Episode 251
Podcast Playbook (Part 2): The 4 Essential Pieces of Podcasting Equipment
In Podcast Playbook (Part 2), Kelly Kennedy rips the fluff off podcast tech and gives you the real, unfiltered truth about the gear that actually matters. If you’re serious about launching a podcast that sounds world-class, this episode is your blueprint. From computers and microphones to audio interfaces and headphones, Kelly breaks down what to buy, why it matters, and how to build a pro-level setup without wasting a dollar. No gimmicks. No jargon. Just clarity and confidence to build your studio the right way—whether you’re in a spare bedroom or a full production space.
But this isn’t just about gear—it’s about showing up like a pro from day one. Kelly explains why audio quality is make-or-break, why your computer is the real unsung hero, and how the right setup positions you for long-term podcast success. This episode will cut months off your learning curve and set you up to hit record with power and purpose. If you want to build a podcast that’s built to last, Episode 251 is non-negotiable.
Key Takeaways:
1. Your computer is the most critical piece of podcasting equipment—editing and production demand serious processing power.
2. A gaming laptop or desktop is often the best choice due to its high-end GPU, CPU, RAM, and SSD performance.
3. Sound quality can make or break your show; even great content won’t save you if the audio hurts people’s ears.
4. USB microphones are great for beginners, but XLR microphones paired with an interface deliver far superior sound and control.
5. A quality audio interface like the Rodecaster Pro 2 allows for zero-latency monitoring, clean gain control, and pro-level audio routing.
6. Headphones are non-negotiable—they prevent feedback, help monitor sound live, and allow you to edit with precision.
7. Bluetooth headphones introduce latency—always go wired when producing or editing your show.
8. You don’t need a full studio to sound professional—a home setup with the right gear can match broadcast quality.
9. Start with a setup you can grow into—XLR systems are scalable and used by nearly all professional podcasters.
10. Equipment helps—but consistency, connection, and your message are what truly build a great podcast.
Ready to build something that lasts?
The Catalyst Club isn’t just another business community—it’s your backstage pass to real growth. If you’re a founder, executive, podcaster, or builder chasing clarity, connection, and momentum, this is where you belong. Inside, you'll find exclusive coaching, behind-the-scenes strategy, live events, and a rockstar crew of high-performers pushing the edge just like you.
No fluff. No noise. Just fuel for what you're building.
Join us: www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclub
If you know, you're known.
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- Capital
- Adobe
- Lenovo
- Electro Voice
- Shure
- Rode
- Audio Technica
- Bayer Dynamic
- Focusrite
- Motu
Transcript
Welcome to episode 251 of the Business Development Podcast.
Speaker A:You've got the idea.
Speaker A:You're fired up to start.
Speaker A:But now comes the question that stalls most new podcasters.
Speaker A:What gear do I actually need?
Speaker A:This is Podcast Playbook, part two, and today we're breaking down the essentials.
Speaker A:Mics, interfaces, headphones, computers, and everything in between.
Speaker A:No fluff, no tech jargon, just real talk on what works, what doesn't, and how to build a podcast setup that fits your style and your budget.
Speaker A:Stick with us.
Speaker A:You're not going to want to miss this episode.
Speaker B:The great Mark Cuban once said, business happens over years and years.
Speaker B:Value is measured in the total upside of a business relationship, not by how much you squeezed out in any one deal.
Speaker B:And we couldn't agree more.
Speaker B:This is the Business Development Podcast, based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and broadcasting to the world.
Speaker B:You'll get expert business development advice, tips and experiences, and you'll hear interviews with business owners, CEOs and business development reps. You'll get actionable advice on how to.
Speaker A:Grow business, brought to you by Capital.
Speaker B:Business Development, CapitalBD CA.
Speaker B:Let's do it.
Speaker B:Welcome to the Business Development Podcast.
Speaker B:And now your expert host, Kelly Kennedy.
Speaker A:Hello.
Speaker A:Welcome to episode 251 of the Business Development Podcast.
Speaker A:And to all my fellow Canadians, I hope you all had an incredible Canada Day.
Speaker A:And to my rock stars in America, I hope you all have an incredible Independence Day tomorrow.
Speaker A:From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your support this far.
Speaker A:I would not have been able to get this far without our incredible community.
Speaker A:Podcasting is a journey, and one that takes the support of not just the hosts, production crews and sponsors.
Speaker A:Without the community to benefit, the truth is, it would be all for nothing.
Speaker A:It is you, our rockstar community, our rockstars around the world who make this journey valuable.
