Getting started with podcasting
According to recent research, 144 million Americans listen to podcasts. Statistics have also noted that 51% of the US population older than 12 have listened to a podcast at least once. That number has grown 20 million just since 2018. So, if you’re interested in starting a podcast, you certainly have the potential for an audience!
No matter what topic you want to explore in your podcast, and whether it’s just you in your home or a group of friends in another setting, you’ll want to sound your best so you can put out a high-quality podcast that your audience will love tuning in to.
Steps to consider before starting a podcast
Before you jump in, there are some steps you should take to ensure you’re setting yourself up for success and fun. We won’t go into detail on all these steps, but it’s important that you have a plan before you start spending money on recording gear. If you’re at the beginning phases, be sure to do some research up-front!
- Choose a topic and name for your podcast
- Decide on your show and episode format, including how long you want your episodes to be and how often you’ll publish episodes
- Cover art
- Intro and outro music
- Equipment selection (this is what we’ll discuss in this article!)
- Audio recording and editing
- Submission to podcast platforms
- Promotion tips – how will you get people to listen to your podcast?
Do you need special podcasting equipment?
If you’ve got steps 1-4 planned out and you’re ready to start recording, remember: a quality podcast will require some quality equipment. If you’re short on cash, of course you can get by with a bare minimum setup. You can even record a podcast with just a smartphone. Unfortunately, it’ll sound like exactly like you’re recording it on a smartphone, and that’s probably not going to cut it long-term. If that’s the situation you’re in, you could take this lean approach, put out a bare bones version of your podcast, see if you can gain an audience and build from there.
Either way, if you take a bare bones approach or you’re ready to invest in some equipment, Woodwind & Brasswind carries a wide array of gear at a variety of prices that will help you start creating your dream podcast right away.
Shopping for podcast bundles and kits
For the beginning podcaster, your best bet is to choose a bundle that comes with everything you need to get started. Not only do bundles reduce research and shopping time, but they may also save you money. Some of the top pro audio brands have put together great bundles specifically for podcasting. Here are some hand-picked selections from our podcasting experts.
Presonus AudioBox Studio Ultimate Bundle Complete Hardware/Software Recor
ding Kit
This powerful home recording package from Presonus is a complete solution that provides everything you need to do professional-quality production at an amazing price. This bundle includes an audio/MIDI interface; DAW software; a large-diaphragm condenser mic; compact professional studio monitors; and HD7 high-definition headphones. All this and it won’t break your budget!
Nady SCM-700 8-Piece Studio Condenser Microphone Podcast Bundle
The Nady SCM-700 Condenser Microphone Recording Kit is the perfect package for any recording application, especially for podcasting and recording with smartphones and tablets. This kit comes with a SCM-700 Studio Condenser Microphone, a heavy-duty XLR to XLR cable to connect to an audio interface or mixer, a 1/8” TRRS adaptor with microphone input and headphones output for use with smartphones/tablets, a shockmount, windscreen, desktop tripod, and durable carrying bag for easy transport. All this for under $100 – a truly amazing value.
Rode RODEcaster Pro 4-Person Podcasting Bundle with SP150 &TH200X
Take your podcast from idea to reality with this convenient Rode podcast bundle. With all the tools and accessories you need to get your podcast started, you'll be producing your show in no time. This incredible bundle includes an integrated production console with 4 high-quality microphone channels, a large diaphragm condenser mic with a shockmount kit, studio headphones, a desktop boom mic stand, and a 32GB memory card. It’s literally everything you need to start publishing your podcast today! A great choice if you’re really ready to invest in your podcast production.
If you’re really looking to go big and plan to include integrated phone interviews into your podcast, add in the Rode RODECaster Pro Integrated Podcast Production Console. Simply connect your phone to the RODEcaster Pro via Bluetooth or with a TRRS cable. The RODEcaster Pro automatically provides “mix-minus” audio to prevent echo being heard by the caller, without the need to purchase dedicated and costly hardware.
Behringer U-PHORIA STUDIO Complete Recording/Podcasting Bundle
The Behringer U-PHORIA STUDIO complete recording package has everything you need for digital home recording and podcasting. Get a full recording studio "out of the box" including an audio interface, condenser microphone, studio headphones, a swivel stand mount, XLR microphone cable and USB cable. A great bundle at an affordable price from a top pro audio brand.
Audio-Technica AT2005USB Podcasting Studio Bundle
This is a perfect vocal microphone pack designed for streamers, podcasters, and other content creators. It’s a versatile, easy-to-install, easy-to-adjust boom microphone setup with a cardioid condenser microphone, a pair of ATH-M20x professional monitor headphones and a studio boom arm. The microphone plugs right into your computer's USB port and functions seamlessly with your favorite recording software, while the boom arm repositions quickly for optimal mic placement.
Podcasting help from Woodwind & Brasswind
Woodwind & Brasswind carries a huge assortment of DAW software, pro audio equipment and recording accessories from the best manufacturers on the market. If you need help selecting podcasting bundles, recording equipment or anything else on your musical list, call our music experts at 800.348.5003. We offer free shipping on many orders and a money-back guarantee to ensure you have the best shopping experience!
