It’s always exciting as a podcaster when you receive new equipment. It often feels like Christmas Day when you open that package and you receive that new item for your podcast, often anticipating what might come next. As we grow in podcasting, so does our toolbox of podcasting gear. Oftentimes, as we are building our podcasting toolbox, the technology can shift and change on us dramatically and rapidly at times. So it’s always a good thing to keep in mind: technology shifts always happen, and you want to make sure those purchases are what you truly need.

As a podcaster, you should recognize if the gear that you are buying fits your needs. And for you to understand that, you must understand the range of human hearing. The common range is 20 to 20,000 Hertz. There are variations between individuals, especially at the higher frequency ranges, and the gradual loss of sensation to higher frequencies with age is considered normal. Understanding this will help you considerably when you go to purchase podcasting equipment. You will find that there are many microphones, and some of those microphones are not suitable for your needs as a podcaster. So you want your equipment to fit your needs.

As an independent podcaster, your budget might not be as big as the major podcasters out there. So understanding how to make the best with the budget that you have can help you grow in podcasting by leaps and bounds. There’s a lot of equipment that podcasters use. There’s also software involved, like your DAW (digital audio workstation). More than likely, as an independent podcaster, the chief everything hat goes upon your head. So, I do understand how we enjoy our equipment. But along with that shiny new equipment, you must understand that your sound or audio is the key here. Everything we do as a podcaster revolves around audio, and audio is frequency. So, therefore, you should understand the frequencies that can often hinder your podcasting experience. Take, for instance, as you are recording, most people are not recording in a high-quality sound booth. More than likely, you’re in your own home, and that means you’ve got things to deal with, like outside noises, and inside noises like your refrigerator or your home heating system. Central units typically range from 55 dB to about 75 dB, while window units can be as loud as 80 dB. Heat pumps are another type of HVAC system that can vary in noise levels. Air source heat pumps generally operate between 50 dB and 70 dB, while geothermal heat pumps tend to be quieter, ranging from 40 to 60 dB.

Knowing these things about sound can help you dramatically reduce errors in purchasing equipment. Knowing the types of equipment out there and what the equipment will do for you is a great thing to know before you go and purchase equipment that might not be the equipment that is the best fit for your needs. Nowadays, microphones have chips inside that can alter and enhance your voice and help block some of the bad noises that surround your recording environment. It’s always good practice to be in a good quiet area. However, sometimes you don’t get that privilege. That’s where your technology comes into play. Microphone systems nowadays have noise cancellation features with them, which truly can enhance your recording experience. You’re seeing a lot of AI (artificial intelligence) come into play in the podcasting space. Now you’re seeing SaaS (software as a service) companies leaning heavily into utilizing artificial intelligence in the software services that they are providing.

I wanted to take time in this brief article to outline the importance of understanding your needs before you purchase a lot of equipment that you might not need. I do understand that we get caught up in these circles that tell us that we need this piece of equipment to make us good or better. I think this is very important that we don’t rush into purchasing a bunch of equipment when we first dive into podcasting. I think that we should study a little bit about our needs, because a lot of the time, I see podcasters buying equipment that they can’t use or use properly. With all this hype it can easily make you say, this is too much. And the reason you are here in the podcasting space is to fulfill the bug that we call podcasting.

Know what you need for your recording environment, and then you can enjoy your adventure much more.