It's been quite the journey! From building the Podcast Gear For Beginners website as a resource during lockdowns in April 2020, to creating a uniquely designed modular-style podcast table and making our first sale. Thank you all so much for the support. 

Our newest venture is Podcast Tables Shop, where you can find custom-built podcast tables for sale. There is inventory currently in stock, or you can custom order a new table to go into production right away. 

These podcast tables are great for audio and video recording, or using as a podcast production desk or office desk. With these tables, you're sure to get versatility, beauty, and functionality. 

• 1.5" thick butcher block tops
• chamfered edges
• custom stains and polyurethane or oil and wax protection
• sturdy, metal legs
• power and USB outlets
• cable clips under the table for cord management
• cable grommets allowing cords to run from the top to the bottom of the table, keeping things neat and organized
• quick turnaround on custom pieces
• customizable options, based on your needs 

We're building and shipping these tables all over the United States to content creators, businesses and organizations who are taking content marketing seriously and investing into their strategy. Get your podcast table from PodcastTables.Shop today! 

Simply fill out our contact form to get started. We look forward to working together! - Jason, Own, Podcast Tables Shop

We're excited to review the Maono AU-PM500 condenser microphone! Maono has yet to release this microphone, get the skinny from Podcast Gear For Beginners. Check out the YouTube video for the full review, and the unboxing! 

Highlights of the PM500: 

• This mic comes with a SWEET carrying case, making it very portable
• Shock mount w/ metal pop filter included, very sleek 
• The condenser mic has a great build, with metal housing 
• Nice, full sound, keeping the low end robust
• Needs eq in post, for sure 

More at Maono.com.

I'm excited to bring you the Maono AU-HD300T podcaster microphone review! Huge thanks to Maono for sending this our way. Check out our review video! 

The quick of it:

• $69 price point - HUGE BENEFIT
• USB/XLR combo - use it on a mixer, recorder, or plug and play right into your computer
• Dynamic, Carioid pattern - great for podcast vocals
• ** It sounds SO GOOD right out of the box, with no editing on the vocal track in post. 
• Pop filter and shock mount included - a very nice touch
• Comes with an XLR cable and USB C cable
• Includes a tabletop mic stand

Maono really hits the beginner podcaster with a great product for a great price point at $69 at Maono.com. 

​I've found my favorite podcasting microphone, you guys! I began podcasting back in 2012, took a hiatus, and started again in 2016. Over the course of my career, I've used a slue of microphones:

• Shure SM58
• Sennheiser e835
• Rode Procaster
• Rode Podmic
• Yeti Blue
• and the Shure SM57

But recently I purchased the newly released Shure MV7 Dynamic XLR/USB combo microphone, and IT'S THE BEST. 

So what makes it the best? 

1) USB & XLR options
Most microphones are either USB or XLR, but the Shure MV7 is BOTH. This is important because it makes it versatile for application. I use the MV7 at my desk on a boom arm connected to my Macbook Pro via USB, but then I run it down to my studio and plug it in via XLR into my Zoom L12 mixer. 

If you're just starting your podcast and are looking for a mic, the MV7 is a great option because it offers you a way to plug & play right out of the box if you're recording to your laptop. This will save you money not having to buy a mixer and a microphone, but just the microphone.

The USB option means the MV7 contains a pre-amp inside the microphone housing and doesn't require additional equipment to run it into the computer. 

If you decide later on that you want to use a digital recorder like the Zoom H4n or Zoom H6, then your MV7 is still compatible via XLR. So you're not having to buy another microphone. This happens when people change their show format, or decide to add additional guests or hosts. You'll save money in the long run. 

2) Audio quality
Shure microphones are already known for high quality vocal recording, with the SM58 being a workhorse vocal mic for live situations, and the SM7b as the "holy grail" of broadcast mics. (Some would argue it's the RE20). But, Shure really stepped up their game creating a mic geared toward podcasters. A little late in the game, but better late than never.

I bought the Rode Podmic because it was made for podcasters, but then the MV7 came out and I won't miss it. The vocals are nice and full, very full on the low end, and the mic does a great job of isolating vocals and rejecting side and rear noise. I'd call the MV7 broadcast quality, for sure. 

