Best equipments for radio and podcasting

You want to start your online radio station and broadcast but you don’t know where to start or maybe you already know where to start but you don’t know which equipment to get. Don’t worry, in this article we will give you some suggestions about the equipments that you will need while broadcasting. Let’s get to the suggestions. There will be:

• 5 Microphones
• 5 Headphones
• 5 Audio Mixers
• Some professional tool suggestions

Microphones

Let’s start with the microphones. There are two types of microphones in the list we gave, dynamic and condenser microphones. Dynamic microphones are used in loud situations and condenser microphones are used in studios where there is a lot of acoustic insulation. Hence the difference you should think about getting a condenser microphone only if you have good insulation in your studio. (The equipment below is listed by pricing from low to high.)

#1 Behringer Ultravoice XM8500

Behringer Ultravoice XM8500 is a dynamic microphone which focuses on accuracy and sensitivity. It has great reviews on its cardiod pickup pattern for amazing sound source separation and feedback rejection. This mic provides a flat frequency response of 50Hz to 15kHz while incorporating a smooth mid-frequency presence rise for successful voice projection. Other important features of XM8500 are sturdy metal construction, steel windscreen and two-stage pop filter to minimize breath and pop noises.

#2 Rode PodMic Dynamic

This broadcast-quailty dynamic microphone is optimized for podcasting. Its main features are rich, balanced sound with an internal pop filter to minimize plosives and internal shockmounting to reduce vibration. Its frequency range is between 20Hz and 20 kHz. Rode PodMic also has optimization for speech applications and offers exceptional results with any high-quality microphone interface.

#3 AKG P220

AKG P220 is one of the best condenser microphones of 2020. It is a large-diaphragm mic which features a serviceable cardioid polar pattern and frequency response between 20Hz-20kHz. Its switchable bass-cut filter eliminates rumble or footfall noise. AKG P220 provides you the kind of versatile reliability and performance whether you are using it at home or in a pro studio. Its rugged all-metal body and robust design withstands tough day-to-day use. 

#4 Blue Spark SL

As an upgraded version of the original Spark condenser microphone, Spark SL excels at delivering detailed and transparent sound to your recordings and broadcasts with a new level of versatility and sound quality. Its custom designed cardioid condenser capsule is great at capturing your most creative moments. Spark SL has 100Hz high-pass filter and -20dB pad for ultimate versatility. Its frequency response is between 20Hz and 20kHz.

#5 Shure SM7B

Shure SM7B is a cardioid dynamic vocal microphone which delivers warm and smooth audio reproduction in close-proximity studio and vocal applications. The wide-range frequency response of the SM7B preserves the natural beauty of the sound it captures. Whether you want to bring out the resonance of a deep baritone, tame the brittleness of a high soprano, capture a whisper, or record a gunshot, the Shure SM7B is a must-have part of your rig. Compared to other microphones in this list, SM7B is involved much more professional projects.

Headphones

It is not a must but headphones designed for this purpose always helps a lot while working with live broadcasting.

#1 Sennheiser HD 206 Featuring powerful sound reproduction, good attenuation of ambient noise and outstanding wearing comfort, HD 206 is a pair of closed, dynamic stereo headphones for the budget-conscious music lovers and broadcasters. Some of its most important features are powerful sound reproduction, lightweight design, good attenuation of ambient noise, rich bass response, extremely ruggedness, high-quality leatherette ear pads and gold plated 1/4″ (6.3mm) jack adaptor.

#2 Sennheiser HD280PRO

Designed to exceed the demands of the professional environment, the HD 280 Pro boasts extremely robust construction combined with the sound quality, modular design and aggressive noise isolation that is necessary in the field. Its additional features are high ambient noise attenuation, accurate and linear sound reproduction, 64 ohm nominal impedance, 113 dB sound pressure level and up to 32 dB attenuation of outside noise.

