(Software & Hardware)
Disclaimer: I only recommend the tools I use and love. There are some affiliate links below. If you make a purchase, I make a commission at no extra cost to you and it helps us produce more and better content on the site. Thank you for your support!
If you are interested in livestreaming, check out the complete list of gears and tools here.
Hardware (microphone, shock-mount, stand, audio interface, computers, etc.)
Affordable mics that are quite wonderful
Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB Cardioid Dynamic USB/XLR Microphone (I like this mic better than Yeti)
The boom arm to hold the mic on your desk
InnoGear boom arm (cheaper alternative)
The ultimate upgrade for serious podcasters and musicians
Neumann TLM 103 SET w/ EA1 Shockmount and Aluminum Case (this isn’t a starter microphone – but an upgrade for podcaster and musicians)
Focusrite Scarlett Solo (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools | First — you don’t need this is you use a USB mic. But an audio interface will improve your sound quality when you get a more serious
LyxPro Balanced XLR Cable Premium Series Microphone Cable, Speakers and Pro Devices Cable, 15 Feet- Black — if your mic doesn’t already come with this cable for the audio interface
MacBook Pro 13” (for on the road recording)
iMac 27’’ (for home editing)
By the way, you don’t need all the tools above to start your podcast. Check out my studio setup guide below to find options that are $, $$, $$$., plus how to hook them all up.
Software (podcast editing, recording, transcription, hosting)
For Recording, Editing and Publishing
For Recording
Zoom (great for remote recording – make sure to record separate audio tracks. Tutorial here)
Audacity (free for audio editing and great for beginners) for in person recording, or you can use Apple GarageBand
Adobe Audition (for advanced audio editors)
For Editing
Audacity – it’s free for macOS, Windows, Linux and easy to learn. I have a course to get you started and it comes with an editing template too.
GarageBand (macOS only, free) is good too
For Hosting
Anchor.fm (for hosting podcast) – we switch our podcast hosting to Anchor in 2020. Anchor is free to use, and it has options for hosts to get paid through ads, a donation feature, ways to directly engage with your audience. Anchor was bought by Spotify, so we don’t think it’s going away anytime soon. 🙂
Libsyn (for hosting podcast) – use promo code FEI when you sign up to get the remaining month and next month free!
For Transcriptions
Descript – the first ever editing tool that allows you to edit audio using transcription
Sonix.ai – our preferred transcription tool, you get 100 minutes free if you sign up using our link
Otter.ai – another great transcription tool you might like, and you get 600 mins (40 mins max per file) free each month
Happyscribe – a new transcription tool I’m exploring, very friendly user interface and reasonably priced
For Podcast Content Repurposing
Repurpose.io – to most easily (with one button push) upload all new and existing podcast episodes to YouTube
VEED Video Editor – Video editing made simple. Create videos with a single click. Add subtitles, transcribe audio and more
Headliner – Using videos to promote your podcast
For livestreaming your podcast
Restream.io – one of the best decisions I’ve ever made with podcasting is to go live with each and every interview. Restream takes that to the next level and helps you easily multi-stream to multiple social channels all at once. I began to see traffic triple within weeks of adapting this new routine.
For content ideation and task management
Notion.so – we fell in love with Notion in 2019 and haven’t stopped using it for content ideation and task management at Feisworld. In fact, we use it religiously to run our status meetings too!
Trello (template) – we’ve been using Trello for a long time to manage client projects and side projects. Podcast is no exception either! While we use Notion to plan out detailed schedule and ideas, we use Trello to help us manage higher level vision and deliverables.
For Music
Epidemic Sound: a great online music subscription resource (reasonably priced) for podcasters and YouTubers
YouTube Music Library (it’s free, you just need a Google account)
For Professional Voiceover
Music Radio Creative – our first voice intro was purchased from them. They also offer jingles, commercials and more
Design Services & Other Business Essentials
- Canva DIY design for non-designers (templates for social, book covers and more)
- 99 Designs have multiple designers compete for a winner design for your business
- Moo pricer than most, but they look amazing
- Vistaprint more affordable business cards, also flyers, banners, rack cards, etc.
Social Media Management
- AgoraPulse Feisworld has a small team and we have limited time for social media curation and publishing. AgoraPulse allowed us to preplan and reuse existing content across all social platforms. Since May 2020, we switched over to Sendible, a comparable and more affordable software compared to AgoraPulse.
- Bonjoro a very cool software to boost engagement between you and your audience by sending a personalized greeting video to people via email
- Later.com – a user-friendly social media management platform favored by many