Evo’s “Not F***ing Around With My Podcast” Equipment Buying Guide

5 min readAug 24, 2018

Hi. I’m Evo. I launch podcasts. This list of podcast equipment for professional podcasting was inspired by this tweet:

So, now you know the genesis. Let’s get to the meat!

Why this list of podcasting equipment, Evo?

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to buying recording equipment for your podcast. Budgets, recording environments, other equipment you already have… It’s a bit of a process that’s unique to each show.

But I’ve done lots of podcast studio setups and have some recommendations to get amazing sound for your show if you have a reasonable budget.

Everything you see here is equipment I use myself and recommend to my clients. All links are affiliate links to Amazon, who have a great return policy if the gear you buy just isn’t right for you.

Let’s start with your ears.

🎧 Sony MDR-7506 headphones

Yes, the first piece of equipment I’m recommending is a great pair of headphones. Studio-quality monitors, to call them by the proper name. (Trendy headphones peddled by musicians aren’t great for podcasting, so leave the “Beats” at home.) I’ve had three pairs of these cans, and I love them. They’re not terribly expensive, either.

If you have plans of conducing in-person, sit-down conversations with another person (or persons), I suggest buying a pair for your guest(s) as well. In which case you’ll need a headphone amplifier and connecting cable to let your guests hear how they (and you) sound.

Now that you can monitor the sound, let’s get a place to record. No, it’s not your computer.

⏺️ Zoom H6 recorder & audio interface

I recommend using this device as your primary recording unit. It’s super portable and extends nicely to handle a variety of mic inputs. Zero noise and records to a little SD card (I recommend buying a couple good ones). And you can even use it as the interface between your good mic and your computer.

Next, you’re ready for a great sounding microphone that works great with the H6.

🎙️ Shure SM7B studio microphone

For in-studio recording, the SM7B is an excellent mid-priced microphone that delivers outstanding quality. You’ll need a desk stand or boom to hold it (no, it doesn’t come with either), an XLR mic cable (6' , 10', or longer), and any other accessories (like pop filters) you might want. Keep in mind that all of this depends on your environment.

You might need multiple of these if you plan on conducting in-person, sit-down sessions in-studio.

Oh, and this mic is big and takes a lot of resources. So really, really need this next bit too.

↔️ FetHead

This little connector (it’s really a preamp) is made of magic and really makes a big mic like the SM7B purr like a kitten when attached to the Zoom H6. Do you have to have it? No. However, it makes a big difference to the overall tone you’ll get from the SM7B. I have two, and I don’t know how I managed without them.

🎤 Shure SM58 hand-held microphone

If you travel a lot (like I do), the SM58 is a fantastic and nearly indestructible microphone. It’s hand-held, but you can attach it to a desk stand or boom easily. I’ve heard they’ve stopped shipping them with a foam wind cover (also called a “condom”), so check to see if you need to order one. And you’ll need to buy an XLR cable to connect it to the Zoom H6. If you are doing live interviews, get two.

Using SM58s for your in-studio guest is a cheap(er) way to outfit your studio. I still recommend the host use the SM7B, as it’s a far superior mic. But it’s acceptable to keep some SM58s on hand for add-on guests.

But before you buy that, do you really want your guest holding a mic in their hand?

🤝🏽Shure SM93 lavalier microphones

If you’re doing a lot of remote interviews and want to be hands-free, get two of these great little lavaliere mics. They should come with the cables necessary to plug them right into the Zoom H6.

The difference between an on-location conversation recorded on lavaliere vs a recorder set in between participants is legion. Listeners are becoming accustomed to quality audio recordings. Lavs win hands down over ambient room recording.

Feeling overwhelmed? Well, there are other options.

🎧 + 🎤 4 😃 = Audio-Technica BPHS1 headset mic

If your heart is set on a headset/mic combo, ignore all the ones you’ll find at your local big-box store. They’re built for gaming and phone calls instead of professional voice recording. Those that you see the sports announcers wearing are quite expensive, but the BPHS1 is a decent choice. It has an XLR output, so it plugs directly into the Zoom H6. Or you can buy a Focusrite Scarlett interface to go between this mic (or any XLR mic) and your computer’s USB port.

🎤 Samson Q2U Dynamic Mic kit

For simplicity and acceptable sound quality, the Q2U is a great little piece of kit. It has an XLR input as well as USB, which makes me like it a lot more than USB-only mics. The kit contains the mic, a cheap desk stand, an XLR and a USB cable, so it’s ready to go out of the box. You’ll need a pop filter, because you probably need one with all microphones.

But there are many paths to a great sounding podcast.

No, you don’t need all of these. Heck, you don’t need any of these specifically. The greatest equipment in the world won’t save a crappy, hastily-assembled show. You’d think that fantastic equipment would cover up gaffs. In practice, it’s just the opposite. So before you buy anything, make sure you’re willing to invest the time, energy, and effort to make a great show. (And when you’re all-in on that, come back and buy all this great stuff!)