Essential Gear for a 3-Person Podcast Setup (2025)

Starting a podcast with your friends, co-hosts, or colleagues can be an exciting venture.

To host a podcast with three people, you need the right equipment. This will help you get professional-quality audio and a smooth production process.

With today’s advanced and accessible technology, even small teams can create high-quality content without breaking the bank.

This guide will help you with the equipment and tips to set up a 3-person podcast. It is for aspiring podcasters, content creators, and audio fans. From microphones to software, we’ve got everything covered to give you the confidence to get your show on the air.

Why Having the Right Podcast Setup Matters

Quality audio is the backbone of successfully recording a podcast. Listeners are more likely to engage with and return to a podcast that sounds professional. Poor audio can be distracting and frustrating to follow.

A clear recording helps build trust. It also shows your audience that you value their time and experience.

With few distractions like static, echoes, or uneven sound, your listeners can focus on your content. This could be an insightful interview, a compelling story, or valuable industry insights. Investing in quality audio equipment and editing can help you build a loyal audience. It can also help you stand out in the busy podcast world.

The Basics of a 3-Person Podcast Setup:

Recording Equipment for capturing crystal-clear voices.
Audio Interfaces or Mixers to connect everything together.
Headphones for precise monitoring.
Boom Arms and Accessories for convenience and comfort.
Recording Software for editing and production.

Now, let’s go through these components in greater detail.

1. Choosing the Right Microphones

With three hosts, it’s important to have microphones that clearly capture voices. They should also reduce background noise for a professional sound.

Dynamic microphones are a good choice, especially if they have XLR connections. They are made to capture voices well and block out unwanted background noise.

Dynamic microphones work better in untreated spaces than condenser microphones. Condenser mics are more sensitive and pick up room noise. This makes dynamic mics ideal for podcasts or recordings in less controlled environments.

Investing in quality microphones will enhance your audio production and create a better listening experience for your audience.

Here are our top microphone recommendations:

Best Overall Microphone

Shure SM7dB

This dynamic microphone is a popular choice for podcasters. It has great sound quality and a built-in pop filter. This filter helps remove popping sounds from letters like “P” and “B.”

It has a cardioid polar pattern. This means it picks up sound directly in front of the mic and ignores background noise.

Built-in preamp for +28dB gain boost.
Excellent noise rejection for untreated spaces.
Broadcast-quality sound for professional recordings.

Alternative:

Electro-Voice RE20

This podcast mic has a similar frequency response to the Shure SM7dB, making it an excellent choice for podcasting. It also has a built-in pop filter and shock mount to reduce vibrations and unwanted noise.

Budget Option:

Shure MV7 (USB/XLR Hybrid)

This mic is a great entry-level option for those on a budget. It has both USB and XLR connectivity, making it easy to use with multiple devices. It also has built-in voice isolation technology for enhanced clarity.

Versatile with both USB and XLR options.
Advanced noise reduction with intuitive voice isolation technology.
Built-in DSP

These options accommodate all budgets, ensuring stellar audio quality no matter which you choose.

2. Audio Interface or Mixer

To connect XLR microphones to your computer, you need an audio interface or mixer. These devices link professional audio equipment to your computer.

They ensure high-quality sound by converting analog audio signals into digital ones. For a three-person podcast, choose an audio interface or mixer with at least three XLR inputs. This lets you connect each microphone separately. Doing this helps you control and mix the sound better.

Also, check for features like gain adjustment, phantom power for condenser mics, and USB compatibility for easy computer connection.

Best Audio Mixer:

RØDECaster Pro II

This flexible mixer is made for podcasting. It has four XLR inputs, which is great for a 3-person setup. It also has sound effects and jingles already loaded. You can also record directly onto an SD card.

Professional-quality recording with built-in compressor and high-pass filter.
Four XLR inputs with premium preamps.
Built-in sound effects, EQ, and compression.
USB and Bluetooth connectivity for versatile setups.
Easy integration with smartphones for remote guests or call-ins.
Built-in sound effects and customizable jingles for added production value.

Zoom PodTrak P8

This is a great choice with six XLR inputs. It is perfect for larger panels, guest interviews, or podcasts with many people. Its versatile design ensures seamless audio recording, even in more complex setups, giving you professional-quality results every time.

Best Audio Interface:

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2

This popular audio interface features two XLR inputs, perfect for a three-person podcast setup. It also has exceptional sound quality and low latency for real-time monitoring.

Two high-quality preamps with switchable air mode to add brightness and clarity to your recordings.
Portable with intuitive touchscreen control.
Built-in sound effects and recording capabilities.
Low-latency USB connectivity for seamless recording and production process.
Loopback function allows you to record computer audio along with microphone input.

3. Quality Headphones for Monitoring

When recording with multiple hosts, closed-back headphones are important. They stop audio bleed. Audio bleed happens when sound from the headphones is picked up by the microphones.

This can cause unwanted noise and compromise the quality of your recording. Closed-back headphones are designed to isolate the sound, ensuring you can monitor the audio accurately without interference.

This is especially important in group settings. Clear and precise audio is key for a professional-quality recording. Investing in a good pair of closed-back headphones can make a big difference in the overall production value of your work.

Top Picks for Headphones:

Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO (80 Ohm): Comfortable, durable, and revered for their sound clarity in mixing and podcasting.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x: Highly durable with excellent sound isolation, these headphones are a podcasting favorite.

Pro Tip: With three speakers (and guests), audio bleed can be a common issue during group recordings. To reduce this, use closed-back headphones. They help block sound and stop it from leaking into microphones. This ensures cleaner audio quality.

4. Boom Arms and Shock Mounts

For hands-free recording, boom arms are essential tools that allow you to position microphones with ease and precision.

They are very helpful for podcasting, streaming, or studio setups. They save desk space and help place the microphone well.

Shock mounts are made to absorb vibrations. They help stop unwanted noise from handling. This ensures cleaner and better audio quality. Shock mounts are important for getting professional sound. They keep the microphone safe from movement and surface vibrations.

Best Boom Arm:

RODE PSA1+

Strong and silent with smooth adjustments.
Supports heavy microphones like the Shure SM7dB.

Shock Mounts:

Shure SM7dB: Built-in shock mount with the option to add a Shure A7WS windscreen for better plosive protection.
Electro-Voice RE20: Compatible with the Electro-Voice 309A mount for professional vibration isolation.

5. Recording Software (DAW)

Recording software is just as crucial as the hardware when it comes to creating a great podcast. It enables you to capture raw audio, edit it to perfection, and export polished episodes ready for your audience. Here are some of our top picks, along with what makes each stand out:

Adobe Audition is a top choice for professionals. It has advanced editing tools and multitrack features. These robust post-production tools make it perfect for anyone who wants full control over their sound. Its wide array of effects and presets can help ensure your episodes sound polished and professional.
Audacity is great for beginners. It is free and open-source software. It is easy to use and has important editing tools. It’s perfect for beginners in podcasting or anyone wanting a free option that still offers good quality.
Boomcaster: Designed for creators who prioritize high-quality audio and video production, Boomcaster combines studio-quality podcasting with vodcasting and livestreaming capabilities. Its local recording feature ensures crystal-clear audio and video even when the internet connection isn’t perfect.
Riverside.fm or Zencastr: These platforms are ideal for recording remote guests in high-quality audio and video formats. They’re perfect for podcasters working with co-hosts, interviewees, or guests from different locations. Both platforms offer tools to ensure your sound quality remains consistent, even when recording remotely.

Each platform has its own unique features. They cater to different podcasting needs.

Some are simple and easy for beginners. Others offer advanced tools for experienced podcasters. No matter your experience level or requirements, there’s a recording software here to help you create standout episodes.

6. Acoustic Treatment for Your Recording Space

Even with the best recording equipment, untreated spaces can hurt your audio quality. This can cause echoes, reverb, and unwanted noise. Fortunately, improving your recording environment doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some practical tips to get started:

Foam Panels or Bass Traps: Install these around your recording area, especially in corners or on flat walls, to reduce echoes and control reverb. They help absorb mid to high frequencies, creating cleaner and more professional-sounding audio.
Rugs, Curtains, and Bookshelves: These natural sound dampeners are excellent for absorbing sound waves and minimizing reflections. A thick rug can help with floor vibrations, curtains can block external noise, and a full bookshelf irregularly scatters sound, making the room less reflective.
Positioning: Placement matters! Keep microphones away from walls, windows, or hard reflective surfaces to avoid sound bouncing back into the mic. Experiment with angles and distances to find the sweet spot for capturing clean, balanced audio.

By taking these steps, you’ll create a more controlled recording space, ensuring your audio sounds clear, professional, and polished.

Podcast Setup Tips for Flawless Recordings

Creating a professional podcast requires more than just hitting the record button. It’s about delivering high-quality audio that keeps your audience engaged and coming back for more.

To achieve this, you’ll need to focus on a few essential techniques.

Start by investing in good recording equipment, such as a quality microphone and headphones, to capture clear, crisp sound. Next, take the time to properly set up your equipment to avoid common recording issues.

Additionally, soundproof your recording space to eliminate background noise and echoes, ensuring your voice remains the focus.

Microphone Placement

One of the best ways to control your audio quality is carefully choosing your microphone placement. Some microphone types and patterns will pick up audio from the room, while others will require you to be closer or further away from the mic. Experiment with positioning and distance to find what works best for your equipment and recording space.

It will take some experimentation to get it perfect, but here are some best practices to follow to ensure success:

Each host should position their microphone 3-6 inches away from their mouth to ensure clear audio without distortion or excessive volume. This distance helps capture your voice accurately while avoiding unwanted noise.
Use a foam windscreen or pop filter to minimize plosives, which are the sharp popping sounds caused by certain letters like “P” and “B.” These accessories are inexpensive and can significantly improve sound quality.
Angle the microphone slightly off-center from the mouth to reduce breath sounds and harsh noises. This technique ensures a natural sound while preventing the microphone from picking up too much air from speech or breathing.

Gain Staging

Gain staging is the process of managing audio signal levels at each stage of the recording or mixing chain to maintain optimal sound quality without causing distortion or noise.

The goal is to ensure that the signal is neither too low, which can result in unwanted noise and loss of detail, nor too high, which leads to clipping and distortion. Proper gain staging starts at the input by setting levels at the source, such as a microphone or instrument, to capture a clean and balanced signal.

From there, every device or plugin in the signal path—whether it’s a preamp, compressor, EQ, or DAW channel—needs to be calibrated, ensuring the levels remain consistent and within an appropriate range.

By maintaining proper gain staging, you achieve a clean, accurate, and professional sound throughout your audio production.

Set microphone volume levels to -12dB to -6dB to avoid audio clipping.
Leverage built-in compressors, like those in the RØDECaster Pro II, to ensure a balanced sound.

Preventing Crosstalk or Mic Bleed

Crosstalk or mic bleed occurs when multiple microphones pick up unintended sounds from neighboring sources, leading to a mix where clarity and separation are lost.

This can degrade the overall quality of the recording, making it difficult to isolate individual tracks during post-production.

To prevent crosstalk, proper mic placement and positioning are crucial. Ensure there is enough distance between microphones, and use directional microphones, such as cardioid patterns, to minimize unwanted noise capture.

Additionally, consider using physical barriers or sound panels to further isolate sound sources. By managing these factors effectively, you can achieve cleaner audio recordings with improved fidelity.

Use cardioid or supercardioid-pattern microphones to isolate individual voices.
Maintain a 2-3 foot distance between microphones to avoid overlapping audio signals.

Headphone Mixes and Monitoring

Headphone mixes and monitoring are essential aspects of achieving high-quality audio during recording sessions.

A headphone mix allows performers and sound engineers to hear specific elements of the audio clearly, ensuring accurate timing, pitch, and overall performance synchronization.

By providing tailored mixes to each performer, distractions and audio imbalances can be reduced, allowing for focused and efficient performances.

Monitoring, on the other hand, helps sound engineers assess the quality and balance of the audio being recorded, ensuring adjustments can be made in real time. Proper monitoring tools, such as studio-grade headphones or reference monitors, play a critical role in maintaining audio accuracy and minimizing issues that may arise during post-production.

Provide each host with individual headphone mixes so they can hear themselves clearly.
Use an audio mixer with multiple headphone outputs to ensure smooth communication during the recording.

Backup Recordings

Backup recordings are an essential safeguard in any audio production workflow. They provide a reliable failsafe in case the primary recording experiences technical issues, such as file corruption, equipment malfunction, or unexpected interruptions.

By maintaining a backup, producers and engineers can ensure that valuable content is not lost and that the production process remains smooth and efficient. To implement an effective backup system, it is advisable to use separate recording devices or redundant recording setups.

For example, recording on both a computer and an external recorder simultaneously offers extra security. Additionally, regularly checking backup systems and verifying the integrity of the files ensures that these recordings are dependable in critical situations.

With Boomcaster, you get automatic local back-ups (you don’t even have to change the settings) for ultimate quality and peace of mind.

Enable local recording when using software like Riverside.fm.
For redundancy, consider using an external recorder like the Zoom H6.

How Much Does it all Cost?

The cost of setting up a high-quality recording space can vary depending on the equipment and software chosen.

For those just starting, a basic setup with a quality microphone, audio interface, headphones, and recording software can range from $200-$500.

As you expand your setup with additional microphones and accessories such as pop filters or sound panels, the cost can increase to $1,000 or more.

However, it is important to keep in mind that investing in quality equipment upfront will save time and money in the long run by avoiding costly upgrades or replacements. Furthermore, many software options offer affordable monthly subscription plans for access to advanced features and updates.

Overall, the cost may seem daunting at first but consider it an investment in your audio production quality and potential for success.

With proper care and maintenance, these tools can last a lifetime and elevate your recordings to a professional level.

So, carefully consider your budget and needs when building your recording setup and don’t be afraid to start small and grow over time. Remember, the most important factor is not the cost of equipment, but how you use it to capture quality audio.

Wrapping Up

Starting a three-person podcast is both exciting and doable with the right gear and techniques.

By investing in high-quality equipment like dynamic microphones, robust audio mixers, and reliable recording software, you’ll create a professional sound that audiences will love.

Don’t forget to refine your space with acoustic treatment and follow best practices for mic placement and gain staging.

Ready to take your podcast to the next level? This guide has everything you need to create content your listeners will love.