GEAR
BUYERS’ GUIDE
HARDCORE HARDWARE
PODCASTING FOR PROFIT Everything you need to start offering professional podcast services to your clients, or even take your own business to the next level
WORDS ADAM DUCKWORTH
P odcasting is a booming industry, with everyone from professional filmmakers, independent creators, business leaders and brands to advertisers making their own shows for eager audiences. So that means you, or your clients, should be taking a look at this increasingly influential scene. Whether you set up and produce podcasts for clients or your own brand, it’s time to get on board. On the eve of the The Podcast Show at London Islington’s Business Design Centre from 22 to 23 May, where an international audience comprising tens of thousands of creators will meet, there’s never been a better time to offer your services as a podcast provider.
YouTube – and often the sound is used as an audio-only podcast too. One option is to record a conventional multi-person round table interview and edit it afterwards, or opt to livestream it with a dedicated switcher and operator working like a TV director. While most video-capable cameras work well in terms of both image quality and connectivity, watch for battery life and recording limits on mirrorless and DSLR cameras. Professional podcasting providers are switching to PTZs that can be remotely controlled rather than each camera having its own operator on-set. So, we take a look at some of the best equipment to make professional-quality podcasts right now.
While many make do with clunky DSLRs with 30-minute cut-offs, to do it right involves proper kit that’s often different to what pro filmmakers use. Originally, podcasts were audio only, to be consumed by early adopters of the Apple iPod – hence the name. It was a shaky start, but today lots of content remains audio only and put out through streaming services. This could be as simple as one or more mics connected to a recorder or computer, recorded and edited or streamed live. There’s a lot of audio kit and podcasting products to help. However, many brands now prefer to put out a video so the audience can see what’s going on as well as listening. Lots of these are streamed or hosted on
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