Most “video podcast setup” guides are just long lists of gear that include affiliate links. At Vidpros, we have produced over 500 video podcasts. Raw uploads immediately tell you how many video podcasters patched their equipment together rather than wiring it all up at once. This is structured the same way as our editors approach the job: first, choose your Format, then build a rig to support it. If you don’t get enough traffic from your pilot, you can always scale back a level. For broader strategies about creating a successful video podcast, go to our complete video podcast guide.
This piece will focus specifically on the hardware.
Step 1: determine your Format
Your Format determines nearly everything else down the line. That includes the type of gear you’ll use in the studio (or home office), whether you’ll be renting a studio or shooting in-house, the software tools you’ll need to edit your content, and ultimately what your editor has to charge you to clean up the mess after you’ve finished editing.
We regularly receive submissions for five different formats:
- Solo host. One mic, one camera, optional screen capture for b-roll.
- 2-person in-person. Two mics, two cameras, one acoustically treated room.
- Panel (three or more guests, in person). Multi-mic setup on a mixer or interface with four or more channels, a camera framing each speaker, and a producer riding levels.
- Remote multi-guest. Each guest records locally in browser-based software such as Riverside, Zencastr or StreamYard.
- Studio setup with multiple cameras. multiple cameras connected to an ATEM Mini, each camera records its own ISO file independent of the others and a separate audio interface bypasses the switcher’s built-in audio capability.
Only when you have shot and delivered six to twelve episodes should you consider upgrading. Spending money on a multi-camera studio setup before you have even completed a pilot episode is the most costly mistake we typically see.
Solo Video Podcast Equipment Build: Choosing the Right Podcast Camera And Equipment Across Budget Tiers
Regardless of budget, three tiers represent the practical spending limits for building a solid solo pod equipment package.
Sub-$1k tier.
- Samson Q2U USB / XLR microphone ($70)
- Logitech Brio webcam ($199)
- Basic 2-LED ring light kit ($80)
- Apple EarPods or any pair of closed-back wired headphones ($30)
- Foldable mic stand ($40)
If you want better video than the brio, a tripod-mounted iPhone 12 pro or later can serve as the primary camera.
Total cost: roughly $420 as listed, or $500-600 once you add a stand upgrade and cables
Buzzsprout recommends much the same starting point, pairing a Samson Q2U with a RODECaster-style interface once you outgrow USB (Buzzsprout.com)
1k-3k tier.
- Shure MV7 dynamic microphone ($249)
- Sony ZV-E10 mirrorless camera w/kit lens ($800)
- Single Aputure MC or Amaran 60D LED panel softbox kit ($300-400)
- Beyerdynamic DT 770 closed-back headphones ($169)
- Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 audio interface ($199)
- Manfrotto tripod fluid head ($200)
Total cost: $1900-2200
At this price point, the audio quality is no longer limited by the microphones but instead by the quality of your room.
$3k+ tier.
- Shure SM7B with Cloudlifter ($499)
- Sony FX30 cinema camera ($1,800 body) with a Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 (about $2,350 together)
- Aputure 300x parabolic softbox kit ($1400)
- RODECaster Pro II ($699)
- Sennheiser HD 280 Pro headphones ($120)
- Acoustic treatment kit for small room ($400-700)
This investment is justified once you’re beyond episode 25 and high-quality audio and video content is driving subscription growth that pays back for the cost of these products.
Do not jump ahead. Every tier greater than Sub-$1k is based on shipping a pilot. When you purchase a Sony FX30 first as a solo host, you tend to under invest in the quality of the room and it’s ultimately the room that the camera will reveal.
2-person in-person podcast build
Two people changes the equation entirely. You will need duplicate versions of mics, cameras, headphones, plus a room that does not reflect One host’s vocal energy into another host’s microphone.
