PODCASTING GEAR
ooo-wee don’t we love gear!
Microphones, DSLRs, webcams, video lighting, headphones, audio interfaces, mounts, leads and more!
MICROPHONES
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Rode NT-USB Mini
Our favourite little microphone that packs a serious punch!
Small enough to bring with you on location if you’re recording remotely.
Very simple to use and has an in-built pop filter so you don’t need to buy a separate one.
A great all-in-one option for entry-level podcasters. It is quite small so attaching to a boom arm or propping up is a good option to get to the right height.
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Rode PodMic USB
This mic has won the prestigious “Best Mic” award here at Bamby Media. Affordable, great quality, both XLR and USB plug options, looks great on video (and doesn’t distract from the talent). Highly recommended!
It has an internal pop filter for minimising plosives and an internal shock mount for reducing vibrations.
You’ll need a boom or swing mount for this mic to ensure optimal positioning.
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SE DynaCaster DCM8
We are super excited to add this newbie to our recommendations! It is a stunning microphone providing a beautiful depth of sound without sacrificing clarity. It outperforms the boomy, bottom-end heavy Shure SM7B and better yet, the DCM8 has a built-in Dynamite pre-amp meaning no extra kit is required. Check out our review of this mic.
It is XLR only so you will need an audio interface to use this with your computer (see below for our audio interface recs). And you’ll need a boom or swing mount for this mic to ensure optimal positioning.
CAMERAS
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Sony ZV-E10
Winner of the “Best DSLR” award is the Sony ZV-E10! Finally, a purpose-built vlogging DSLR with interchangeable lenses to suit your space, 4k capability, and autofocus that feels like it is glued to your eyeballs!
It also doubles as a schmick camera to film your online courses and live events so it is definitely worth the investment.
This is the lovely camera that our head honcho Brianna uses for her podcast. It can be used out of the box with very little setup required though has many customisable options for the more enthusiastic filmographer.
It comes with an AC power pack, so all you’ll need is an HDMI D to A cable (ie micro to full size), a tripod/deskmount, and depending on your computer, a USB hub.
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Elgato Facecam Pro
Webcams have come a long way since the old Logitech’s and when looking in the 4K realm (as all you podcasters should so your repurposing for socials is nice and crisp), there are really only a couple of high-end players: Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra, Obsbot Meet 4K, Insta Link 360 and our favourite, the Elgato Facecam Pro.
This one has been tough to get a hold of and for good reason. Up to 4k 60fps with unrivalled picture quality, super precise variable focus, and with an aperture at f2 you get that nice, genuine background blur (not the gross software-added blur).
It is not great in low light so don’t plan on using this without video lighting but you wouldn’t do that, would you? You’re a good podcaster…
AUDIO/VISUAL INTERFACES
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Rodecaster Duo
Geez, we look like a Rode store! But we aren’t sponsored by Rode at all - we just love them as a brand.
This is an audio interface designed for 2 people in the room. It has two XLR inputs, 2 headphone outputs, can accept phones (so you can have call-ins to your show), and those super fun smart pads that you can cue up all sorts of sound effects, music and voice effects live.
And don’t like leads? It also has in-built support for the Rode Wireless Go II system.
You’ll get the most value for money out of this if you regularly have 2 people recording in the same room. If you’re flying solo, check out the Rode Streamer X.
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Rode Streamer X
Perfect for the solo podcaster and content creator, the Rode Streamer X features XLR mic input plus HDMI input so you can plug your fancy XLR mic and DSLR camera straight into the Streamer X and forget about needing a separate microphone preamp and video capture card.
It also has the integrated wireless receiver compatible with the Rode Wireless Go II system and those super useful smart pads that can be customised with sound effects, music, voice modulation, and even macros to trigger things on your computer (think OBS triggering people).
It comes with phantom power options for those with fancy condenser mics, and headphones and headset compatibility too.
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Rodecaster Pro II
An all-in-one recording audio interface that can connect to your computer via USB, or operate as a standalone.
We are so thrilled that this system exists and is fabulous for the mid - high level podcaster that is looking to really impress their listeners (and guests alike).There are so many fantastic features within this machine and it truly is all our podcasting dreams coming true.
MICROPHONE ACCESSORIES
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Rode PSA1+ Boom Arm
This super versatile boom offers near-silent operation when re-positioning. Its fully damped internal springs and neoprene arm cover eliminate mechanical noise.
