Before we start with this top list of podcast equipment packages, just a brief introduction to podcasting seems like a good way to go. So, what actually is podcasting?
Podcasting is a service which has become easily accessible for anyone on the internet without any cost, anyone who wants to either start their very own podcast or download these audio files from a podcasting website for listening on their smartphones or computers. This term originated from the combination of two words, iPod (Apple’s digital audio player) and broadcasting.
Podcasting is different from Internet radio as you don’t need to be present at the broadcasting time and instead, podcasts are available for download along with subscription options using RSS feeds which gets the podcast downloaded to the device.
When going for a complete podcast package, you need to have an idea as to which parts to look out for in a podcasting package like Microphone, Audio Interface, Podcasting Software, Headphones, Cables and Camera. Whether you are starting podcasting as a hobby, or have decided to get into this for professional reasons, these 5 podcast equipment packages will get you started in no time.
Table of Contents
1. PreSonus Audio Interface (ABOX 96 STUDIO BLK)
PreSonus is one of the expensive podcasting equipment packages but totally worth the price. This ultra-mobile ABOX provides recording at up to 96 kHz, powered with USB 96 bus, USB 2.0 audio/MIDI interface with 2-channels along with the Studio One Artist DAW software.
It features a large-diaphragm M7 condenser mic and monitor and also includes HD7 high-definition headphones. Presence of an M7 condenser mic is one of the most popular features that a podcasting kit can have. It increases the recording quality as it allows you to capture every single detail from your recording instead of filtering it out (which usually happens in any other typical mics). For the price, it’s a very high-quality mic and preferred by many professional studio artists.
Key features of this podcasting package:
- AudioBox USB 96 audio/MIDI interface with cable
- Software: Includes a professional DAW Artist recording and production software by Studio One
- Headphones: HD7 studio monitoring headphones along with a level control headphone jack
- Microphone: The M7 studio condenser microphone with cable
- Zero-latency monitoring with Internet analog mixer
- 24-bit resolution and Sampling rate interface of 44, 48, 88.1 and 96 kHz
- A 48V phantom power is available if the provided M7 mic is being used or for any other condenser mic
- 1/3U rack-mountable
- Includes a connection cable for computer to interface
2. FOCUSRITE iTrack Studio
The iTrack Studio by FOCUSRITE is a complete package for iPad, Mac and PC and the most popular feature of this kit is its audio interface quality. Focusrite is one of the most known leading producers of computer audio interfaces and the studio comes with a solid solo interface with a metal casing. It also includes an input for instrument and a preamplifier for the microphone which is specially designed for this brand’s computer interfaces.
This specific iTrack Solo interface keeps a tab on the audio quality produced and makes sure that its always in high-quality. The sampling frequency maxes out at 24-bit 96 kHz which is a lot better than the quality you would get in traditional CDs. The package comes with a device link cable with 30-pin which you can use to connect to an iPad or even to the iPad 4 and iPad mini by using a lighting adapter. It can also be connected to your Windows or Mac computers using USB. Other than that, the provided speakers and headphones can be connected to the low noise outputs on the iTrack Solo.
Key Features of this podcasting package:
- Can be easily used in Windows or Mac computers.
- Using the Focusrite iTrack Solo interface, you can start recording on Windows/Mac computers and on iPad very easily.
- Includes the popular CM25S studio condenser mic, HP60S closed-back studio headphones and an XLR cable. All these can be connected very easily to get started right away. A full package that you require for high-quality recording and monitoring sessions.
- Features a Signal Halo LEDs along with a high-end monitor level control.
- Provides high-quality audio of up to 24bit/96kHz with the Focusrite iTrack Solo interface.
- All the included cables are an XLR and a 1.2-meter Device Link cable.
- Includes Ableton Live Lite and a plug-in suite for Scarlett VST/AU/RTAS.
- Includes Novation Bass station synth plug-in along with sample content of Loopmasters.
