Podcast Tools for Online Interviews

Resource and Recommendation

Podcast Tools

You don’t have to break the bank to get great vocal recordings for your online podcast interviews. I reached out to fellow podcast hosts to assemble this list of hardware recommendations. Here we will cover microphones (both USB and XLR), headphones, accessories, and a quick video to optimize your Zoom recordings. 

Zoom

Zoom.us is increasingly becoming the go-to recording platform for remote podcast interviews. This brief video will show you how to optimize your Zoom settings for podcast recording.

Learn how to

  1. Record the interview to your computer (even when the host sends the Zoom invitation).
  2. Record the raw audio track without compression.
 
There are several advantages to recording a copy of the podcast yourself. Not only will you have a backup copy of the host’s recording is compromised, but you will also have the original audio. These audio files will come in handy when you are ready to repurpose the podcast content.

USB Podcast Microphones

Plug & Play

Each of these microphones plugs directly into your computer. They offer fantastic sound for podcast interviews at a great price. Little or no set-up is required.

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AKG Lyra

$149

  • Looks cool on your desk
  • Ultra-HD Quality Audio
  • Zero latency monitoring
  • Sound check
  • Shop
86 847 001 06

Blue Yeti

$129

  • 12 colors to choose from
  • 16,000 5 star reviews on Amazon
  • Cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional & stereo
  • Sound check
  • Shop
619eUD65k3L. AC SL1500

Rode NT-USB

$199 

  • Looks cool on your desk
  • Tripod desk stand, ring mount, storage pouch and 6m (20’) USB cable
  • Cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional & stereo
  • Direct mix control between mic input and source output
  • Sound check
  • Shop
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Blue Snowball

$49

XLR Podcast Microphones

These microphones will give you a substantial lift in audio quality from the USB microphones. (See accessories listed below.) please note that you will also need to purchase a mic cable, a mic stand, and a pre-amp to convert your audio to digital.

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AKG Pro Audio C214

$349

  • Large diaphragm condenser
  • Integrated suspension
  • 20dB attenuator and bass-cut filter
  • Sound check
  • Shop
71v8iiQf2cL. AC SY355

Shure SM7B 

$399

  • The best podcast microphone that money can buy
  • Flat, wide-range frequency response for exceptionally clean and natural reproduction of speech
  • Bass rolloff and mid-range emphasis (presence boost) 
  • Sound check
  • Shop
Shure BETA 58A BETA58A Supercardioid Dynamic 1522058724 127122

Shure Beta58a

$159

  • Brightened midrange and bass roll off
  • Extremely durable and versatile
  • Frequency response tailored for vocals
  • Sound check
  • Shop

Headphones​

These are a couple of my favorite headphones for podcasting. Any good pair of over-ear, wired headphones will work just fine. Note, you may want to pick up a cord extension and 1/8″ to 1/4″ adapter depending on your tools and desk setup. 

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Sennheiser HD 280 Pro Closed-back Studio

$99

81TzTAx8weL. AC SX425

Sony MDR7506

$89

  • Rugged construction
  • 1/4 inch adapter included
  • Review
  • Shop
61JxBr0UreL. AC SX425

Sony MDRZX110

$15

  • Dude, they’re $15 bucks
  • 15,000 5 star ratings on Amazon
  • Sounds great for podcasting
  • Review
  • Shop

Lights

A lot of podcasters are using Zoom to record their podcasts these days. Look your best. I have tested out a bunch to find options right in the Goldilocks Zone. Not too bright, not too intrusive, no harsh shadows, mobile-ready, and not too expensive. All of these are great options.

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TERTIAL from IKEA

$12.99

  • Soft light for all day use
  • Versatile
  • Dirt cheap
  • Review
  • Shop
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SPOT

$69

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Lumecube

$69

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iVict 24 LED USB Book Clamp Light

$23.99

  • Easy on the eyeballs
  • Laptop friendly / mobile
  • Review
  • Shop
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Key Light – el Gato

$199

  • Soft, steady performance
  • Streamer approved
  • Review
  • Shop

Video

Upgrade your webcam. Not all podcasters publish the video, but nearly all of them record it. Having a great video version of your podcast episode is crucial when you’re ready to repurpose the interviews. If you’re looking for a turnkey podcast / video hardware, software, and set-up consultation, reach out! We can help.

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Your old DSLR camera

FREE

  • If you have a DSLR kicking around, put it to use! With the blurry backgrounds, DSLR cameras make video calls look incredible. Check out this YouTube tutorial to add some serious power to your podcast interview video. 
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Logitech BRIO 

$215

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Logitech StreamCam

$169

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Logitech C920S

$99

Accessories

Shopping list of podcast essentials.

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71TLLGJoNL. AC SL1500

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2

For XLR microphones

$199

  • Easy to use
  • Satisfying nobs
  • Record up to 24-bit/ 192kHz.
  • 2,000 5 star reviews on Amazon
  • Review
  • Shop
71php0RrVKL. AC SL1500

Allen & Heath ZEDi10

For XLR microphones. Overkill for online podcast interviews but it’s pretty fun if you have the space.

$279

  • USB outputs
  • Multipurpose mixer 
  • 4 mic/line inputs
  • Review
  • Shop
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Rode RODECaster Pro

Whoa!

$599

  • Sound Effects and Jingles
  • Broadcast-quality phone calls
  • Class A Servo-biased Preamps
  • Review
  • Shop
XLR150 large

XLR mic cables

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Desktop boom micstand

$39

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Rode Pro Studio Boom Arm

$99

41GXT1gHTEL. AC

Headphone Extension Cable

$5

61nfMyFe4TL. AC SX679

1/4 inch male to 1/8 inch female 

$9