3) Built-in audio monitoring and levels control
What's super cool is the built-in monitoring feature, with a touch slider to control monitoring volume. It's a 3.5mm stereo (aux) jack that allows you to route your audio via USB from your computer into your headphones. The slider is right on the mic, so you can adjust it right in front of your face. 

4) Form factor and build
You wouldn't think that the way a microphone looks would matter, but it does, especially to podcasters. And, if you livestream your recordings, then it definitely matters. The Shure MV7 looks LEGIT. There's a silver option, but I got the sleek black mic option, and I feel like a total bad ass on camera using this microphone.

​It's built very well, with a metal yoke for mounting and sturdy knobs to tighten the tilt of the microphone. The connections are solid for XLR and 3.5mm, my only small qualm is that the usb port is by nature not as solid, but I'm willing to overlook this in lieu of the amazing overall quality of this podcaster microphone dream. 

Looking for gift ideas for your podcaster friend, boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse, brother, sister, or somebody else I haven't mentioned that is trying to start a show or is already obsessed with casting pods and you've heard enough already? This list is for YOU. 2020 has been a helluva year. Who wouldn't want some legit gifts to round out the year on a good note?

There are so many podcast equipment options out there, but here's what I'd ask for as a gift if someone wanted to really hit me with something nice, even for a beginner podcaster! These are in no particular order, it's just good gear that gets the job done, and is coveted by many podcasters and on wish lists all over the place. 

Remote interviews are a fact of life for every podcaster, and in today’s era of social distancing, more so than ever. Since you rarely get the chance at an interview do-over, nailing down your remote recording workflow is essential. We’ll show you how to prepare for and record a remote interview, so you get it right the first time — with some additional tips along the way to make sure all your bases are covered.
 
Choose the right remote recording setup
for your podcast

The first step is to determine the remote recording setup that best suits the format and content of your podcast and your production and editing workflow.

In most cases, your best solution will involve recording remote interviews on Zoom, Skype, Google Hangouts, or a similar online conferencing service. This low-friction setup makes it easy for guests or co-hosts to contribute, but you’ll need to make sure you have the right software to record these interviews.

It’s also wise to make sure you can record phone calls. Phone interviews don’t offer great audio fidelity, but they make a great backup option in case of technical problems or schedule changes. Phone interviews probably won’t be your first choice, but it’s a good idea to be able to record a phone call just in case you need to.
 
If you’re recording with the same remote co-host on each episode of your podcast, consider a double-ender setup, in which you and your co-host record your own audio tracks locally and combine them in post-production. For most podcasters, this isn’t the most convenient solution, but it does translate into the highest audio fidelity for you and your co-host.

The best way to record an interview
is to prepare for it

When it comes to interviewing - especially remote interviewing - a little preparation goes a long way.

Do some research into your guest’s background, expertise, and projects. Who are they? Why is their work notable? What do you (and in turn, your audience) hope to learn from them?

Putting together a rough outline of the questions you’d like to ask will come in very handy. Write down a handful of specific questions and key points, but keep your outline broad and high-level. That’ll allow you to more easily adapt to the flow of conversation.

Maintaining that conversational flow remotely can be substantially trickier than doing so person-to-person. Prime yourself to listen more than you speak — in particular, try not to interrupt your guest. Editing out awkward silences between speakers is much easier than dealing with too much crosstalk!

When it’s time to record the interview, take a couple final preparatory steps to ensure a clean recording. Close all unnecessary software and set your computer to “Do Not Disturb” mode to make sure unwanted distractions don’t pop up (or worse: end up in the recording).

 How to record a Skype call, Zoom interview,
or Google Hangout 

​For most remote recording situations, Zoom, Skype, or Google Hangouts are your platforms of choice. All three are easy to set up, simple for guests to use, and feature audio fidelity good enough for most podcasts. 

Both Zoom and Skype offer built-in call recording functionality, but Google Hangouts currently limits this offering to enterprise users. There’s an additional caveat: the file format (.MP4 or .M4A) that each platform outputs may not be what you want, depending on your podcast production and editing workflow.

For maximum control over your final product, you’re better off using third-party apps to record computer system audio directly into the recording software of your choice rather than relying on their recording functionality.

If you’re on a Mac, BlackHole is a great open-source tool that allows you to route audio between apps, which means you can record the audio output from Zoom (or Skype, or Google Hangouts) directly into your preferred recording software. On Windows, Virtual Audio Cable offers similar functionality. 

If you’re already using Descript to record, you won’t need to use additional audio routing software. When recording audio into Descript, open the Record panel, choose Add a Track, select your input, and choose “Computer audio.” Click the Record button whenever you’re ready, and audio from Zoom, Skype, or Google Hangouts will be piped into Descript. 

No matter which remote recording setup you use, make sure you test it — and test it again — with a friend or colleague before you’re actually recording your podcast. Troubleshooting when you should be interviewing ranks near the top of everyone’s Least Favorite Things To Deal With, so make sure everything is in order before your guest is on the line.

How to record a phone interview with Google Voice

Social distancing means nearly everyone has gotten used to handling calls and meetings on Zoom, Skype, or Google Hangouts. But maybe your podcast guest is really old-school, or their computer is on the fritz, or maybe they’re simply only able to access a phone during your scheduled call time. It’s likely phone interviews will never be your first choice, but being able to record an old-fashioned phone call will come in handy.Recording phone calls can be tricky, but using Google Voice to make an outgoing phone call from your computer means you can use the same remote recording setup detailed above to record the call.

Follow Google’s instructions to set up Google Voice and then learn how to make an outgoing call. Once everything’s set up, you’ll be able to record phone calls with Google Voice just like you’d record an interview on Zoom or Skype. 

Again, make sure to test with a friend and then test again before your interview. 
If lossless audio quality is a must, record a “double-ender”For most remote recording situations, Zoom, Skype, or Google Hangouts are your platforms of choice. All three are easy to set up, simple for guests to use, and feature audio fidelity good enough for most podcasts. 

But if you have a remote co-host that regularly appears on your podcast, and you want to maximize the quality of your audio, a “double-ender” is the way to go: Each host or guest records themselves locally, and audio tracks are combined in post-production. For an additional cost, you can use third-party recording platforms that simulate double-enders without each speaker managing their own recording software.
 
A traditional double-ender sees each speaker recording their own audio track using their recording software of choice (Descript, Audacity, Quicktime, etc.), and then the host or editor combines each speaker’s recording into a finished product. Each speaker should have a decent microphone — if they’re using a laptop microphone to record, you probably won’t hear a substantial advantage with a double-ender over a Zoom, Skype, or Google Hangouts recording.

Alternatively, you can simulate a double-ender by using a platform like SquadCast, Zencastr, or Cleanfeed. These services record lossless audio from each speaker, upload each track to the cloud, and combine them automatically. These platforms cost money, but they’re a great alternative to a double-ender when guests or co-hosts don’t have the time or wherewithal to fiddle with recording themselves locally. Again, make sure each speaker has a decent microphone — otherwise you won’t reap the full benefits of lossless audio.

Make remote recording hassles a thing of the past

Recording your podcast remotely isn’t painless, but once you get the hang of it — and nail down your workflow — it’ll become second nature.

This podcasting setup comes out to just around $900, but don't let cost throw you off. The Sennheiser e835s are solid, well-built high quality dynamic XLR microphones that have stood the test of time. The Zoom H6 Pro is the go-to digital recorder for many podcasters, with 4 XLR inputs, built-in compression and limiting with internal recording to an SD card. Record to individual tracks on your SD card and edit in your DAW at a later time. 

​I've run this type of setup plenty of times - in small rooms, at conference tables, in large, multi-purpose rooms and have always gotten a great sound. You could add in some headphones and a headphone amp if you want people to be able to monitor their audio while recording. For many it's personal preference, for others, it helps them stay on the mic during recording since they can hear themselves talking. 

If you're running only 3 mics into the Zoom H6 Pro, then you have a free XLR input to run audio from Zoom, Skype or a cell phone, with the proper connectors of course. 

The short of it: get yourself the Zoom ZDM-1 Podcast Mic Kit along with the Zoom H4n Pro Digital Recorder and you'll be ready to roll! Purchase an additional mic kit and a headphone splitter and you've got yourself a 2 person podcast setup. BOOM! Thanks to Zoom. 

Companies have wised up and started developing more equipment geared to the ever-growing podcast industry. This is great! I'm loving seeing all of the new gear hitting the market. As this happens, we'll write about how you can use this equipment for your beginner podcast. 

Look at this! Zoom has done themselves a service and created a ​dynamic mic podcast kit to pair with their Zoom H digital recorder product line. So it's an easy setup when you buy the kit that comes with the microphone, stand, XLR cable, and headphones for monitoring. Run that XLR cable into the H4n Pro to record to an SD card  and you're ready to go.

Need more than 2 people on your show? Go for the Zoom H6​, along with the ZDM-1 kits. Read our article "3 Reasons To Buy The Zoom H6 For Podcasting". 

The Zoom H4n is a portable digital recorder that records two individual XLR inputs to separate tracks onto an SD card. Record anywhere since it runs on 4 AA batteries, or an external USB power bank (which I highly recommend). You don't need to haul your laptop around to record your episodes. Simply record to the SD card and upload your tracks to your DAW (digital audio workstation) and edit later. 

If you're going to run two XRL microphones into the H4n Pro, be sure to have a headphone splitter so each person can monitor themselves while recording. 

This kit is really a great deal! If you buy one of the ZDM-1 kits and the Zoom H4n, your cost is around $320 for your beginner podcast equipment. That's not a bad investment, and you'll get high quality audio for your show. Add on another mic kit and you're at $440 for that two-person setup. 

Ready to get your show off the ground? Check out my article "Who Should I Use For Podcast Hosting?" or get started now at Buzzsprout! Sign up and get a $20 Amazon Gift Card after your second invoice is paid. 

You've done all the things - purchased equipment, outlined your show, made your graphics, scheduled your recordings. But now you're asking the question "When I'm ready to launch, who should I use for podcast hosting?" Read on! 

When it boils down to it, there aren't a lot of differences in hosting companies. When you get a paid plan, you're usually getting more features in addition to basic features. 

Most paid plans offer these basic features:

• RSS feed to submit to top podcast players
• Podcast stats and analytics
• HTML code for embedding your podcast to your website or blog

These features aren't going to vary much between podcast hosts. You can assume you're getting these main three no matter who you choose. 

In addition to the basic features, you can expect a few others that may help your show, depending on how you use them: 

1. Customizable embed players - you'll be able to change the embed player colors, sizes, and other things to match the player to your podcast brand when you embed it into your website or blog. 
2. Better analytics - with paid plans, you'll get more data points when tracking who is listening to your show. For some, this is really important to analyze stats and use marketing strategy to reach a bigger audience. 
3. Episode transcription - many podcasters will use the transcription option to create robust show notes and turn podcasts into blog posts for SEO purposes. Unless you're using this strategy to try and rank your podcast website, it may not benefit you as much. 

To answer the big question, here's my answer: 

Use Buzzsprout Podcast hosting. 

You ask why?

Here are the reasons to use Buzzsprout as your podcast host:

Pay by how many hours of audio you upload per month. 
I've used Buzzsprout for my company's podcast and it's a solid, user-friendly interface with paid plans to match your show's upload schedule. By that I mean that you pay for the tier based on how many hours of audio you upload per month. Other hosts will charge you the same rate no matter how much audio you upload. This is a GREAT feature that Buzzsprout offers. 

Buzzsprout gets your show listed on every major podcast platform.
Reach tons of potential listeners by getting your podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and many others. Buzzsprout RSS feeds work with all the top directories, meaning your podcast will appear wherever people are searching for you. 

Easily Monetize
If you get to the point where you have an audience big enough to monetize your show, they have an integrated monetization option. Simply follow their instructions and you're on your way, they make it very easy! They'll help match your show with sponsors, and there's also a way to link sites like Patreon, Podfan, Paypal and others onto your Buzzsprout public webpage.

