# Does anyone know anything about podcast equipment?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-anything-about-podcast-equipment/642222>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [November 27, 2012, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-anything-about-podcast-equipment/642222 "2012-11-27T00:45:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Pashnish\_Ewing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8797f3/32.png) [@Pashnish\_Ewing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pashnish_Ewing)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-anything-about-podcast-equipment/642222/1 "2012-11-27T00:45:36Z")

</div>

I want to start podcasting but I know nothing about recording equipment. I’ve seen starter kits like [this](http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-PODCASTUDIO-USB/dp/B000PARIZU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353976455&sr=8-1&keywords=podcast+equipment), but I thought I would throw it out to The Dope before buying anything and see if anyone has advice.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Zjestika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/8edcca/32.png) [@Zjestika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zjestika)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-anything-about-podcast-equipment/642222/2 "2012-11-27T00:56:09Z")

</div>

My husband does a podcast with some friends and they use usb mics, talk using Skype and each record themselves using Audacity. It works out really well, and when they were part of a podcast thingy with Earwolf their recorded segments sounded better than the hosts.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![GreedySmurf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a698b9/32.png) [@GreedySmurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreedySmurf)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-anything-about-podcast-equipment/642222/3 "2012-11-27T11:30:20Z")

</div>

I was doing a podcast for a couple of years.

The cheap and easy way is definitely going with USB mic’s, and you’ll get acceptable results.

We were recording using Behrlinger mic’s which retailed for ~$200 each, and running through a mini mixer board. (Probably a step up from the one in your link). Results were great. Actually made us learn some actual broadcasting techniques, because the mic’s were that good.

In terms of software, Audacity will do the trick, or if you have a Mac, there is a program called Garage Band which works really well too.