Podcast Tools You Have to Take Your Present from Good to Nice in 2022

Wish to begin podcasting, however really feel intimidated by the podcast tools you’ll want? Don’t be! Skilled-sounding podcast tools is extra accessible than ever. 

With 26% of adults listening to podcasts weekly, the manufacturing high quality of your present is vital. In an effort to construct a profitable podcast, you want the suitable instruments and companies at your disposal.

Let’s evaluation the highest podcast instruments and companies to make your manufacturing extra environment friendly {and professional}.

Under, we’ll break down the instruments and companies into 4 classes: podcast recording tools, podcast recording software program, podcast modifying software program, and podcast internet hosting websites.

Podcast Tools

To take your podcast present from good to nice this yr, it’s essential have the suitable tools.

1. USB or XLR Microphone

The very first thing it’s essential document your podcast is a microphone. The 2 hottest choices are USB microphones and XLR microphones. 

USB microphones can join on to your pc by way of a USB cable. They’re straightforward to make use of and require minimal setup. 

If you happen to’re seeking to have a bit extra management over your audio, you’ll be able to go for an XLR microphone and cable for increased sound high quality. A well-liked podcasting microphone that enables for each USB and XLR connection is the Audiotechnica ATR2100 microphone.

The RODE PodMic is an economical XLR microphone that offers studio-quality sound.

2. Audio Interface

For many who decide to make use of an XLR connection, you’ll want an audio mixer to attach your microphone to your pc. Not solely does a mixer or audio interface join on to your pc, but it surely additionally provides you extra flexibility by way of quantity management and modifying.

A easy audio mixer is the Focusrite Scarlette 2i2 which connects XLR microphones to your pc by way of a USB-C cable. This mixer presents easy quantity management for as much as two microphones.

For extra studio controls, you’ll be able to go for the RODECaster which may join as much as 4 microphones, has eight programmable settings, and has Bluetooth functionality so you’ll be able to interview company by way of phone. 

3. Windscreen or Pop Filter

As soon as you choose your microphone, be sure you get a corresponding windscreen or pop filter to reduce popping sounds and document higher-quality audio that wants much less modifying to sound nice.

4. Studio-High quality Headphones

Headphones are a should for podcasters, particularly those that document interviews remotely. Carrying headphones whereas recording means that you can hear how the recorded audio will sound in real-time so you can also make changes as wanted to have the best high quality recording.

If you happen to document digital interviews in your pc, you’ll wish to ensure that each you and your company use headphones to keep away from having the mic decide up any sound that will come out of your pc’s speaker inflicting an disagreeable echo.

5. Adjustable Microphone Arm Stand

After getting a microphone, headphones, and audio interface, you will wish to take into account getting a microphone arm stand. A microphone stand will make it simpler so that you can document your podcast, so you are not chained to your desk or have to sit down in a clumsy place.

Most microphones will include an adapter that’ll join with any microphone arm stand. Before you purchase a brand new stand, be sure you have that adapter.

Podcast Recording Software program

Now that you’ve all of the tools to make your podcast the most effective it may be, you will have to be sure you’re utilizing the suitable recording software program.

6. Skype

Worth: Free

With Skype, you’ll be able to document video and audio proper in this system. If you’re on a name, you’ll be able to click on the three dots on the underside proper after which hit “Begin Recording.”

Skype is a superb choice for podcasters as a result of it is free and simple to make use of. There are additionally different choices, in order for you higher audio high quality. As an example, you’ll be able to obtain recording software program in your pc or purchase an exterior digital recorder.

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7. Zoom

Worth: Free+

Zoom is one other wonderful free choice (for calls as much as 40 minutes lengthy). You may simply document proper in this system, by clicking the “File” button and selecting the place you want to save lots of your audio file.

Skype and Zoom are pretty comparable choices, nonetheless, the recording recordsdata differ. Skype will provide you with a mono file, which implies each your and your interviewee’s facet of the dialog is on one audio monitor. Nevertheless, Zoom splits either side of the decision, supplying you with two separate audio tracks. That is useful in terms of slicing and modifying in post-production.

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8. Ringr

Worth: $8/month+

Ringr is a long-distance podcasting and broadcast interview recording program. Though this selection is not free, it has wonderful sound high quality. If you happen to’re centered on bringing higher-quality sound to your interviews, Ringr is an effective alternative.

Moreover, they’ve three completely different plans you’ll be able to select from. With the essential plan, you will get a mono audio file, and limitless calls and storage. If you happen to determine to go along with the premium or enterprise plan, you will get a split-track audio file, plus higher sound high quality and the choice to make use of convention calling.

9. Squadcast

Worth: $5/hour or $20/month+

Squadcast is an easy-to-use podcast recording software program. When you join, all you must do is ready up a gathering, click on “File,” and also you’re set.

One distinctive aspect of this software program is you could pay by the hour, for those who do not suppose you want a month-to-month plan. Even with the hourly plan, you’ll be able to host as much as three company and can obtain a high-quality WAV or MP3 file.

Moreover, Squadcast plans so as to add video recording and transcription, which is able to assist along with your present notes and posting your podcast to YouTube.

One of many prime causes to make use of a podcast recording software program like Squadcast, versus Skype or Zoom, is that you will have a library of all of your recordings in a single place, on-line, the place you’ll be able to entry them at any time, anyplace.

10. Riverside

Worth: Free+

If you happen to’re in search of multimedia recording, Riverside may very well be a very good match for you.

This device presents native recording of audio and video with as much as 4K video high quality. One of the crucial notable options is “Clips” which creates AI-generated video and audio clips of your recording that may be simply personalized and shared on social media. 

Further options embody transcriptions, sharable hyperlinks for company, producer mode and controls, reside streaming, one-click scheduling, and display screen share recording.

11. Professional Instruments

Worth: $30/yr+

If you happen to’re prepared to maneuver past the newbie recording software program above, Professional Instruments is a wonderful choice.

Professional Instruments is a complicated recording and modifying software program. You may document, edit, and blend quite a few audio tracks. Nevertheless, that is for the extra superior audio recorders/editors. The consumer interface (UI) is not as intuitive for newcomers and could appear overwhelming at first.

Though, as a result of it is superior, it additionally presents far more strong options. For instance, since Professional Instruments is thought within the music business, it has digital instrumentation obtainable, which will be useful in creating the music to place in your podcast. Moreover, it presents plugins, collaboration, and hands-on audio mixing.

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12. Reaper

Worth: $60 one time cost+

Reaper is one other superior recording, modifying, and mixing software program. This kind of program offers higher-quality recordings and extra capabilities in terms of modifying and mixing.

The UI is not as intuitive as packages like Zoom or Squadcast, but it surely presents higher-quality sound. Together with your audio interface and microphone hooked up, you’ll be able to document straight into this system, with as many audio tracks as you want.

The recording characteristic is extra strong, providing simultaneous recording inputs, a dozen audio codecs, and recording tracks.

Moreover, it additionally has robust modifying capabilities as nicely.

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13. Logic Professional

Worth: $200 one time cost+

Logic Professional is the superior model of Storage Band for Mac customers. It is a higher-quality recording program providing an easy-to-use UI.

Recording is so simple as establishing your microphone and USB audio interface and urgent document.

Logic Professional presents as much as 1,000 audio tracks, software program instrument tracks, and tons of of plugins to finish any mission.

Moreover, it has superior modifying capabilities.

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14. Whereby

Worth: $10/month+

Whereby is an alternative choice for recording distant interviews. It is wonderful for newcomers and is simple to make use of.

Though there’s a free plan, recording is barely obtainable within the Professional or Marketing strategy. Recording is as straightforward as hitting the “File” button, when you’re on a name. It will document each video and audio, so it is simple to submit to YouTube in order for you.

Whereas that is a straightforward choice, it is not the best high quality recording.

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15. Zencastr

Worth: Free+

Zencastr is an internet browser-based recording software program that provides reside sound modifying, automated postproduction, and automated cloud backup of recordings. 

The app lately launched a beta HD video recording characteristic and likewise has built-in chat and footnote options that make sharing info with company and producers a breeze.

Podcast Enhancing Software program

When you document your podcast, it is time to edit it. As you have learn above, many software program consists of each recording and modifying capabilities. Under are some instruments identified for modifying, reasonably than recording.

16. Adobe Audition

Worth: $20/month+

Adobe Audition is a wonderful mid-level audio modifying software program. You may create, document, combine, edit, and restore audio content material.

It presents high-quality sound, plus complete instruments to ship polished sound. For instance, Adobe Audition comes with a podcast template, which helps you arrange a multi-track recording so you’ll be able to combine and edit completely different audio tracks and voices. Plus, you’ll be able to work in each waveform and multi-track editors, for extra well-rounded modifying.

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17. Audacity

Worth: Free

Audacity is a wonderful free choice for modifying your podcast. It is particularly straightforward for those who plan to make use of just one take, with few cuts. The UI is simple to make use of and beginner-friendly. Nevertheless, if you must make plenty of cuts or transfer audio round, it is a little bit tougher due to the simplicity of this system.

This selection is nice for newcomers due to the easy minimize, copy, and paste performance. It is not the best high quality sound, but it surely will get the job achieved.

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18. Storage Band

Worth: Free

Storage Band is a free modifying software program that’s obtainable on and comes with most Mac computer systems.

It is largely used as a newbie modifying program, however is able to mixing as much as 255 audio tracks. It comes with fundamental modifying options together with quantity ranges, minimize, copy, and paste. You should use plugins to complete off your monitor and use audio results resembling compression.

Moreover, it includes a sound library with results you could embody in your podcast.

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19. Descript

Worth: Free+

If you happen to can edit a Google Doc, you’ll be able to edit a podcast. That’s the premise of Descript, a text-based audio, and video modifying device.

To make use of Descript, add your file to the device to get an AI-generated transcription. You may then evaluation the transcription to make adjustments in real-time. Descript additionally has a characteristic that makes use of an AI-created model of your voice, so you’ll be able to add phrases to your audio just by typing. 

Descript is extremely straightforward to make use of for brand new podcasters and those that don’t have audio modifying expertise.

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Podcast Internet hosting Websites/Companies

Now that you’ve got purchased your tools, recorded, and modifying your podcast, you might be questioning what’s subsequent? After you have produced your podcast, it is time to discover the suitable internet hosting web site and repair to publish it on.

20. BuzzSprout

Worth: Free+

BuzzSprout is a wonderful internet hosting choice, as a result of it will get your podcast listed in all the highest podcast directories together with Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher.

Moreover, it presents superior metrics, so you’ll be able to monitor the progress of your podcast. You may see statistics about your listeners, whole performs over time, and the place folks take heed to your podcast. Plus, you’ll be able to transcribe your podcast in BuzzSprout.

With paid plans, you will have limitless storage and episodes hosted indefinitely.

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21. Libsyn

Worth: $5/month+

Libsyn is a internet hosting service that can get your podcast revealed in your viewers’s favourite apps and platforms.

A novel characteristic is its monetization choices. For instance, it presents premium content material subscriptions and opt-in promoting. These choices preserve you in management and assist you to customise your monetization.

You may even have entry to detailed viewers statistics, so you can too see what’s working and what is not.

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22. Anchor

Worth: Free

Anchor, owned by Spotify, is an easy-to-use platform that means that you can create, publish, and monetize in a single place. 

One standout characteristic of Anchor is its strong analytics system. Powered by Spotify, podcasts hosted on Anchor have entry to highly effective metrics permitting you to see precisely what the listening habits of your viewers seems like. This stage of element will help you tailor your content material towards what your viewers likes to listen to. 

Anchor additionally presents monetization choices resembling host-read adverts, paid subscriptions, and dynamically inserted advert spots.

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Easy methods to Set Up a Podcast Studio

After getting your tools, recording and modifying software program, and internet hosting companies, it is time to determine the place you are going to document your podcast.

You may wish to arrange a podcast studio. This may be as fundamental as having the suitable tools in any room or as superior as making a devoted house for recording.

To arrange a podcast studio, observe these steps:

Step 1: Purchase the tools — Earlier than you may get your studio arrange, you want the tools. You may want a microphone, microphone arm, headphones, audio interface, desks, and chairs. You may additionally wish to take into account shopping for a couple of of these things, in case you determine to deliver folks in for interviews.

Step 2: Arrange room for sound conditioning — In an effort to obtain the most effective sound, take into account shopping for soundproof foam wall panels to connect to the partitions. It will cease the sound from bouncing off the partitions. Moreover, you should buy pop filters for the microphones to scale back popping sounds.

Step 3: Arrange lighting and cameras — Many podcasters select to movie their podcasts to allow them to submit to YouTube or different social media. If you wish to do that, you will have to arrange lighting and cameras.

Anybody can begin a podcast. That is why you need your podcast to face out among the many relaxation. To take your podcast from good to nice, be sure you buy the suitable tools, software program, and studio setup.