Get a $20 Amazon Gift Card 
Buzzsprout will send you a $20 Amazon gift card (sent after 2nd paid invoice) when you sign up using this link: SIGN UP FOR BUZZSPROUT 

It really is a competitive market when it comes to podcast hosting, so why not sign up and get a free giftcard? Happy podcasting! 
​

So you're asking "What's the catch?". The catch is, these free podcast hosts are hoping that you'll sign up to monetize your show and make a commission off of finding advertisers. If you get to the point where you have enough listeners to monetize with advertisers, kudos to you! You're not hooked into some content ownership contract, you can move your episodes wherever and whenever you want. 

Maybe you're recording your sermons and just need someone to edit the audio and handle the uploading and embedding process, we can do that!

Maybe you haven't even started the process and need to start from scratch on this entire podcast thing, we can help there too. 

Click the CONTACT US button to find out more information and for rates. 

When talking about the BEST equipment for podcasting, many people will think that the most expensive gear is the best, but that's not always the case. What kind of show are you producing? Are you a solo podcaster? Are you recording remote guests? Will you use a DAW or record to an SD card? These are all questions to consider. 

I believe the best equipment is the kind that gets the job done. It's what you're using or will use that helps you create a consistent and high-quality podcast. 

With that being said, here's what I have used, and highly recommend.

Finding The Right Table
​Podcasting can get rather expensive, especially when investing in high-quality microphones, mixers, and headphones. If you livestream like we do, then aesthetics can also come into play. You want a neat, good looking podcasting table, but since you're just starting out and have already spent quite a bit of money getting started, you want to spend as little as possible. I put together our tables for under $100 each, with a little luck and a little ingenuity. This is my inexpensive DIY podcasting table journey. 

Use Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Garage Sales, and Amazon 
​I knew I needed a table big enough for four people, and I also knew that I wanted a wooden table so that I could drill holes and use nails or screws for cable management and mounting things. So plastic was out the question for me. The first things that came to mind were kitchen tables and conference tables. I quickly searched the web hoping for something very cheap to come up. Buying new was out of the question for me, based on the pricing that I found. It was time to get crafty.

My savior? Facebook Marketplace! I typed in "conference table" into the search bar and found just what I was needing for only $50 from a small private school. Within hours it was hauled into our basement studio. Luckily our church had a closet full of unused chairs, so I snagged four for the podcast table (with permission). 

Not everyone has chairs laying around that they can use, but check out the FREE section in Facebook Marketplace and Craiglist in your area, you never know what you might find! ​​

To Paint Or Not To Paint
Use Paint, or A Tablecloth
For one of our podcast tables, all I did was use a black tablecloth over the top, and cut holes through the fabric to be able to run my cables. The other table I decided to paint instead of using a tablecloth. If I had to do it again, I'd paint my table a color other than white because all the little knicks and scratches show up easily. And with the black tablecloth, I'm constantly having to brush off the dust and particles that accumulate with each use. I suppose it's all part of the deal! You decide which way you want to go. 

*Future tabletop idea: use free pallet wood cut into strips that create a top for a used conference table, sand, and then stain. In this case, I'd drill out desk grommet holes and mount a power grommet in the center of the table.

Sound Treatment
Use Moving Blankets As An Inexpensive Sound Treatment Solution
This doesn't necessarily have to do with your table, but it is a simple, inexpensive solution for a problem you may run into. Depending on where you're recording your podcast, you may have sound reflections. Reflections are caused when sound travels and bounces off of bare walls and floors, causing your audio to sound like you're sitting in an empty room or in an echo chamber. Hanging a few moving blankets on your walls and placing a rug on the floor are the easiest fixes, but certainly not the best treatment. If you're looking for more professional treatment, check out these kits at Sweetwater.

Zoom Zoom Zoom! Thinking about the Zoom H6 digital recorder for podcasting? I say DO IT. I won't get too technical in this post, let's take a simple approach to why I really like the Zoom H6 digital recorder for podcasting. After all, this IS podcasting gear for BEGINNERS. Let's keep it light. 