The build that tends to work best is duplicating Two Shure MV7s, Two sony zv-e10s into either an ATEM Mini ($295) or recording independently onto SD card media, and a Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 ($299) to manage both mics and send them out through a stereo headphone output. Both cameras sit roughly thirty degrees off axis, so neither host is looking down the barrel of a lens. That gives you a flattering three-quarter view on camera while the hosts keep natural eye contact with each other.
As previously stated room quality is critical here because Two voices reflected off walls and ceiling in an untreated 12 x 12 space cause comb filtering that no amount of software processing (such as RX 11) will correct. Non negotiable items for Acoustic treatment include panels placed behind both speakers and on a wall parallel to the speakers along with a rug.
Eye contact frame geometry and switcher configuration details are provided in the multi-camera podcast edit workflow.
One thing editors catch on nearly every 2-person upload: mismatched mic discipline. If one host wears a lapel and the other relies on a desk mic and then leans back to talk, their level drops out from under them — and levelling that by hand costs about twenty minutes an episode.
Panel build: three or more guests in the same room
A panel is not a bigger 2-person build. The moment a third microphone opens in the room, every mic is recording every other speaker, and that bleed — not the camera count — is what makes panels expensive to edit.
Mics and interface. One dynamic mic per seat, close-miked, on a boom arm rather than a desk stand so nobody drifts off axis mid-answer. You need four or more preamps: a Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 ($549) or the RODECaster Pro II ($699), which handles four mics and records each to its own track. Avoid any mixer that only gives you a stereo bounce — if four voices arrive as one file, nobody can lift a cough off a punchline.
Cameras. One camera framing each speaker plus a wide that holds the whole table. Four cameras on a panel of three is normal, not excessive. Every camera records to its own card as well as feeding the switcher, so a dropped HDMI does not cost you a seat.
The producer earns their keep here. Someone rides the faders and pulls down the mics that are not speaking. On an unattended panel, expect your editor to spend most of the cleanup budget on bleed rather than on cuts.
The room. A panel loads a space far harder than two hosts. Treat the wall behind the camera as well as the wall behind the speakers, because every microphone is now pointed at somebody else’s reflection.
Editor’s note. Label channels by seat, not by preamp number — PANEL_SEAT_1_HOST, PANEL_SEAT_2_GUEST — so the edit can match a face to a track without solo-ing all four.
Setting Up Multi-Guest Recording from Home: Using Podcast Headphones and Wired Headphones
We don’t think the success of a remote multi-guest recording session will be in the recording platform itself. Instead, each guest’s recording will be done on their own computer. This way, as long as they have a decent internet connection, even if the internet connection drops out during the recording, the recording process itself will continue un-interrupted. All three of the platforms listed above work this same way. We have written an article about the tradeoffs between them called our remote recording comparison.
Before you begin a remote session with your guests we recommend the following:
- Give your guests a 3-line checklist for preparing for the recording at least 24 hours before hand. Ask them to check their mic, headphones, and ensure that Chrome or Edge is open, with no other tabs streaming.
- Encourage your guests to connect via Ethernet if available. Wi-Fi usually holds. When it does not, it tends to take down the guest you least want to lose.
- Tell your guests to use wired ear-buds or close backed headphones. When a guest records on AirPods, the result sounds like AirPods on both ends of the line. Editors can do nothing to correct this.
- Before starting your recording ask your guests to record a 15 second test, then have them listen back to make sure their audio and video are both acceptable.
The speed of your internet connection should not matter as much as it would for live streaming since you are uploading the recording locally. However, having enough bandwidth (at least 25 mbps) will allow you to complete the upload while your guests are still connected. The biggest reason why a remote session fails is when a guest closes the web page before the file upload is completed.
Building a Multi-Camera Podcast Studio for Recording and Live Streaming
Studio systems typically start around episode 50. They have consistent guest(s), produce ad revenue and have a producer that operates the switcher. This is how it works:
Three Sony FX30s or Blackmagic Pocket 6Ks feed an ATEM Mini Extreme ($999) via HDMI. In addition, each camera has a SD Card ISO, so if there was ever a problem with the video recorded by the switcher, then this would be able to serve as a back-up. Independent audio feeds run into either a Zoom F8n Pro or RODECaster Pro II, but will not go into the ATEM. Lighting includes key lighting + fill lighting + back ground lighting per host; along with practicals for added depth.
The producer controls all of the faders and switches between cameras when a new speaker begins speaking. If no producer were operating the switcher then the production team would shoot flat multi-camera. Then in post, the editor builds the show from the ISO files.
The internet connection used in the studio does not matter unless the production is being streamed live.
The key podcasting equipment summary.
Below is the recommended gear by format. The prices were last checked from B&H Photo Video and the manufacturers’ websites in march of 2026. If you would like to go deeper into the gear and how it all works together, please visit the deeper gear breakdown section.
|
Category |
Under $1000 option |
Mid range option |
Top of the line option |
|
Microphone |
Samson Q2U ($70) |
Shure MV7 ($249) |
Shure SM7B + Cloudlifter ($499) |
|
Camera |
Logitech Brio ($199) or iPhone |
Sony ZV-E10 ($800) |
Sony FX30 body ($1,800) |
|
Lighting |
A basic LED ring light kit ($80) |
Aputure MC + softbox ($300) |
Aputure 300x ($1,400) |
|
Audio interface |
Use a direct USB connection from your microphone to your computer. |
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 ($199) |
RODECaster Pro II ($699) |
|
Headphones |
Apple EarPods ($30) |
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro ($120) |
Beyerdynamic DT 770 ($169) |
|
Software to record with your computer |
OBS Studio (free) |
Riverside Standard ($19/mo) or Zencastr Standard ($20/mo) |
Riverside Pro ($29/month) |
The main reasons that ring lights have become so popular for use with podcasts is due to their ability to provide a softened shadow on the face while creating a recognizable “catchlight” in the eye area. Two inexpensive lights beat one expensive one, because you can shape each side independently. A pair of small LED panels with diffusion does this better than a pair of ring lights, but either reads fine on camera.
We have moved beyond the level of quality needed to be heard and seen professionally with podcasting equipment. Therefore, you should invest most of your budget dollars on the microphone and the room and add a new camera later. As everyone knows no matter what type of content you produce there is nothing worse than poor quality audio.
Pairing of the best editing & recording software
When it comes to video recording and editing software, you do not necessarily need to use the same system for both. We see many different combinations of systems that are used by creators who send us their content for editing. Below is a list of some of the most popular software pairs we see coming through our door, ordered from best to worst based on how easily they can be handed over to an editor.
Recording: Riverside Pro ($29/mo). Editing: DaVinci Resolve (free) or Adobe Premiere ($22.99/mo).
In order to work together, you will want to look for a recording program that produces file formats compatible with your chosen edit program. In this case, Riverside creates a WAV and MP4 file for each speaker in your episode. These files contain accurate timestamp data so that when an editor opens them up in either Resolve or Premiere, they will be able to find each clip correctly. This combination is probably the one we see most often as it allows for easy turnaround times for creators sending content to YouTube.
Recording: Zencastr Standard ($20/mo). Editing: Descript ($16/mo yearly) or DaVinci Resolve.
Zencastr has historically been focused on creating high quality recordings for podcasts. Therefore, their recording programs isolate microphones better than other recording programs available today. If you decide to record using Zencastr, then you may also want to consider using Descript. Descript uses a transcription based process to create an initial version of your edited podcast.
Recording: OBS Studio (Free). Editing: DaVinci Resolve (free).
If you’re looking for free options to record and edit videos, OBS Studio and DaVinci Resolve offer everything needed to get started. OBS can capture video and audio from your computer screen along with video from your web camera. When combined with DaVinci Resolve, which offers advanced features such as multi-camera support and chroma keying capabilities, these two free applications can help you create professional-looking videos. However, this option requires a steeper learning curve but costs nothing.
