Planning to dive into video podcasting or upgrade your audio podcast with video? You’ll need video podcast equipment to ensure high-quality content production. Investing in reliable gear is important for three key reasons:
- Professionalism: Clear audio and sharp visuals enhance the overall production. This makes your podcast more attractive to viewers and potential sponsors.
- Standing out: With so many podcasts out there, excellent production quality can help you rise above the noise and capture attention.
- Building trust: A well-produced show reflects reliability and dedication, helping you earn credibility with your audience and showing that you value their experience.
Let’s explore the essential gear for starting a video podcast and the tools professionals use to upgrade their production.
Basic gear: What equipment do you need for a video podcast as a beginner?
The video podcast equipment is pretty similar to a traditional, audio-only podcast, but with a few additions. The video podcast equipment kit should include:
- Camera
- Microphone
- Light
- Tripod
- Headphones
Camera: It’s essential for capturing clear, sharp visuals in video podcasting
The right camera for video podcasting plays a key role in keeping your audience engaged. It significantly affects the visual quality of your content. Beyond common devices like smartphones, tablets, or compact Bluetooth cameras, three primary types of cameras are well-suited for video podcasting: DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, and camcorders. Let’s take a closer look at each option.
📷DSLR Cameras: A favorite among video podcasters, DSLRs offer excellent image quality, manual controls, and interchangeable lenses for a cinematic look and creative flexibility.
📷Mirrorless Cameras: Similar to DSLRs but more compact, mirrorless cameras deliver high-quality video, often with advanced autofocus and lens options—making them a popular, portable choice.
📷Camcorders: Designed specifically for video, camcorders are user-friendly, compact, and often include built-in mics and stabilization. While they may have smaller sensors, they’re ideal for podcasters who value ease of use.
When choosing the right camera for your video podcast, consider your specific needs. Where will you be recording? How long are your episodes? Will you be stationary or moving during filming? Your recording style will influence what features matter most—such as battery life, storage capacity, additional functions, tripod compatibility, and how much you're prepared to invest.
Microphone: USB and wireless lav mics are video podcast equipment for beginners to get great audio
In video podcasting, audio quality is just as crucial as visuals. Clear, rich sound keeps listeners engaged and adds a professional touch to your content. Choosing the right microphone is key. Good mics reduce background noise and enhance clarity. This helps you maintain your audience's attention while reflecting your commitment to quality.
We recommend these two microphone types for those new to video podcasting.
🎙️USB mic: USB microphones are a popular choice for solo podcasters. They are equipped with built-in preamp and analog-to-digital converter, combining mic and interface in one unit. This makes them convenient and affordable, with no need for extra gear. Many models, like the Moman EMR, include headphone jacks with low-latency monitoring and volume control, giving you direct control over your sound.
🎙️Wireless Lav: Wireless lav mics are great for video podcasts or creative formats, especially when movement is frequent or emotions run high. Once properly positioned, they allow full freedom to move without distraction. In emotional discussions, their unobtrusive design helps you stay immersed in the moment, often forgetting you're even recording. The Moman C1 is a solid entry-level option that delivers impressive performance for its price.
Light: It gives podcasters a clean, professional look and establishes the mood for your concept
Good lighting is key to giving your podcast videos a clean, professional look. Options like LED panels, ring lights, and even clamp lights suit various budgets. Consider the mood you’re going for and choose a suitable color temperature.
For most setups, you'll want bright, soft lighting—diffusers like softboxes help spread light evenly and reduce harshness. Avoid relying on natural light, as it’s unpredictable.
To enhance your setup, use stands or tripods for flexibility, add a fill light to soften shadows, and include a backlight to create depth and make on-camera subjects stand out.
Tripod: A piece of video podcast equipment for stable, well-composed shots
Tripods and mounts are essential for stable, well-composed shots. They allow you to stay hands-free and focus on hosting or production tasks.
- Tripod Stands: The most common camera supports, featuring adjustable legs for height and angle. They come in various sizes and materials to suit different setups.
- Boom Arms: Mounted on a base or C-stand, these extend horizontally—great for overhead shots or precise placement of mics and lights.
- GorillaPods: Flexible tripods with bendable legs that wrap around objects like poles or branches, offering creative positioning in a variety of environments.