Speaker A:Remember that as you embark on your own podcasting journeys, your listeners are everything.
Speaker A:I will remember that and I hope you remember that always.
Speaker A:If you are still with us after part one, congratulations.
Speaker A:I am making the assumption for the remainder of this series that you want to start a podcast.
Speaker A:The information from this show forward will apply to any and all podcasts that you choose to start.
Speaker A:At this point, it's no longer just about business.
Speaker A:It's about any show you want to make.
Speaker A:Today we will be focusing on the equipment that you will need to record, edit and produce your shows.
Speaker A:I will be giving recommendations based on my experience.
Speaker A:Keep in mind, these are only recommendations and you should still do your own research to pick the gear and tools that work best for you.
Speaker A: , this is recorded in July of: Speaker A:Please keep this in mind.
Speaker A:However, many of these things, many of these tools we're going to talk about today, they've been around a very, very long time.
Speaker A:And even if the brands maybe change, it's very likely we'll be talking about the same things.
Speaker A:Okay, let's dive deep into the equipment you will need if you want to start podcasting.
Speaker A:Almost everything that we talk about with regards to equipment today is going to be leaning a little bit towards a more professional setup.
Speaker C:Okay?
Speaker A:And professional setup doesn't mean that you guys are in a studio.
Speaker A:Like, guys, I'm recording this from my little basement room studio that I've made.
Speaker A:So this can very much be your home based podcast, okay?
Speaker A:The equipment that you can get can be just as good as anything that they would use in a studio, and you can use that to get a very similar sound.
Speaker A:And obviously we talk about it a lot, but the sound really matters.
Speaker A:You might find this part surprising, but likely the most important and the most expensive piece of equipment that you will need is.
Speaker A:Drumroll.
Speaker A:It is your computer, okay?
Speaker A:It's the thing that nobody talks about with regards to podcasting equipment, and yet it is probably the most important piece of all the gear you buy.
Speaker A:Why?
Speaker A:Because the processing power of your computer will determine the programs that you can run, the plugins that you can use, and the speed at which you can edit and produce your show.
Speaker A:Do not overlook the importance of your laptop or desktop for producing your podcast.
Speaker A:This one is super, super big, guys.
Speaker A:Like, I can't even hit on this harder.
Speaker A: l a top of the line laptop in: Speaker C:Okay?
Speaker A:The laptop that I bought a couple of years ago, it was really top of the line at the time with regards to, like, let's call it a gaming computer, because that was the road I went.
Speaker A:And I'm going to talk about why in a minute.
Speaker A:But to this day, it still can take like an hour for it to process my show into an MP3 once I'm done all my editing.
Speaker A:So, like, understand that like producing any type of content, video or audio, is insane, insanely stressful for your computer.
Speaker A:It takes a ridiculous amount of processing power to run plugins, to clean up audio, to run AI programs, to run just simply like Adobe programs, right?
Speaker A:So understand that, that if you are going to be producing your own show, if you're going to be editing it, it's very likely you are going to need a fairly powerful computer to do so.
Speaker A:And like I said, it is one of the most important tools in a podcasters toolbox, period.
Speaker A:Editing software like Adobe Audition, Adobe Premiere Pro, and even descript can tax even high power computers.
Speaker A:You can't make a great show if you can't run the editing software.
Speaker A:Remember that.
Speaker A:This is huge guys, because you can go out, you can buy the best mics, the best audio interfaces, the best headphones, but if your computer can't keep up, it doesn't matter.
Speaker A:So some of you might be asking, well, Kelly, what computer are you using?
Speaker A:I'll go over it guys.
Speaker A:I'm going to tell you what my computer is.
Speaker A:Remember, this doesn't really mean anything.
Speaker A:I'm just giving you guys some information on the system that I'm using to produce the business development podcast.
Speaker A:It is a very high powered setup and like I said, even with this high powered laptop setup, I am still running into errors and challenges.
Speaker A:Sometimes when producing this show, it just has to do with the sheer amount of processing power creating content takes.
Speaker A:Whether it's video content or audio content, it really does push any computer to its limits.
Speaker A: at I'm running Currently is a: Speaker A: : Speaker A: RAM and it has an Nvidia RTX: Speaker A:It has a 2 terabyte SSD hard drive and we run a 4 terabyte SSD external drive to move content over to.
Speaker A:Okay, now no, I am not saying that you need this much power to make a podcast.
Speaker A:This is an absolutely insanely powerful computer.
Speaker C:Okay?
