Over the past year or so, I’ve been slowly putting together a setup to record podcasts. It is complete! Well, it’s not complete but it now has everything I need to record quality audio, and have a cohost.Why has it taken so long you ask. Well, It wasn’t really money, though that was part of it. It was largely my procrastination, due to a little bit of fear and lack of self confidence. Also, I come from a live sound engineering background, and I didn’t want to put out anything that sounded bad.
This all changed recently when I participated In a free webinar called Learn How to Podcast by Cliff Ravenscraft at podcastanswerman.com. I’ve been listening to several of Cliff’s shows for about a year and a half and he really explains things in a way that makes things simple and understandable.
The two hours or so I spent watching Cliff walk us through every detail involved, from concept to publishing, and getting listed in iTunes, was priceless, and it took away every excuse I had for not moving foward on a podcast.
So, what does this set up consist of? Not a lot really.
How much did it cost? Well, that is hard to nail down because most of the gear is stuff I have collected over the years from my live sound work, and some of it I got used. The digital recorder and the microphone stands are the only things I have purchased brand new in the last year with an eye towards podcasting. I will run down the list below and tell you what I paid, and what you could use in it’s stead.
1) Zoom H4n Digital recorder. $300.00
This thing is amazing! I bought it for recording live performances, both from the board and with the onboard mics. I could record a podcast with just this peice of equipment. I have recorded trial episodes with this on a mic stand, and it is very good. Because the mics are so good and sensitive, this is not something I want to do as a regular thing, but I will record feild interviews with it.
If money is a problem, and if you are going to record with a mic through a mixer (recomended), Zoom, Tascam, Olympus and many others make digital recorders that will do the job just fine for around $100.00.
2) Behringer UB802 Mixer. $49.99
This mixer has been discontinued and is now called the XENYX 802 Mixer. I’ve had this thing for several years and I don’t remember what I paid for it, but it currently sells for 49.00.
This mixer is acceptable, but a little noisy, and will be the first peice of gear I replace. I will get the Mackie 802-VLZ3 Compact Mixer ($199.99) as soon as I can afford it.
A lower cost alternative would be the Behringer Xenyx 502 Mixer for $39.99. It has the same sound quality as tthe 802, but is limited to one microphone input. If you only plan on working solo this would be fine, but it isn’t a sacrifice I would make for $20.00.
Audix OM2 Microphones. $99.99ea
I have two of these. I have used them for years for live sound and I love them. They are equivelant to the Sure SM58 and cost the same, but they have a slightly differant tonal character. This is purely personal choice. I bought them used for $60.00 each, and SM58s can be found used for $50 – $60 all the time. I wouldn’t recomend anything lower in quality. Remember, your podcast will never sound better than your mics are capable of.
Sony MDR-7506 Headphones. $99.00
Another item I have from live sound and recording projects. These sound very natural and are comfortable. You could get by with just cheap earbuds if need be, you really only need them for monitoring recording levals and EQ, and hearing your music and sound clips. If you plan on a lot of recording however, get some decent quality headphones.
I am going to buy a second set soon for a possible podcast that will have a cohost, and I will probably buy Sony MDR-7502 Headphones. They go for $49.00.
Microphone boom stands. $29.99ea
Not essential, as a small desk top stand ($10.00) will work, but they are very convenient. I have two.
Various Cables. $50.00
One 6′ mic cable, one 10′ mic cable and two 1/8″ TRS – dual 1/4″ Mono cables.
Netbook. $300.00
I bought this used two years ago for $150.00. It isn’t fast or powerful, but I will only be using it to play sound clips and intro/exit music, and it handles the light audio editing duties fine.
My wife and I are soon replacing our office computer, and my studio will get a permanent place in our home office also, then this computer will get relegated to skype duties only.
USB Sound Card. $20.00 – $50.00
You most likely will need this. Computer sound (or headphones) outputs are usually very noisy. Mine creates a constant hissing sound when conected to my mixer. Getting the digital to analog conversion process outside of the machine goes a long way towards high quality sound.
Cost of my rig if purchased new – 799.00 (computer not included)
Cost of alternative but equivelent rig with one mic, as described above – $380.00 (no computer)
Podcasting can be done for much less than this, but for the sound quality I want, the fact that I want to be able to have a cohost, and given the recording process I want to use, I think this is a good starting point.
Stay tuned for news about my podcast coming soon, and another one in the works in a couple of months.