My Podcasting Gear 2021

I get asked a lot about what you need to start a podcast. And I’ve put together a handy guide on what equipment I have, what I use regularly and what I have used, but no longer use, to give you an idea of what kind of equipment you can get to get your podcast off the ground. I’ve made a whole episode around this on The Video Show which you can see here.

Microphones

I’ve used a few microphones through the years, but my current choice is the RODE Podmic. It’s a great quality microphone and won’t break the bank. I actually own three of these, and use them for group podcast recordings. My Rating:  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In the past I have used the RODE NT1A, this was a bit more expensive but came with a pop filter and an XLR cable. I did have two of these but one inexplicably broke. It’s a pretty good mic, but one I currently use as a backup.  My Rating: ⭐️⭐️

Recorders

I use the three recorders I’m going to mention on a regular basis, but in different ways.

For Podcasting I use the RODECaster Pro. This will set you back around £500ish but it’s specifically built for recording podcasts. With 4 XLR inputs I not only use this for recording and streaming live on my own, but with shows recorded in the studio with guests. There’s also an option to connect your phone and another bluetooth connection so you can bring guests in on the phone, and play music. And with 8 sound pads there’s the option to play sound effects (I usually use this to play the show’s theme song when recording in and out.) Lastly, it has the option for multitrack recording, so you can edit each audio stream separately. My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

For everyday recording (but you could use it for podcasting) I use the Zoom H4N. I’ve had mine for about 5 years, and use it every time I go anywhere to shoot anything. It’s sturdy (I’ve lost count how many times its been dropped), versatile (there are three different ways to record audio) and well worth every penny. It does have the option for multi track recording, but only two XLR inputs, so if that’s all you need, it’s not as fancy as the RODECaster,  but brilliant nonetheless. My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lastly, I use a Zoom H6N for additional XLR recording. It’s a bit more expensive than the H4N, but with 4 XLR inputs, and a removable recorder at the top of the device it’s a bit more advanced. I probably haven’t used it as much as I could have, but it’s a fantastic addition to my kit. My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Stands and Cables

There’s a few different stands I use for podcast recordings, but let’s start with my own show. As I’m on a desk I use the RODE PSA1 Arm. It’s great for keeping the mic out of the way when I don’t use it and really easy to use when I need it. One slight downside (and I didn’t see this in many reviews) was it did have a little bit of a squeak at one point, but a bit of oil sorted it out. My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

For guests I use one of the following, depending on their height and the placement of the mic.

For table top recordings I use the RODE DS1 Stand it sits on the table, and can be adjusted (although does seem to start quite high up). It’s quite a simple bit of kit, and not incredibly exciting. But you need somewhere to put your mic. My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Another table top stand I use is the Samson SAMD5 stand. You can’t adjust the height on this one, and it sits a lot lower. But it’s heavier than the DS1. Again, not the most exciting thing you’ll ever buy. My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

For guests sat on the sofas I use a Tiger MCA68-BK mic stand, it’s pretty lightweight but does the job. My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

In terms of cables I tend to use the ones that came with the microphone, but for the Podmic on my desk I needed something with a shorter cable so it didn’t get tangled in all the other cables in my desk. So think about cable length when you’re buying. Here’s what I have. 

Hosting Platforms

For all of the podcasts I produce I use anchor.fm it’s owned by Spotify, free to use and distributes easily to all the major podcast platforms such as Apple Podcasts. Plus you can receive messages from listeners and incorporate them into your show. My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Just to be really easy, here’s the links to all of the products I mentioned: 

 Microphones:

Podmic: https://amzn.to/2SI8Ms0 

NT1A: https://amzn.to/3dvLywd 

Recorders:

Rodecaster: https://amzn.to/3h4s3Np 

H4N: https://amzn.to/3w80hUw 

H6N: https://amzn.to/2UfMuhG 

Stands and Cables:

RODE PSA 1 Arm: https://amzn.to/3h4sUO7

RODE DS1 Stand: https://amzn.to/3juoodG 

Samson D5 Stand: https://amzn.to/3qCB6Zb

Tiger MCABK-68: https://amzn.to/2UeGe9G

XLR Cable: https://amzn.to/3w6KMwf 

Practice Makes Perfect

Practice Makes Perfect

Over the past 9 years I’ve learnt a lot about video and how you can get the best out of the content you make. But the biggest thing I’ve learnt is that it’s a journey, and something that (for me at least) will never be finished. I look back at the videos I made in 2012, and 2014 when I first started making videos like this and cringe. They’re awful! 

But I had to start somewhere, how could I possibly improve if I were too scared to get started? You might feel that some people might laugh at how bad they are (unlikely), or maybe you’re afraid that people will ignore them altogether (more likely). But you never know what will happen, and you’ll never going to improve unless you start somewhere. 

I’ve felt that feeling all over again since I started making weekly live videos. I haven’t got it to the point yet where I’m happy with how they look, or how I’m presenting. The whole thing makes me nervous. But the big thing is I know that I can make something that looks amazing, and with a bit of luck and a lot of hard work will get a lot of engagement. 

