# Recommendations for starting a podcast

Category: Broadcaster's Lounge

## Post 1 by GuitarGuy (Veteran Zoner) on Sunday, 18-May-2014 16:53:44

I am very interested in starting my own podcast. I have ideas for content, a format for the podcast, and even some guests I'd like to chat with. I am just looking for any recommendations people might have regarding hardware or software I should use to record the podcast. I am almost totally blind, so I rely solely on a screen reader. I currently use audacity to record, but am open to trying new programs. Also, are there certain mics I should use? What is the best set up of mics for having a conversation with another person?
Any help or suggestions you could provide would be greatly appreciated!

## Post 2 by Binary solo (the Zone BBS remains forever my home page) on Sunday, 18-May-2014 17:17:52

I'd recommend using a non-directional microphone, that is a mic that records evenly 360° around while having conversations in a relatively silent setting. Preferably it should stand half way between you and the other person on some kind of stand so as to make it less sensitive to the noise of people tapping the table and so on. This may sound obvious but it's really important if you want to produce a good clean recording and can save you a lot of work editing your audio. In the end it all just depends on what you want to do and how much time and money you have to spare for it. As for hard ware I personally like using handheld recorders instead of computer's to get rid of the ambient noise from the computer.

## Post 3 by Binary solo (the Zone BBS remains forever my home page) on Sunday, 18-May-2014 17:18:43

and sorry for the spelling

## Post 4 by GuitarGuy (Veteran Zoner) on Monday, 19-May-2014 10:23:14

I currently have a 2 channel mic that does record with no "computer noise." It sounds like that might even be enough to start. I usually run a noise removal and a bass boost anyway. Any other suggestions?

## Post 5 by Toni Girl (Generic Zoner) on Monday, 19-Jan-2015 0:22:41

I use a Logitech headset when I broadcasted and it seemed to work quite well. I had a
blue snow flake but that wasn't a professional sounding microphone. I've heard audicty
works well for editing. I've never used it myself just know people that have.The songs
you've shared with me sounded great ,so I think your good to go with what you currently
use. I'll be one of your faithful listeners as I'm into broadcasts and the peices you've
shared with me of your awesome talent. Keep up the great work Guitarguy:)

## Post 6 by Remy (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Tuesday, 20-Jan-2015 15:32:27

Audacity is really good for what you're wanting to do. You might also try reaper if you're feeling adventurous. Just ensure you install Reaaccess, which makes it a great deal more accessible. It's got a bit of a steap learning curve, but it gives you a lot more freedom. You can have a fully functional trial of it. Just do a search on Google for Reaper and you'll find it. Even if you just use it for real-time effects testing, which is something Audacity sadly can't do. Also in Audacity there are now plug-ins that simulate the enveloping, and a couple other here-to-fore inaccessible audacity features. I haven't personally tried them, but they're there. Just search audacity's effects section.