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Podcast Setup For Three – 3 Person Podcasting Equipment

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Podcast Setup For Three Person

There’s no denying that everyone is looking to start their own podcast right now, and why wouldn’t you?

Podcasting is a hilarious and fun way to broadcast yourself and even your friends to the world and share whatever it is that you want to talk about, so whether you want to talk about old ghost stories or just about what food you like, podcasts are for everybody! 

When it comes to starting your podcast though, it’s a bit harder than you’d expect, and there’s so much to try and arrange before you can even begin to record that for many beginners it becomes pretty overwhelming.

But fear not, as we’ll provide you with all of the information you need to know for you to get started on your podcasting journey. 

So, if you’re looking to start a podcast with three people involved, then here’s everything that you’re going to need to get started to ensure that you have the best podcast possible!

Before We Start

Before we delve into the equipment you should get yourselves in order to record with, it’s worth taking a moment to contemplate what sort of audio recording software you’re going to be using to make your podcast, especially if you plan on trying to keep the audio quality of the podcast to a high standard.

If you currently use a Mac, then you can just go ahead and use Garageband in order to record your podcast’s audio, and if you use a Windows PC, then Audacity works just as well too, both of these pieces of software are free, which is great for beginners who are on a budget! 

You’ll also need somewhere for you to safely store all of your MP3 files too, and setting up your own podcast website host probably isn’t an awful idea either, but none of these things are essential for you to record your podcast, to begin with, so don’t worry about it just yet. 

Now, let’s take a look at what equipment you’ll need. 

What Equipment Do You Need For 3 Person Podcast?

Podcast Setup For Three

When it comes to the equipment you’ll need in order to record a 3 person podcast, it’s a slightly lengthier list than it would be if it was just one person by themselves, as most computers will only have 1 USB slot, you’ll need to purchase a USB audio interface mixer that has enough XLR inputs for each of the hosts, but it’s also worth considering to buy one that has an extra 1 or 2 inputs spare just in case you invite guests onto the podcast!

So for those who are just starting out and are perhaps on a bit of a budget, here is the best equipment set up for yourself and two others to get started with your podcast! This is a great podcast starter kit for 3 people.

  • Microphone choice: Behringer Ultravoice XM8500 Microphone, it has great feedback suppression, a good quality shock mount system, as well as a 50 Hz to 15 kHz frequency response, so it should be more than suitable for you and your other hosts to record your voices with little background noise or interruptions.
  • Windscreen choice: On Stage Foam Windscreen, if you want to prevent any plosiveness or unwanted noise, a windscreen is necessary, this will fit most mics and will help to reduce any unwanted noise from your audio recordings, which will make editing much easier. 
  • Microphone Cable choice: CBI MLC20 Low Z XLR Microphone Cable. This cable will help to provide fantastic studio quality sound (Find out how to use microphone cables), with durable and good quality XLR connectors, as well as a metal housing to keep it all protected. 
  • Headphones choice: Audio-Technica ATH-M30x, these collapsible headphones will provide excellent mid-range definition and are well made, so should last you for a long time!

Remember, you’re going to need to buy three of each of these items in order to successfully create a podcast setup for yourself and two others, and alongside all of this, you’ll also need a way of plugging in your multiple pairs of headphones, in which case we’re going to recommend the Behringer HA400, as well as a balanced TRS cable. 

Audio Interface Options For 3 Person

You’re then going to need to choose a suitable audio interface mixer for your group, which entirely depends on the number of people you plan on having on the podcast at any one time. For a 3 person podcast, here are some of our recommendations: 

You should note though, that because these mixers don’t have a multi-track output, you won’t be able to mix each of the inputs separately, so all three of the people’s audios will be recorded as one singular file, which isn’t necessarily a huge problem, especially for beginners at first, but it might be something you want to look into upgrading if your budget happens to increase as your podcast grows bigger and gains a larger audience!

