{"id":21264,"date":"2023-07-24T13:24:11","date_gmt":"2023-07-24T17:24:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/castos.com\/?p=21264"},"modified":"2023-09-12T23:51:24","modified_gmt":"2023-09-13T03:51:24","slug":"4-person-podcast-setup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/castos.com\/4-person-podcast-setup\/","title":{"rendered":"4-Person Podcast Setup: Equipment Needs and Tips for Success"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Castos is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may earn commissions from your purchases on Amazon.com, though at no cost to you.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Two-person interview podcasts are the most popular format<\/a> (one host, one guest), but they aren’t the only kind. Lots of shows do well with three and even four participants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Running a 4-person podcast isn\u2019t much different than producing a typical show, but there are some unique needs and challenges. Let\u2019s talk about why group podcasting can be right for your show, what equipment you need, and how to be successful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Podcasting as a group is attractive because it takes a lot of pressure off of one person. No single person is responsible for 30-minutes or an hour of conversation. If one person can\u2019t find something to say, someone else probably can. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Combining four brains is also helpful when it comes to brainstorming content. Four people make it simpler to generate ideas, make interesting points, and engage with your community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A large group makes promoting your podcast<\/a> easier as well. Some multi-person shows like to delegate marketing activities to each member. One person handles the blog, another manages the newsletter, a third posts on social media, etc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The major downside to group podcasting, however, is two-fold. First, you have to split any revenue generated from your show<\/a> amongst the whole group. Second, it\u2019s hard to build a personal brand when you share time with three other people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The equipment for a 4-person podcast setup isn\u2019t much different than a typically solo or two-person show, with a few caveats. Here\u2019s what you need:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Obviously you need microphones for your 4-person podcast setup. A good mic means better audio quality. It\u2019s important that everyone has their own mic. (No sharing!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you pick out mics, decide if you want USB or XLR mics. XLR mics sound better, but they plug into a mixer or interface, not your computer. USB mics plug directly into your computer, which makes them easier to use, but they don\u2019t sound as great (not that they sound bad). <\/p>\n\n\n\n For a more in-depth look at the difference between these two types, check out our guide on XLR vs USB podcast microphones<\/a>. When you\u2019re ready to pick out a mic, see our picks of the best podcasting microphones<\/a>. Here are our favorites:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pro tip: <\/strong>Each microphone should have a pop filter<\/a> to dampen those plosive sounds. These are cheap and great ways to make your recording more pleasant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Headphones aren\u2019t essential, <\/em>but they can elevate the quality of your audio by giving you a real-time understanding of your own voice. Headphones are inexpensive, so everyone should have them, even if you just use that cheap pair that came with your phone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Find a good pair in our guide on the best headphones for podcasting<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Adding a video component to your podcast<\/a> is a great way to create more engaging content and grow your audience with people who prefer to watch video. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you decide to go down this route, you\u2019ll need at least one camera, but likely two or three (changing angles throughout your show makes it a lot more engaging). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out our recommendations for podcasting cameras<\/a> and our advice on setting up your own livestream<\/a> to find the right equipment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s possible to record everything on to your computer via USB mics, but a mixer will greatly improve the quality of your audio. They also give you tools and options to control the live sound so there\u2019s less post-production work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are a lot of advanced mixers available. We explore them in our list of the best audio mixers<\/a>. Opt for products that offer lots of channels so everyone gets their own. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll need at least one computer to run your editing software and combine the tracks into a single file. Fortunately, the requirements aren\u2019t significant here. Any computer will do. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you podcast alone, you don\u2019t need much space, but that isn\u2019t the case for a larger group. Your 4-person podcast setup absolutely needs its own recording space that\u2019s large enough for the group. You also need some kind of desk or table for all of the equipment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Acoustic treatments to prevent reverb<\/a> are important as well. With four people talking at different angles, echoes are likely to influence the recording. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Boom arms or microphone stands are useful for positioning the microphones at a comfortable height and distance for each host. These are important if you\u2019re podcasting in a small space because they keep your gear organized and out of the way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We make some recommendations in our guide on the best mic stands and boom arms<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you aren\u2019t using a mixer, you\u2019ll need recording software to record directly to your computer. Our favorites are Audacity<\/a>, QuickTime<\/a>, or Adobe Audition<\/a> for in-person recording. Use Riverside<\/a> or Squadcast<\/a> for remote recording. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out our guide on recording software<\/a> for more recommendations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Editing is an unavoidable part of podcasting, even if your original audio is well-recorded. At the very least, you\u2019ll need a tool to splice in your intros, outros, music, and possibly ads. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We go into detail in our guide on editing software<\/a>, but our typical recommendations are Audacity<\/a>, Descript<\/a>, and Adobe Audition<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you podcast alone, it\u2019s easy to manage your work because you\u2019re responsible for everything. But team efforts require systems in place to keep everyone working toward the same goal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We strongly recommend a project planning app, such as Trello<\/a>, Asana<\/a>, or Notion<\/a>. One of these tools will help you identify what needs to be done and who is responsible for it at all times. <\/p>\n\n\n\n At Castos, we use Notion for nearly all of our project planning. It\u2019s a highly versatile tool that lets you create the right planning materials for any purpose. Yes, it has a high learning curve, but once you learn the tool, the possibilities are endless. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recording a 4-person podcast setup is similar to recording any other episode<\/a>, but with a few twists. Here are some tips to make your multi-person successful.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhy Podcast as a Group?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Equipment for a 4-Person Podcast Setup<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Podcast microphones<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Headphones<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cameras<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Mixer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Computer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Recording space<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Boom arms\/mic stands<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Recording software<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Editing software<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Project planning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tips for a 4-Person Podcast Setup<\/h2>\n\n\n\n