For many people who want to get into podcasting, the nitty-gritty details always get to them. Concerns can vary from one podcaster to another. While some doubt their ability to keep up with anything technology-related, others aren’t sure if they are confident enough to take on something as dynamic.

If it’s any consolation, you are not alone. People deal with diverse concerns when it comes to podcasting all the time.

However, if there’s one thing many likely podcasters share, it’s concern over the costs. If this is something you are also concerned with at the moment, you’ll find the following tips truly helpful:

Don’t go overboard!

When starting a project, there’s always the tendency to go overboard. The temptation to purchase the best equipment and software will always be there. Understandably, you’d want to keep up with professional producers and just make a professional studio out of your own home office!

It’s easy to think you need the most expensive equipment to produce anything that is of topnotch quality. If you don’t discipline yourself, you might just end up with expensive equipment you don’t really need.

The good news is podcasting does not have to cost a fortune. You don’t have to break the bank just to get started. If your budget is limited, you just need to invest in the basics and you’re good to go.

If you are just starting out, the following are the basic equipment and tools you should invest in:

Microphone

To produce a podcast, you’ll need a microphone.

The basic and the cheapest you can go for is the built-in microphone in your computer. If your earphones have built-in microphone, it will also do. Built-in ones still can still be used to record. However, the sound quality might not be awesome as it picks up sounds and noises in your room.

A budget-friendly alternative that won’t sacrifice quality would be USB microphones. The Audio-Technica ATR2100 is one option you can look into. It’s one of the most preferred microphones used by many podcasters. The basic one, with only the microphone costs $79 on Amazon.

If you are willing to spend a bit more, you can get professional studio equipment which can take you back around $150 or more, depending on the brand and model.

Pop filter

A pop filter will help cancel out loud “p,” “s,” and “t” sounds. It is placed in front of your microphone and looks like a metal screen.

A standard pop filter does not cost much. Believe it or not, some even use DIY (do-it-yourself) pop filters. However, if you want a professional pop filter, you can get a Neewer NW 6-inch pop filter and it will only take you back $7.99. Depending on the size and the brand, price can also go as much as $20 or higher.

Headphones

You will be using headphones a lot when recording. It is also needed during the editing process. Your headphone will not only prevent feedback, it will also help you monitor the sound.

If you want good headphones that will give you a good sound without the excessive bass, you should opt for quality ones. The Sony MDR7506 is one of the most used headphones by podcasters. It costs $61.99 on Amazon.

Software

Audio software is necessary when editing out pauses and unwanted noises from your recording. It also allows you to splice the audio into snippets and add effects and music to your podcast.

The software you use does not have to be expensive. There are free alternatives you can use like Garage Band and Audacity. When recording your calls, Mac’s Callnote or Call Graph for Windows are free options. While they are not really perfect, they still do a good job when it comes to editing out unwanted noises and recording Skype interviews.

Go bare or go big?

If budget is an issue, you’d be delighted to know you have the option not to spend any money and just make use of whatever’s free and available.

You also have the option to spend as little as possible. A complete set of the Audio-Technica ATR2100 microphone together with a pop filter and a headphone only costs $94.99 on Amazon.

If you prefer purchasing items individually, be ready to shell out $148.98. The cost is only for the equipment, in case you want to take advantage of the free software.

How much you will spend on your podcasting will depend entirely on you. Go for whatever you think is best and take it from there.

Share this post!