Podcast Setup For 3 people

High Quality Three Person Podcast Setup (Including My Recommendations)

Starting a 3-person podcast requires some specific equipment to ensure high-quality audio and seamless conversation. Here is a list of the primary equipment you’ll need:

  1. Microphones: You will need three high-quality microphones, one for each participant. USB microphones are the most convenient for beginners, but XLR microphones provide superior audio quality. Some popular options are the Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB, Heil PR-40, or Shure SM7B.
  2. Headphones: Three pairs of closed-back headphones are necessary to monitor your audio while recording. The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is a popular choice.
  3. Audio Interface: If you’re using XLR microphones, you’ll need an audio interface with at least three inputs to connect the microphones to your computer. A popular option is the Focusrite Scarlett 18i8.
  4. Mixer (Optional): A mixer can give you more control over the audio levels of each participant. This is especially useful if your participants have different speaking volumes.
  5. Headphone Amplifier: If your audio interface doesn’t have enough headphone outputs (which is common), you’ll need a headphone amplifier like the Behringer Microamp HA400, which will allow you to connect multiple pairs of headphones.
  6. Microphone Stands or Boom Arms: These will hold the microphones for your guests. They can either stand on the table (tabletop stands) or attach to the side of the table (boom arms).
  7. Pop Filters: These are screens that are placed in front of microphones to reduce or eliminate ‘popping’ sounds that are caused by the fast movement of air on the microphone during speech.
  8. Acoustic Treatment: This isn’t a piece of equipment per se, but it’s important to consider the acoustics of the room you’re recording in. You may need foam panels to reduce echo.
  9. Podcast Hosting: You’ll need a platform to host your podcast files. Examples include Libsyn, Podbean, or Anchor.
  10. Software: For recording, you can use software like Audacity (which is free) or Adobe Audition. For video calls with remote guests, Zoom or Skype are common choices. For editing, you might use the same software as for recording or specialized software like GarageBand (Mac) or Reaper.

The Audio Quality Is Crucial For You Success – Optimize Your Sound Quality

To ensure high audio quality for your podcast:

  • Invest in a good quality microphone, preferably XLR over USB for superior sound.
  • Choose a quiet, echo-free recording environment, and consider using soundproofing or acoustic treatments if necessary.
  • Ensure everyone uses proper microphone techniques, including proximity to the mic and using a pop filter.
  • Use a quality audio interface or mixer to balance individual microphone audio levels.
  • Perform post-production work, such as balancing audio levels, reducing background noise, and editing, using software like Audacity, Adobe Audition, or GarageBand.
  • When exporting, choose the appropriate audio format and bitrate, typically MP3 at 128 kbps for talk shows, or 256 kbps for music-inclusive podcasts.

Future Upgrades

Should your podcast become popular and begin to garner a large audience, there are a number of upgrades you could look into, such as investing in higher quality microphones with boom arms and shock mounts, as well as better quality headphones, and possibly even some cameras if you want to add recorded video on some platforms too! 

You could also begin to look at the recording and editing software you’re using and upgrade those too if you want to progress with your editing skills as well, but all of this is entirely up to you, and if your initial setup still works, then why try and fix it? 

USB Mic Options:

Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB: This is a versatile microphone with both USB and XLR outputs. It’s known for its clear sound and durable build.

Blue Yeti USB Microphone: This microphone is a favorite among podcasters for its sound quality, ease of use, and multiple pattern selection (cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional, and stereo).

Rode NT-USB: This is a studio-quality microphone with a pop shield, tripod desk stand, ring mount, and storage pouch. It’s highly regarded for its warmth and clarity.

Samson Q2U: This microphone provides both USB and XLR connections, allowing you to upgrade your setup without changing mics. It also includes a pop filter and has a good reputation for reducing background noise.

Shure MV7: Inspired by the legendary SM7B, the MV7 is a dynamic microphone with both USB and XLR outputs, allowing for digital and analog recording setups. It also includes an integrated headphone output for audio monitoring.

Conclusion

We hope you’ve enjoyed our guide to creating a podcasting setup for three people, and that you are able to begin your own podcast in the future using some of our recommendations, and remember, podcasting is all about having fun! 

Matt Brook

With a background in Journalism and years of experience in the industry, Matt brings a wealth of knowledge to the WiredClip team.

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