Speaker A:This was a $4,500 laptop, near top of the line when I bought it about a year and a half back.
Speaker A:However, processing an edited show, even with this horsepower, can take up to an hour sometimes just to create an MP3 file.
Speaker C:Okay?
Speaker A:Like up to an hour just to make the file.
Speaker A:This has nothing to do with the edit.
Speaker A:This is literally just the export of the audio file.
Speaker A:The actual processing power of the computer, it can take a long time.
Speaker A:If this wasn't this computer, it would probably take like four to five hours to make that file.
Speaker A:A good computer will make your life 1,000 times better, guys.
Speaker A:I'm not kidding you.
Speaker A:You need a computer that can Keep up with your editing needs, okay.
Speaker A:With your production needs.
Speaker A:Now, once again, I'm making the assumption that you are editing your own show.
Speaker A:Okay, I get this.
Speaker A:Not everybody is doing this.
Speaker A:If you have the money to be able to hire a production company to make your podcast for you, parts of it may be good for you.
Speaker A:But maybe this isn't the podcast series for you to listen to.
Speaker A:This podcast series is to the me's of the world, to the people who are willing to take this on themselves to learn audio production, to do it themselves, to do their show, which I think is many of us ultimately, because the cost of producing your show, the last I checked, the best quote I had was somewhere in the neighborhood of 400 Canadian dollars per episode.
Speaker A:If you're putting out episodes at any normal frequency, that is going to become insanely expensive rather quickly.
Speaker A:I put out about eight to nine episodes a month.
Speaker A:So, yeah, it's not even remotely on the table for me.
Speaker A:Not yet anyway.
Speaker A:When buying your computer, I want you to look for a few things.
Speaker C:Okay?
Speaker A:Number one, it has to have a dedicated high end graphics card.
Speaker C:Okay?
Speaker A:This is why gaming computers are a great option.
Speaker A:Pretty much every gaming computer you go out and buy at this point will have a dedicated graphics card built into the system.
Speaker A:And you absolutely need a dedicated card as a minimum for editing.
Speaker A:Number two, you need a high end processor.
Speaker A:I prefer Intel.
Speaker A:You can use amd, but if you guys are going to use intel, go with an intel i7 or an intel i9.
Speaker A:They both make great options with i9 being the superior option if you can afford it.
Speaker A:You need significant amounts of ram.
Speaker A:Okay.
Speaker A:Obviously for those of you who bought a computer before, you know, you go there, typically they're like, oh, this computer's got like 16 gigs of RAM.
Speaker A:Not for this.
Speaker A:Okay?
Speaker A:Not for editing.
Speaker A:You are going to need to be starting at about 32 gigabytes or higher.
Speaker A:That is what I recommend.
Speaker A:More the merrier.
Speaker A:If you can get up to 64 or even 128 in some of these modern computers, that is going to make your editing so much better.
Speaker A:And last but not least, you are going to want an SSD hard drive, a solid state drive.
Speaker A:Okay?
Speaker A:These are the modern hard drives and computers.
Speaker A:They typically come on something that almost looks like a flash drive.
Speaker A:It's like a card that you plug into your computer.
Speaker A:Now, not into the side, but like literally you got to pull the plate off and then you got to plug it in.
Speaker A:But it's basically like a little chip is the modern day memory card.
Speaker A:Okay, SSD you want?
Speaker A:Because it's insanely fast.
Speaker A:You'll be able to copy files quickly, you'll be able to retrieve files quickly.
Speaker A:It's just a better system and you're going to want to start with about two terabytes at least.
Speaker A:But trust me on this, you are going to fill them up real quick, okay?
Speaker A:Especially if you're producing video assets and audio assets.
Speaker A:You guys can fill hard drives like crazy.
Speaker A:So start with a 2 terabyte SSD and then if you need to, you can always expand that to a larger size or you can get an external SSD or an external drive to be able to store some of that content.
Speaker A:Okay?
Speaker A:Gaming computers tick many of these boxes, guys.
Speaker A:That's why, that's why I almost say like, for like podcast production, you really want to go with probably a gaming computer.
Speaker A:Really.
Speaker A:Like they typically come with high ram, large hard drives, dedicated graphics cards, high end processors, typically starting at i7s.
Speaker A:Some have the i9s.
Speaker A:So if you are looking to get the computer, if you're going out and you're either building a computer or you will be buying a pre built computer, start by looking at the gaming computers.
Speaker A:They're going to be more geared towards what you are looking for.
