How to Start a Podcast (Without Overthinking the Gear)
One of the biggest reasons people never start a podcast is gear paralysis. They assume they need a studio, expensive microphones, and a producer named Steve. You don’t.
This guide will walk you through the basic equipment you actually need to start a podcast whether your budget is $0 or $1000.
Step 1: The Microphone (Your Voice, Captured)
The microphone is the star of the show. Its job is simple: capture your voice clearly. The truth most people won’t tell you is that your phone microphone is good enough to start.
Phones are designed to capture voices. If you record in a quiet room and speak clearly, you’re already ahead of most beginners.
If you want to level up your podcast microphone try getting a:
USB microphones plug directly into your computer and are very beginner-friendly. (For Example: Blue Yeti USB Microphone)
XLR microphones are what you see in “professional” setups. They sound great but require extra gear. (For Example: PodMic or Shure SM7B)
Better microphones help reduce background noise and give your voice more depth but they don’t fix bad ideas, boring conversations, or bad mic technique.
Step 2: A Recorder or Interface (How Audio Becomes a File)
Once your voice hits the mic, it needs somewhere to go and this is where recording interfaces comes in. You can record using:
Your phone (free, simple, underrated)
Your computer with basic recording software (For Example: Garage Band)
A standalone recorder that lets you record without a computer at all (For Example: Zoom Podtrak)
More advanced gear gives you more control, for example adjusting volume, adding multiple microphones, or recording guests. But it doesn’t magically make your podcast more interesting. Simple is better. Complexity kills momentum.
Step 3: Headphones
Headphones aren’t about sounding cool, they’re about catching problems early. Wearing headphones while recording can help you hear:
Unwanted background noise
Audio clipping (when your voice gets distorted)
Echo or mic placement issues
I recommend getting a pair of wired headphones to help monitor your audio. For the most part you don’t need studio-grade headphones focus on getting an over ear wired headphones. Wireless headphones can cause delay so I don’t recommend using something like AirPods to monitor your audio. Think of headphones as your “check engine” light which is better to notice the issue now than after you finish recording a 45-minute episode.
Step 4: The Room Matters More Than You Think
Here’s a secret, a quiet room beats expensive gear every time. Plus, echo and background noise ruin more podcasts than bad microphones.
Here are a few quick fixes:
Record in a smaller room
Add more soft surfaces to the recording studio. (For Example: couches, rugs, curtains)
Turn off fans, AC, and notifications
Face away from windows and hard walls
You don’t have to have foam panels, but try to have a fewer hard and empty surfaces in your recording sessions.
The Biggest Mistake New Podcasters Make
Waiting.
Waiting for better gear.
Waiting to sound more confident.
Waiting until everything feels “ready.”
Your first episode won’t be perfect and it shouldn’t be.
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s momentum.
Start Simple. Upgrade With Purpose.
You can start a simple podcast with just your phone, a quiet room, and have something entertaining/informative/exciting to say. If you keep going, then you’ll know what gear actually helps you. Don’t just buy super expensive gear to make yourself look more professional or because your favorite podcast uses a specific microphone. The best podcast isn’t the one with the best equipment. It’s the one that actually exists.
🎙️ Hit record. You’ve got this.
