Wondering what podcast equipment you should use for recording?
It's a question we get asked all the time at Podcast Services Australia!
Search "podcast equipment Australia" and you'll find a million different articles and videos sharing a million different options. I get it, it can be really overwhelming! So just to add to your overwhelm (haha), here is the exact equipment setup our own audio engineers use with our clients, as well as what we use and teach in our podcast training courses, and hire out to clients all around Australia.
1. Microphones: Audio-Technica ATR2100x USB/XLR
The first thing you need is a microphone, and there are many many different types of microphones. Some are super cheap and they range from $50 all the way up to hundreds and hundreds of dollars. The one we recommend is the Audio Technica ATR2100XUSB XLR/USB Microphone - it's great because it plugs directly into your laptop (for virtual recordings), AND has a XLR cable to plug into a digital recorder. You really don't need to be paying $300+ for a fancy microphone - honestly your listeners won't even notice!
The Audio Technica ATR2100 is a dynamic microphone, which means it's directional. Speak directly into it and you get a really crisp, clear sound. It cancels out a lot of (but not all) surrounding noise, which makes it great for recording in less-than-perfect environments, like a conference floor, a home office, or anywhere that isn't a dedicated studio.
These mics are beautiful for getting that really crisp sound. I use these mics if I'm in a conference and I'm going around interviewing people doing vox pops. You still get the beautiful background hum of the conference without overwhelming the vocals.
The only issue I have with these mics is that the stand they come with is actually a bit too low for a desk. You may need to purchase additional desktop stands from Amazon - these are quite inexpensive. I bought mine for $40-50 for four.
Whatever you do, please don't buy a "condenser" microphone. These mics pic up ALL the surround sound, and only work really well if you're in a very well sound-dampened environment (like a professional studio...or under your doona).
2. Digital Recorder - Zoom H5 Handy Recorder
Once you've got your microphone sorted, you need something to record into. Our recommendation is the Zoom H5 Handy Recorder - it's what Christina is recording into in the video above.
It's easy to use, accepts two XLR microphones at once, and also comes with a built-in condenser mic on top. That condenser mic picks up sound from all directions, making it great for recording ambient sounds (nature, cityscapes, background chatter, a room's atmosphere)
One thing to keep in mind: we strongly recommend using one dynamic mic per person plugged into the Zoom H5, where each voice gets its own separate track / file, giving you much more control in post-production.
3. Recording Remote Podcast Interviews
Not every recording situation is the same — so here's what we recommend depending on your setup:
Solo host with remote guests (simplest option)
If you're recording remotely and there's no one else in the room with you, keep it simple: plug your USB microphone directly into your laptop and use a dedicated podcast recording platform. Our picks are Riverside, Squadcast, or Zencastr. All three record each person's audio locally on their own device (before uploading to the cloud), which means you get clean, high-quality tracks from every participant regardless of internet connection. PLEASE don't use Zoom or Teams to record your podcast. The audio quality will most likely be horrible!
Multiple guests, or a mix of in-person and remote
If you've got more than one guest, or you're recording with people in the room and dialling someone in remotely, we recommend the Zoom PodTrak P4. It's super compact, well-priced, and very impressive for what it does - you can Bluetooth your phone to it, or connect a device with a remote guest joining via Riverside. It handles everything the Rodecaster Pro does, but at a fraction of the cost and with a fraction of the desk space.
Still unsure what equipment is right for you? Or want to try before you buy?
We hire out podcast equipment kits and send them all around Australia — so you can try the setup before you commit to buying. We also offer training and coaching to help you get the most out of your equipment. Contact us to learn more about equipment hire and how we can support you with your podcast project!