heil PL2T boom
(cheaper booms aren’t strong enough for the weight of the Yeti).
Intermediate+ Option
 | Rode Podcaster Booming Kit
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Rode Podcaster Booming Kit: Podcaster, PSA1 Arm, and PSM1 shock mount – Rode is a well-respected brand in the microphone and audio equipment space and they make awesome stuff. This is a USB microphone so you can be up and running in minutes – without needing extra gear.
Pro Option
 | Heil Sound PR 40
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 | Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (2nd Gen)
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 | Heil Windscreen
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 | Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Headphones
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Heil PR-40 Microphone, Heil PL-2T Boom Arm & Heil PRSM Shock Mount – Broadcast-quality microphone that is nearly unanimously recommended by the pros. This is the best podcast starter kit that comes with nearly everything you need, but you still need a way to connect it to your computer.
Get the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface to accomplish that task. Round it out with the Heil Windscreen and the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Headphones. This stuff will be with you for many years and is worth the investment.
2, 3 & 4 Person Podcast Starter Kits
Entry Level Option
With a 2 or more person podcast, you’ll each need an XLR microphone – and studio headphones are highly recommended. Because you can’t easily record more than 1 USB microphone into one computer, you’ll need a USB audio interface or mixer with at least as many XLR microphone inputs as you have hosts. But also consider having a spare input for a guest!
For the multi-person budget podcast kit I’m going to recommend:
 | Behringer Ultravoice Xm8500 Microphone
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 | On Stage Foam Windscreen
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 | CBI MLC20 Low Z XLR Microphone Cable (20ft)
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| Audio-Technica ATH-M30x
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The Audio-Technica ATH-M30x headphone recommendation stays the same as the single-host kit.
Just get 2x, 3x or 4x of those 4 things.
You will need a way to plug in multiple pairs of headphones though – and the Behringer HA400 is your solution. Don’t forget a balanced TRS cable (different lengths available) to plug it into your mixer or interface.
The USB interface or mixer will depend on how many people you have:
- 2 XLR inputs: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface
- 4 XLR inputs:
- Mixer: Behringer Xenyx Q1202USB
- USB Interface: Tascam US-4×4
- 6 XLR inputs:
- Mixer: Behringer Xenyx X1222USB
- USB Interface: Tascam US-16X08
Important: The above mixers don’t have multi-track output to your computer, meaning you won’t be able to edit each person individually. Choose a USB interface if you need this.
Don’t forget you will want extra inputs at some point. Be sure to take a look at the intermediate options for these as the price doesn’t jump that much but the quality does.
So to review you will need:
- Microphone (for each person)
- XLR Cable (for each person)
- USB Interface or Mixer (w/ USB in/out)
Technically optional but highly recommended (for each person):
- Microphone Stand (here are the best tabletop mic stands)
- Shock Mount
- Windscreen or Pop Filter
- Studio Headphones
Here are some upgrade options… feel free to mix and match!
Intermediate Option
 | Rode Procaster
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| Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Headphones
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All-around excellent choices that balance price and quality.
Microphone, Boom & Shock Mount
Rode Procaster, Rode PSA 1 Boom Arm, and Rode PSM 1 Shockmount
The Procaster is a big step up from the beginner multi-person kit and is an excellent value for the price.
Headphones
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Headphones
Audio Interface/Mixer
- 2 XLR inputs:
- Mixer: Yamaha AG06 (only channel 1 has phantom power)
- USB Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 6i6
- 4 XLR inputs:
- Mixer: Mackie ProFX8v2 or RODEcaster Pro
- USB Interface: PreSonus STUDIO 68
- 6+ XLR inputs:
- Mixer: Mackie ProFX12v2
- USB Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 (2nd Gen)
Pro Option
 | Heil Sound PR 40 Bundle
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 | Shure SM7B
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 | Electro Voice RE-20
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 | Electro-Voice 309A shock mount
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| Heil PL-2T Scissor Boom Arm
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 | Shure SRH940 Headphones
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If you jumped to here, the microphone kit is the same as the solo section (with other top-notch options as well). The Universal Audio interfaces are fairly expensive, but you can safely use a less expensive model (like from the intermediate section right above here) with the other gear recommendations.
Microphone, Boom & Shock Mount
Heil PR-40 Microphone, Heil PL-2T Boom Arm & Heil PRSM Shock Mount (all in one kit)
Microphone & Shock Mount
- Shure SM7B (shock mount is built in – you just need a boom arm)
- Electro Voice RE-20 (broadcasting classic) & Electro-Voice 309A shock mount (also fits the Heil PR-40)
Because all of these dynamic mics are known to be quiet, I highly recommend pairing them with the CL-1 Cloudlifter (for each mic). It converts phantom power into a very clean +25dB gain. Cloud Microphones has a CL-2 (2 mics) and rack mountable CL-4 model as well.
