If you are among People when you’re reading this, look to your left. Now look to your right. Statistically speaking, the people on either side of you are more likely to have their own podcasts. You likely have many people in your life who fit the bill as well. The good news is that the proliferation of podcasts means that better and better tools are being produced to help hosts step up their games.
A few months ago, I wrote a How to Podcast article showcasing some tips and tricks I’ve used on my own show, Real. It’s pretty much a one-man production at the moment, but I’ve been able to up my game considerably, thanks to new technology.
You’ll find a lot of what I personally use on this list. Some items are more expensive than others, but the good news is that in 2023, you won’t have to pay as much to produce a great display. And if you’re looking for great new shows, check out our podcasts covering startups, founders, and the cryptocurrency space: justice, is found And Chain reaction.
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Roadcaster Pro II
Several years after its initial release, RODECaster Pro remains the gold standard for building studios on the go. This system is great for personal productions, especially those that don’t have a fixed location. When I’m using a very portable rig, nothing beats a Tascam and two microphones, but if you want to recreate the feel of a four-mic studio, without the cost of a true professional soundboard, this is the place to go.
It’s very easy to use right out of the box, and offers plenty of controls and customization, as well as features like music cue trigger pads for real-time podcast production. It’s the perfect gift for the seasoned amateur podcaster looking to take things to the next level.
Tula Mike
![](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9813.jpg)
Image credits: Brian Heater
I could have easily stuck this in my travel gift guide. As someone whose job requires me to travel once a month, I was looking for a way to up my hotel check-in game. The Tula microphone has it all: good looks, great sound quality, and a compact, foldable design that fits comfortably in your carry-on.
The microphone connects to your computer via the USB-C port and offers a range of different settings. You can also take it on the go for field recordings, thanks to a 12-hour battery life and 8GB of internal storage. It’s a well thought out piece of hardware up and down.
Shore MV7
I’ve been around a lot of USB microphones – especially during the pandemic. The Shure MV7 is the first device I really fell in love with. Once I picked this up, I recorded every episode of my podcast, moderated dozens of panel discussions and had countless meetings with her. In fact, it remains permanently connected to my desktop at all times.
Now, this isn’t quite the professional level of Shure’s SM7B headphones—generally considered the gold standard for podcasting microphones. But the MV7 is cheaper and, more importantly, features a USB input so you can get great sound without having to use separate audio interface devices.
Insta 360 link
This webcam is another home desktop gadget. It’s weird to say this, but I get compliments on my video quality all the time during business meetings. Video goes up to 4K, but for most things, you’re more than fine with 1080p. However, the extra resolution really comes in handy when using the 5x digital zoom with minimal image degradation. If you tend to move around a lot, don’t worry, the built-in electronic gimbal has you covered.
The Insta360 desktop software is also foolproof, making sure you frame things properly beforehand, so you don’t look like an amateur, editing things after you’re already logged in.
Scanner ring light
During the pandemic, many of us have had to confront how poorly lit our home is. While a good webcam can go a long way toward improving your image, it’s nothing without a good light source. There are a lot of ring lights on the market, but I finally got this one from gaming giant Razer.
The price is certainly right, and the system can be mounted on a tripod or on the back of the monitor. However, my advice is that dressing straight is not always best, especially if you wear glasses. You’ll need to experiment with setup a bit, but fortunately, the installation system gives you all kinds of options here.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
![](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_9872.jpg)
Image credits: Brian Heater
My advice to all podcasters is: wear headphones. And try to keep your guests in their place when possible. It will make your job as an editor much easier. For most amateur podcasters, I generally encourage a pair of over-ear headphones that you also intend to use in your daily life. If you’re recording remotely, you probably don’t need a pair of high-end monitors.
I would choose the QuietComfort Ultra based on track record (they’re currently up for pre-order). Bose makes great headphones that can be worn all day, so you can use them for podcasts, meetings, and take them on long trips, thanks to their extremely comfortable design.
I also highly recommend looking at a pair with auxiliary inputs. This is a really useful feature for editing, not to mention those fickle airplane seatback video systems.
Subscriptions
![Riverside. FM](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/riverside.jpg)
Image credits: Riverside. FM
As a general rule, subscriptions make great gifts. This definitely applies to podcasting. I feel like every month I hear about another service I want to sign up for in order to take my offering to the next level. Here are some of my current favorites:
Riverside.fm ($15 per month): I’ve recommended Zencastr in previous years, but ultimately the platform caused me a lot of grief. For $15 a month, Riverside gives you up to five hours of high-quality remote video and audio recording.
Voice ($10.50 per month): The newest addition to my workflow saves me several hours a month. Upload an audio clip and Auphonic will straighten it and remove background noise within minutes.
Otter ($10 per month): Otter is a godsend for both transcription and editing. For the latter, an AI-based service can help you find keywords in no time.
Podcast Page ($12 per month): A very easy-to-use service that creates a professional-looking website for your presentation. I was dealing with an injury last weekend and spent a few hours customizing my demo page. The flexibility is impressive for a visual editor.