Do you want to create a podcast? We have selected the best possible team to embark on the great adventure. Microphone, headphones, computer, software, you will know everything down to the smallest detail.
That’s it, you finally have your podcast idea! You’ve decided to get going, but here you are, you don’t know which equipment to choose… Between the microphone, the headphones or even the editing software, an unknown world opens before you.
Don’t panic, we are not going to let your idea disappear on the beach of the abandoned project. We have prepared a guide for you that will help you immerse yourself serenely in the world of podcasting. And if you prefer video, don’t worry, we’ve got a dedicated guide to streaming on Twitch and YouTube.
What microphone to choose for the podcast?
The most important point when choosing a microphone, long before the value for money, is to know the type to determine its use. In fact, based on how they pick up sound, microphones can be classified into three main families. Our complete selection of the best microphones on the market will be able to guide you in the best way.
The so-called microphones omnidirectionalFor starters, it picks up sound from all directions. A good option if you want to record multiple people talking at the same time in a room. Be careful, it will also pick up all the stray noises. A microphone ” bidirectional It is picked up, as its name indicates, by sound coming from two different directions. Again, any extraneous noise will be part of it.
The most common type of directionality in podcasting is the “cardioid“. The microphones thus pick up sounds coming from only one direction, which drastically limits the interference of parasitic noise.
The Bird UM1: for sedentary
In the event that your podcast does not require any travel on your part, we advise you to opt for a micro bird UM1 . Already featured in our beginner’s guide to transmitters, this cardioid microphone is plug and play and compatible with PCs running Windows and macOS. Excellent value for money, with a price that does not exceed 60 euros, the Bird UM1 is still a good option to start with. We also invite you to opt for an articulated bar, which sells for about 30 euros, to cancel vibrations, and a 15-euro pop filter to eliminate parasitic noise.
Blue Yeti: more versatility
If you’re not afraid to break the bank, then the blue yetifrom Logitech will be your preferred choice. Sold for 140 euros public price, this fixed microphone not only has excellent sound quality, but also has the luxury of offering three different polar patterns. The ability to connect directly to a computer via a USB port makes it an easy-to-use microphone.
If you have a few extra bucks to invest, the Blue Yeti X is a good alternative. It’s slightly better in audio, including 24-bit recording and a more user-friendly software package. It will cost you around 150 euros.
Shure MV7: Hands on
If you want to take audio quality to the next level, you’re going to have to invest. And this MV7 does not disappoint with its excellent build quality and excellent audio reproduction. With a cardioid design, it can be connected via XLR or USB. We especially appreciate the long 3m USB cable supplied! However, be careful, it does not have one foot, which makes it immobile. We recommend that you invest in an adjustable desk pedestal. That being said, you can’t find better at this price.
The Olympus WS-835 for mobile podcasters
You may need to conduct interviews or capture external sounds for your podcast. In this case, we recommend that you use a dictaphone, in particular the Olympus WS-853. In fact, the latter, like most Dictaphones, can attenuate ambient noise. It has decent sound quality and is fairly easy to operate. We only regret the absence of a backlit screen. Not to mention its price, which is quite affordable, since it is around 75 euros.
For interviews, the lavalier microphone is still a valid alternative. HE Rode SmartLavPlusIt’s still a good choice, especially for a lavalier mic sold for less than $50 that manages to pick up sound properly.
What headphones to choose for a podcast?
Le Audio-Technica M50xBT2
For both sound feedback during recording and editing, headphones are essential when creating a podcast. In addition to having a well-balanced sound reproduction, in order to clearly distinguish each voice and identify stray noises, your future headphones must be comfortable. In fact, you risk using it for long hours. All of these criteria are met by the Audio-Technica M50xBT2 headphones.
This is an excellent model for less than 200 euros. Its ear cups can rotate horizontally and vertically, making it particularly suitable for recording a broadcast. It is a multipoint Bluetooth headset, which however can be connected by cable thanks to its jack port. Its impressive autonomy also makes it very practical.
You can find our helmet test here. And if you want to know what else there is, check out our recommendations for the best headphones.
Where to buy
Audio Technica M50xBT2 at the best price?
Anker Soundcore Life Q30
If your budget is more limited, the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 also does a good job. It’s relatively comfortable, lightweight, and comes with a detachable standard stereo cable. If the representation is a bit plastic, the helmet has the good taste to sell for less than 100 euros.