1) Portability
The Zoom H6 is small enough to fit in a backpack, camera bag, purse, or fanny pack (if that's your thing). Fanny pack podcasters, that's great. Simply put, the Zoom H6 fits in your hand and runs off of four AA batteries. Get yourself a good set of rechargeable batteries, it's a better way. It's portable, and packs a lot of recording power.

​Speaking of power, it will also give phantom power (48v+) if you're running a condenser mic that requires phantom power. Trick of the trade: purchase a USB power bank to run the recorder off of external power, and mount it with velcro. I've never run out of juice, even recording hours worth of audio in one day, on multiple channels.

​2) 4 XLR Channels
If you're like me, I like inputs. The more, the better. Why's that? Opportunity my dear friend, opportunity. If you're a solo podcaster, the Zoom H6 might be a bit much for you, try the Zoom H4n. However, if you're needing two plus mic inputs, the Zoom H6 does it, and does it well.

​Control each input with a simple dial that gauges the gain from 0-10, with a red light that lights up if the channel is peaking. The Zoom H6 also offers limiting and compression on the XLR channels, a great addition for the podcaster. ​Record each channel independently to an SD card for ease of uploading and editing.

3) Price
Seriously, you can now get a Zoom H6 for only $329. You might consider that a large amount of money, but you're buying a really powerful tool. If you needed a four person podcast setup, you could finish that gear haul for only about $500 buy purchasing Shure SM48s and budget XLR cables on Amazon.

Bonus Features
The Zoom H6 has a 3.5mm line out that's very useful, as well as a 3.5mm headphone jack for monitoring. My favorite headphones? The Senal SMH500s. Most Zoom H6 units come with a detachable mic head in an XY pattern, or with a cardioid mic head for on-the-go recording into a stereo track. 

The H6 records individual WAV files in any of the following formats:

• 44.1kHz / 16-bit
• 44.1Khz / 24-bit
• 48kHz / 16-bit
• 48kHz / 24-bit (Best for podcasting)
• 96kHz / 16-bit
• 96kHz / 24-bit

In Conclusion
The Zoom H6 is a top of the line portable digital recorder boasting 4 XLR inputs at a great price, with features that are very beneficial to the beginner podcaster. Ready to purchase? Use any Zoom H6 link in this article to see the Amazon listing. If you buy it, I'll get a nice little percentage that'll make my day. Thanks for that! ​

The above photo shows my setup in a conference room where we recorded an episode just once a month. This isn't your typical portable setup, however, the mixer was small enough to fit in a backpack along with my laptop, four microphones, four XLR cables AND my Tascam DR60 that I used as backup for recording. 

Here's how this setup works. ​

I use four Senneheiser e835 XLR Dynamic Microphones for vocals, plugging them into channels one through four via male to female XLR cables. From the mixer USB output I run a cable into my laptop. In Adobe Audition, I've selected the ZEDi10 as the audio input source via my preferences panel. Each track, one through four in the DAW is armed to record using each channel number one the mixer as the track number in the DAW. 

From the ZEDi10 mixer, I've run the AUX 1/4" output into my Tascam DR60 input 1, and record the entire board mix into one track on the Tascam's SD card, just as a backup, in case something goes wrong, which is never out of the question. 

I plugged a pair of headphones into the headphone jack on the mixer to check levels for each channel, while also watching the decibel meter inside of Adobe Audition to make sure vocals are clipping in the red zone, causing distortion. I usually shoot for vocals peaking between -3 and -9 decibels.

The Allen & Heath ZEDi10 USB Mixer is a powerful mixer for the beginning podcast who is looking to have more than one person at the podcast table, and is also using a computer to record their audio. It also has on-board EQ which is really helpful. In total, there's a headphone out, main outs, monitor outs, AUX out and FX out, so it has multiple analog options for outputs. You could even run headphones out of those jacks, if needed. 

Below is audio from an episode we recorded using this very setup. 

As always, feel free to reach out via email at [email protected] with any questions or comments. Thanks!

