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Everyone has a podcast now, covering topics ranging from true-crime and ghost stories to sex and relationship advice.

There are also a few weird ones out there like PodCats, a podcast co-hosted by Dan Alexander and EJ Dickson that explores such topics as how the musical Cats got made on Broadway in the ‘80s, what Anne Hathaway might have done with the role of Grizabella, and, of course, Digital Fur Technology.

The hosts of the podcast are also part of the minority who actually enjoyed the nightmare-inducing acid trip that is the Cats movie.

As you can see, the sky really is the limit when it comes to the expansive world of podcasts, so if you’ve been thinking of starting your own, there’s no time like the present to get started.

How to start and what you need, on the other hand, is a little trickier than picking a topic, which is why WIRED decided to compile a handy guide for the first-time podcaster.

Getting Started

Brainstorm ideas, collect interesting articles and think about how to make what you’re offering different from what’s already out there.

Putting together a podcast, for example, that mirrors the format of This American Life, is a guaranteed path to failure. You just can’t compete with Ira Glass, or his Pulitzer.

You’ll Need A Good Computer

Yeah, it’s possible to record a podcast on your smartphone, but it’s easier and more professional to do it on a computer.

You can buy all the equipment and editing programs out there designed for a PC, or you can just invest in an Apple Mac.

Recording a podcast is super easy using the built-in tools that come with almost all Macs, and the whole process of editing and exporting takes just a few minutes for a simple audio podcast.

Here’s how to do that:

1. Open QuickTime Player from the Applications folder or from Spotlight

2. From the File menu, choose ‘New Audio Recording’ and press the start button to begin.

3. Once you’ve finished your recording, hit the stop button and save the file.

4. You can download Garage Band from the app store. You’ll use this to edit your content.

Simple.

Audio Gear

Whether you’re using a Mac or a regular laptop, there’s no harm in upping the sound quality of your podcast.

Most built-in mics on headphones, phones, and laptops do the job for calls and Zoom meetings, but they’re not quite as great-sounding as you probably want your podcast stories or streams to be. The easiest way to upgrade your audio is to snag a USB microphone. These mics plug straight into your computer and allow you to record audio in surprisingly high fidelity given their ease of setup.

Google around and do your research before you commit to something.

Recording Multiple People

You can go it alone, but you might want to partner up with a friend or interview the occasional guest. That’s where an audio interface comes in.

These are external audio cards that plug into a computer via a USB or Thunderbolt port and allow you to use traditional non-USB microphones. They also typically have headphone jacks, so you can listen as you record.

They can be pricey, but WIRED reckons you could get away with the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, with two mic inputs, a cool red colour, and decent sound quality.

A Pop Filter

A number of microphones come with built-in filters that stop your ‘Ps’ from making a weird and unpleasant popping sound.

If yours doesn’t have one, it might be worth buying a cheap pop filter that can easily attach to a desk or mic stand.

Decent Headphones

A good pair of studio-quality headphones will help to limit mic feedback and bleed, and you’ll look more professional. Another option is to find yourself a pair of gaming headphones. They’re not as good, but they’ll do the job.

A Mic Stand

While most USB microphones come with a built-in mic stand, if you want to move it around or place it somewhere a built-in stand doesn’t allow, you might want to stock up on a few options.

As you go on, and if your podcast becomes successful, you can look into upgrading or adding to your equipment.

For now, you have a list of the essentials, so that you can get started.

Happy podcasting.

May the voice be with you.

[source:wired]