Jun 21, 202318 min read

How to Start a Podcast and Sound Like a Pro from Anywhere

Updated: Oct 3

Podcast audio equipment at home that sounds studio quality

Are you a health and fitness professional looking to start a podcast? Achieving studio-quality sound without breaking the bank is possible!

Hi, I'm Jamie Kennedy, the executive podcast producer at Brave Moon Podcasts. When COVID-19 hit, chaos reigned, and I found myself launching a professional podcast from a home studio. The challenge? The podcast had to sound flawless. What seemed daunting became surprisingly simple. Today's technology makes it possible for anyone to record a professional podcast at home. Let me share those secrets with you.

In this episode, we talk about…

Set up a home recording studio for crystal-clear audio
Choose the right podcasting equipment for your needs and budget
Master audio recording and editing techniques for a polished sound
Avoid common podcasting mistakes that can ruin your audio quality

Transcribed Podcast Episode

The first podcast I ever worked on started at the beginning of covid. Remember those first couple of months of covid when it was complete chaos and none of us knew what was happening? There was literally fear in the air and we were just learning about social distancing, staying 6 feet apart from each other, wearing masks in public… Who am I kidding? You remember it just as well as I do! And potentially still traumatized, like me.

Ok so imagine this. The biggest gym in the world comes to you and asks if you can help product their brand new podcast. There was no if’s, and’s, or but’s about it, this podcast had to sound professional and polished. And it had to be done from the host’s home. There really was no other option.

And so began my quest to understand how you can go about creating a high-quality recording studio from the comfort of your own home.

But what I thought was going to be a nightmare to figure out was actually, incredibly easy. Because I’ll let you in a little secret that nobody is talking about - well, some people are talking about - like me. So technology has come so far these days that anyone - yes, anyone - can record a professional sounding podcast from home. And I’m about to divulge all those secrets to you right now.

Today you’re going to hear all about how to sound like a pro from home - no recording studio necessary. This is a super special topic and one that I’m really passionate about. Like I am actually obsessed with how far technology has come.

When I started working on my first podcast, I actually thought we’d have to get those crazy equipment setups like they have in recording studios - you know, the one you see in the movies where the singer is on one side of the glass and the producer is on the other side of the glass, and they’re moving all of these sliders up and down and whichever way while recording? Yah, that’s not needed anymore.

If you’re ready to start a podcast that helps boost your personal and professional brand, then we can get you up and running for a minimal investment. As long as you’ve got a personal computer or a smart phone already, I can suggest to you an audio equipment setup that will cost you under $200. There’s more expensive setups for sure (and I’m going to get into that a little bit with you here in this episode) but I’m also going to make the assumption that you’re a busy professional who is financially smart and savvy - like me!

I’m going to break this episode up into 3 parts. The first section, we’ll chat about why audio quality is so important for the listener. Then we’ll talk about audio equipment that is right for you (and I’ll give you an exact shopping list if you’re ready for it) and finally, we’ll talk about your at-home space for optimal recording and sound. Plus, you already know there’s 5 additional hacks coming PLUS we’re going to hear from a podcaster you may know about the power of audio quality.

Why audio quality matters

So first, why does audio quality matter? I want to preface this answer by saying, this is not to scare you! In fact, this is meant to validate your concerns, and motivate you to make good decisions about your home recording and audio setup. Like I’ve mentioned, you don’t need to spend a ton of money to make this happen; even a small budget can go a long way to produce audio that will make your listeners happy.

So, why does it matter? If you didn’t already guess, audio quality plays a pivotal role in the overall podcast listening experience, and significantly influences how content is perceived and enjoyed by the audience. While compelling content and engaging discussions are essential, the quality of the audio can make or break a listener's engagement and satisfaction. So before you ever hit play, why not make sure you’re sharing your compelling content and engaging discussions in the best way possible?

Here’s some reasons why podcast audio matters:

Clarity and Understanding: A podcast with clear and well-balanced audio allows listeners to comprehend the content easily. When the host's voice and guest contributions are crisp, distinct, and free from background noise, listeners can follow the conversation effortlessly. High-quality audio ensures that every word, nuance, and detail is conveyed accurately, leading to better comprehension and retention of information.

