Creating your podcast has become the equivalent of starting your band in the 90s. It does not need a huge investment, allows you to engage in creativity, and does not take up too much room. You probably already have a comfortable work and study place, so even if you prefer to pay for papers and rarely sit down at the table, from that moment you’ll want to spend more time in your makeshift studio to create new incredible podcasts.
In fact, in 2021, podcasts have exploded in popularity, with a significant number of people listening to them regularly.
And thanks to technological advancement, producing podcasts is now more accessible than ever. If you are in college and wondering how you get started, this article will guide you through the process and list all the equipment you need.
Find Your Niche
Yes, yes, this is the obvious place to start. But many of you might think that it is easy to start talking on a subject once you have them set up ready. However, with the podcast market already saturated, you need to know exactly what you are doing and pick a topic that you are confident to speak about at great lengths.
And, not to sugarcoat things, this will require you to prepare a script at least to guide you through. As a student, you might be thinking that there is virtually no time to work on all this. Thankfully, now you can approach the professional write my paper service WritePaper to take care of your assignments, so you can focus more on creating your podcast business from the ground up. In simple terms, the key is to find a niche that you can passionately explore, even after the first five episodes or seasons of your podcast.
Figure Out the Format
Before we get to the gear, there is another important aspect to consider. That is,
How long should the episodes of your podcast be,
How often do you want to create them
For whom you are creating
And where you are going to publish
These decisions can have an impact on the equipment and the tech you use. If your listeners are primarily your fellow college mates, you might get away with creating snackable content for a few minutes. If you are targeting a broader group of listeners, you might want to get more invested.
A Recording Space
The best thing about podcasts is that you can develop them from anywhere, as long as you have the right equipment. And there is no need to point out that your dorm room might not offer you the ambience of a studio that you seek. But this is easily solvable.
To make sure you have some quietness, you can buy some soundproofing panels. These can be easily fixed onto the wall or might come as a room partition that can double up. These are pretty affordable if you buy from Amazon or other online stores and can be a great buffer against the background noise from the corridors. If these are foldable, you can just keep them away after your recording sessions as well.
A Laptop
Needless to say, you will need a computer you can record your videos onto. A laptop would be a better alternative for your dorm room rather than a computer. But that said, you do not need a high-end machine to get started.
If you want to buy a laptop before you work on your podcasts, any model with an Intel Core i7 processor will do. Most computers these days offer you up to 7 hours of battery life and sufficient speed to use the software required. For those who prefer a MacBook, make sure that you have found a way to fit in all the cables of the external devices that you will be using.
A Microphone
No matter which laptop you are using, it would be a bad idea to use the in-built microphone of your computer. The cheapest and easiest way to ensure good audio quality is to buy a USB microphone. If you are regularly conducting interviews or have multiple people. You might want to consider one with an XLR output.
Your podcast format will also determine whether you want a condenser or a dynamic mic. The latter is more suitable if you are recording multiple people together in a discussion.
Mixer
When you are starting, a mixer might seem like an expense that can wait, but it is definitely worth splurging on. It will help you lay multiple audio tracks, add background music and experiment with effects. Some models allow you to record multiple sources at the same time and can offer you a more refined output.
Otherwise, you can find a simple audio interface that connects your microphone and computer – converting the analog signal to a digital one that your laptop can use.
Recording Software
Lastly, you will also need some solid software to bring everything together. If you are a Mac user, Garageband is the best choice to go. Window users can also turn to Audacity, a program that offers the same level of features. Both these pieces of software come with free versions, allowing you to record and edit live audio.
It is virtually impossible to fit in how you would be using your recording software and to do what, but the program is necessary for you to change the speed and pitch of your recordings, cut and slice, and generate the final output as an audio file.
Another thing to note is the software you will use to record calls. In the current scenario, chances are you will have guests for your podcast via a phone call rather than in person. Both Call Recorder for Skype and Pamela work well and are affordable to students. These also come with a gentle learning curve, allowing you to pick up the features and learn to edit quickly.
Invest in Podcast Makers
If you do not want to spend most of your time creating the output and instead want to work on the script, you will also find an all-in-one podcast maker in the market. These might be slightly expensive but can take a load of work off your shoulders.
For instance, Alitu is a podcast maker that automates a large share of the process. It can convert and clean up audio files, join different clips, add and fade music, and even publish the file directly from the interface. Podbean is another program that works best if you want to Livestream your podcasts.
It would be worth shopping around to see what your requirements are and what products are available in the market that can help you simplify the process.
Use Your Phone
In fact, if you want to make sure that you can actually create podcasts and attract an audience, the only gear you need is your phone. Today, there are dozens of applications that will help you generate decent output and allow you to upload on platforms such as Spotify. Once you find a ground to stand on, you can consider investing in all the gear we mentioned in this list.
Finally, starting your podcasting journey is not only about getting creative. Once you start, you might realize that there is a lot more work involved than you expected. The only way to tackle this is to find topics that you are passionate about and make sure that you offer value to your listeners.
