Setting up your first podcast studio

April 30, 2007  |  By Travis  |  Articles   

Microphone

Each generation of technology seems to enable us to edge closer to using what the pros do for a smidgen of the cost. What used to require an Avid studio and monstrous computers ($$$$$) can now be done in Final Cut Pro on a Macbook ($$). Same for audio as well.

If you’re like me, you probably bought a headphone/microphone combo at some point to upgrade from the dollar store mic included with most computers. Today, I want to take a look at a kit that’s several levels above that, and won’t set you back too much.

This kit is the Behringer Podcastudio (firewire), which I purchased a couple weeks ago. I figured an audio review of the studio would allow you to hear it for yourself and save me over an hour’s worth of typing.

This review is an intro for anybody looking to get into podcasting, personal recording, or uses voip on a frequent basis. As much as it’s a review, I cover all the essential elements you’ll need to setup your own cost effective recording studio.

I mention a couple of accessories in my review that are a must for any podcasters or voip-a-holics. One of which is a “pop filter“. I’ve yet to receive mine from eBay, so please excuse the plosives (louder Ps and Bs).

You can find the Behringer Podcastudio (firewire) at American Musical Supply, where I purchased it, and Musician’s Friend (coming soon).

If you have any questions about podcasting, need help deciding on a kit or setting one up, send me an e-mail and I’ll try and provide some tips (travis {at} younggogetter {dot} com).

Here’s my review, and a few pictures of the kit:

Here’s the mp3 if you can’t see the audio player.

Mixer

18 Comments RSS Feed  Subscribe to our RSS feed

Travis
About the author, Travis
One of the original members at YGG, Travis became a partner back in 2006. He's responsible for all the creative and mischief you see before you.

18 Comments

  1. Will said on April 30, 2007   

    Great review, cheers for the tips!

  2. Eric said on April 30, 2007   

    Nice work Travis. I think I might have some old studio equipment lying around. Your recording sounded great though, and the plosives were minimal even w/out the pop filter.

  3. Kevin said on May 2, 2007   

    Really neat review. I won’t be getting into podcasting any time soon, but interesting to see how the tech has progressed.

  4. Jonathan-C. Phillips said on May 2, 2007   

    umm, i have my own recording studio.. .how come i haven’t started recording podcasts… think this is just what i needed, i little boost :)

  5. Imre said on May 5, 2007   

    what software would you suggest for pc?

  6. Apple’s video guide to producing a successful podcast -- Young Go Getter said on May 7, 2007   

    [...] is a nice freebie follow-up to my previous post on podcasting. This series is an essential primer for performing, producing, and promoting your podcast. [...]

  7. Karen Bryan said on May 8, 2007   

    I do agree that it is amazing to be able to produce the equivalent of a radio broadcast sitting at you computer. I was lucky enough to win a Pinnacle Podcast Factory in a competition on a French TV news channel. I am not very technically minded and although I’d been thinking about doing podcasts for my European travel blog, I was a bit apprehensive about podcasting. I had to call my son, a computing student and my IT consultant to set up the system. I managed to record and upload a podcast today on my own. I think that the sound quality is pretty good and now it’s all set up it’s easy to use. So now any business can talk directly to its potential customers.

  8. rob said on May 10, 2007   

    hey I’ve bought this studio recording system, as i would like to record my guitar and stuff. but when i look at the instruction I’m and totally lost about connecting the cable and mixer to the interface. will you please help me by giving me instruction on how to install/assemble it properly.
    much thanks
    rob

  9. Craig Ritchie said on May 11, 2007   

    Mitch Joel of Twist Image (www.twistimage.com/blog) is a great podcaster, and recommends 1) a logitech headset; 2) CastBlaster; and 3) Audacity. Cheaper? Simpler? Maybe for first-timers. Just thought I’d throw that out there. I haven’t started podcasting… but soon. ish.

  10. James said on May 12, 2007   

    Thanks for the review — I searched long and hard for one on this package. The description of the kit specifies a microphone windscreen as included. Is this not the same as a pop filter?

  11. Travis said on May 12, 2007   

    James,
    The type of windscreen included is this:

    Its size and thickness not only kills the plosives, but also a bit of energy in your voice.

    The pop filter doesn’t flatten your sound and still catches the plosives:

    Good ones range anywhere from about $20-$50 and are worth the investment.

  12. James said on May 12, 2007   

    Thanks for the response. I’ve played with many USB audio devices with my Mac but not firewire ones. Does it interface a cleanly as a USB device? Will I have any trouble connecting this to GarageBand for example?

    Thanks!

    James

  13. James said on May 12, 2007   

    Thanks for clearing up the windscreen/pop filter question. While I’ve used many USB audio devices, does a firewire device like this connect as easily to your Mac. For example, does it work ok with GarageBand?

  14. Travis said on May 12, 2007   

    I haven’t had the opportunity to test the system with a Mac, but there’s no question that it would be quite a bit easier to setup and use as the Firewire kit was designed for Mac users.

    GarageBand has many elements made just for Podcasters and I hope to someday make the transition to a Mac and it. GB is the dream podcasting app and should work seamlessly with this kit.

    It may seem like there are a lot of cables and elements in this kit, but when all is said and done only one cable (firewire) is plugged into your Mac or PC. Everything else is linked through the mixer and audio interface.

    If you have one available Firewire port on your Mac you’re good to go. You don’t need the Mic or Headphone ports or a special audio card.

  15. Christopher said on October 15, 2007   

    Great review Travis. I discovered it while researching the kit and was impressed by both the quality of your review and your frankness.

    My kit arrived a few days ago and since then I’ve hooked up to my ageing G4 Powerbook; took less than 20 minutes to get going.

    The gear works seemlessly with Mac and Garageband 08 with no drivers needed for the Firewire interface so I hope that helps anyone with Apple queries.

  16. Travis said on October 15, 2007   

    Thanks Christopher.

    We may get our podcast back up some day. But for everyday use, the podcastudio is fantastic.

    I use it several times a day to chat on Skype or make long distance phone calls. Crystal clear quality.

    Enjoy your kit and be sure to send us a link if you ever create your own show.

  17. Jimmy said on December 4, 2007   

    Hi Travis,

    Thanks for your great, helpful review. I’m looking for a set to record some vocals at home, and I was wondering what you think of this podcasting set to record singing vocals?

    Thanks,

    Jimmy

  18. joeydg said on June 23, 2008   

    I’m looking at getting one of these and have a Mac and use Garage Band.

    I have heard that the Podcastudiopro Firewire will allow you to record to multiple tracks at once in Garage Band. Is that true? Does anyone use it to record multiple tracks and different instruments? Please let me know.

    For kicks, here is a link to my band’s music.
    http://joey.mimweddings.com/My_Band_and_Music.html

Leave a comment