Good lighting can make even a basic camera look better than it is. Photo by videodeck.co @ Unsplash.
Podcasting continues to be immensely popular, reaching millions of people each day. With Apple’s recent announcement that its Podcasts app will soon allow video in addition to audio shows, the podcasting medium is only going to increase in popularity and reach. Churches of all shapes and sizes have jumped on the podcasting bandwagon, reaching people locally and all over the world. However, I do see church technical leaders consistently make the same mistake with podcasting: they start out spending more than they should.
The smartest approach to podcasting is to begin with less and build over time.
I’ll admit it. Just like I make mistakes with my eyes being bigger than my stomach when it comes time to eat, I’ve spent too much on purchasing gear for a new ministry endeavor. My wife has helped me learn to start smaller with what I put on my plate and go back for seconds if I’m still hungry. I’ve had to learn the same thing with media and technical ministry. The smart way to approach something is to start with smaller setups and costs, then upgrade as reach and budgets expand.
If you’re looking to start a podcast for your pastor, there are lots of options for audio, video, and lighting. The smart church technical leader will begin by getting the podcast vision from your pastor to ensure your vision and budget aren’t larger than theirs. Ask questions like the following to get a better idea of where to start.
- What kind of content would you like to put on this podcast?
- Who are you trying to reach?
- What’s the setup idea for the recording space?
- What kind of budget is available to make this happen?
After getting some clarification on the vision and budget, begin by putting together options. My pastor is not a technical person, so trying to explain AVL options to him by camera, mic, and lighting specs does not work. Instead, I use sports analogies, such as high school, college, and pro-level sports. Or I use automotive analogies, such as a Geo Metro (a very cheap car from years ago), a Chevrolet, or a Cadillac, to represent different levels of quality and cost. So, with that in mind, here are some varying options you can consider when putting together your podcasting gear list.
The Ultra-Budget Starter Setup aims to ensure your pastor is committed to the podcasting idea and workflow before spending too much. The typical gear for this setup is a smartphone/tablet or laptop webcam for video, a no-nonsense USB mic, a basic ring light, and free recording software. For example, the Fifine AmpliGame AM8T USB mic kit, the Onn LED RGB Ring Light with Tripod, and the ZealSound BM-800 Podcast Equipment Bundle are some options to consider. For recording software, OBS Studio or Audacity are worth consideration.
The goal of this setup is to see whether your pastor can record consistently using basic camera framing and lighting while you edit and deliver it onto free podcasting options like Spotify for Creators. Many podcasters start with something similar to this because modern phones and tablets already record excellent video when the lighting is decent, and simple audio and lighting options are abundant. The estimated costs of this option are $100-$300 if you already have a phone/tablet.
The next option is something like a Creator/Semi-Pro Setup. The goal of this option is to look more like a “YouTube Content Creator.” The differences from the Ultra-Budget setup include a dedicated content camera or webcam, a better microphone, expanded lighting, and a simple audio interface. Examples of this type of gear include a Logitech C920 HD Pro Webcam, a Blue Yeti USB Microphone or Rode Podmic, a Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 audio interface, and a 2-light LED kit or ring lights.
A simple setup is often enough to prove whether a podcast will actually last.
The camera would be mounted above a computer monitor, the mic would be a dynamic mic on a boom arm or desktop stand, lighting would include key and fill lights, and the recording software would be OBS or something similar. This tier is where many podcasters stay for a long time because it looks professional enough for most online audiences. Budget is about $600-1,200.
A podcast doesn’t need a full studio to be effective. Start small, then upgrade as your reach and budget grow. Photo by zachccamp @ Unsplash.
The top option is the Studio/Professional Setup, which has a budget of $1,500 - $4,000+. The goal of this setup is for a multi-person, broadcast-quality video podcast. Gear will include mirrorless camera(s), broadcast-quality microphones, 3-point lighting for the host and guests, and a podcast mixer/interface. Examples of cameras in this option include the Sony ZV-1F Vlog Camera, the Panasonic Lumix G100, and the Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K. For microphones, the Shure SM7B, Electro-Voice RE20, or Rode PodMic USB/XLR are great options. Broadcast mics like these are used in pro podcasts because they reject background noise and produce a clean vocal sound. Lighting would include dimmable, variable-temperature-changing LED lights for key, fill, and backlight, along with background RGB lighting for color accents. Depending on how much room and space you need to light, there are excellent options from Lume Cube, ikan, and amaran. Popular recorders/mixers are the RodeCaster Pro II and the Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Pro ISO, among others.
You might be thinking, “Will, this is great, but how do I decide what I actually need because I’d like to combine some things between all these options?” Here’s a simple way to make this decision. The most successful creators approach gear and upgrades this way…
- Audio first. The biggest quality difference will be noticed in mic choice.
- Lighting second. The better the lighting. The better the video.
- Camera last. People are willing to forgive lower-quality video if the audio and lighting are good. Even a cheap camera can look better than its price point with proper lighting.
Finally, here’s a practical strategy many podcasters use and that I’ve used with many projects and ministries over my years in media ministry. Start with a cheaper setup. Record 10-15 episodes. Start your podcast with 5 recorded episodes, released at launch. Then, release 1 episode a week on the same day and time over the next 10 or so weeks while recording new episodes. If the show continues past these first few months, plan for audio and lighting upgrades. If the audience grows, look at upgrading cameras and other studio gear. Then pass down your starter equipment to another ministry in the church as they begin recording a podcast, vlog, etc.
The best setup is the one your team can use every week without hesitation.
Whatever you choose to do, please make it a matter of prayer. It’s important that you seek the Lord as you help your pastor while making wise choices with the church’s money. Then, as the Lord provides and blesses, be sure to give Him the credit. Remember 1 Corinthians 3:6. The Lord uses us to plant and water the fields, but He is the one who gives the increase.