Think about it. What are your favorite podcasts? Are the hosts clear and easy to understand? I bet they are! As podcast listeners, we want to tune out and focus on the content, not simply trying to hear what the host is saying better!

Professionalism and Credibility: Good audio quality conveys professionalism and credibility to the listeners. When the production value is high and the audio is clean and polished, it creates a positive impression of the podcast and its hosts. Professionalism in audio quality can enhance the perception of the podcast's overall quality and make listeners more likely to trust the information being shared.

Now this isn’t to say you can’t still be authentic and honest about your situation. If you’re recording from home, be sure to mention it! Listeners want to find connections with you, they want you, as the host, to be relatable. In fact, if you want to hear the perfect example, go check out Glennon Doyle’s first ever podcast episode for We Can Do Hard Things. At the very beginning, she actually says she’s in her closet because it gets the best sound! I personally loved that moment and it has stuck with me for ages. Did she sound professional and credible from her closet? 100%! But you can still call out your most relatable qualities about you - like recording your podcast from home!

Immersion and Engagement: High-quality audio has the power to immerse listeners in the podcasting experience. When the audio is clear, immersive, and free from distractions, listeners can fully engage with the content. It allows them to focus on the conversation, connect with the hosts and guests, and get lost in the narrative. Immersive audio quality enhances the emotional impact of the podcast, making it more memorable and enjoyable for the listeners.

Enjoyment and Satisfaction: Listeners seek out podcasts for entertainment and enjoyment. Poor audio quality, such as excessive background noise, echoes, or distorted voices, can be distracting and frustrating, diminishing the overall enjoyment of the podcast. On the other hand, high-quality audio creates a pleasant and satisfying listening experience, making the audience more likely to return for future episodes and recommend the podcast to others.

I should mention that post-production editing is definitely a thing. My favorite program in the whole world to suggest to home podcasters like you is Podcastle - which actually allows you to master sound and reduce background noise directly from their editing software. It’s genius. But that said, the best possible plan is to reduce background noise and recording good, quality sound from the getgo - before you ever get to the postproduction side of things.

Accessibility and Inclusivity: Accessibility is an important aspect of podcasting. Good audio quality ensures that the content is accessible to a wider audience, including those with hearing impairments. Clean and well-balanced audio allows individuals using hearing aids or assistive devices to fully engage with the podcast without struggling to decipher the words. By prioritizing audio quality, podcasters create a more inclusive listening experience.

Differentiation in a Crowded Market: The podcasting landscape is becoming increasingly competitive, with numerous podcasts vying for listeners' attention. Having excellent audio quality can be a differentiating factor that sets a podcast apart from the rest. When a podcast offers superior audio quality, it can capture the attention of discerning listeners who value production value and seek out podcasts that prioritize the overall listening experience.

Audio Equipment Needed to Start a Podcast

So now that you know why audio quality matters to the podcast listener, let’s jump into talking about the actual audio equipment you need - plus my suggested shopping list that will set you up for success.

To record a podcast from home, all you need is a USB microphone, microphone accessories, wired headphones, and a recording device like a personal computer or smartphone.

Really all you actually need is a smartphone but, I don’t want to suggest that because you deserve better sound quality for a minimal investment. So let’s break down all of the requirements I just mentioned.

Let’s talk microphones. Remember how I mentioned toward the beginning of this episode about the movie scenes where an audio engineer or producer is sliding a bunch of sliders up and down while listening to someone sing? So that’s related to something called XLR. And yes, there are these fantastic microphones out there called XLR microphones. They give audio engineers and producers a ton of power and control while recording.

But you, recording your podcast from home, do not need an XLR setup in order to produce high quality sound. In fact, they add a lot of cumbersome details you don't need for your setup.

Instead, we recommend using a USB microphone - which is a newer technology, hence the reason they’re not as well known. There are a lot of high-quality USB microphones on the market right now that will make you sound great. And the best part is these connect directly to your recording device (like a computer).

There are even USB microphones that can connect directly to your mobile phone!

My top 3 recommended USB microphones are:

The Samson Q2U for a budget under $100 - The Samson Q2U Microphone is a top choice for podcasters, offering professional-grade sound and versatility. Its easy setup, dual XLR/USB outputs, and excellent audio quality make it perfect for capturing clear and professional podcast episodes.

