Podcast Equipment Power Rankings

In recent years, equipment manufacturers who primarily serve the music industry have set their sights on podcasting. There have been some runaway hits and plenty of misses. I thought it would be fun to create a power ranking of sorts for companies who have impacted podcasting the most.

In this initial power ranking list, I’ll rate the companies from #5 to #1 (with #1 being the best of the bunch). Needless to say, these equipment manufacturers know “there’s gold in them there hills.”

#5) Blue Microphones

I so desperately wanted to leave Blue Microphones off this list, not because their contributions to podcasting isn’t appreciated, but because their microphones are so widely misused!

You have witnessed it with your own eyes: a newbie podcaster heads to the store and grabs the microphone that is least conducive to recording good audio in their noise-ridden location. To make matters worse, said podcaster talks into the end of the side-address Blue Yeti. If I had a penny for each time I’ve seen the Blue Yeti used improperly, I certainly wouldn’t be working my butt off each day: I would be on a beach somewhere, living my best life.

Oh, how I tried to make a case for Samson to take this 5^th spot, but I could not justify it. I wanted to slide Behringer in here at #5, but it simply was not feasible. Dare I say Blue Microphones deserves to be in this initial power ranking; not because of the well-intentioned podcaster, but because they make good products newbies simply don’t attempt to master.

#4) Tascam

A company I have zero issue adding to this list is Tascam. Their long list of digital recorders, audio interfaces, stylish mixers and podcast microphones makes Tascam a no-brainer for this list.

Tascam’s Model 12 mixer looks stunning and is a treat to have sitting on your desk. I purchased one several months back, and I would have kept the device except it could not meet all the needs of this power podcaster. Had it not been for a mix-minus issue they apparently overlooked when creating the device, the Model 12 mixer would be the main cog in my podcasting machine.

Tascam’s foray into the dynamic broadcast microphone genre with the TM-70 gives me hope the company will continue to take more swings in the space until they knock it out of the park.

Regardless, Tascam has been thinking of podcasters long before some companies even knew what a podcast was.

#3) Shure

This is the part of the list that will probably be most debated. While no one will argue whether or not Shure should be on the list, I am positive I will get grief they are not positioned higher.

Shure microphones are a staple in podcasting. If you put a Shure SM7B on your microphone boom arm, chances are podcasting just went from hobby to serious overnight. The Shure SM58 is a legendary podcast microphone. The newly released Shure MV7 is a hybrid USB/XLR mix made specifically for podcasting.

Since Shure only dabbles in the podcast audio interface realm I cannot place them any higher on this list. I can only guess that Shure will dive deeper into the audio interface segment.

I have Shure in-ear monitors, an SM7B and the legendary SM58. Each of those items are high-quality gear that have served me well.

#2) Zoom

If any company on this list has seemingly flooded the podcast market, it’s Zoom. Zoom makes so many different products that I have lost track of all of their offerings.

I have no hesitation recommending Zoom’s PodTrak P4, ZDM-1 microphone, the H6 or any of their other digital recorders. Zoom makes pretty amazing gear. Their preamps are some of the cleanest I have ever used.

Despite their flood of products, Zoom falls short of the number one spot, but it is not due to lack of effort. At some point, however, Zoom will create a mixer/audio interface that will meet all the needs of the top-tier podcaster. They have not done it yet, but I am confident that they will put it all together one day.

#1) RODE

Was there any doubt that RODE would be sitting at number one? RODE reminds me of legendary NFL quarterback Tom Brady. At the time I’m writing this, Tom Brady has won seven Super Bowls! Much like when I shout at the television when Tom Brady hoists yet another Super Bowl trophy, I am asking RODE, “What more do you want?”

The RODECaster Pro is a walk-off homerun. The Procaster punches well above its weight. The PodMic is stylish, and, in some cases, a deadly weapon. The NT1 is one of the smoothest sounding condenser microphones I have ever used. When I use the NT1, I get more positive feedback about my audio than when I use any other microphone. I am not even focusing on their other microphones, interface and new Connect software.

The volume, quality, and thoughtfulness of their products makes RODE hands-down the number one equipment company in podcasting.

CLOSING

I am certain people will attempt to make a case for other manufacturers, but I feel as though my list is solid. This is by no means a slight to Samson, Audio-Technica, Behringer or any other gear maker I left off the list. I simply feel my top five is comprised of companies who honestly deserve their standings on this.

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