Boom Arm
Headphones
Shure SRH940 Headphones (probably overkill for podcasting, but they’re really nice either way)
Audio Interface/Mixer
- 2 XLR inputs: Universal Audio Apollo Twin USB
- 4 XLR inputs:
- Mixer: RODEcaster Pro
- USB Interface: Focusrite 18i8 (2nd Gen)
- 6+ XLR inputs:
- Mixer: Allen & Heath ZED-12FX
- USB Interface: MOTU 8pre USB
Let me know in the comments if you have any questions or if you have your own starter kit recommendations. Lastly, podcasting should be fun, so don’t take yourself too seriously!
Hello Ross, and thanks for all of your great work. I was looking at the larger pro option mixers, and I wondered what the advantage would be with the Allen & Heath ZED-12FX over the Mackie ProFX12v2? I’ve worked a bit with a smaller Mackie mixer and always thought they were great devices. Thanks!
Hey Robert, The Mackie ProFX12v2 is great – basically just a larger version of the 8v2. It’s also half the price of the ZED-12FX. I believe the biggest differences are more control over USB routing, larger faders, dual L/R master fader, higher quality preamps (and more gain), and more Aux sends (pre- and post-fader). I was just trying to highlight different brands and price points.
I think most people would do just fine with the Mackie for podcasting.
Hello Ross,
I bought the budget 2,3,4 podcast kit you recommended with the Behringer Xenyx Q1202USB Mixer (2 xlr mics, 2 headphones plugged in to mixer with splitter mini headphone amp you recommended).
I have a question, I plan on doing a podcast with 1 person on site (local guest) and a remote caller guest through google hangouts.
When I have to phones / control room selected, The remote guest can hear both of us locally and we can hear the remote guest. But I cannot hear the local guest through my headphones. Is there a way to get it so I can hear both guests?
Hey Peter, yes you should be able to hear both. Can you send me an email with a picture of your setup to ross@podcastinsights?
Hi Ross,
Thank you for your reply. I have just sent the images to you and I look forward to hearing back from you. Thank you!
Hi Ross,
I still havent recieved a reply back. Can I get your assistance with my setup when you get the chance, my company will be conducting podcasts very soon. The email it came from was support@wealthlegacygroup.com
thank you!
Here is the picture of my setup:
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/bc485e8b29c7b75d385de3df472cda07e37460b9d3c015202e9e6c89186f5c1e.jpg
Hey Peter, it seems like it’s set correctly. I do know that the smaller models (Q802USB) have issues with this (Ray Ortega has a great video about this here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHly7Vu2w-k), but I was under the impression that the larger model (like the one you have) should be fine.
I’m trying to see if I can’t get Behringer to help you out.
Hey Peter I have the exact same set up as you but I’m having issues with the sound quality in my 2nd mic. Have you experienced this or do both mics sounds good?
Hey Ashley,
No both sound good for me. Make sure the mic channel (the knobs directly below it) are all the same
Well I tried in Garage Band and the set up sounds great must be a setting I have wrong in adobe audition, I can’t figure it out so I’m just going to record in Garage Band. Thanks for the reply:)
Hey Ross, great insights, thank you! I am starting a podcast with two others, and we will be interviewing entrepreneurs and business owners in their chosen work space or environment (could be anywhere!) so there will be travelling involved. I can’t imagine there will be more than 5 of us at any one time (3 hosts, plus two co-owners of a biz), how would you approach this given we’re all in the one room together? Do we all need our own mic? I imagine we’d be sitting around different size tables or on chairs/couches around a coffee table. Room size and background noise would vary (trying to stay away from big loud echoey rooms) Would really love your thoughts! Thanks
Hey Caitlin, thanks for the comment.
Ideally you would want a mic for each person as it would be somewhat awkward to have multiple people right up next to the same mic 🙂
Most interfaces or mixers have either 4 or 6 mic inputs, so it sounds like you’d be better off erring on the larger side.
One thing you can do if you want to keep things much more portable is get something like the Zoom H6 (4 inputs) – http://amzn.to/2DFfDXa – and get the 2-mic input attachment (http://amzn.to/2DcaswC)
If you’re traveling, you probably don’t want to be carrying 5 mic stands so I would lean toward handheld mics (and that should help minimize the room affecting too much)
Hi Ross! Thanks for this! It makes this starting process very simple. I am Communications for my boss and he wants to start a weekly government leadership podcast. I have been researching and yours is brilliantly laid out. As a podcast newbie, thank you for that. They 2,3,4 package is best for us. We will likely be using the mixer in order to have 2-4 participants. My question is: how do we hook the mixer up to a laptop or computer? Does that connection need special equipment? I just want to have the whole plan laid out when I bring it to him. Thanks!
Hey Cindy, appreciate the comment. Glad it’s helpful – always good to hear!
The mixers I recommend here all have USB connections so you can record directly to the computer. You may need a USB cable to plug them in if they don’t come with one.
There is a full list of mixers with USB connections here as well: https://www.podcastinsights.com/best-audio-mixers/
Awesome!! Thanks!
