Gearhead: Essential podcast kit

10 Dec 2014


Producing your own show? Here's what you'll need before hitting the red button.


GarageBand/ Logic Pro X
GarageBand is almost the de facto standard for podcasters thanks to its friend the MacBook. For granular editing options, we use Logic Pro X. Free/£140;

Pages For Mac, IOS and Web
For planning content, WIRED uses Pages, or try the cross-platform Google Docs. Free;;

Ready to publish? Squarespace is a blogging platform with built-in podcast hosting and management. Various prices;

Finally, for stats on who your listeners are, Podtrac's management tools are highly recommended. Keep track on download numbers and trends from around the world. Free;


Behringer Xenyx 1202FX
UK manufacturer Behringer makes extremely affordable and high-performing mixing desks for podcasters on a budget. The benefit of a desk like this is simple: it accommodates more than one microphone. £69;

Blue Yeti Pro Microphone
This USB mic has fantastically high-quality sound.

It has a built-in headphone amp and direct volume controls, making it perfect if you've no time for setting up a mixing desk. £199;

Zoom H5 Field Recorder
WIRED uses a Zoom H5 when recording at trade shows or industry events. Not only does it have excellent built-in microphones, but you can plug external ones in too. It's worth the price if you're after top-quality sound. £180;

Apple MacBook Pro
You don't need a powerful laptop to make a podcast.

However, the big benefit of using a MacBook Pro is that it comes with essential software such as GarageBand. From £899;

Behringer C-3 Microphones

With your mixing desk set up, you need at least one of these mics (WIRED uses four). The C-3 series is good value and ideal for round-table podcast debates. £50;

Stagg SMC6 Cables
Cheap XLR-to-XLR cables (the kind required for microphones and mixing desks) can make podcasts sound terrible.

Consider paying a little more and snag a Stagg. The SMC6 won't break the bank and sounds great. £10;

And Finally...A Quilt
For a studio-like sound on location, throw a duvet over you and the mic to kill unwanted echo or reverb.