Rode Podcaster for a budget Under $300 - The Rode Podcaster Microphone is a premium choice for podcasters, delivering broadcast-quality audio. With its USB connectivity, built-in pop filter, and rich sound reproduction, it's the perfect tool for creating professional podcasts.

Shure MV7 for a Budget Under $500 - The Shure MV7 Microphone is a versatile choice for podcasters, offering professional sound quality with the convenience of USB connectivity. Its built-in touch controls and headphone monitoring make podcasting a breeze.

In my Free Cheat Sheet Guide, I have a complete shopping list that includes direct links to all 3 of these microphones, plus a shopping link to everything else I’m about to suggest to you. There is a direct link to sign up for that in my show notes. Don’t hesitate, just do it. I spent so long researching and diving into the different options here and, I truly feel the 3 setups I’m giving you are the creme de la creme of home podcasting options.

Ok so let’s dive into microphone accessories now. I highly recommend a shock mount, boom arm and pop filter. Eek, what did I just say. Honestly, before I started podcasting, I had no idea what any of these were, so I’m about to break it down for you as simply as I wish someone had explained them to me.

And I will preface this by saying, you don't have to add these accessories, but they are highly recommended for the following reasons.

Shock mount. Microphones are sensitive - on purpose! After all, you want to make sure you’re getting truly dynamic, in-depth sound quality that people can enjoy. What this means, though, is that the microphone picks up on pretty much every vibration, and will record it as a frequency in your audio.

Examples that we don’t love but we have to deal with from home is: Bumping into the desk, distant rumbling from a passing truck, a barking dog, or even opening a book near the microphone.

So a shock mount helps eliminate these vibrations. It does this by securely mounting the microphone to a foundation and simultaneously allowing it to float independently and it actually uses elastic. Shock mounts can range from as little as $10 to $200 plus.

Now let’s talk about the boom arm. A microphone should be placed level with your mouth, not above it. So your mouth should be about 3 inches is recommended but, please remember to check the manual for any microphone you end up choosing and set up accordingly).

This positioning can often be a problem for microphone stands placed on a desk. Plus, a microphone stand takes up a lot of space, while a boom arm takes up very little space and can be pushed away.

It's up to you what you choose here, but as long as you find a comfortable way to have your microphone level to your mouth, you will be good. You should expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $200 plus for a quality boom arm. Check out that shopping list I mentioned in our Podcast Guide!

And finally, a Pop filter. A natural occurrence in human language is a plosive. It comes across in audio as a "pop" sound. For example, you're most likely to hear it when a "P" is pronounced. You’re welcome for that.

It's natural, but you can avoid it using a pop filter (and ensuring you are 3-5 inches away from the microphone).

There are two pop filter types:

A screen that sits between you and the mic, and a nylon mesh foam that fits over the mic.

Pop filters can be very inexpensive, ranging from $5 to $100.

I wish I had a visual for you but, my best suggestion is just to go download that shopping list from my free cheat sheet guide and you’ll have direct links so you can check out what these accessories actually look like. Be sure to also follow me on Instagram at @about.jamie because I’ll plan to post about these different accessories for you very soon, if I haven’t done so already!

You’ll also need headphones. More specifically, wired headphones. Whereas some of those microphone accessories were optional, I personally feel that wired headphones are a requirement and an essential element to your remote audio setup.

They help you with voice levels, provides great feedback to you about the quality of your sound, and also helps eliminate voice feedback in interviews.

We know Bluetooth wireless headphones are fabulous. But during a podcast, they can be finicky and cause audio delays.

Therefore, wired headphones are the way to go.

At this point, feel free to look through your old technology-I’m-never-going-to-use-but-still-keep box and grab those wired headphones you got for free with your smartphone years ago. These actually work really well!

But we can get a little fancier. Personally, I love over-the-ear headphones for podcasting. It helps me hear the sound so much better and, I just love the way they feel!

You can purchase high-quality wired headphones ranging from $15 up to $500 or more.

There are 3 wired over-the-ear headphones I highly recommend, and I also added a shopping link to them in my start-a-podcast guide.

I’m just going to say quickly before I launch into the names - I have no clue how to say these names properly, so I almost guarantee I’ll butcher them. But I’ll include a link to that free cheat sheet, so you can click on the direct links and check them out!

The first is the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 32 over-the-ear headphones. First off, I like to name my headphones by which cool celebrity wears them too. So for example, Dax Shephard of Armchair Expert podcast wears these headphones. They have clear sound, a super comfy fit with velour ear pads, and block out noise, making podcasting totally immersive. They’re my most expensive recommendation at about $150.

The second recommendation is the Sennheiser Professional HD 280 Pro over-the-ear headphones. Fun fact: Did you know that the Joe Rogan uses these headphones? They are perfect for podcasting. They have excellent sound quality, fit comfortably over your ears, and help you hear every word clearly. Pick up your own pair for about $130.

The third recommendation is my budget-friendly offer. It’s the Audio-Technica ATH-M20X Professional Studio Monitor Headphones. Firstly, they’re only about $70. They are awesome for podcasting. They make sounds super clear, fit nicely on your head, and help you hear everything while recording your episodes.

If you’re ready for that direct link to purchase on Amazon today, download my free cheat sheet guide.

Finally, you’ll need a recording Device. Choosing a recording device is easier than you think. In fact, you probably already own a device that works for you! And you’re probably using it to listen to this episode right now.

The key is finding a device with a USB (or USB conversion) input so you can plug your microphone into it.

So your personal computer, smartphone or iPad can be a recording device. Let me clarify here. It is a recording device, not a microphone. Can you use a personal computer, smartphone or iPad as your microphone? Yes, absolutely. But it’s not my first recommendation, because it won’t produce better audio quality than one of the USB microphones I’ve already recommended.

Personal computer and smartphone microphones tend to make your voice sound hollow and can pick up the excessive background noise. So when you record, set your outputs to pick up your external microphone, not your computer's microphone.

So you’ll use your recording device with a program such as podcastle to record your voice, which then saves as a .wav file or .mp3 file, which can then be edited and distributed using Podcastle and Acast.

I’m going to do an entire episode on editing and distributing your podcast, in which I’ll dive into more details about your editing and distribution platforms but, for now, you can definitely check out my show notes as I will include links to Podcastle and Acast for you to learn more about these programs.

Here’s one extra tip: Every recording device has a different set of inputs and connections. You might need a cord usb-c or usb depending on your recording device. You might also need a convertor, depending on how many connections you need. As you make your microphone purchase, double check what cords you’ll receive alongside your personal recording device, and make sure the USB connection will work between your specific items.

Quote

“When you have quality content and passionate delivery, everything else you need to be successful in podcasting takes care of itself.” - David Hooper

At-home space for optimal recording and sound

When it comes to podcasting, having a dedicated and optimized space for recording is so good to have. It not only sets you up for the best audio quality, it also sets you up psychologically to speak confidently - and feel good about what you’re recording! Here’s some key things to consider:

Choose a Quiet Location: Selecting a quiet location is the first step in creating an ideal podcasting space. Look for a smallish room or area in your home that is as far away as you can get from sources of noise, such as busy streets or appliances. It’s also good to look at the acoustics of a room. Carpeting, padding and curtains help to absorb echoes and reverberations.

For this reason, I highly recommend steering away from rooms with concrete walls and rooms like a bathroom are a no-go. You can hear it yourself when you go into a room and talk - do you sound a bit echo-ey?

Control Ambient Noise: Unfortunately, even ambient noise from computer fans, air conditioning, or other electronic devices can impact your recordings. Ensure that your recording space is free from humming or buzzing sounds by moving noisy equipment away from the microphone. Good news is a program like podcastle has noise reduction software built into it so that will help further enhance audio quality. But you can still do things up front in your space to create better sound before post-production starts.

5 Hacks

1. You Do Not Have to be the Victim of External Noise - It’s time to face the elephant in the room; when you’re podcasting from home, external noise is a given. Whether it’s your neighbor mowing the lawn, your dog barking in the background, or your kids yelling and running down the hall, you will have noise distractions. But here’s what you can do to fix that. First and foremost, people are more routine than you may think. If your neighbor mows the lawn on Saturday morning, you can assume he probably does that every Saturday morning. If your kids wake up at 7am and want breakfast, it’s fair to assume that’s the time they do this most mornings. If your dog barks at the neighbor’s dog that walks by at 3pm, it’s safe to assume 3pm is the neighbor’s dog’s normal walking time. This isn’t scientific or anything and there will always be wiggle room but, I highly recommend choosing a time that you are less likely to experience distractions. For me, this means early in the mornings while my dog cuddles with my husband or, on Tuesday’s when he goes to doggy day care and my husband is at work in the city.

But noises will happen. Here’s what you do. When you hear a noise through your wired headphones (because you will get better feedback through your headphones than listening regularly), simply stop what you’re saying and start the sentence over again. This mistake can easily be fixed in post-editing.

If you’re recording in Podcastle and talking to a guest and a noise happens on your end while the guest is talking, you can actually go in and delete your audio track during the portion of the conversation when the noise is occurring. However, if you’re the one talking, you can (1) apologize for the noise or (2) stop talking and re-start your last sentence when the noise ceases.

2. Your Family Is Proud Of You and You Don’t Have to Hide Your Voice. The reason I’m adding this hack in here is because of me. And I’m sort of hoping you can relate, or else this point is well, pointless! So I’m going to let you in on a little secret - I’m actually deathly afraid of recording in front of my husband. Whether it’s for a social post or the podcast, I always seem to wait until he goes for a walk or goes into the office. Maybe it’s the fear of stumbling over my words and having him hear it, or maybe I feel phony recording and wonder if he’s judging me. But guess what? That’s all in my head. My husband, like your partner, spouse, kids, family member, dog… they’re all really proud of you. They want you to be doing this, doing something for yourself, something to serve the world better, and let your light shine. So stop projecting your insecurities on them. My best advice? It’s something I’m actually going to do tonight when my husband gets home from work. I’m going to say to him, “Hey babe, knowing that you hear me when I record something for socials or my podcast makes me nervous. I’m letting my own insecurities about my voice get in the way. But I can’t let it stop me anymore and I’m going to start recording things within your earshot. Is that okay?” I already know he’s going to give me the thumbs up and approval. And I already know your family will, too!

3. If You’re Experiencing Echo, Get Some Padding or Blankets. Back to the discussion about what kind of room you should be recording in. So let’s say you only have concrete walls - I see you living in that custom New York style loft - and I’m jealous. What I recommend is you look into getting padding just around your recording area. Amazon has some great options, super easy and budget-friendly to purchase. I’ll add a link to one as an example so you can see what I mean. Worse case scenario, you could actually pop yourself under a blanket! As long as you’re not bumping into the mic with it, the blanket will definitely help reduce that echo and reverb we’re trying to avoid here.

4. Create a DIY Vocal Booth. So let’s say blankets just aren’t going to work for you. A great place to record your podcast is… in your closet! A closet is an incredible place to record your podcast and will produce amazing sound. Only dilemma of course is that you will need to re-record for video purposes so, it’s not ideal. But if you only need to record audio, a closet is a great hack.

5. When recording, it’s okay to sound confident. I think a lot of go into our shell at the thought of putting ourselves out there in the spotlight. Who am I to share my thoughts with the world? Why am I worthy of telling you something? The truth is, though, the world needs your story. The world needs your advice, your knowledge, you unique viewpoint. You never know who your podcast will reach. You never know the ripple effect your words will have out in the world. So every time you stand up to the mic, speak with confidence in knowing you will affect at least one person with your words - and that’s pretty special.

And that, podcaster friend, is how you sound like a pro from home. Listen, I am so excited you’ve just listened to this episode. It means you are really taking steps toward starting your podcast and that’s just amazing. I’m so glad I got to be a part of your journey.

If you have interest in working with me directly, via a coaching session or via my interactive Remote Podcasting Made Easy training, please reach out to me today. Email me or visit www.bravemoonpodcasts.com to learn more about what my team and I do at Brave Moon Podcasts.

For You, On Us

Ready to launch your podcast with confidence? Download our FREE Podcast Launch Guide today and learn how health and fitness professionals can achieve studio-quality sound from home without breaking the bank. Discover the best budget-friendly USB microphones, essential accessories, and expert tips for creating an optimal recording space. Start podcasting like a pro—claim your free Cheat Sheet now and unleash your voice to inspire and engage your audience!