Headphones: Use closed-back models for real-time audio monitoring and make instant adjustments
Headphones enable real-time audio monitoring during recording. Wired models eliminate interference from other podcasters speaking nearby. Closed-back headphones are particularly useful, as they allow you to listen for sound quality issues like background noise or distortion and fix them immediately.
Upgraded options: What video podcast equipment takes your content to the next level?
As you gain more experience, upgrading to higher-quality gear can help elevate your production. If your current setup feels limiting and you’re ready to explore new sound profiles or add variety with different or multiple camera angles, here’s what professionals typically rely on.
XLR microphone: It offers superior sound quality and flexibility for professional video podcasters
XLR microphones are a top choice for professional video podcasters due to their superior sound quality and flexibility. Unlike USB mics, XLR models connect through an audio interface or mixer, allowing for cleaner, more detailed audio capture. This setup offers better control over sound levels, EQ, and effects, which is essential for creating a polished, studio-grade podcast.
XLR mics are also more reliable for long recordings and adaptable for multi-mic setups, making them ideal for interviews or co-hosted shows. While they require more gear and setup, they provide a level of audio fidelity and professionalism that USB mics typically can't match.
For podcasters looking to grow their production quality and invest in a long-term setup, an XLR microphone is a smart and worthwhile upgrade.
Audio interfaces and mixers: A must to use with the XLR mic and can handle multiple audio sources
While an interface or mixer isn’t strictly necessary for podcasting, there are several good reasons to consider one:
– You’re using an XLR microphone.
– You need to connect more than one mic.
– You want to record live or simulate a live session with real-time music, sound effects, and more.
– You plan to include multiple audio sources in your recording setup.
In video podcasting, an audio interface or mixer is essential when using XLR microphones, as it converts analog audio into a digital signal your computer can process. These devices also give you greater control over sound quality, levels, and effects, helping you achieve a more professional result.
Teleprompter: Best equipment for video podcasting to ensure smooth delivery and natural eye contact
A teleprompter is a valuable tool for video podcasters who want to deliver their content smoothly and professionally. It displays your script on a transparent screen positioned in front of the camera lens, allowing you to read while maintaining direct eye contact with your audience. This helps you stay on message without looking down or appearing distracted, which is especially useful for scripted segments like intros, outros, or sponsored messages.
Originally used in broadcasting, teleprompters are now popular among YouTubers and podcasters for enhancing delivery and confidence on camera. With adjustable scroll speed and pacing features, a teleprompter ensures a natural flow, consistent tone, and fewer mistakes—making it an excellent addition to any video podcasting setup.
Video recording & editing software: A tool to capture, refine, and polish your video podcasts
When producing a video podcast, you’ll need either separate video recording and editing tools or an all-in-one podcast software. To choose the right option, consider your current editing skills, the features you want to add in post-production, and whether you plan to live stream or record audio and video separately. Also, pay attention to recording quality, ease of use, remote recording capabilities, and built-in transcription tools. These factors can greatly simplify your workflow and save time during both recording and editing.
FAQs
Here are some commonly asked questions you may encounter in a vodcast.
Is it necessary to have multiple cameras for a video podcast?
You can start a video podcast with just one camera. However, for long-term video podcasting, using two cameras is ideal. This setup adds visual variety by allowing you to capture different angles. If you plan to host in-person guests, an extra camera will enable you to record a wide shot of both people while the other focuses on each individual. This way, you can create a more dynamic and engaging video podcast during editing!
How many microphones are needed for video podcasts?
Each speaker should ideally have their own microphone for the best sound quality. Sharing a mic can cause uneven audio levels and unwanted noise when speakers adjust positions. Additionally, it might look awkward on camera to have multiple speakers crowded around a single mic. Using separate microphones allows for independent audio tracks during editing, providing greater control over the final product.
Is it necessary to record audio and video separately?
To achieve the highest recording quality, it’s best to record audio and video separately. You can easily sync them manually afterward or use podcast editing software that does this automatically. Keeping audio and video tracks separate offers more flexibility during editing, resulting in a more polished final product. Additionally, if you choose to upload your podcast to platforms that only support audio, you can upload just the audio track, allowing for broader distribution.