To this point, I'd not yet written about my own podcasting setup. Now is the time!

I'm part of a Christian Podcast called the Salty Dogs Podcast. We have 3 hosts and an additional seat at the table for any guests that we bring on, in person. 

Our setup also allows us to Zoom in a guest if we need to, although we prefer in person more than anything. While recording, we go live to Facebook. 

Here's a basic list of gear that we use:

• 2 Rode Procaster Mics, XLR, Dynamic Mic, Cardioid Pattern
• 1 Rode PodMic - XLR, Dynamic, Cardioid Pattern
• 1 Sennheiser e835 - XLR, Dynamic, Cardioid Pattern
• ​Zoom LiveTrak L-12 - 12-Channel Digital Mixer & Multitrack Recorder
• Senal SMH500 Headphones
• Canon 5D Mark IV DSLR
• Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM Lens
• Epiphan Webcaster X2 (discontinued) 
• ​DBX 266xs Compressor/Gate

The idea is this: we run 4 XLR Dynamic microphones into the Zoom L12 USB Mixer. The mixer allows us to send four headphone mixes, one to each person at the table. We run the main mix out from the soundboard into the DBX 266xs Compressor, which then runs into our livestream camera feed. We set up the Canon 5D Mark IV for video, and that runs HDMI out into the Epiphan WebCaster X2 Livestream device, where we go live to our podcast's Facebook page. 

​We're able to record all of our audio onto individual tracks onto an SD card w/ the Zoom L12 Livetrack Mixer. The great thing about livestreaming our recording is that Facebook will keep the video on our podcast page, and if for some reason we need it, the audio will always be on Facebook, even if we delete the files from our SD card or our computer later on. 

The Canon 5D Mark IV has a recording time limit of 29 minutes, so we do not record the video onto the camera, unfortunately. The remedy for this would be to record onto an Atomos Ninja V external monitor / recorder, but that's around a $1,000 solution for high quality video. We'll pass for now. 

Below is a sample of our podcast audio, along with an embed of our Facebook Live video recording. The studio is set for four people but we only had two hosts for this particular recording. As always, feel free to email with any questions regarding podcast gear for beginners! It's my pleasure to help. 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit our world, people have scrambled to be able to continue meeting, teaching, lecturing, and presenting online. Many online retailers ran out of webcams and video capture cards due to people setting up home-broadcasting situations in their living rooms, bedrooms, basements, closets, garages and anywhere else they could fit a computer and a camera. It's been cool to see how people are accomplishing this and the creativity going into their setups. 

The image above shows my personal setup for presenting online via Zoom. I'm a podcaster and videographer, so all of this setup was pieced together by gear I'd already purchased, it was simply a matter of arranging it all to work for the Zoom platform. The technical side of this setup is the same for any scenario and doesn't necessarily require the exact gear pictured.

When putting together the above setup, I did three things to improve my presentation, and they're things you can do too that'll help your online presentation quality. 

1) Upgrade your webcam. 

Here's the idea - in Zoom, you can choose your camera and your audio source in the Zoom preferences menu. If you have a laptop with a built-in camera, Zoom will default to that camera. This is how many will use Zoom, and the camera quality usually isn't that great and most likely doesn't do so well in low light scenarios. ​

The Audio Technica ATR2100x USB mic is a great, $100 solution. Audio Technica also makes a $79 USB microphone if you need to stick to a slimmer budget. In the image above, I've used a Rode Podmic XLR microphone connected to the Alesis MultiMix 4 USB interface for my audio source. It's a more expensive setup, but allows more opportunity for external audio sources like music and sound effects, not always used in Zoom presentations but available if needed. ​

If you search "LED Camera Light" on Amazon.com you'll get many options for budget lights that will no doubt help the sharpness and quality of your image on the screen. Most of these lights are battery-powered, so looking for one with a power adapter would be beneficial so it doesn't turn off in the middle of your presentation if the battery runs low. ​

One more trick of the trade, don't sit with a window behind you. As a matter of fact, if you sit with the window facing you, it'll double as a natural light source if you're presenting in the daytime. With the natural lighting and the LED light pointed toward your face, you're bound to have a great light source to help the video quality of your presentation. 
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If you have any questions about this setup or any other audio or video topics, don't hesitate to email me at [email protected]. ​

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A friend in Kansas City recently reached to me out about helping him come up with a 3 person podcast set up with the ability to record video and livestream. Luckily, I've worked with multiple livestream and podcasting setups, so I already knew what I'd suggest. It's an easy thing to achieve with the right equipment and proper budget. But those two factors right there are the most important pieces of information to have when considering what to purchase. Budget and purpose.