Recording: Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Extreme + ISO files. Editing: Adobe Premiere or DaVinci Resolve.
This application is geared toward studio-style producers. When using the ATEM Mini Extreme, ISO files are created for each source being captured. ISO files allow editors to choose which shots to include in the final version of the video. As long as everyone involved starts the recording session with the same time code (usually achieved via clapping or jam-syncing), ISO files can greatly increase the efficiency of the editing process.
Regarding AI-edited tools:
Alitu provides end-to-end automated podcast editing services for non-technical creators at $38/month (The Podcast Host). According to CyberLink, PowerDirector with AudioDirector was named PCMag’s #1 Video Editing Software of 2026 (CyberLink).
Plugins including AutoCut, AutoPod, and FireCut can automate what would normally take 2-3 hours of editing time into just minutes of editing time.
AI plugins can provide useful information that helps editors complete the job faster; however, editors should always review what AI generated to correct any mistakes.
You’ll find a more detailed explanation of the post-stack software pairing in our editing software pairings guide
Acoustic Treatment & Recording Space
By far the largest cost omitted from podcast setup expense lists is the room itself. A $500 mic in a poorly treated bedroom will sound worse than a $70 mic recorded in a closet with $400 of treatment in it. The quality of your recordings is ultimately determined by the room first and then the microphone.
In terms of importance:
In order: panels on the wall directly behind your speaker, then the adjacent walls, then a rug on the floor, then soft furniture around the space, and finally a corner bass trap if low frequencies are building up (Audimute.com) . Panels from Audimute and the London Room Kits from Primacoustic (costing 400-700 for a very small recording space) should handle all but extreme situations. The ultimate goal is to create a reflection-free zone where initial reflections do not reach your mic prior to the direct sound being absorbed and decayed.
The smaller your room is (under 100 square feet), the easier it is to treat acoustically. Our editors have found that the NearStream compact kit guidelines for treating rooms under 100 square feet are consistent with what they hear in clear uploads. Free Hack: Record in the smallest room possible with the greatest amount of soft surfaces. If you cannot get actual panels installed, using a large walk-in closet full of hanging clothes as your acoustic treatment option until you can afford real panels.
Editors’ favorite wiring and labeling systems (Original Vidpros)
The section that most set-up guides gloss over but that could save your editor 4 hours per show.
Label both ends of all cables. Use a Brother P-Touch or any other thermal label maker. Label makers make labels last much longer than printed labels made with regular printers and tape since they won’t peel off in 3 months. Your labels need to match your channel names in your DAW or interface NOT the manufactured port names. For example, HOST_MIC_1, not XLR_IN_3.
Our editors like to follow this standard Vidpros wiring guide for two people doing a video podcast:
Host A mic goes to Interface Input #1 and is labeled HOST_A
Host B Mic goes to Interface Input #2 and is labeled HOST_B
Camera A SD Card Folder is named CAM_A_HOST_A_FACING
Camera B SD Card Folder is named CAM_B_HOST_B_FACING
Wide camera SD Card Folder is named CAM_C_WIDE
Audio is exported as separate WAV files for each host and their names are based upon matching those used for camera folders.
As soon as your editor starts setting up the project, each track and each clip line up perfectly by name. They never have to guess which camera shows which side of each person.
If needed, take a three-second clap at the beginning of your file to ensure that your audio and video are in-sync visually if either has drifted apart. The clap is your safety net.
For multi-camera productions, mark the SD Card Slot Number on tape on each card so you know which slot to insert it into again after offloading. This will cut down 20 minutes of detective work next time someone swaps card B into camera A.
Here are the top 5 things you will do wrong with your raw upload:
- Your mic is too far away from your mouth. For dynamic microphones such as the Samson Q2U (or Shure MV7) keep them within 3 inches of your mouth. Anything further than this and the microphone picks up the noise of the room.
