Getting the right equipment to start your sports podcast journey can feel like a daunting task, but it need not be! Whilst the podcasting community indeed likes nothing more than a long conversation about the finest microphones and the most impressive mixers, in truth, you probably already own much of what you need to get started in the world of podcasting.
Of course, if you have a budget to spend then you can upgrade your equipment to improve you’re the audio quality of your show but a lack of funds need not be a barrier to taking your first steps and you can always grow your kit list as you grow your audience.
Fundamentally the equipment you need to have in order to make a podcast are:
- A way to record audio (either in person and online).
- A way to edit audio.
- A pair of headphones.
At Sport Social Podcast Network we have devised three example sports podcast setups to suit any budget and aspirations.
BRONZE SPORTS PODCAST KIT
The simplest way to start podcasting without spending any money is to harness the power of your smart phone.
Whilst there are certainly limitations in taking this route if can be a great starting point allowing you to begin your podcasting journey without too much financial investment.
Ultimately you phone can do everything you need to create your show but there are some important elements to keep in mind.
Smartphone Microphone: Smartphone Mics are pretty good in today’s modern phone but also pick up a lot of background noise and room dynamics. If you are going to use your phone to record your show you need to make sure you are in a quiet space with plenty of soft furnishings to reduce reverberation (echo)… think your bedroom sitting on your duvet rather than in the shower! Recording in a closet surrounded by your clothes can actually create a great sounding space if not be the most comfortable location to record.
Using the microphone on your phone headset can create improved results and also allow you to monitor (hear) the content are you recording as you do so. Either way, it’ll be important to keep an eye on your recording levels to ensure the audio you are recording is not too loud or quiet. A few test runs using different locations and microphone positions can help you find the best results.
Recording Apps: Most smart phone’s will have some kind of built in recording app which will allow you to capture the audio and then export it as an audio file (mp3) to upload with your chosen podcast host. It is possible to find dedicated recording apps for podcasting if you search for them in the App or Play stores.
Smart Phones are not the ideal tool if you want to record a second person/voice in person (you really need a two mic set up as suggested below) but if you plan to conduct virtual interviews on your show then there are various virtual studio apps (Riverside, Zoom) that allow you to capture the audio from such conversations for later editing/post production.
Editing Content: Given the size of the screen on a smartphone, editing can be a little challenging beyond a few simple cuts here and there or adding some EQ. Tools such as Garage Band and Ferrite Recording Studio both have free basic versions that will allow you to make simple edits and alterations to your content from your device.
You can, of course, transfer audio files to your computer for post-production (more on that below) should you wish to do a little more editing or add music etc… to your final show.
SILVER SPORTS PODCAST KIT
If you aren’t happy with the limitations offered by creating your podcast on a Smart Phone then you may wish to upgrade to a virtual studio.
The options here are seemingly endless and can range in cost from anything from under a hundred pounds for a USB microphone to thousands for a full home studio set up.
The advantages of creating your own studio space is that it will allow you to capture higher, more professional sounding audio whilst also giving you more facility to edit and enhance your content. Taking out unwanted segments, adjusting audio levels and even adding in post-production elements such as music and SFX.
Recording Equipment
The first thing you need to decide is what type of content you will be recording. If you are looking to record your podcast virtually with other contributors on-line then purchasing a good quality USB Mic to attached to you computer will be adequate. If however you want to record multiple people in person then you will need a slightly bigger minimum kit list including:
- One microphone per-person.
- The same number of XLR cables.
- Either a USB mixing desk if you wish to record into your Laptop or a hand held digital recorder (such as a Zoom H6) on which to store audio.
- Wired headphones to monitor your mix (always make sure you are listening to what is being recorded).
- Recording/Editing software on your laptop.
Software
As with the bronze offering you will need to find yourself some editing software with which to produce your show. Working from a laptop computer will give you much greater flexibility in terms of what you can do with your content not only adding a range of EQ and Audio Cleaning capabilities but also giving you the option to edit in intro music, break bumpers and the usual furniture you hear in a professional podcast.
Finding the right software for you can involve a little trial and error and ALL will involve a little effort and learning on how to use them properly (YouTube has some great tutorials) but good starting points are Audacity and Garage Band if you are looking for free options with Reaper and Adobe Audition offering some great paid alternatives.
Environment
As with recording via your Smart Phone the acoustic treatment of a room (the way it sounds) is important. Whilst the same techniques apply (soft furnishings, recording in a closet) if you are looking for a more professional looking space you may also want to explore sound dampening options. Again, there are a range of these to suit different budgets and spaces but it’s important to know what improvements you want to make to your space’s sound before diving in.
Depending on what audio “problem” you want to solve will depend on the solution you need. For example, cutting out external noise from your space (such as a busy road) may require a different solution compared to improving the echo (reflection) within a room. A good retailer (such as Gik Acoustics: https://gikacoustics.co.uk) will be able to offer advice depending on your requirements.
GOLD SPORTS PODCAST KIT
If you have the budget then many of the above issues can be solved by hiring a studio space in which to record your podcast.
Most cities will have a number of dedicated podcast studios that will help you create your show and all will offer flexible options depending on how much of the work you want them to do.
When employing a studio to help you create your podcast it’s important to consider how much of the editorial control you want to retain and how much you want to hand over. Whilst paying for a professional to record, edit and produce you content will no doubt save you time and effort you will also be handing over some of the creative input you would otherwise have into your final podcast.
You can expect to pay between (price examples) per hour for studio hire with additional charges should you wish them to provide editing services or video files. You can balance this cost however vs the equipment you may have had to purchase for a home studio set up.
Video
This brings us onto the question of should/shouldn’t you be creating a video podcast!
Using a professional studio does present the opportunity to create a high quality video version of your podcast. Video has emerged as a key part of podcasting in recent years with some creators believing it is impossible to create a successful show without it. Much of the rush to video has been fueled by YouTube which according to two studies in 2023, leads as the most used podcast platform in the U.S.
Whilst there may be many people consuming podcasts via YouTube as a platform the competition for audience is much higher than within pure podcasting platforms such as Apple, Spotify and Sport Social. Whilst there is certain value in creating full video edits of your podcast and the industry is certainly moving to a more integrated audio/video world, be realistic with the expectation’s of exactly how many views you are likely to get.
For new podcasts a more sensible approach can be to create short video teasers of their content for use on social media. Creating two or three 60 second clips of your show can help attract audiences via your social media channels and can be far more cost effective than paying for a full video edit.