Speaker A:Next is the showpiece of it all, your microphone.
Speaker A:Okay, we're going to dive deep into microphones, guys.
Speaker A:There's a lot to them.
Speaker A:There's lots of different types of microphones.
Speaker A:We're not going to hit on them all, but I'm going to hit on the three main ones that really help you.
Speaker C:Okay?
Speaker A:Your microphone does not just look pretty, it also affects your sound in a very, very significant way.
Speaker C:Okay?
Speaker A:Hugely significant way.
Speaker A:Big differences, guys, between the microphones in your laptop and a dedicated microphone.
Speaker A:Massive difference in sound quality.
Speaker A:Okay, now you may ask though, like, sure, massive difference in sound quality, but why can't I just use the built in laptop mic?
Speaker A:It's good enough for my zoom calls, right?
Speaker A:Sure.
Speaker A:Short answer is you can, you absolutely can record with anything that you have available and you can produce it on pretty much any computer you have.
Speaker C:Okay?
Speaker A:Like once again, you don't need to necessarily go out and get a gaming computer, but I'm trying to get you guys the best possible setup to make your shows the best possible shows that they can be.
Speaker C:Okay?
Speaker A:I don't want to discourage anybody from starting a show, but understand that your sound quality, it really, really matters, guys.
Speaker A:And it can be the reason that a listener completely checks out.
Speaker A:Even if your content is incredible, everything that I Am teaching you in this series is about how to set you up for the best, best success possible.
Speaker A:Okay?
Speaker A:I want everybody who starts a show from listening to the series to have a long running, successful show.
Speaker A:All right?
Speaker A:Great sound is a massive, massive part about what makes a great show.
Speaker A:You need great content, but if people don't like the sound, they won't listen to it.
Speaker A:If it doesn't sound well produced, if it doesn't sound clean, if your voice is coming through harsh, people are not going to be able to stick with you long term.
Speaker A:It literally can hurt the ears.
Speaker A:Guys, we have to make it sound as good as humanly possible.
Speaker A:The content is critical, but the sound is equally as critical because it doesn't matter if they won't listen to it.
Speaker A:I say this about marketing materials all the time, right?
Speaker A:You can have the best proposal in the world, the best product in the world, but if they won't even read your marketing material, you're not going to sell any of them.
Speaker A:It's the same thing with your content.
Speaker A:It's the same thing with your podcast.
Speaker A:If you can't make it sound good enough that people are like, oh, yeah, this is like a pretty decent sounding show.
Speaker A:It's not hard on my ears.
Speaker A:The voice sounds good, they're energetic.
Speaker A:If you can't pass that, it kind of doesn't matter what the heck you're talking about because you got to be.
Speaker A:You need both.
Speaker A:You need something that people want to listen to you and then you need a voice that they can listen to.
Speaker A:Good audio production solves that second part for you.
Speaker A:Now, the right mic makes a huge difference and there are six different microphone types that I can think of.
Speaker A:Dynamic microphones, condenser microphones, ribbon microphones, lavalier or lapel microphones, shotgun microphones, and last but not least, USB microphones.
Speaker A:Now for the focus of this lesson, we are going to narrow down to the top three that I see for podcasting.
Speaker A:Okay.
Speaker A:I'm not saying these are the three that people use exclusively for podcasting, but these are definitely the three that are used the most.
Speaker A:Okay.
Speaker A:And very likely that if you're starting a show, you will be using one of these three types.
Speaker A:Number one is a USB microphone.
Speaker C:Okay.
Speaker A:Very likely the ones that you have seen at the store.
Speaker A:If you've gone to the store and you've ever bought a microphone for your computer, very, very likely what you bought was a USB microphone.
Speaker A:It is best for beginners.
Speaker A:It's plug and play recording.
Speaker A:How do they work?
Speaker A:They have a built in audio interface.
Speaker A:That connects directly to your computer via usb.
Speaker A:What are the pros?
Speaker A:They are affordable, easy setup and easy to find.
Speaker A:Cons, they have less control.
Speaker A:They are lower quality than XLR setups.
Speaker A:And the best examples that I can give you, you've probably even seen them or you might even have one.
Speaker A:A blue Yeti, a Rode NT USB mic, or even a Shure MV7 USB mic.
Speaker A:These are all exceptional USB mics.
Speaker A:If you go that way.
Speaker A:And many podcasts, many if not like 90% of podcasts have started with one of those three microphones.
Speaker A:They are still extremely popular to this day.
Speaker A:The next is a condenser microphone.
Speaker C:Okay.
