Essential Podcast Gear: What You Really Need to Get Started

In episode four of Showmakers, Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, outlines the essential gear you need to launch your podcast, whether on a budget or with a bigger investment. He breaks down the must-haves and nice-to-haves in microphones, headphones, interfaces, and software. Ed provides specific recommendations for budget, mid-range, and pro-level setups, and offers crucial tips for creating a good recording environment. Finally, he shares advice on selecting and using recording and editing software effectively.

00:00 Introduction to Showmakers

00:08 Essential Podcast Gear

01:30 Microphone Options for Every Budget

03:32 Optimizing Your Recording Environment

04:14 Choosing the Right Headphones

04:57 Interfaces and Mixers Explained

05:41 Simplifying Podcast Software

06:54 Editing and Publishing Tips

08:53 Additional Accessories

09:59 Conclusion

About Your Host

Ed Barker has been producing and recording podcasts since 2009. After a long career as a corporate marketing and strategy executive (and then a VC), Ed launched Studio 1878 in early 2025 with the goal of making brand and business podcasting much better. Ed is a Brit, working out of Seattle, and podcasting worldwide. 🌎

Studio 1878

A podcast development studio for the modern brand. We believe everyone has a story worth telling. Specializing in business and brand podcasts, we’ll help build your story from ideation to distribution, transforming concepts to real connection with your audiences. We produce our own shows but our core proposition is in helping businesses and creators produce something truly compelling and authentic. We’d love to help you tell your story. 😈

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.