Books and Resources to Start Strong
Before you invest in equipment, understand the business model and production fundamentals. These books cover strategy, technical skills, and the realities of building an audience.
Podcasting: Actionable Advice for Running an Audio Journalism Program by Todd Cochrane
Cochrane is the founder of Podtrac and has tracked podcasting for two decades. This book covers everything from recording quality to distribution strategy, with practical guidance on equipment choices that actually matter. You’ll learn what specs to prioritize and what marketing approaches work for growing listener bases.
Shop Podcasting: Actionable Advice on Amazon →
The Business of Podcasting by Podtrac
A comprehensive look at the economics of podcasting, including advertising models, sponsorship deals, and listener monetization. Critical for understanding whether your equipment investment will actually generate returns. Many podcasters overlook the business side and spend heavily on gear they don’t need.
Shop The Business of Podcasting on Amazon →
Steal the Show: From Speeches to Social Media—9 Ways to Captivate Your Audience by Michael Port
Port teaches performance and storytelling techniques that make audio content engaging. Good equipment captures poor content poorly. This book helps you create content worth hearing, which matters more than spending $5,000 on a microphone setup.
Shop Steal the Show on Amazon →
Everybody Writes by Ann Handley
Even though you’re producing audio, you’ll write show descriptions, episode titles, sponsor copy, and social media content. Handley’s practical advice on writing for your audience helps you craft compelling descriptions that drive downloads and sponsorship value.
Shop Everybody Writes on Amazon →
Equipment You Need
Podcasting equipment needs vary based on your format. A solo interview show has different requirements than a two-person co-hosted show or a narrative fiction podcast. The list below covers what most podcasters use, organized from essential to optional.
Recording Microphone
- USB condenser microphone: Connects directly to your computer, no audio interface needed. Best for beginners. Examples include the Audio-Technica AT2020USB or Blue Yeti. They cost $100–$200 and deliver clean audio quality acceptable for most podcasts.
- XLR dynamic microphone: Requires an audio interface but offers more flexibility and professional sound. Industry standard is the Shure SM7B ($400+). Only buy this if you’re committed to improving audio quality over time.
Shop USB condenser microphones on Amazon →
Microphone Accessories
- Microphone stand or boom arm: Keeps the mic at a consistent distance from your mouth. A boom arm ($20–$50) frees up desk space and prevents handling noise.
- Pop filter: Reduces plosive sounds (hard P and B consonants). Essential for any podcast. Cost: $10–$20.
- Windscreen or foam cover: Minimizes ambient noise and wind sound. $10–$15.
- XLR cables: If using a dynamic microphone, quality cables matter. Budget $15–$30 per cable.
Shop microphone boom arms on Amazon →
Audio Interface
- Compact USB audio interface: If using an XLR microphone, you need an interface to convert analog audio to digital. The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 ($150–$180) is industry standard. Not necessary for USB mics.
Shop audio interfaces on Amazon →
Headphones
- Closed-back monitoring headphones: You need headphones to hear yourself and any guest audio during recording. Closed-back prevents sound from leaking back into the microphone. Budget-friendly options like the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x ($50–$60) work fine. Skip the expensive audiophile headphones—monitoring headphones are different.
Shop monitoring headphones on Amazon →
Recording Software
- Audacity: Free, open-source recording and editing software. Works on Windows and Mac. Limited but sufficient for starting out.
- Adobe Audition: Professional audio editing. $23/month as part of Creative Cloud. Better for serious production but unnecessary at launch.
- Riverside.fm or Squadcast: Cloud recording platforms for remote interviews. Record high-quality audio from multiple participants. $20–$50/month depending on features.
Hosting and Distribution
- Podcast hosting platform: You need a host to store your audio files and generate your RSS feed. Buzzsprout, Anchor, or Podbean cost $0–$25/month depending on storage limits and features. Many podcasters start free and upgrade later.
Optional but Useful
- Acoustic treatment: Foam panels or bass traps reduce room echo. Not essential if you record in a small space like a closet or bedroom, but helpful for larger rooms. Budget $50–$200 for basic treatment.
- Second microphone: For co-hosted shows or when interviewing in-person guests. Only necessary if your format requires it.
- Portable recorder: For recording on location or interviews outside your home studio. The Zoom H5 ($200–$300) is reliable but unnecessary if you’re always recording at home.
Shop acoustic panels on Amazon →
What to Buy First vs Later
Start with the essentials and avoid the trap of buying expensive gear before you’ve recorded a single episode. Many beginners overspend on equipment that sits unused.
- First purchases: USB microphone ($100–$200), boom arm ($25–$40), pop filter ($15), headphones ($50–$60), podcast hosting ($0–$20/month). Total: roughly $200–$350. This is enough to launch and produce quality audio.
- After 20–30 episodes: Evaluate whether you need an audio interface and better microphone. You’ll understand your workflow better and know if an upgrade makes sense.
- As revenue grows: Invest in acoustic treatment, a second microphone for guests, or a cloud recording platform for remote interviews. Only buy equipment directly tied to income generation or significant quality improvement.
- Never buy first: Expensive preamps, vintage microphones, multiple mics before you’ve recorded, or studio-grade equipment beyond your current audience size. This is ego spending, not business spending.
New vs Used Equipment
Used equipment can save money, but only in specific categories. Audio equipment degrades with use, and buying used microphones or interfaces carries risks. A used microphone might have internal damage or degraded components that aren’t obvious until you record.
Buy new: Microphones, audio interfaces, and recording software. These are your core tools and longevity matters. Plan to use your first microphone for 3–5 years minimum. The $150 difference between new and used isn’t worth potential audio quality issues. Buy used: Microphone stands, boom arms, pop filters, headphones, and acoustic panels. These items don’t degrade with normal use and the secondary market is reliable. You can save 30–50% and reinvest into recording software or hosting fees.
Where to Buy
- B&H Photo Video: Wide selection of pro audio equipment, reasonable prices, fast shipping. Better returns policy than Amazon for technical gear.
- Sweetwater: Specialist audio retailer with knowledgeable staff available by phone. Useful if you want advice before buying.
- Guitar Center: Carries USB microphones and interfaces at competitive prices. You can test equipment in person at many locations.
- eBay and Facebook Marketplace: For used equipment only. Research fair pricing before making offers.
- Podcast hosting platforms directly: Buzzsprout, Anchor, and Podbean sell directly. Sometimes they offer discounts or free tiers worth comparing.