Hi Ross – I’m having an issue with my setup. I have a Behringer 1202 and 2 Audio Technica Mics. I’m running into a mac book pro into Adobe Audition. After we record on place what ever mic is in the 1 port sounds great the other sounds bad (like far away in a tunnel, hissing, etc.). I even got another brand of mixer thinking it might be the mixer but I’m having the same issue with the Alesis Multimix8, it actually sounds worse. Do you know what this might be? It’s the exact same set up Peter Jordan’s picture. Any help would much appreciated.
Hi, I ha r the same mixer and can’t seem to get it to work. Did your mixer plug and play? I’m so frustrated. I want room for 4 people on site recording into my Mac. Thanks!
What if you’re recording with someone who isn’t in the same room as you? Like over Skype? I do have a bit of a budget, so I can mail the person a mic or headset, and cope with some editing costs, but I don’t see the need for a mixer.
Hey Costa, you’re right, if you’re not in the same room you don’t really need a mixer (although if you use a standard XLR microphone, you’ll need an audio interface of some kind) – but you can just as easily use a good quality USB mic.
There are a few different services that will record much better quality than Skype. One great option (that starts out free) is Cleanfeed. Another is Ringr.
If you have to record Skype, Ecamm (Mac) and Pamela (Windows) are popular add-ons that allow you to record Skype calls. Here’s a post about some of the options: https://www.podcastinsights.com/record-podcast-with-skype/
Awesome. I can’t seem to get the mixer to work with my Mac and Audacity?? I’m pulling my hair out. And suggestions. I have looked at every website known. Behringer 1202USB.
HI Ross….Thanks for the great information.
I am looking to have a 2 person podcast and i see that you recommend the Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB for a solo podcast but not for a 2 person podcast. Is there a reason why?
If I can use 2 of the Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB, do i still pair with…
On Stage Foam Windscreen
CBI MLC20 Low Z XLR Microphone Cable (20ft) (or does the mic come with this)
4 XLR inputs: Behringer Xenyx Q1202USB Mixer (Just to give extra ports if need be)
Anything else I need/cables to pair with a MacBook Air?
If I have a zoom h4n pro, but want to have more than two people on my podcast, do I have to buy a mixer or can I just get a splitter cord? If yes, which cord is the right one to get?
Got everything you listed for two hosts, attached mics to mixer and mixer to Mac via USB, and … nothing. The mics both work fine when plugged into the USB port directly, but show no signs of life when the mixer is in the middle. What am I doing wrong?
Hi – I found this very helpful. This post confirmed lots of other research, and I like how you tiered the equipment. I’d like to ad one very important addition that was missed here, and just missed by me and I had to return some equipment.
IF YOU’RE RECORDING MULTITRACK – 2,3 or 4+ mics/people: If you want to record SEPARATE tracks for each microphone in your audito workstation (Adobe Audition, etc) the equipment listed will usually only allow for 2 separate tracks THROUGH A USB to your computer – I’ve only found two (affordable) mixers that allow for this: Soundcraft Signature 12 12MTK and the PreSonus StudioLive AR12 USB Mixer. If it says STEREO out. Each of these have at least 4 MONO outputs. If it ever says ‘STEREO to USB’, or something similar, it means its taking all the microphone inputs and compressing them onto one, or two tracks – not 3, or 4+. Even when you do record through one of these stations, the dials and slides won’t matter – it will be mixed through your audio workstation (thats what they mean when they say USB ‘interface’.) There may be some multi-thousand dollar mixers that also allow for this but those are not reasonable to most of us podcasters.
If anyone finds other mixers that allow for 3+ individual tracks in a recording sessionthrough USB, please let me know!
Hi Ross. I know this is an older post, but I have just found it now and I am loving this site. I am looking into starting a podcast with 5 individuals (so five mics) and I want to record all of them on separate channels in my DAW so that I can apply post effects and editing to each person individually. Can the Behringer Xenyx X1222USB do this? So far, it seems to me like these interfaces only pipe L/R channels into the computer, so the most you could get was two channels. I have audacity and cubase as software, but I am willing to invest in another program if necessary. Thanks!
Hey Samuel, you’re right, that mixer (man of them really) only output in stereo via USB. You probably want to look at a 6 or 8 channel audio interface. And the software should be fine.
Great, thqnks for the response! One final question:
If I get something like this Tascam US-16×08, would I still need the mixer? Or could I plug all 5 mics into the interface directly?https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016LTQL4W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_u.BeCbX6R2WM1
You can plug them in directly! 🙂
Hi Ross, thanks for the article. Im been podcasting for about 6 months now – one on one interviews – and Im been using the Yeti USB mic (great sound). Looking to now get a mixer so I can get in more mics (i.e. a mic per guest rather than sharing) but wondering if I should just lose the yeti and invest in a XLR x2 mics or is there a way to still use the Yeti USB mic and buy a XLR and then buy a mixer that would work for both? any help is much appreciated.