Richard Farrar

Life, Technology and Everything...

  • Home
  • About
    • Musical Interests
      • Tap Thru’ – Band
      • RedStick – Duo
    • PhD Thesis
    • Patent
    • Digital Radio Design
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Terms of Use
  • Podcasts
    • The PlantAdvice Gardening Podcast
  • Podcast Equipment
  • Podcasting Resources  
    • Top Podcast Directories
    • Featured Podcast Widget for WordPress
    • Skype Interview Guidelines for Guests
  • Archives
    • Polls Archive
  • Contact

Podcasting Equipment

The following is a list of podcasting equipment and tools that I regularly use for the recording and production of my podcasts.

Audio

Microphones

Rode NT1-A Condenser MicrophoneRode NT1-A

Side Address Cardioid Condenser Microphone

This is my main microphone for recording podcasts. It’s not a natural choice for a lot of podcasters as it is extremely sensitive, so can be quite good at picking up background noise as well as the main voice, but when used in a quiet room with good acoustic damping, provides very smooth and natural results. Often used as a studio microphone for recording vocals.

Shure SM57 Dynamic MicrophoneShure SM57

Cardioid Dynamic Microphone

A classic microphone from Shure used by bands and artists. While not as commonly used for vocals it is remarkable similar to the SM7B used in radio stations across the world, but a fraction of the price. It is also used by the president of the USA for all of his inaugural speeches. I have used this as an additional microphone, and sometimes as my main microphone.

Shure SM58 Dynamic MicrophoneShure SM58

Cardioid Dynamic Microphone

This is the classic stage microphone that is used the world over for bands and artists. Being in a band for many years, this is a microphone that I have had lying about and have used as a second microphone sometimes, or occasionally as the main microphone. I used this microphone for my Skype interview on podcasting with BBC radio, which worked very well.

Digital Audio Interfaces / Recorders

Focusrite Saffire Firewire Digital Audio InterfaceFocusrite Saffire

Firewire Digital Audio Interface

Two microphone channels with high quality pre-amps and switchable 48V phantom powering for condenser or dynamic microphones. Two headphone outputs for monitoring, DSP EQ and compression providing exceptionally high quality audio for your podcasts. Also has line in and out and MIDI.

Zoom H4n Portable Digital Audio RecorderZoom H4n

Portable 4-Track Digital Audio Recorder

A superb recorder for recording interviews in the field, but can also act as a digital recorder in the studio. As well as featuring a pair of stereo condenser microphones, you can also plug in two of your own microphones via the XLR inputs. Superb audio quality.

Headphones

Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro Circumaural HeadphonesBeyerdynamic DT770 Pro

Circumaural Closed-Back Headphones

Professional closed-back, circumaural headphones ensuring that little or no audio spill from the headphones get picked-up by the microphone. Very comfortable for wearing long periods and very wide frequency response, showing every detail in your audio.

Speakers / Monitors

Genelec 8020A MonitorsGenelec 8020A

Bi-Amplified Active 2-Way Ported Monitors

Produced by the world renowned manufacturer of studio monitors, Genelec have produced this fantastic range of small monitors for audio-visual production environments. Very detailed, with good stereo imaging, although you may want a sub-woofer if you need an extended bass response. Have been spotted in the BBC TV studios.

Audio Accessories

sE Acoustic Reflexion FiltersE Reflexion Filter

Stand Mounted Acoustic Absorber

A portable acoustic absorber designed to reduce the amount of room ambience or reverberation picked up by the microphone. As podcasters often record in less than ideal locations, this is an invaluable tool to help produce cleaner recordings, particularly when using an extremely sensitive condenser type microphone.

K&M PopkillerK&M Popkiller

Acoustic Pop Shield

A common, cheap accessory, but vital for close vocal microphone work such as podcasting to prevent excessive “plosive” sounds from “Ps” reaching the microphone and spoiling your recording. Comes with flexible goose-neck and clamp for attaching to your microphone stand.

Shure A81WS Foam Microphone WindscreenShure A81WS Windscreen

Large Foam Windshield

A large foam windshield designed specifically for the Shure SM57 and SM81 microphones to cut out wind noise and prevent excessive “plosive” sounds from “Ps” reaching the microphone and spoiling your recordings when using the microphone for close-up vocal work such as recording podcasts.

Shure A55M Microphone Shock Mount Shure A55M Shockmount

Swivel Shockmount

A shock-mount with swivel adaptor for the Shure SM57 and SM58 microphones to cut noise and vibrations transferred from the microphone stand to the microphone. Designed specifically for the Shure microphones, this neat little isolation mount is equally useful for most standard mics.

Heil PL2T BoomHeil PL2T

Microphone Boom

A desk mounted, swivel-based, sprung microphone boom arm enabling you to position your microphone exactly where you need it while keeping all your cables neat and tidy.

Software

AudacityAudacity

Audio Editor

Free audio editing software that does pretty much everything you need to get you recording and editing professional sounding podcasts. Simple and easy to use, yet remarkably powerful.

CubaseCubase LE4

Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)

A much more advanced and sophisticated audio editing and production tool useful for more complex podcasts or radio plays with more tracks (presenters/actors), background music and effects.

MP3TAGMP3TAG

Universal Tag Editor

A free tag editor enabling you to add and edit ID3 tags in MP3 files to display such things as album / cover art and artist details.

Studio

Acoustic Art PanelsGIK Acoustics ArtPanel

Acoustic Tiles

Professionally designed acoustic panels to absorb and deaden the sound in a reverberant or overly ambient room. Not only do these panels work incredibly well, but they also look great on the studio wall.

Video

Software

LightworksLightworks

Non-Linear Video Editor

Lightworks is a very powerful Video Editing Software package that has been used to edit many big Hollywood films such as Pulp Fiction and Mission Impossible, but amazingly is available to download for free!

BBC Radio Interview on Podcasting

Listen to my interview on BBC radio about podcasting and how long a podcast should be:

https://www.richardfarrar.com/audio/BBC-interview.mp3

Topics

  • Blogging
  • Life
  • Podcasting
  • Technology
  • Web Technology

About Me

Richard Farrar

Hi, I'm Richard; an Electronic Engineer by trade, self confessed Geek, Blogger and Podcaster, although as often the case life has the habit of taking us on unplanned journeys... Read More ›

Popular Posts

  • Embedding Album Art in MP3 Files
  • How to Check if your Speakers are Wired Correctly
  • Song Capacity Calculator for MP3 Players
  • What is Joint Stereo?
  • What are ID3 Tags in MP3 Files?

Find Me Online

  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • RSS Feed

Copyright © 2023
All details subject to change without notice. E&OE. All rights reserved.