- You use a camera that sits at chest level. Your camera lens needs to sit at eye level. Recording a video where the camera is pointing straight down at you creates an unflattering view of your face and screams amateurism in just three seconds.
- Not treating your recording space. Many people say “I will fix that in post,” however, nothing fixes the sound of comb filtering in a poorly treated room.
- Only using one audio feed for both hosts. No matter what type of podcast you record always record two different feeds for each host. This way when one of you coughs into the other person’s punch line the producer can simply remove that part of the feed. Bounced-down audio does not allow for this.
- You don’t create a local backup copy. All three recording apps above save a local version of your recording. Create your main recording from your local version and use the cloud as your backup. People who rely solely on the cloud versions of their recordings will lose about 3% of their recordings due to issues with uploading (“the upload didn’t finish.”)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a good sounding set-up for cheap?
The best low-cost option would be to buy a Samson Q2U ($70), place your iPhone on a tripod, attach the earbuds to your phone, and then put everything in a small acoustically treated closet. That will cost less than $200 and will produce a product that sounds and looks similar to a $1500 system to almost all listeners.
Am I required to hire a professional podcast editing service?
If you are doing a hobby show you probably do not need to hire someone to professionally edit your show. However, if you are producing a high volume show, require high-quality output, and want to spend more time promoting your show and not editing then hiring someone to professionally edit is your best bet. It typically takes 4-8 hours of editor time per hour of finished video podcast content to produce a polished show (Rise25.com). If you can charge more than an editor costs by the hour then there is little doubt that hiring an editor is going to be financially beneficial to you.
Which platform is easier to use for remote interviews?
Use Riverside if you have a video-first model and intend to make money off of YouTube views. Use Zencastr if you have an audio-first model and plan on making some money with video but are primarily focused on creating revenue from audio-only channels and want to bundle hosting with your application.
Are Ring Lights Outdated?
Modern LED panel lights with soft boxes provide a better visual experience than ring lights, but even a basic $40 ring light at 5600K with the dimmer turned to 60% provides enough light to look acceptable on camera, especially considering it’s much cheaper than buying no lighting at all. As long as you capture catchlight in the subject’s eyes – regardless of whether that comes from natural light or artificial sources – that’s usually the determining factor.
How Long Should Each Episode Be?
For most podcasters, episodes that fall between 20-40 minutes seem to strike the right balance between allowing guests to share ideas and keeping viewers engaged (The Podcast Host). Of course, longer episodes can work after you’ve built an audience loyal enough to stick around.
Closing Thoughts & Getting Started
Recording video podcasts requires skill, and like any form of artistry, skill multiplies with experience. Your first six episodes recorded on a sub-$1000 rig will likely teach you more than any new piece of equipment could ever hope to. Choose your format, build the equipment needed to match that format, shoot your pilot episode. Before upgrading to the next step – i.e., the camera – treat the room first. Don’t forget to label every single cable.
When your podcast starts coming across clean, your next barrier will be how quickly you can edit and publish subsequent episodes. We receive raw multitracks uploaded from clients’ ATEM rigs, OBS rigs, Zencastr rigs, and Riverside rigs, and deliver a finished episode plus eight vertical clips on a fixed monthly price. If you find yourself spending Saturday afternoons editing timelines rather than recording, consider handing over the post-production process to Vidpros, or check out our complete launch guide for the full strategy roadmap.
Send us a sample episode and we will edit your first one free, so you can see how your files behave inside a human edited timeline before committing to anything.
Sources: Buzzsprout equipment guide; The Podcast Host editing software roundup; CyberLink/PCMag video podcast software 2026; NearStream setup guide; Audimute and Primacoustic acoustic treatment guidance; Rise25 podcast production pricing. Pricing verified March 2026; vendor sites override anything quoted here.
