Build a studio that sounds pro
Everything you need to record, stream, and sound your best
- A common average recording level in dBFS, leaving headroom
- -18 dB
- Standard sample rate for video and most podcast workflows
- 48 kHz
- The three-pin balanced connector most studio mics use
- XLR
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Levels to aim for
- Peaks while recording about -12 to -6 dBFS
- Average speech around -18 dBFS
- Finished episode about -16 LUFS (stereo)
Common targets; -16 LUFS follows Apple Podcasts guidance. Never let peaks hit 0 dBFS.
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Start Here: Build Your First Podcast Studio
8 short steps in the order a beginner needs them, with the guides and tools for each one.
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Microphones
USB, XLR, dynamic, and condenser mics to capture clean, professional sound.
Browse 9 guides →Interfaces & Mixers
Audio interfaces, mixers, and recorders to get your mics into the computer.
Browse 11 guides →Headphones & Monitors
Studio headphones and monitors to hear every detail while you record and edit.
Browse 10 guides →Accessories
Stands, arms, pop filters, and cables that round out a working home studio.
Browse 10 guides →Streaming & Video
Webcams, cameras, lights, and stream decks for video podcasts and live streams.
Browse 12 guides →Studio & Treatment
Acoustic panels, desks, and booths to build a quiet, great-sounding room.
Browse 10 guides →Best buying guides
Best Studio Headphones
The best studio headphones for recording and mixing. Accurate, comfortable cans that reveal every detail so your podcast and music sound right.
Best Podcast Soundboards
The best podcast soundboards for live effects and clips. Pad-based controllers that trigger stingers, music, and drops in real time as you record.
Best Acoustic Panels
Compare the best acoustic panels for home studios and podcast rooms. Tame echo and reflections for clearer, warmer, more professional-sounding recordings.
Best XLR Microphones
The best XLR microphones for serious podcast and studio recording. Pro-grade mics that pair with an interface for the cleanest, most flexible signal.
Best Dynamic Microphones
The best dynamic microphones for podcasts and home studios. Rugged mics that reject room noise and deliver that rich, radio-ready broadcast voice.
Best Digital Recorders
The best digital recorders for podcasts, interviews, and studios. Standalone devices that capture crisp multitrack audio without touching a computer.
Packing tips
All tips →How to Use a Sound Desk (Mixing Console) for Podcasting
How to use a sound desk for podcasting: set gain, phantom power, EQ, faders and headphone monitoring on each channel in the right order, step by step.
Do Studio Monitors Need Isolation Pads on a Desk, Stands or Carpet?
Isolation pads help most when monitors sit on a desk or shelf. On carpet the pad still goes under the speaker, not the stand. Sizing, tilt and placement explained.
What Great Audiobooks Can Teach You About Your Own Podcast
Learn how to build a critical listening habit around audiobooks and interview shows, and how the right headphones make it easier to study delivery.
Podcast Audio Levels Chart
Recording levels, peak targets, and LUFS loudness standards for podcasts, plus sample rate and bit depth settings to use from the start.