Speaker A:It is best for studio recording, voiceovers, vocals and acoustic instruments.
Speaker A:How do they work?
Speaker A:They use a capacitor that requires external power, either phantom power or USB.
Speaker A:Pros.
Speaker A:They have extremely high sensitivity.
Speaker A:They capture detail and nuance.
Speaker A:They capture everything, guys, including room noise.
Speaker A:That's why they're best for a studio.
Speaker A:Cons, they're more prone to picking up room noise and handling noise.
Speaker A:Like, you can't touch these things, guys.
Speaker A:When they're on, it sounds like insane scratching.
Speaker C:Okay.
Speaker A: would be an Audio Technica at: Speaker A:Number three dynamic microphones.
Speaker A:These are best for podcasting live vocals and noisy environments.
Speaker A:How do they work?
Speaker A:They use a diaphragm and a coil to convert sound into an electrical signal.
Speaker A:The pros?
Speaker A:They're durable, they handle loud sounds very well, and they are less sensitive to background noise.
Speaker A:Typically, guys, they pick up like what is right in front of them.
Speaker A:So for instance, if you have a kid talking to you from across the table like I have a lot of the time, and they're on the back side of the mic, the mic very likely will very barely pick them up at all.
Speaker A:It's very good at taking noises that are from off angles, like behind the mic or back to the corner or beside.
Speaker A:And it has a really hard time picking up those noises.
Speaker A:And it picks up typically what is right in front of it, which is hopefully your voice, making it one of the best podcast mics for home studios.
Speaker C:Okay.
Speaker A:It is definitely what we recommend on this show for your home studio.
Speaker A:Many condenser and dynamic microphones are also something called xlr.
Speaker A:And if you are shopping for a microphone, you will see that a lot.
Speaker A:And so what is xlr?
Speaker A:An XLR microphone uses a three pin analog connector and requires an audio interface or mixer to connect to your computer.
Speaker A:So an xlr, guys, is basically it's a cord.
Speaker A:It's a cord that connects to the back of your microphone and then it runs along your boom arm or whatever else you are using and it connects into your audio interface.
Speaker A:Okay, so what it is is it's a connection.
Speaker A:What are the pros of an XLR connection?
Speaker A:Superior sound quality, guys.
Speaker A:Cleaner, more detailed audio.
Speaker A:Especially when connected to an audio interface with good preamps, which almost every audio interface at this point has exceptional preamps.
Speaker A:They're scalable.
Speaker A:It's easier to upgrade individual components.
Speaker A:If you need to upgrade something in your podcast setup, guys, typically an XLR setup, you can replace the microphone, you can get a different audio interface, you can use different preamps.
Speaker A:There's things that you can put in line like Cloudlifters and things that can make them sound even more punchy.
Speaker A:Basically, when you start utilizing an XLR system, you are utilizing a component based system which everything is interchangeable so you can upgrade it as you need.
Speaker A:They are the professional standard.
Speaker A:They are used in studios, broadcasts and high end podcast setups around the world, guys.
Speaker A:Pretty much 99% of radio stations, podcasts around the world are utilizing an XLR based system.
Speaker A:They're utilizing microphones like the microphone that I started with, the Electro Voice RE20, which is a really cool microphone that has been used in probably 99% of radio stations around North America for the past 30 or so years or more.
Speaker A:Even.
Speaker A:It's, it's pretty cool xlr.
Speaker A:Once you start to get into this system, it's a really neat system and there are so many options, so many more options than you can get with a USB based system.
Speaker A:They have less noise, they have a balanced signal that minimizes hum and interference.
Speaker A:What are some of the cons though?
Speaker A:There's more gear required.
Speaker A:You need an audio interface like a Focusrite Scarlett or a Rodecaster Pro or Pro 2.
Speaker A:They are not Plug and play Setup takes longer and it has a learning curve.
Speaker A:Setting up an audio interface guys, is not the easiest thing on planet Earth.
Speaker A:And so much of it is learned and trial and error and learning what works and what doesn't work.
Speaker A:It's not just a I plug it into my computer and it works kind of scenario.
Speaker A:I've been utilizing an audio interface guys since the beginning of this show and I still to this day sometimes struggle to get it to do what I want or try to understand, you know, one of the thousands of features it feels like they have.
Speaker A:Okay, there's a lot to them and you're going to have to, like I said, do a lot of trial and error in order to get the sound that you want to get over time.
Speaker A:But the thing is, if you have the audio interface, the XLR setup, the dynamic microphone, you are going to be able to get the sound you want in time.
Speaker A:Who is an XLR system best for?
Speaker A:They're best for serious podcasters, musicians, or anybody building a professional audio setup.
Speaker A:For the business development podcast, we have used an Electro Voice RE20.
Speaker A:We've used a Shure SM 7 DB microphone.
Speaker A:We use a Rodecaster Pro 2 audio interface.
Speaker A:So we have, you know, the full gamut.
Speaker A:We've tried them all and we've been utilizing an XLR setup from the very beginning to get the sound you are hearing right now.
Speaker A:Let's chat the next tool that you're going to need if you go xlr, and that is the audio interface or mixer unit.
Speaker A:An audio interface is a piece of hardware that connects your microphone or instrument to your computer.
Speaker A:It converts analog signals like your voice, to digital signals that your computer can understand and vice versa.
Speaker A:Your computer can also translate backwards into signals that your audio interface and your headphones can understand.
Speaker A:So what does an audio interface do?
Speaker A:Number one, it converts analog signal to digital.
Speaker A:When you speak into an XLR microphone, the audio is analog.
Speaker A:The interface then digitizes it so that your computer can process and record it.
Speaker A:Number two, it provides phantom power condenser.
Speaker A:And some dynamic microphones often need something called 48V to work.
Speaker A:Nearly all audio interfaces supply this.
Speaker A:Number three, it acts as a preamp.
Speaker A:It boosts your microphone signal so that it's clean and strong.
Speaker A:This is a big difference, guys, between USB mics and XLR mics.
Speaker A:XLR mics can provide an absolute ton of power to your microphone so that you can get the cleanest sound possible.
Speaker A:If you can hear them side by side, it's a night and day difference.
Speaker A:Number four, it lets you monitor in real time.
Speaker A:Many audio interfaces have headphone jacks with zero latency monitoring so that you can hear yourself without delay.
Speaker A:And trust me, the opposite to this would be an absolute nightmare.
Speaker A:You would be endlessly hearing reverb.
Speaker A:And I've actually had that issue happen with my Rodecaster Pro 2 where I just didn't quite have it set up right and I was hearing my voice about a second half a second behind.
Speaker A:And honestly guys, it was driving me absolutely bonkers.
Speaker A:You have to have it so that your audio interface has zero latency.
Speaker A:Number five, it controls your audio levels.
Speaker A:You can adjust the input gain monitor volume, and sometimes mix multiple audio sources.
Speaker A:Right on the mixer.
Speaker A:The Rodecaster Pro 2 that I have can do all of that in one.
Speaker A:It's, it's pretty incredible and it's absolutely critical to make sure that you're getting the same sound each time.
Speaker A:Also, you can input other sounds to your computer through the audio interface, or you can have sounds coming from your computer into your recording through your audio interface.
Speaker A:There's an absolute ton that you can do with an audio interface like a Rodecaster Pro 2 or similar.
Speaker A:How does it connect?
Speaker A:It utilizes XLR or quarter inch jacks for microphones, guitars, etc, so basically on the back of every audio interface, guys, or the front depending on what type it is, it has a bunch of different jacks that you can plug into.
Speaker A:Now a quarter inch jack, if you've ever seen one before, very common with like an electric guitar cord or something along those lines, or utilizing like a high end headphone set.
Speaker A:They typically also have quarter inch jacks, so you can plug those either into the interface itself that way.
Speaker A:And it utilizes a USB Thunderbolt or USB C type plug in order to plug out from the interface and into your computer.
Speaker A:Here are some popular interfaces.
Speaker A:Focusrite, Scarlett 2i2.
Speaker A:It's an industry standard for podcasters and musicians.
Speaker A:They're also quite affordable.
Speaker A:There's a Rode AI one which is a great starter interface with clean sound.
Speaker A:There's a Universal audio Apollo twin which is pro level sound that also has plugins.
Speaker A:There's a Motu M2 which is a high quality interface with great metering.
Speaker A:And last but not least, there is the undisputed king of podcast interfaces which is the Rodecast Pro 2.
Speaker A:At the time of this recording, it is a high end audio interface, mixer, recording unit and processing unit all rolled into one.
Speaker A:They are very pricey, but they are worth every penny.
Speaker A:And like I said, we've been utilizing one in the BDP studio since the very beginning of the show.
Speaker A:Remember, if you are using an XLR microphone, you can't plug it directly into your computer, guys.
Speaker A:There just isn't a jack on your computer for this.
