Microphone and Headphones

The Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB is a great starter microphone especially because it has both USB and XLR plugs which means you can get started by just plugging it straight into your computer. If you want to expand microphone numbers you can get a mixer or audio interface later on.
The other advantage is that it has a headphone jack. You’ll need a nice set of headphones and the Roland RH5 headphones are generally good closed back sets at a low price.

Microphone stands

There are a plethora of microphone stands out there, and you will need to account for whether or not the mics will be on a desk, how high the desk will be and if there will be enough desk space.
But a basic option that would sit on a normal office desk height would be the CPK Mic desk stand.

Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB

• Dynamic microphone
• Has USB and XLR analog output
• Ideal for podcasting

Roland H5 Headphones

• Over ear headphones
• Advanced build quality and engineering
• Excellent mid-range definition
• Collapsible

Ready to start a solo podcast? Because that’s basically all you need!

Blue Yeti USB Microphone

• Tri-capsule array
• Easy to set up
• Perfect for a variety of uses

Blue Radius III shock mount

• Compatible with most stands
• Improved Sound quality
• Very flexible

Stadium clamp stand

• Affordable
• Fits the blue radius mount
• Easily adjustable

Roland RH5 Headphones

• Over-ear headphones
• Advanced build quality and engineering
• Excellent mid-range definition
• Collapsible

For a one-person podcast, a USB microphone is a great choice. The Blue Yeti USB microphone is USB only but produces great quality for an affordable price.

With the addition of the Blue Radius III Shock Mount, any audio issues caused accidental bumps or knocks will be greatly reduced.

This kit is great for the podcasters who have been doing this for a while, and looking for quality set up.

Rode NT1/AI1 Kit

• High quality condenser
• Comes as a bundle
• Professional level quality

Stadium clamp stand

• Affordable
• Fits the blue radius mount
• Easily adjustable

Roland RH5 Headphones

• Over-ear headphones
• Advanced build quality and engineering
• Excellent mid-range definition
• Collapsible

The rode kit is high quality and comes with an affordable interface for one microphone. If you are planning to eventually expand the number of hosts though, it would be worth considering going a step further as this kit only has one XLR interface port.

If you are going for 2 or more people in a podcast, you’ll have to go for XLR microphones and it’d be best if you each had headphones

Naturally you will need a USB interface that has XLR microphone inputs for AT LEAST as many hosts as you will have on the podcast, but it is worth having extras in case you have guests.

To begin with we recommend:

Behringer Xm8500 Mic

• Best quality for low value
• Robust

Foam Windscreen

• Will fit most mics
• Reduces pop sounds

CBI MLC20 Low Z XLR Microphone Cable (20ft)

• General XLR male and female connectors
• Used for most recording in studio or live

Roland RH5 Headphones

• Over ear headphones
• Advanced build quality and engineering
• Excellent mid-range definition
• Collapsible

Stadium clamp stand

• Affordable
• Fits the blue radius mount
• Easily adjustable

You will, of course, need microphone stands and our suggestion of the CPK
Mic desk stand still…stands.

What Else?

Basically you will need either 2,3,4 + of each of these things depending on how many hosts you have.

Beyond this you will need an audio interface and a way to plug in all your headphones.

For the headphones, you’ll need

The Behringer HA400 Studio Headphone Amp

• Can connect 4 sets
• Individual volume control

Balanced TRS Cable

• Connects Headphone Amp to Mixer/Interface

Interface/Mixer

Finally, you need the USB interface or mixer to connect all these mics to
your computer. The one you choose will depend on how many people you
have.

2 Inputs:

• Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface

4 Inputs:

• Mixer: Behringer Xenyx Q1202USB
• USB Interface: Tascam US-4×4

6 inputs:

• Mixer: Behringer Xenyx X1222USB
• USB Interface: Tascam US-16X08

NOTE: These won’t provide individual audio tracks for microphones, it will
go all into one audio file.

In Summary –

You are going to 100% need:

• Microphone x the number of hosts
• Microphone Stands x number of hosts
• XLR Cable x the number of hosts
• Windscreen x number of guests
• USB Interface or a mixer with USB in/out.

We have mentioned, and would highly recommend these as well though:

• Microphone Stands x number of hosts
• Shock Mounts x number of hosts
• Studio Headphones x number of hosts