3. Blue Yeti USB Mic (Blackout)
The Blue Yeti Blackout bundle includes the Blackout edition USB Mic, Over the ear headphones, Suspension Boom Scissor Arm along with 5/8-27 Threading, a Pop Filter for Broadcasting and Microphones for Recording. Depending on the bundle, the game that comes along with it is always changing.
This particular package features a microphone that provides 16-bit sound quality, along with a plug and play operation so that you can instantly stream with your PC or Mac computers. Up to 16-bit/48kHz frequency is supported by this Blue Yeti USB microphone which gives you the ability to record and stream your podcast, YouTube and Twitch streams in high-quality.
Three condenser capsule will assist you in recording anywhere, anytime and you can choose from four of the polar pickup-pattern modes which are cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional and stereo. It is also great for vocals, instruments, for gaming sessions and anything for which you would require mic and headphones.
Along with all this, this microphone bundle comes with a 3.5mm headphone jack which prevents latency delays and has volume control for your headphones on the front of the microphone.
4. Scarlett 2i2 Studio
The Scarlett 2i2 Studio is still one of the best choices for top of the line musicians and producers and compared to any other interface, this has been used the most for recording and production purpose. It features a high-quality CM25 Mklll condenser microphone, professional HP60 Mklll closed-back headphones, XLR and USB cables. The Scarlett 2i2 Studio is loaded with everything that you require for your high-quality recording sessions at home.
Along with all these essentials, the 2i2 interface also includes an entire set of recording software, sounds and a huge library of plug-ins from which you can choose from. Below listed are all the software features with this package:
- Avid Pro Tools: This is the first creative pack from Focusrite which includes a large collection of virtual instrument sounds, 500MB of loops along with various effects.
- Ableton Live Lite: A music-making software which is very popular in the industry.
- 3 Month Subscription to Splice Sounds: You get access to a huge library of millions of high-quality sounds, along with non-copyrighted one-shots which are royalty-free, presets and loops. New releases are also made almost all the time.
- XLN Audio Addictive Keys: Registering your first hardware from Focusrite or Novation will provide you access to one of the four famous virtual keyboards from XLN Audio.
- Softube Time and Tone Bundle: This bundle includes three of Softube’s global level reverb, distortion and delay plug-in sets along with a mastering tool which can be easily learned.
- The Red Plug-in Suite from Focusrite: This suite helps in precisely modelling Focusrite’s Red 2 equaliser and Red 3 compressor.
- Focusrite Plug-in Collective: Users will get access to many of the free versions of this software, along with discounts benefits.
Key features of this podcasting package:
- The Scarlett USB interface features two of the best Scarlett mic preamp ranges.
- CM25 MkIII large-diaphragm condenser microphone for high-quality studio-level recordings.
- HP60 MkIII professional closed-back headphones with noise cancellation.
- Just unpack the set, plug-in everything and you can start recording right away. No need for a power supply as the XLR mic with a stand clip and USB cables are included in the box.
- 20 Hz – 20 kHz frequency response
- Dynamically 106dB weighted
- A Maximum input level of +4dB
- 50dB gain range for further sound travel
5. Behringer PODCASTUDIO USB Complete Podcastudio Bundle
The podcasting bundle from Behringer features an XM8500 microphone, USB/audio interface with 2 in/2 out with plug and play for Win XP above and Mac OS X operating systems, HPM1000 headphones, a Studio level mixer with 5-input and 2-bus and more.
It comes with a 2-band British EQ and premium microphone preamp along with a 2-stage pop filter for its Dynamic broadcast-style microphone and downloadable podcasting software. The headphones also feature a single-sided cord that prevents it from getting entangled. It is very comfortable and is compatible with a large number of devices.
The U-Control in the UCA222 USB Audio Interface allows you to efficiently connect various instruments and many other audio devices to your computer through a 2-analog mono Input and Outputs for monitoring, along with an option for additional S/PDIF optical output using USB connectivity.