Speaker A:You need an audio interface to bridge the gap and get pro audio quality.
Speaker A:If you are serious about podcasting, and I mean serious guys, like if you guys are going to commit to let's call it a hundred shows.
Speaker A:And you guys know that if I'm telling you to start a podcast, I want you to commit to 100 shows because it takes time.
Speaker A:They are not an overnight success thing.
Speaker A:It is a long game.
Speaker A:So if you are committing to a podcast for a hundred Episodes.
Speaker A:Do yourself a solid and start with an XLR setup.
Speaker A:It's a setup that will grow with you as you evolve over time.
Speaker A:And once again guys, on the business development podcast, if you like the sound you're hearing here, we are using an XLR microphone setup.
Speaker A:We are using a Rodecast Pro 2 audio interface along with a Shure SM 7DB microphone.
Speaker A:And if you like the sound in the first let's call it 150 episodes of the BDP, we were using an Electro Voice RE20 microphone, also dynamic.
Speaker A:Both of them are dynamic microphones.
Speaker A:Both of them are incredible and you cannot go wrong with either.
Speaker A:However, keep in mind, a setup like I'm talking about is closing in on probably close to 2,000 Canadian dollars.
Speaker A:And that's before the computer.
Speaker A:The last major piece of equipment you are going to need are studio head headphones.
Speaker C:Okay.
Speaker A:And these are probably going to come with either a quarter inch or an 8th inch jack.
Speaker A:Most audio interfaces have both or come with an adapter to be able to plug into your audio interface.
Speaker C:Okay.
Speaker A:Why do headphones matter?
Speaker A:And you see it like if you watch any professional podcast guys, you see them, they are wearing headphones.
Speaker A:Why is that?
Speaker A:Number one, they prevent echo and feedback.
Speaker A:When you record without headphones, your mic can pick up audio from your speakers.
Speaker A:It can also pick up audio from your guests, creating echo loops, feedback or reverb.
Speaker A:Wearing headphones keeps your sound clean and isolated.
Speaker A:Absolutely critical guys.
Speaker A:Number two, you can monitor your sound in real time.
Speaker A:Headphones let you hear exactly what is being recorded and how so that you can catch plosives which are pops from hard P's clipping or distortion from speaking too loudly.
Speaker A:So if your gain is set too high and somebody's speaking a little loud, you can blow out the audio.
Speaker A:Guys, there's no recovering blown out audio.
Speaker A:If you blow out your audio, it is dead.
Speaker A:The entire recording is screwed.
Speaker A:So you have to have to have to make sure that you can hear you're setting your gain setting so that you never have clipping.
Speaker A:And last but not least, you can hear the background noise like fans, keyboard clicks, whatever, which allows you to either say to your guest, hey, can you shut off the fan?
Speaker A:Or hey, your keyboard is really loud, can you not type?
Speaker A:But if you're not hearing it through the headphones, you might not notice it.
Speaker A:And once again, there are certain things that are really hard to edit later.
Speaker A:And so the more things that you can clean up in the actual recording in the moment, the better off your audio recording is going to be the other thing too that you can hear through a microphone through headphones is remember how I told you if you're using like a condenser mic or even some of these dynamic mics that are quite sensitive, if you touch them, bump them, move them, you can hear like scratching noises, bumps, thumps, things like that.
Speaker A:It can be an indicator for you to like lay off or get a little further away from your microphone.
Speaker A:Without headphones, you won't notice any of those challenges though until after the recording.
Speaker A:And if you notice it too late, it's too late.
Speaker A:You might not be able to recover the recording or you might have to put out a recording that you're not happy with.
Speaker A:Number three, they allow you to stay consistent in remote interviews.
Speaker A:So if you have a show like the business development podcast where you do a lot of remote interviews, if you're interviewing over like Riverside Zoom or Squadcast or some other type of web based interview system, headphones stop your mic from picking up their voice and they keep audio synced and tight.
Speaker A:And they also make you sound more professional and present.
Speaker A:It feels like you're right there talking to them, guys.
Speaker A:You can fix any problems right in the moment.
Speaker A:You don't get the feedback loop, guys, that you might get if it's coming through your speakers.
Speaker A:You really want to eliminate all sounds around you.
Speaker A:And so the headphones are not just a nice to have, they're an absolute need to have to have professional audio quality.
Speaker A:One more note on headphones, guys.
Speaker A:Bluetooth headphones have a delay.
Speaker A:And so it doesn't matter how great your Bluetooth headphones are, they have a delay.
Speaker A:You don't get a delay.