#3 beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO

DT 990 Pro is an open dynamic headphone for studio applications. Due to a weight reduction of the diaphragm an excellent sound reproduction quality is achieved. Its rugged design with a spring steel headband ensures a secure fit and withstands all demands. Soft headband and ear cushioning systems ensure a high comfort over long periods of time. The wide stereo image and three-dimensional sound reproduction make the beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO headphones a loyal companion for producers. 

#4 AKG K712 PRO

K712 PRO is a reference, open, over-ear dynamic headphone for precise listening, mixing and mastering. Its precise powerful sound results from improved low-end performance by 3dB. K712 Pro’s over-ear design provides maximum wearing comfort for long work sessions. Its revolutionary flat wire voice coil is for incredible impulse and treble response. The K712 PROs come with a professional mini XLR connector for quick replacement of the cable.

#5 Sennheiser HD 650

Sennheiser HD 650 is a top-of-the-range open, dynamic hi-fi stereo headphones that has systems with narrow tolerances (± 1 dB). Its high-quality titanium/silver finish is highly modern. Its specially developed acoustic silk for precise, uniform attenuation over the entire area. HD 650’s extremely lightweight aluminium voice coils ensure excellent transient response. It can be directly connected to stationary hi-fi components of the highest quality, in particular SACD, DVD-A and CD players.

Audio Mixers

You need some mixers for mixing while broadcasting live.

#1 Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (3rd Gen)

Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen has wo of the best performing Scarlett mic preamps the range has ever heard – now with Air – for miking up guitars or recording vocals. It has two high headroom instrument inputs, for plugging your guitar or bass straight in. Its high-performance converters, allowing you to record, mix and play back audio in studio quality, anywhere. It comes with “Easy Start” tool which makes it easier than ever to set up.

#2 Behringer Xenyx 1204USB Premium

The compact XENYX 1204USB mixer allows you to effortlessly achieve premium-quality sound, thanks to its 4 onboard studio-grade XENYX Mic Preamps and ultra-musical channel EQs. Add to this our easy-to-use “one-knob” compressors, which provide total dynamic control for the ultimate in punch and clarity, while respecting all the power and emotion you pack into every note – and the 1204USB becomes an incredibly versatile mixer for your live performances. and professional quality recordings.

#3 Behringer Xenyx X1222USB

The Xenyx QX1222USB is a 12-input, 2/2-bus mixer with Xenyx mic preamps and compressors, a USB audio interface, and a wireless option. It’s fitted with Behringer’s “British” 3-band EQ and, 60mm log-taper faders, and sealed rotary controls. It has onboard Klark Teknik FX processor with 100 killer presets.  With the inclusion of a 7-band stereo graphic EQ, FBQ Feedback Detection, very flexible routing, and other SR-oriented features, Behringer has designed quite a competent compact live mixer.

#4 Allen & Heath ZED-18

ZED-18 has an incredibly advanced feature-set for a mixer at this level – it gives musicians, venues and hire companies access to 10 full mono channels and 4 stereo channels in a compact, rack mountable format. Configurable USB audio in/out makes it easy to capture stereo recordings. ZED-18 features a responsive 3-band, swept mid frequency EQ design which utilises MusiQ – with optimised slope (or Q factor) for equalising individual instruments.

#5 Behringer X32

The Behringer X32 digital mixer packs everything you need to easily mix and record a live show into a compact, roadworthy chassis. With its amazing-sounding Midas-designed mic preamps, the Behringer X32 is also great for the studio. Powerful and intuitive, the Behringer X32 sports 40 processing channels and 16 mix buses, giving you the flexibility you’ve always longed for. It comes equipped for 32-channel recording, with instant compatibility with major DAWs. Its serious signal processing can be quickly configured for sessions of any size.

Extras

Some professional tools that you may need while broadcasting.

#1 dbx 266xs

It really improves the quality of the microphones that you are using. If you want to do some professional work you may want to think about buying this.

#2 Acoustic Insulation

This one’s price is really varying but price starts about 10$ and it goes up from there. If you don’t have acoustic insulation in your studio and you want better quality while you are live you should really consider buying some acoustic insulation.