There really isn’t any need to spend a fortune to get started. Very little equipment is required and you don’t have to have the top-of-the-range stuff to begin with.

“That’s easy for you to say, Lisa, but you have a professional recording studio at your disposal!”

True, but when I record interviews for the SWBN podcast all I use is a Plantronics headset, my old beat-up laptop, Skype and Pamela (for recording the call). For the simple editing and mixing that the podcast requires I use Cool Edit Pro (now Adobe Audition) but could just as easily use Audacity.

Due to file sizes, you don’t need your audio to be studio quality anyway, and if you are conducting interviews your interviewee is unlikely to have top notch equipment, so the simpler your equipment the better.

Really, all you need is a computer, a “decent” microphone, recording software and something to say.

What is a “decent” microphone?

The sound of your voice can be dramatically improved (sound richer and clearer) with a good microphone but it doesn’t have to be an expensive, professional studio mic. I would avoid the $20 Radio Shack (Tandy) mics but a Plantronics headset (such as the DSP 400) will do the trick. Also highly recommended are the Snowball USB mics from Blue Microphones which work for PCs and MACs.

If you are recording phone interviews then one of the cheapest ways to do this is to use Skype (especially if your interviewee has Skype too, as this makes your call free) and I recommend using Pamela to record.

As you become more experienced with your podcasting and if you decide to do more recording you can then think about upgrading your equipment, but if you are a beginner and just want to get started – keep it simple!