BUDGET
It's super important to consider budget right up front. Most people are looking for cheap and good, but that's not always a reasonable way to approach video and audio gear. In the audio and video world, you really do get what you pay for. I often advise people with small budgets to consider fundraising or saving longer to buy quality gear right out of the gate.

You'll often hear "buy this cheapo mic and mixer and just get started!" which is a fair sentiment, but it's not always practical. More often than not, people who take this approach end up upgrading equipment down the road and can't sell the cheapo stuff or get their money back. Think about what you're willing to invest in your project and dreams, and go from there. Then research what gear actually fits your budget. It helps me tremendously when putting together recording packages for people. Usually when I suggest gear without a budget number, people think it's too much. If I'm told a ballpark, I can fit the suggestion within that range and everyone is happy. 

PURPOSE
Once budget is established, the next most important factor in considering what to buy is functionality. What are you trying to accomplish with your setup? Are you a solo podcaster? Are you going to have 2, 3, 4 or more people in person on your show? Will you have people as remote guests through Zoom or Skype? All of these questions help to understand what kind of gear is needed to achieve your goals. When it comes to what kind of gear you need, it always depends on what you're trying to achieve. This situation was calling for recording quality audio with multiple guests and hosts, a video camera to record video at the same time sending a livestream to social media. 

MY PROPOSED PACKAGE
Since my friend would have up to three people in person in his home recording basement studio, I knew right away he'd need a mixer capable of handling multiple XLR inputs for microphones. With the added desire to livestream and record video, I knew the Zoom L8 USB mixer with be a great option. This mixer allows for up to 6 XLR inputs, has multiple headphone jacks so everyone can monitor using a nice pair of budget headphones, record to an on board SD card AND send the main mix into the Canon XA11 video camera.

I suggested purchasing three pack of Sennheiser e835 XLR Dyanmic microphones with boom arms and windscreens to help with pops and breath puffs. 

The feed from the board goes to the camera and the HDMI signal runs to the AV.IO HD HDMI encoder. Using a program called OBS (Open Broadcasting Software) on his Mac laptop, he'll be able to send the video and audio from the mixer to a livestream where OBS can send feeds. I believe he'll be streaming to Facebook LIVE. Viola! Podcasting and streaming setup for around $2,700. He'll be up and running in no time. 

When starting a podcast, the most important piece of gear that you'll be using is the microphone.

It seems like an obvious statement, but the kind of microphone you purchase will determine the quality of sound. It's said that people will tolerate poor video over poor audio, so since podcasting is typically only audio, this is a very important part of the equation. 

You must be careful to choose the proper microphone type when making your purchase. Sometimes the price tag is the determining factor, so people buy a microphone and very quickly realize it's not what they thought it would be in quality and sound. 

The majority of podcasts are recorded using a "dynamic" microphone, as opposed to "condenser" microphone, but there are shows that utilize condenser mics. 

So what's the difference? 

There are certainly technical differences in the way the microphones are constructed and how they work, but we'll skip all of the "techy" jargon and get to the point. 

In conclusion, while there are certainly multiple applications for each type of microphone, dynamic microphones tend to be the best options for beginners looking to set up in an extra room, a garage, a closet, or some other space that isn't a sound-treated studio space. ​​Condenser microphones will be best for solo podcasters who can afford to sound treat their recording space. 

When searching the interwebs for microphones for your podcats, you'll find primarily two kinds of microphones: USB and XLR microphones. It's not so important to understand what the letters in these names mean as much how each mic functions and which one you should use for your individual scenario. Here's the breakdown: