Equipment
Sound Professional on Your Live Radio Shows
Here’s a list of the equipment I’m currently using to make myself sound the best I can on air. I’ve included some explanation of how I use or connect each, and why you’d want to use some of these devices!
Full disclosure: all of the “buy” buttons are affiliate links. If you purchase any of these items at Amazon, I will get a small commission (at no additional cost to you.)
— Aaron
Microphone
Shure SM7B Vocal Dynamic Microphone
An industry standard; you’ll see tons of podcasters using this mic. It requires you speak directly into it and doesn’t pick up extraneous sounds like air conditioners, outside noises, or other people speaking in the same room! Worth every penny.
Mic Pre-Amp
Triton Audio FetHead in-Line Microphone Preamp
The SM7B microphone needs this pre-amplifier to boost its signal. Without a pre-amp, the output of the mic will be quite low. This device is placed in-line between two XLR cables. It is powered with phantom power provided by the Scarlett device listed below.
Mic Boom/Arm
RØDE PSA1+ Professional Studio Arm with Spring Damping and Cable Management
Don’t buy a bargain price, standard arm. My bargain arm eventually bent from the weight of my microphone and my regular swinging and adjusting it. The Røde arm is heavy duty, very secure and sturdy. I have one for my mic and another one for an iPad!
Cables
2-pack 6-foot male-to-female XLR mic cables
Be sure to buy good XLR cables to connect your mic to the in-line preamp, and from the preamp to the Scarlett device.
Audio Interface
Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface
You need a way to get the microphone’s output into your phone or tablet. This audio interface is simple and elegant. Simply plug the mic in, set the volume at around 10 o’clock, click the “Air” button to boost your voice, and connect it to your device using the USB cable and “Camera Adapter” described below.
USB-C -to- USB-A cable
etguuds 2-pack 3-foot USB Type C to Type A Cable
You can use this brand or any other, and you really only need a single cable. But ensure you have the proper ends: Male USB C on one end, and Male USB on the other.
Apple Camera Adapter
(ONLY BUY APPLE VERSION!)
Apple Lightning to USB3 Camera Adapter
This device will connect the Scarlett audio interface to your iPhone or iPad. It has two inputs: a USB A jack, and a “Lightning” jack. Plug the USB cable from the Scarlett into it. Plug in a standard USB/Lightning power cable into the other jack. Plug the short corded end of this adapter into your iPhone or iPad. This arrangement will allow your device to continually charge while also feeding the output of your Scarlett into the device. Spend your money on the official one; the imitations do not work.
Professional Sound-Isolating Headphones
Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone
There are a lot of headphones on the market. If you are looking for very high fidelity and sound isolation, these over-the-ears phones fit the bill. My first pair of these, purchased in the late 80’s, lasted for decades. I’m on my second pair.
Simpler headphones that permit outside sound
Sennheiser PC 3.2 Chat – Lightweight Stereo Headset With Adjustable Noise-Cancelling Microphone
I use my Sennheiser headphones when I do live radio shows. They allow me to hear myself speak, plus some ambient sound in the room. They have a microphone boom, too, so can be easily popped directly into my iPhone or iPad for a direct connection. When I do live radio shows, I disconnect the microphone wire on the headset cord.
Six-foot four-conductor 3.5mm male-to-female audio extension cable
Zeskit Premium 3.5mm Jack Male to Female AUX Audio Extension Cable
There are plenty of companies that sell these cables, but you want to be sure your plugs have THREE RINGS, which means they have four conductors: power, left, right and voice. These extensions come in handy for lengthening the headphones’ reach.
Flexible wire-conduit tubing
Alex Tech 25ft – 1/2 inch Cord Protector Wire Loom Tubing Cable Sleeve Split Sleeving for USB Audio Video Power Cord
This flexible tubing has a seam that you can open and wrap around several cables at once. Keep your workspace organized and neat! You can cut it into exact lengths.
Velcro wire ties
VELCRO Brand Cable Ties
Having a package of these Velcro ties around keeps my workspace organized. I have my iPad on a second Rode arm, and use the flexible tubing and Velcro ties to secure a bunch of wires neatly along the contours of the arm.