Podcast Equipment

Getting a good sound board is definitely a good  plan to keep consistent sounds and easily adjust volume. This one also lets you use the widest variety of mics since it can provide phantom power if needed. 

We are currently using the Canon XA-45 but the newer model XA-60 is what is on the market now. Very similar to the 45 but some newer features and a little better image quality. The kit is nice though because it gives you the ability to plug it in so you aren't limited by the battery for longer shows. you also get a memory card and a couple other lenses. it's a great camera over all and that is coming from a guy that prefers Nikon for my photography

Gen 1 and Gen 2 lights are both app controlled for color changing. Both work well but they do use different apps. I use old phones to control each set of lights 

Gen 1 and Gen 2 lights are both app controlled for color changing. Both work well but they do use different apps. I use old phones to control each set of lights 

There are some cheaper versions of these mics but these will out range so you don't have signal blead where you potentially have other signals break in. The ones that don't have it you need to physically change frequency but if you are live or recording there is no time for that without disrupting the show

Bang for the buck this is a nice way to go. It all breaks down incase you aren't in a permanent location for your podcast but is strong enough to still use it even if you are. you can also adjust the height fully loaded with gear if needed. They have reviews of getting scratched in shipping mine weren't but let's be honest you are going to scratch it the first time you use it.

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If you aren't familiar with GVM lighting they can plug in or can be battery operated. Each lighting head takes 2 of these batteries to operate so these 4 will power 2 heads. It can effectively run them at 100% on white for about 3 hours. it'll be less time if you are using color and have it paired to your phone as a controller

There are plenty of options for on air signs but this one is a simple low volt option. After my wife accidently started to walk into one of my video conferences straight out of the shower I decided an on air sign might be smart to have. Feel free to learn from my mistakes along the way

I have had this kit for a really long time for photography shoots that I would do but a lot of this kit is also helpful for podcasting. Sometimes the softer lighting is good and it comes with the green screen which if you don't have a studio it come in handy

I have a variety of tripods for the best flexibility of shooting options. Not only are the heights different but some have the ability to be a monopod as well as lower mount options where the camera dangles rather than sitting on top

I have a variety of tripods for the best flexibility of shooting options. Not only are the heights different but some have the ability to be a monopod as well as lower mount options where the camera dangles rather than sitting on top

Having an adjustable mount is nice for fine tuning your camera angle and making sure it is level

The boom mic works well if you have control of the environment but wireless mics are far superior if you are doing something outside of the studio where life is still operating as usual around you

This is another bang for the buck purchase. The sound quality is good and they have proven to be durable. They aren't Beats or anything but they are cost effective and work really well they also have a nice flexibility element in supporting both the 3.5mm and 1/4" jacks

This is an important requirement if you are going to use an DSLR or Video camera for streaming. Since most laptops wont do the conversion for you, you will need one of these to convert from HDMI to a USB input. There are lots of options but this one has worked well and has been in operation since we started so it has

been reliable

These come in handy for using sound boards and XLR mics or you are running XLR lighting. If you are using USB mics these probably won't be necessary for your set up

These are for XLR lighting runs for the end of the chain. Typically not a lighting design you will use starting out but if you go that route these will come in handy

This is another item for XLR lighting to connect the lights to each other. You will generally want the longer cables for your XLR mics to the sound board

Comica has a great collection of mics. This is the one I use for sideline reporting for all major sports. There are adapters you can use to make it plug into your phone as well if you don't have you big XLR cameras. It gives you great sound, auto ranging to avoid signal interference and use traditional batteries so you never have to worry if you plugged it in or on a long shooting day. On drawback is your standard mic flag has to be slightly modified to slide on

Having these extensions give you the most amount of options for soundboard placement as well as cable routing whether you are running it yourself or you have a producer running things but aren't ready for the expense of all the wireless equipment

Headphone jack adapters. These are great for a scenario where you want to use a set of headphones that are set up for the 3.5mm jack only to still be able to plug into your soundboard

Although the Mics we started with served their purpose and were great for starting out we have upgraded to the Rode Pod Mic. This is a great Mic and still in the entry level as far as pricing. These mics don't need phantom power and there is a USB version of this mic if you aren't using a sound board.

Now that you have your mic you need a way to hold it up. I use a boom arm because I like the look and can adjust it in real time while live. This is also easier if you are self-producing the show to help avoid it getting in the way or being bumped like a desk mount that would sit in front of your computer directly. These are personal preference types of things, so I suggest trying a few options and exploring your recording space before you buy the more expensive and reliable designs

When you are on the sidelines promoting your channel is important. For the same reasons FOX, NBC,CBS etc. put their logos on their mics you will want to as well. They are inexpensive and gives you a more professional look while also making sure people remember the channel they are watching.

Stay Tuned