Starting a Video Podcast: The Essential Equipment List

If you’re thinking about starting a video podcast, you might be wondering what kind of equipment you need to produce a high-quality show that attracts and engages your audience. Video podcasting is a great way to showcase your personality, share your expertise, and connect with your fans on a deeper level. But it also requires some investment in the right gear and software to make your podcast look and sound professional.

In this blog post, we’ll share with you the essential equipment list for starting a video podcast, as well as some tips and recommendations on how to choose the best options for your budget and goals. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced podcaster, this guide will help you get started with video podcasting and take your show to the next level.

1. Microphone

The first and most important piece of equipment you need for a video podcast is a good microphone. A microphone is what captures your voice and delivers it to your listeners, so you want to make sure it’s clear, crisp, and consistent. A poor-quality microphone can ruin your podcast by making you sound muffled, distorted, or noisy.

There are different types of microphones you can use for video podcasting, such as:

USB microphones: These are plug-and-play microphones that connect directly to your computer via a USB port. They are easy to use and affordable, but they may not offer the best sound quality or flexibility. Some popular USB microphones for podcasting are the Blue Yeti, the Rode NT-USB, and the Samson Q2U.
XLR microphones: These are professional-grade microphones that connect to an audio interface or a mixer via an XLR cable. They offer better sound quality and more control over your audio settings, but they are more expensive and require additional equipment. Some popular XLR microphones for podcasting are the Shure SM7B, the Rode PodMic, and the Audio-Technica AT2020.

The best microphone for you depends on your budget, your recording environment, and your personal preference. You may want to test out different microphones before you buy one, or read reviews and listen to samples online.

2. Audio recorder or wireless system

If you’re using an XLR microphone, you’ll need an audio recorder or a wireless system to capture and store your audio. An audio recorder is a device that records your audio onto an SD card or an internal memory. A wireless system is a device that transmits your audio wirelessly to a receiver that connects to your computer or camera.

An audio recorder or a wireless system can offer some advantages over using a USB microphone or an audio interface, such as:

Portability: You can record your audio anywhere without being tethered to your computer or camera.
Reliability: You can avoid potential issues with latency, dropouts, or interference that may occur with USB or wireless connections.
Flexibility: You can use different microphones with different recorders or wireless systems, depending on your needs.

Some popular audio recorders for podcasting are the Zoom H6, the Tascam DR-40X, and the Sound Devices MixPre-3 II. Some popular wireless systems for podcasting are the Rode Wireless Go II, the Sennheiser XSW-D, and the Shure BLX14/CVL.

3. Lighting

The next piece of equipment you need for a video podcast is lighting. Lighting is what makes your video look bright, clear, and professional. Poor lighting can make your video look dark, dull, or grainy.

There are different types of lighting you can use for video podcasting, such as:

Natural lighting: This is the light that comes from the sun or other natural sources. It’s free and easy to use, but it can also be unpredictable and inconsistent. You may need to adjust your camera settings or your position depending on the time of day, the weather, or the season.
Artificial lighting: This is the light that comes from lamps, bulbs, or other artificial sources. It’s more reliable and controllable, but it can also be more expensive and complicated to use. You may need to buy different types of lights, such as softboxes, ring lights, or LED panels, and learn how to set them up and position them properly.

The best lighting for you depends on your budget, your recording space, and your desired effect. You may want to experiment with different lighting options and see what works best for your video podcast.

4. Camera

The fourth piece of equipment you need for a video podcast is a camera. A camera is what captures your video and delivers it to your viewers, so you want to make sure it’s high-quality, reliable, and compatible with your other equipment.

There are different types of cameras you can use for video podcasting, such as:

Smartphone: This is the easiest and most affordable option if you already own a smartphone with decent video recording capabilities. You can use your smartphone as a camera by mounting it on a tripod or a stand and connecting it to your microphone or audio recorder via a cable or a wireless system. Some smartphones also have built-in features that can enhance your video quality, such as stabilization, autofocus, or HDR.
Webcam: This is another easy and affordable option if you already own a computer with a built-in webcam or an external webcam. You can use your webcam as a camera by plugging it into your computer via a USB port and connecting it to your microphone or audio recorder via a cable or a wireless system. Some webcams also have built-in features that can enhance your video quality, such as HD resolution, autofocus, or low-light correction.
DSLR, mirrorless, or point-and-shoot camera: These are more advanced and expensive options that offer superior video quality and more control over your video settings. You can use these cameras as a camera by mounting them on a tripod or a stand and connecting them to your microphone or audio recorder via a cable or a wireless system. Some cameras also have built-in features that can enhance your video quality, such as 4K resolution, optical zoom, or face detection.

The best camera for you depends on your budget, your recording space, and your personal preference. You may want to test out different cameras before you buy one, or read reviews and watch samples online.

5. Background

The fifth piece of equipment you need for a video podcast is a background. A background is what sets the tone and mood of your video podcast and creates a visual interest for your viewers. A poor-quality background can distract from your message and make your video look unprofessional.

There are different types of backgrounds you can use for video podcasting, such as:

Natural background: This is the background that comes from your existing environment, such as your home, office, or studio. It’s easy and cheap to use, but it can also be messy and cluttered. You may need to tidy up your space and remove any unwanted items or noises that may interfere with your video podcast.
Artificial background: This is the background that comes from props, decorations, or other artificial elements. It’s more creative and customizable, but it can also be more expensive and time-consuming to use. You may need to buy different types of backgrounds, such as curtains, backdrops, or green screens, and learn how to set them up and position them properly.

The best background for you depends on your budget, your recording space, and your desired effect. You may want to experiment with different backgrounds and see what works best for your video podcast.

6. Accessories

The last piece of equipment you need for a video podcast is accessories. Accessories are the extra items that can enhance your video podcasting experience and make it easier and more enjoyable for you and your viewers.

Some accessories you may want to consider are:

Tripod or stand: This is an item that holds your camera or smartphone in place and allows you to adjust the height, angle, and orientation of your shot. It can help you achieve a stable, steady, and professional-looking video.
Pop filter: This is an item that attaches to your microphone and reduces the popping sounds that occur when you pronounce certain letters or words. It can help you achieve a clearer and smoother audio.
Shock mount: This is an item that attaches to your microphone and isolates it from vibrations that may cause unwanted noises in your audio. It can help you achieve a cleaner and quieter audio.
Windscreen: This is an item that covers your microphone and reduces the wind noise that may occur when you record outdoors or near a fan or an air conditioner. It can help you achieve a clearer and smoother audio.
Remote control: This is an item that allows you to control your camera or smartphone remotely and start or stop your recording without touching your device. It can help you avoid shaking or moving your camera or smartphone and make your recording process more convenient.
Teleprompter: This is an item that displays your script or notes on a screen in front of your camera or smartphone and allows you to read them while looking directly at the lens. It can help you deliver your message more confidently and naturally.

These are some of the accessories that can improve your video podcasting quality and efficiency, but they are not essential. You can choose to use them or not depending on your budget, your needs, and your preferences.

Conclusion

Starting a video podcast can be a rewarding and fun way to share your passion, knowledge, and personality with the world. But it also requires some planning and preparation to make sure you have the right equipment and setup to produce a high-quality show that stands out from the crowd.

In this blog post, we’ve covered the essential equipment list for starting a video podcast, as well as some tips and recommendations on how to choose the best options for your budget and goals. We hope this guide has helped you get started with video podcasting and inspired you to create your own amazing show.

If you’re looking for more help with video podcasting, we have some good news for you. At Storyline, we offer professional video podcast services that can take care of everything from planning, recording, editing, hosting, distributing, and promoting your video podcast. Whether you need a full-service package or a customized solution, we can help you create a video podcast that meets your vision and exceeds your expectations.

If you’re interested in working with us, please contact us today and let us know what kind of video podcast you want to create. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible and provide you with a free consultation and a quote. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you launch your video podcast.