How To Podcast - Production Equipment List
*UPDATED October 2019
pug dog lying on a table by podcasting equipment
My passion for podcasting is no secret - when I've got time, I've got 2 more camp shows brewing in my brain! Our CampHacker, The Day Camp Pod, and Camp Code podcasts have been incredibly successful at raising the level of professionalism in the whole camp industry.
All this started because two camp directors of a tiny church camp in Canada wanted to find a way to connect with more Camp Pros. We've now been read and listened to in over 129 countries across the world!
I believe that part of the effectiveness of a podcast is two-fold: people can listen to you anywhere (washing dishes, running, in the car or walking the dog) and that people can hear your voice.
The power of the human voice. It by passes all the logic centers of you brain and goes straight to your emotions.
What gear do I need to get started podcasting?
There is definitely a way to start podcasting inexpensively. I, whole-heartedly, endorse keeping your expenses low and just gradually investing in better and better equipment.
Below is my complete list of podcasting gear - for both audio and video podcasting - ranked from least to most expensive.
Software
GarageBand App
Garageband (Mac, iOS devices) - Free. Audio recording, editing, mixing
Audacity (PC & Mac) - Free. Audio recording, editing, mixing
Piezo (Mac) - $19. Audio recording
Audio Hijack (Mac) - $49. Audio recording
Logic Pro (Mac) - $199.99. Audio recording, editing, mixing
Adobe Audition - included in Adobe's Creative Cloud subscription starting at $29.99/month Audio recording, editing, mixing
Recording Skype Interviews
Pamela (PC) - $35.47
Ecamm Call Recorder (Mac) - $29.95
USB Microphones (record directly into your computer, no mixer necessary)
Logitech ClearChat Comfort USB Headset w/Noise-Cancelling Microphone - $44.37 USA, $84.43 Canada
Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB Cardioid Dynamic USB/XLR Microphone - $59.95 USA, $81.99 Canada
Blue Microphones Yeti USB Microphone - $119.00 USA, $149.99 Canada
Blue Microphones Yeti Pro USB Condenser Microphone, Multipattern - $219.00 USA, $249.00 Canada
Blue Microphones Spark Digital USB - $199.99 USA, $219.99 Canada (this microphone will work to record with the iPad, iPhone)
XLR Microphones
Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB Cardioid Dynamic USB/XLR Microphone - $59.95 USA, $81.99 Canada
Blue Microphones Yeti Pro USB Condenser Microphone, Multipattern - $219.00 USA, $249.00 Canada
Heil Sound PR40 - $327.00 USA, $389.00 Canada
Portable Microphones
DPA d:fine 88 Single-ear - Directional, Beige - $629.95 USA (wireless mic)
Rode SmartLav+ - $79.00 USA, $112.00 Canada (lavalier microphone that records to your smartphone)
Sound Mixer
Mackie 1402Vlz4 14-Channel Compact Mixer - $399.99 USA, $480.10 Canada
Microphone Accessories
Neewer Studio Microphone Mic Wind Screen Pop Filter - $5.99 USA, $4.12 Canada
Blue Microphones Universal Pop Screen - $44.99 USA, $51.04 Canada
Microphone Flag (add your logo to your microphone) - $5.25 USA, $5.42 Canada
Heil PRSM-B Shock Mount - $105 USA, $215.83 Canada
Heil Sound HB-1 Steel Microphone Boom - $70.00 USA, $141.66 Canada
Portable Microphone/Recorders
Zoom H4N Handy Portable Digital Recorder - $199.99 USA, $219.99 Canada
Roland WAV/Mp3 Field Recorder (R-05) - $199.99 USA, $249.99 Canada
Headphones
MEElectronics M6-CL Sport Sound-Isolating In-Ear Headphones - $17.99 USA, $21.78 Canada
Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone - $84.95 USA, $136.49 Canada
Video Cameras
Logitech C920 HD Webcam - $69.99 USA, $99.99 Canada
Canon EOS Rebel T3i (please note: DSLR cameras, generally, can only record 12 minutes of video before it stops and you must hit "record" again) - $550.31 USA, $693.47 Canada
Canon VIXIA HF G20 HD Camcorder - $839.00 USA, $1095.00 Canada
External Microphone for Video Cameras (such as the T3i and VIXIA HF G20)
Rode Videomic Pro - $223.99 USA, $385.69 Canada
Video Lights
LED Video Light for DV On-Camera Camcorder Lighting- $31.99 USA, $32.74 Canada
Fancierstudio 2400 Watt Lighting Kit With Boom Arm - $129.99 USA, $248.36 Canada
Sound Proofing
Acoustic Foam Panels 1' x 1', 24 pieces - $109.99 USA, $232.65 Canada
A note about Affiliate Links
A careful look will tell you that the links to the American Amazon Store are affiliate links - meaning someone gets a commission from Amazon on each sale. At Go Camp Pro we are not set up to take affiliate commission but have chosen to support SCOPE - an organization that helps send kids to camp with the Amazon Smile program.