To find out more, you can check our review of the Soundcore Life Q30.
Where to buy
Soundcore Life Q30 at the best price?
Do not hesitate to take a look at our guide to the best headphones for less than 100 euros.
What computer to choose for the podcast?
To record a podcast, it is still best to do it through a computer. Fortunately, the exercise doesn’t require a lot of resources, even for editing. Which means you don’t have to go broke for a high-end machine. But we still recommend that you choose a PC that is powerful enough to make the operation more pleasant for you.
If you were thinking of taking advantage of the launch of your future podcast to change your computer, then we invite you to take a look at our comparison of the best laptops for less than 1,000 euros to find the computer that best suits your needs. If you want the best, we also have a more extensive guide to the best laptops.
A mini production studio.
If you’re serious about your podcast project, we recommend investing in an all-in-one solution as well, in this case the RØDECaster Pro. This interface can work standalone and directly record your podcast to a microSD card, but it can also function as an audio interface when connected to a PC. It has four microphone inputs with preamps, smartphone, USB and Bluetooth channels, as well as eight sound pads for playing music and triggering sound effects directly with a click. It is true that all this comes at a price… but you will have direct access to studio quality.
What software to edit your podcast?
Another important element of any good podcast: editing software. Of course, there is paid professional software, such as Reaper (from $60 to $225, depending on the version) or Adobe Audition (billed at $24 per month).
But the most widespread software is still Audacity. And good news, it’s free! If your interface is stark and nameless, it’s nonetheless easy to handle. You can also cut your tracks as you see fit or add lots of sound effects.
Remember, however, to create multiple tracks (one per voice and one per sound) for better control while editing. One underlying concern remains: the company was bought a few months ago and the turn taken by the new owners, particularly in terms of the data collected, worries more than one. For lovers of free software, we recommend that you visit Sneedacity, your fork free kingdom.
I have all the material, how do I create a podcast?
What should I know before check-in?
Let’s be completely honest with you: we don’t have a magic formula for making the perfect podcast. The most common ingredients in popular podcasts are obviously the topic(s) covered (are they all related in one way or another? If not, do they fit together well?), the tone used by the speakers (jovial, serious, warm) and care in writing.
Before recording your podcast,you will have to verify that the name you have chosen has not been registered, or if it is not already used by a third party. To do this, start by typing the name of your podcast into the Google search bar to see what results appear. If the field seems free, enter the name of your podcast again, but this time in the INPI (National Institute of Industrial Property) database. Depending on the result, you can start recording or search for another name.
How to color your podcast?
You have been successful and everything is running like clockwork. Your podcast is written and, with your new material, it’s recorded and ready to be edited. To give color to your podcast,we recommend the integration of music.
Be careful though, you can’t grab any popular song on the fly, even thirty seconds, without the permission of the rights holders. If you don’t have the budget to rent music or the ability to compose it yourself,you will have to resort to so-called “royalty-free” music. Fortunately, there are several free online libraries, such as Freesound, Au bout du fil, Filmstro (which even allows you to create your own soundtrack), or YouTube Audiolibrary.
Where to host your podcast?
That’s it, the time has finally come: it’s time to publish your podcast. Thus begins an exercise that may seem laborious, but which, nevertheless, is still necessary.
The first step is to find a place to host your podcast. It seems obvious, but in order to reach as many people as possible, your work must be registered on an online platform. There are paid services such as Ausha (11 euros per month, unlimited storage) or LibSyn (5 euros per month, 50 MB of storage) that are responsible for hosting and creating the RSS feed for your podcast.
Another solution is to go through hosts like OVH, but you’ll have to get your hands dirty. Then you will have to go through an FTP software (File Transfer Protocol) to create a folder that contains not only the .mp3 file of your podcast, but also a . xml including all your information such as name, logo, course summary, etc.
How to publish your podcast?
Once you have your RSS feed in hand, all that’s left is to make it available on syndication platforms. The preferred platform is undoubtedly Soundcloud, which allows you to download the podcast directly from their site. Spotify has made the exercise couldn’t be easier, since all you have to do is go to its section dedicated to podcasters, accept the EULA there and finally integrate your RSS feed.
Finally, iTunes, through its iTunes Connect service, also offers streaming of podcasts. Be careful though, you will need an iTunes account.
Now you’re set for a successful podcast launch – here we go!
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