It also boasts integrated cable management (marry me!) ensuring your setup is tidy and its extended reach and full 360-degree rotation make it easy to position your mic exactly where it’s needed.
Well worth the price tag!
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Rode SC19 Cable
High-quality USB microphone cable (USB-C to Lightning) designed to connect your USB microphone to iOS devices.
Great for podcasting on the go!
In our experience, it is never advisable to save money on a cable. Every dollar you save by purchasing a cheaper alternative is a compromise on audio quality, build quality and longevity of the cable.
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Rode Premium XLR Cable
WHY SPEND $90 ON A LEAD?!
Well if you are using an XLR microphone, you will need an XLR lead and the quality of the lead makes a huge difference to the sound of your recording.
An inferior quality lead will break more easily, be susceptible to interference from nearby electronics, and introduce signal noise.
Don’t scrimp on this even though it’s not a sexy piece of gear. We all need leads and Rode make great ones!
They have 3 and 6m options plus heaps of colour variations so you can even brand your cable.
HEADPHONES
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Rode NTH-100
We’re a big fan of these headphones: super comfortable, solidly built, and an amazing frequency response (see our Pump Up Your Pod episode for our review of these headphones)
Nice, soft, sweat-free padding and they sit snugly over your ears without squishing them.
Perfect for audio monitoring as the headphones don’t boost any specific frequencies.
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Sennheiser CX 100
If you don’t need over ear headphones and you want something simple for hearing your guests or monitoring your audio when you’re recording your podcast.
At this time we don’t recommend using wireless headphones for podcast recordings (unless you have the Rode Procaster II we mention above) because bluetooth headphones don’t play nicely with most recording software.
WORK AWAY FROM HOME
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Elgato Key Light Mini
Always. Use. Video. Lights.
In the age of pocket-sized 4k cameras (ie your smartphone), video lighting is becoming far more important than the camera itself. And podcasting on the go is no excuse for poor lighting. Not with lights like the Elgato Key Light Mini.
Compact, powerful, and soft, this light is perfect for recording your videos away from your home setup.
And its 1/4” thread attachment means it’s compatible with all standard mounts including the Joby GorillaPod too - you’ll just need an additional mounting arm. But have a search through that cupboard that you never look in and I’ll bet you find an old tripod that can do the job.
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JOBY GorillaPod 3K Kit
You may have realised by now, that we don’t skimp on gear here at Bamby Media. And this tripod is no exception. This rugged and solidly built flexible tripod allows you to grab onto anything to set up your video frame. Then the ball head gives you complete control over fine adjustments to perfect the framing of your shot.
The GorillaPod 3K Kit comes with a 360-degree ball head that will work with any DSLR, but when coupled with a GripTight Smartphone mount (similar one pictured), it can hold any smartphone and allow you to film anywhere. Though you can get cheaper smartphone mounts if you are on a budget.
This tripod is future-proof from holiday-based smartphone recording sessions, to proper DSLR on-location shoots. We use JOBY for all our more difficult-to-position tripod needs (most recently, filming the sliding of a house by mounting a GoPro halfway up a power pole).
HOME STUDIO LIGHTING
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Elgato Key Light Air
This free-standing desk light is a perfect entry-level piece to start your video lighting setup. It works out of the box (no other bits of kit required), is app-controllable, and is very customizable in terms of angle and brightness.
It won’t punch out as many lumens as our other 2 recommendations and as your show grows, you will likely outgrow this light in terms of brightness and softness. But it’s our best pick for lower-budget shows.
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Amaran P60C
Death to ring lights! They are underpowered, poorly diffused, and create that tacky-looking circle highlight in your eyes too. Forget them.
Instead, go for an LED panel with a proper diffuser like the Amaran P60C. This full-colour, silent, app-controllable light is perfect for those looking to upgrade their video setup and understand that a good light is worth a thousand cameras.
It needs to be used with a stand like this one from SmallRig and together, will deliver customisable, soft, powerful light that will lift you off your background.
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Amaran 200xS + Light Dome II
A powerful, reliable video light that is quiet and impeccable with skin tone reproduction. This is for next-level podcasts and creators that want gold-standard quality for their assets.
It needs to be paired with the Light Dome Softbox II and when it is, this is your industry-standard lighting solution that will never have to be replaced. You can change the colour temperature and the brightness via the back of the light, or also through an app on your phone.