Current favorite recommendations for the most frequently asked questions regarding podcast creation.
Some of these are affiliate links — for the stuff we use ourselves and love!
Hosting Services
Anchor
This is perfect for hobbyists and those who want to launch without much tech setup. You can even podcast from your phone!
$
Free
- Can grow with you, but you will be branded as an Anchor podcast. Built-in recording/editing tool.
Simplecast
Christine’s personal favorite service to setup clients on. Robust enough to handle big shows but simple enough for first-timers.
$
15/mo
- Handles everything you could need at scale, with premium options available for deeper analytics.
Microphones
Fifine
This is a simple USB mic that plugs right into your laptop and is great for remote interviews or solo episodes.
$
~45
- Easy starter mic that you may keep for the long haul. Not the best, but certainly not bad.
Blue Yeti
This is the favorite of at home podcasters. Great sound quality and easy to plug into your laptop.
$
~100
- Excellent sound quality and aesthetically designed, there’s a reason the Blue Yeti is so popular.
Shure
This is for podcasters who want the market standard for high quality audio.
$
~400
- This is an excellent XLR microphone that most studio-quality podcasters now use. You’ll need an audio interface with this.
Electro-Voice
This is for podcasters who need high quality audio in a less than ideal recording space.
$
~500
- This is the microphone Tiff uses on Think Like a Producer in her echoey space. You’ll need an audio interface with this.
Recording Equipment
Audio Interface
You need one of these if you are recording 2 people in the same room.
$
~100
- This lets you plug multiple mics into your computer to record voices on separate tracks.
Table-top Mount
This is great for mounting your mic on your desk without using a boom.
$
~30
- This is important for getting optimal mic placement in front of your mouth – worth investing in.
Boom Mount
If you want the boom mic mounting setup, here is a great option.
$
~100
- You’ll recognized these from shows like Joe Rogan. Designed for the most flexibility of mic placement.
Pop Filter
Cheap, but makes a difference in how your voice records on any mic.
$
~10
- This makes sure your “ssss” and “pppp” sounds don’t peak the audio recording and distract the listener.
Recording Software
Zencastr
This is a free way to start recording your remote audio interviews in much better quality.
$
~Free
- Widely used audio-only way to record high quality interviews remotely. Their video option is in beta, so stay tuned.
Squadcast
This is a great option for audio & video remote recording.
$
~10/mo
- Popular platform for great audio quality while still seeing your guest. Now you can record video too.
Riverside
This lets you record high quality audio & video remotely with live streaming also available.
$
~40/mo
- This is the most established option for recording high quality audio and video interviews with remote guests plus live streaming options.
Editing Software
Audacity
This is a great free option for beginner PC or Mac users. Open source software that works quite well.
$
Free
- Does everything you would need it to, easy to learn, and plenty of tutorials available.
Adobe Audition
Christine’s personal favorite since she had a background with Adobe Creative Suite. If you are the same, check it out.
$
20/mo
- Extra features that you may never need, but great to have access to when you do.
Graphics Tools
Canva
This is one of the easiest-to-use graphic design tools that covers all the basics.
$
Free
- After using Photoshop, this is a breeze. The upgrades you get with the $12/mo package are worth it.
Wavve
This is a great way to make customized audio wave videos for social media.
$
~10/mo
- You can customize almost everything on these videos, and they are pretty quick to make.
Frame.io
This is an excellent platform to collaborate on video edits.
$
~15/mo
- You can use it on a small or large scale, but it makes working with your video editor much easier.
Camera Equipment
Sony Camera
This is an excellent camera for YouTube and podcasting at high quality.
$
~1700
- Tiff uses this camera to recording the Think Like a Producer podcast.
Camera Lens
This is a great lens for close up filming like YouTube or podcasting.
$
~400
- Tiff uses this lens for recording herself on Think Like a Producer.
Lens Converter
You’ll want this converter to use with the Sony camera and lens we recommend.
$
~150
- Another piece of Tiff’s Think Like a Producer at- home camera setup.
Camera Mount
This lets you mount your camera on your desk for at-home filming.
$
~100
- This is what Tiff uses to mount her camera for her at-home podcasting shoots.
Transcription Services
Temi
This is a mostly automated service that is really quick and fairly accurate.
$
.25/min
- This is what we use to generate the Think Like a Producer transcripts, which we then clean up ourselves.
Rev.com
Human-generated, completely accurate transcripts that take a couple days to create.
$
1/min
- This is the premium option for shows who want a finished product with no extra editing required.
Music Sources
Pond5
This is a great site with royalty-free, podcast-safe music for purchase, starting at $20/track.
$
20/track
- Thousands of tracks, searchable by lots of filters. Good for starters if you’re looking for a familiar sound.
Shutterstock
This is Christine’s current favorite site to get great, unique music tracks safe for podcasting.
$
50/track
- The quality and selection of these tracks is great and they sound fresher than corporate tunes.
Blue Dot Sessions
A group of musicians making beautiful ambient tracks for big network shows.
$
25/mo
- Really gorgeous selection of softer, professionally produced tracks for network shows like NPR & WSJ.