Video never killed the radio star.
That may have seemed like an inevitability back during the meteoric rise of MTV. But, in these modern times, where AirPods and noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones rule the land, the audio arts are back on top.
Whether you plan to take over the airwaves with a poignant podcast or a classic radio show, you’re going to need a few tools to help you get the job done.
Ready to start recording, but aren’t sure what you need to get started? We’ve got you covered.
So, here are five essential pieces of equipment every radio station studio should have.
1. The Microphone
As long as you have a mic, you have a show.
The microphone is the most powerful tool in any radio studios arsenal. And while having a mic is enough to get the job done, some are better than others.
While everyone’s sound preferences are different, the mic you choose should be mountable (more on this later) and come with background noise cancellation capabilities.
Finally, no matter what kind of microphone you end up getting, you should strongly consider investing in a puff guard or pop filter — also known as a windscreen. Your editor and listeners will thank you.
2. A Mixer
Ever watched a movie where you could barely hear the dialog over the score?
Anyone who has ever worked in audio knows the importance of keeping everything balanced and, more importantly, level.
If one person is talking much louder than another, that can lead to a painful and frustrating listener experience. But, with a mixer, you can make sure everything your listeners hear comes out around the same volume, no matter what’s happening in the studio.
3. Headphones
It can be hard to tell whether your audio sounds right if you aren’t listening to it.
While you want to make sure your headphones have excellent sound quality, so you can monitor audio levels in real-time, you also want to make sure they’re comfortable enough to wear over long recording sessions.
Your headphones should also be somewhat noise canceling to block-out any background that could make hearing your show difficult and have a long enough cord so you can move freely around your studio while you work.
4. The Mic Mount
There’s a reason radio studios have been hanging their microphones since the beginning of time.
Mounting your microphone on a desk or holding it in your hand can lead to a lot of audio mishaps, like loud taps, bumps, and scratches that can ruin your recording and your listener’s experience.
A mount keeps your microphone up and out of harms reach, so you can talk freely and move around without having to worry about compromising audio quality.
5. A Computer
Radio has come a long way since 1979. These days the only other thing you need in your radio studio outside of your mic is your computer.
From recording segments to broadcasting your show, a computer will help you handle every single aspect of making a radio show.
While some studios prefer to build their machines themselves to make sure they have enough juice to run their shows, you can get started with something as simple as a laptop.
All you need is a good machine and some radio automation software, and you’re ready to start broadcasting.
Stocking Your Radio Station Studio
While there are plenty of other tools and toys that can take your radio station studio to the next level, these five pieces of equipment are all you need to get started.
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