Speaker A:If you have the plugged in headphones to your audio interface.
Speaker A:Like I said, you have a 00-millisecond delay.
Speaker A:But with Bluetooth headphones you will have a delay and that can affect your audio.
Speaker A:So understand that Bluetooth headphones, as great as they are, they are not ideal for your professional podcast setup.
Speaker A:Plugged in headphones are going to be the best possible option for you.
Speaker A:Number four, they allow you to edit like a pro.
Speaker A:When editing.
Speaker A:Headphones help you hear subtle sounds and mouth clicks.
Speaker A:You can hear everything, guys.
Speaker A:I hear things in the audio edit that you guys will never notice on the recording and I fix them, and maybe I fix them without needing to, but I can ultimately hear things through the recording through my headphones, which are like highly sensitive and I can fix them before they ever get released to the public.
Speaker A:It's massive.
Speaker A:They allow you to balance sound levels accurately.
Speaker A:You can hear exactly how it is going to sound in the final recording, which allows you to produce a high quality show every time and you can spot transitions and remove awkward pauses.
Speaker A:You can hear everything guys.
Speaker A:You can hear.
Speaker A:You can hear everything.
Speaker A:And by being able to hear everything, you can edit more powerfully.
Speaker A:Even small audio distractions can turn listeners away.
Speaker A:Headphones help you keep your content tight and listener friendly.
Speaker A: ular Podcast headphones as of: Speaker A:Number two the Audio Technica ATH M50X, a balanced, punchy headphone with great comfort and detachable cables that is ideal for podcasters who also edit.
Speaker A:And number three my headphone of choice, the Bayer Dynamic DT770 Pro.
Speaker A:You can get this in either 80 ohm or 250 ohm.
Speaker A:However if you go with the 250 ohm, you have to make sure that you're you're audio interface can handle the power for it.
Speaker A:It provides premier comfort and spacious soundstage that makes these perfect for long detailed editing sessions.
Speaker A:Guys, I've spent days with probably seven hours of these headphones on my head and I always walk away without ear pain, without any challenge at all.
Speaker A:If you have the money for them, just get the Bayer Dynamic DT770 Pro.
Speaker A:You cannot go wrong.
Speaker A:They are exceptional headphones and that is a wrap on your gear guide.
Speaker A:Rockstars from computers to microphones, audio interfaces and headphones.
Speaker A:So whether you're building a home studio or hitting record for the very first time, you now have the clarity to make smart choices without overthinking the gear.
Speaker A:Just remember, your podcast isn't built on equipment.
Speaker A:It's built on consistency, heart and messages that that matter.
Speaker A:The tools just help you deliver that message better.
Speaker A:Stick with us next week for part three of Podcast Playbook, where we will lay the groundwork for a podcast that stands out, not just shows up.
Speaker A:If you've enjoyed today's show and you're enjoying the Podcast Playbook series, I want you to consider joining us inside the Catalyst Club.
Speaker A:The Catalyst Club is a community for you, for leaders, for executives, for podcasters, for people wanting to make a difference.
Speaker A:We have the support, the encouragement, the private community to help build you and support you.
Speaker A:I can't wait to see you inside.
Speaker A:Come hang out with us.
Speaker A:Www.kelly kennedyofficial.com the Catalyst Club Shoutouts this Week Sheila Moore, Robert Helm, Monique Peltier, Jamar Jones, Colin Williamson, Gary Noseworthy, Justin Larocque, Chloe Wu, Shelby Hobbs, Sabod Sharma, Colin Harms, Rudy A. Zacharias, Katherine Warren, Rodney Lover, Ken G, Gordon Shepherd, Sneda Vargas, Dawn Leadbetter, Amanda McDonald, Debra Simani, Jessica Barter, Kolik, Carla Otto, Reza Enouli, Tyler Tamelos, Ann N, Jodie Fulford, Mario Hernandez, Cruz Gamboa, Ken Liu, Vikas Malhorta, Shannon Smith, Kimberly Carson Richards and Lauren Graff.
Speaker A:Until next time, you've been listening to the Business Development Podcast and we will catch you on the flip side.
Speaker B:This has been the Business Development Podcast with Kelly Kennedy.
Speaker B: business development firm in: Speaker B:His passion and his specialization is in customer relationship generation and business development.
Speaker B:The show is brought to you by Capital Business Development, your business development specialists.
Speaker B:For more we invite you to the website at www.capitalbd.ca.
Speaker B:see you next time on the Business Development Podcast.