If you’ve made videos before and have stopped, or want to get started but are feeling nervous, ask me a question about how you can get started. I’d love to help. 

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Don’t cancel your event yet!

Don’t cancel your event yet!

Don’t cancel your event yet!

With everything going on with COVID-19, it’s hard to look past the possibility of cancelling any event you had planned for the next few months. The likelihood of having anything more than 20-50 people in a room before the end of the year looks pretty unlikely even for the most optimistic of event planner. 

At Red Book Productions I’ve been looking into the possibility of moving an event online. That’s why, at the start of July I helped Coconut Creatives move their usual ‘Franchise Fest’ from an ‘in person’ event to an online event. 

The usual format is simple:

 – 2 days where a few hundred people come along to a hotel in Warwickshire. 

– 1 main stage where there’s talks from expert speakers from the franchise industry.

– Break-out rooms with seminars from more expert speakers in the franchise industry. 

– Obviously networking goes on throughout the day. 

– Live evening music after day 1.

The people at Coconut quickly found ‘Hopin’ a website only launched early in 2020 that hosts an online event in one place. Main stage: check. Break out rooms: check. Networking: check. Sponsors and Suppliers area: check. It’s the kind of thing you could host on multiple zoom calls but all in one place and much more simple to navigate. 

It was my job to handle the main stage from the studio in Andover, and the Coconut team prepped speakers throughout the day. The feedback from the event was fantastic. And moving your event online could be a real possibility. 

We’re putting together an online events package, so let us know if you want us to keep you posted: 

The New Normal

The New Normal

The New Normal

Coming out of lockdown has meant that we’ve all had to adjust to a new way of life. With social distancing, masks and washing your hands every 5 minutes. In this week’s episode of #TheVideoShow I’ve decided to discuss the tools that I’ve found useful making videos within the limits of social distancing. 

It’s meant I’ve had to invest in a few new bits of equipment (and a rug) to make my life easier and my customer’s life a little less stressful.

 

1. GoPro – I’ve had some form of GoPro for many years, and I use it quite infrequently. But over the past few months I’ve used my GoPro more and more. It’s a great camera for somebody to wear whilst they demonstrate their work, and I can view what they’re seeing from a safe distance. Not to mention they’re waterproof so they’re very easy to clean. 

 

2. Boom Microphone – Before lockdown I was using lapel mics. This meant clipping a microphone onto somebody. This was usually done by the person themselves, but it often required me to get close to them to check that it was fitted and working before we could begin. With this new microphone I can record from a distance.

 

3. Rug – It sounds really weird, but by investing in a rug for the studio it gives the subject somewhere to stand and I can move around them. I may need to move cameras, lights and microphones, but if we’ve all got our own area, we’re all safe!

 

Take a look at a few of the videos I’ve made under social distancing. The first from Practical Car and Van Rental and the second from No5 Dental Care.

I’d love to know how you and your business are adjusting under the constraints ‘new normal’, let me know in the comments.

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Making videos in lockdown

Making videos in lockdown

Creativity in Lockdown

During lockdown it’s been hard to create videos. Usually I’m out and about all over the country creating content with people. But due to the constraints of coronavirus, I’ve have had to change the way I work.

Firstly, I thought this ‘new normal’ meant a lot of editing, which it did for a time. But then it became clear that I could still create content with people using Zoom. 

I first worked with Cameron and Tony from TRUTH a few years ago, and when they asked me to help with their new project I saw it as a great opportunity to create something interesting with the constraints of not being able to leave the house. 

Over the course of a few weeks we put together the video explaining what TRUTH does and how they’re adjusting to life and business under COVID-19. After a false start (a video that looked awful) I quickly realised there were a few things that were vital to making a video under these different circumstances: 

  • Access to Existing Footage: We were lucky enough to have footage from a few years ago that we could re-use (in our case it was shots of London) which were unattainable between March and June for obvious reasons.  If you’re not lucky to have access to old footage then you can always find stock footage, but that usually comes at a price. 
  • Zoom: Having regular video calls helped me direct Cameron and Tony and the other staff at TRUTH to get the shots we needed on their own phones. 
  • Camera Equipment at home: By moving a lot of my equipment  back home for lockdown meant I could shoot footage in my house and garden that looked great! 
  • Helpful friends: Having a few friends who were willing to film themselves for short clips in this video was really handy. There have been a few people who have helped me in various projects over lockdown, and I can honestly say I couldn’t have made these videos without their help. These short clips fill in the gaps and tie everything together.

Overall, I think the finished video looks great, and by having these constraints that a global pandemic brings, we were able to create something that stands out. To be honest, if I were making this video normally, it wouldn’t have been half as creative. Having to make videos this way has forced me to look at creating videos differently and it’s taught me a lot about creating videos in the future. 

You can watch the full video below: 

Never miss an episode EVER again!

Every month I send out all the episodes you may have missed.

To make sure you never miss an episode let me know a few things about you: