Amy Porterfield's Podcast Equipment List
Contents
The Online Marketing Made Easy podcast, hosted by Amy Porterfield, is a great resource for entrepreneurs and online business owners. On the show, Amy breaks down complex topics such as digital courses, email marketing, social media, and webinars into actionable steps that listeners can implement right away. Porterfield has opted for both a video and audio podcast to share her message.
It’s a well-produced show that reaches over 200,000 listeners monthly. But what makes Amy’s production so high-quality? Let’s look at her studio setup.
Mic:
Model: Heil Sound PR 40
Price: About $349
Pros
Great Sound: this mic offers an extended low-frequency response and a warm, intimate sound that is clear and articulate.
Flat Frequency Response: The mic has a superbly flat frequency response, making it easy to EQ.
Excellent Noise Rejection: The super-cardioid pattern effectively rejects side and rear noise, ideal for less-than-perfect recording environments.
Rugged Build: Constructed with high-quality materials, it is heavy and durable, and designed for professional use.
Cons
Tight XLR Jack: The XLR connection can be a bit tight, making it challenging to connect and disconnect.
No Included Cable: The microphone does not come with an XLR cable, which must be purchased separately.
Lack of Gain Control: There is no built-in gain control or headphone monitoring, requiring external equipment for optimal use.
Funnily enough, Amy used to recommend a Rode NT5 Condenser Microphone and used it herself in the earlier days. We aren’t sure what sparked the change in equipment but we can promise they’re both great options.
Now, Amy Porterfield uses the Heil PR 40 microphone, a mic with a high price tag, but great quality.
Looking from a technical view, this microphone has some great features. The Heil PR 40 microphone features a frequency response of 28Hz to 18kHz and a super-cardioid polar pattern, making it really effective at isolating front sound while rejecting noise from the sides and rear.
It brings you a warm and clear sound, comparable to condenser microphones despite being a dynamic mic. However, you may need a good preamp to achieve optimal performance, as it does not have built-in gain control or a headphone jack.
Overall, the Heil Sound PR 40 is a high-quality microphone that excels in voice recording. It’s durable, makes a great sound, and has great noise rejection, making it a strong contender for podcasters, although you should be aware of its limitations regarding connectivity and monitoring.
Camera
Model: Sony A6400 Sigma with a 16mm Lens
Price: About $848 with the selected lens
Pros
Quality image: The 24.3-megapixel APS-C sensor delivers sharp images with good dynamic range and low noise, even at higher ISO settings.
Fast Autofocus: With 179 phase-detection points and 25 contrast-detection points, the autofocus system is quick and accurate.
Compact and Lightweight: Weighing only 285 grams, the A6000 is easy to carry, making it ideal for travel.
Cons
No 4K Video Support: The A6000 only records in Full HD (1080p), which may be a drawback for videographers.
Limited Battery Life: The battery life is relatively short compared to DSLRs, necessitating extra batteries for extended shooting sessions.
No In-body Image Stabilization: This can make handheld shooting more challenging, especially in low-light conditions or with longer lenses.
Amy Porterfield has chosen the Sony A6000 Sigma as her camera of choice, specifically using the 16mm lens for her video podcast.
Overall the Sony A6000 is a great entry-level mirrorless camera that does the essentials. However, there may be better options for filming. While it provides a high-quality image in photography, the fact it doesn’t have in-body stabilization means the film can be less clear. On top of that, this camera films only at 1080 instead of 4k, which means quality is limited. However, if you watch any episode of Amy Portfield the quality appears to hold up for a great final episode.
Audio Interface
Audio Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB Audio Interface
Price: $189
Pros
High-Quality Audio: Delivers studio-quality sound with 24-bit/192kHz resolution.
User-Friendly Interface: Simple setup and operation make it accessible for beginners and professionals alike.
Versatile Inputs: Supports both microphone and instrument inputs, providing flexibility for various recording scenarios.
Included Software: Comes with an extensive software bundle that enhances recording capabilities.
Low Latency: Direct monitoring feature allows for real-time audio feedback without delay.
Cons
Limited Inputs/Outputs: Only two inputs may not be sufficient for users needing more simultaneous connections.
Price Point: While considered affordable for its quality, it may be more expensive than entry-level alternatives.
Power Requirements: Requires a USB port that provides sufficient power (900mA), which may be an issue with some older computers or hubs.
For her recording, Amy Porterfield uses the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB Audio Interface, it’s a great interface with lots of features. However, some entry-level podcasters may find the price point a little high.
Lighting
Impact Luxbanx Large Octagonal Softbox - $179
Diva Ring Light Super Nova 18” with 6’ Stand -$239
For adequate lighting, Amy Porterfield uses the Impact Luxbanx Softbox and the Diva Ring Super Nova 18”.
The Luxbanx softbox allows for adjusting heights and is super easy to set up. The Diva Ring allows for different brightness levels and adjustable angles. Both are excellent pieces of equipment, however the price point is quite high.
Additional Video Podcast Equipment
Microphone Stand: Auray BAI-2U Two-Section Broadcast Arm - $76
The Heil PR 40 needs a sturdy stand and the Auray BAI-2U does just the job. It includes an extension and rotation making it great for moving positioning. It also includes an integrated USB cord to attach to mics.
Sound Panels: ATS Acoustics Panels - $71
Depending on the recording location, you may find you need acoustics panels to get the best sound from your studio setup. Amy Portfield uses the ATS Acoustics Panels to ensure great sound quality from her own video podcast studio setup.
Teleprompter
Teleprompter: Professional Beam Splitter (12” LCD) - $1,099
Teleprompter Software: PromptSmart Pro - $99.99/year
Not all podcasters use teleprompting, but if you are working from a prepared script, and incorporating video into your show, it can definitely help. Amy Portfield has opted to use the PromptSmart Pro, and the Professional Beam Splitter Teleprompter for her podcast recording.
These are both great options for equipment if you are hoping to include a teleprompter in your recording studio. However, as you can see, the big con when evaluating this equipment is the quite high price point of the teleprompter.
Live Streaming Equipment
Live streaming Software: Ecamm - starting from $16/month
Live Content Controller: Elgato Stream Deck - $129
For Online Marketing Made Easy, Amy Portfield often does live streams of episodes or bonus content. Live streaming done right requires a few additional pieces of equipment. Amy uses the Ecamm software to live stream, and the Elgato Stream Deck to control the content being shared. This helps her post, chat, and trigger footage as she live streams.
Recording Software
Platform: Zencastr Online Recording Platform
Price: Plans starting from $18/month
To record her episodes, Amy Porterfield uses Zencastr’s online recording platform. This is a subscription service that allows you to record solo or guest episodes in high quality, downloading the files for later editing. It’s a great solution for remote recording guest sessions, especially as it uses a local recording base, meaning that connection or stability issues will not affect the final recording.
What do you need for your podcast?
Amy Portfield has a top-notch podcast studio setup. She’s optimized her equipment for great video and audio quality. But at first glance, it seems… a lot.
And it’s true, getting a good podcast studio setup can seem like quite the investment at the start but you’ll want to know you’re purchasing the right equipment for your show format.
If you need help with equipment choice, recording, production, or promotion for your brand podcast, get in touch with Lower Street.
