Emma Chamberlain's Podcast Equipment List

Emma Chamberlain's podcast, Anything Goes, is a candid and fun show where she shares her thoughts and experiences on a wide range of topics. Emma discusses everything from personal anecdotes and philosophical musings to providing advice and presenting interviews. Emma’s podcasting setup is one we all wish we could make work - she records right from bed. While she keeps things comfy, she has some great equipment to make the show’s audio and video high-quality. Here’s the equipment Emma Chamberlain uses on Anything Goes.

Mic

Model: Sennheiser E835 microphone with windscreen

Price: The microphone alone is about $119.00

Pros: 

• Excellent sound quality with clear reproduction and high presence, making vocals stand out in mixes.

• Effective feedback rejection due to the cardioid pickup pattern, which minimizes background noise.

• Handles high sound pressure levels (up to 150 dB SPL) without distortion.

• Consistent sound quality even when the performer moves off-axis.

• Minimal proximity effect, reducing boominess when singing close to the microphone.

Cons: 

• Lacks some transparency in higher frequencies; the upper midrange can become harsh at high volumes.

• May produce feedback on very loud stages, requiring careful placement and use

To record from bed, Emma counts on the Sennheiser E835 microphone with an additional windscreen. It is a good microphone for handheld podcasting use, it has excellent sound quality that stays consistent when moving around.

Field Recorder

Model: Marantz PMD661 MKII

Price: About $299.99

Pros

• Sound Quality: Produces cleaner sound compared to competitors like the Zoom H4n, especially when using quality external microphones.

• Ease of Use: The menu system is straightforward, making it easy for users to navigate and set up recordings quickly.

• Durability: Designed to be portable and relatively robust for field use.

• Recording Time: Long recording capabilities due to support for large SDHC cards.

Cons

• Internal Microphones: The built-in mics are considered subpar and not suitable for professional use.

• Sensitive Controls: The record/pause buttons are overly sensitive, which can lead to accidental stops or starts during recording.

To record her podcast with the Sennheiser microphone, Emma uses the Marantz PMD661 MKII field recorder. Overall, the Marantz PMD661 MKII is a solid choice for those seeking a reliable field recorder that excels in sound quality and ease of use but may fall short for users needing advanced features. If you do use this recorder you’ll need to pair it with a good external mic and headphones.

Headphones

Model: Koss Porta Pro Limited Edition

Price: $59.99

Pros

• Sound Quality: These headphones offer a fun sound signature with decent bass and warm tonality.

• Portability: Extremely lightweight and collapsible design makes them easy to carry around.

• Comfort: Generally comfortable fit, suitable for extended listening sessions without causing fatigue

Cons

• Build Quality: Some users report that the materials feel cheap and may not withstand rough handling.

• Sound Isolation: The semi-open design leads to minimal sound isolation, which can be problematic in noisy environments.

• Frequency Response Limitations: While enjoyable, the sound lacks the detail and accuracy found in higher-end models; the treble may feel recessed or muddled at times.

To be honest, these aren’t headphones we would recommend for podcasting. But their nostalgic appeal makes them a good accessory during video podcasting. While they do work, they are better suited for music listening. When you use headphones in podcast recording it is to pick up the finer details of the sound recording, these headphones won’t help you do that.

Camera

Model: Canon PowerShot G7X Mark II

Price: About $629

Pros:

• User-Friendly: Minimal learning curve, making it accessible for beginners and experienced users alike.

• Compact Size: Fits comfortably in pockets, ideal for travel and spontaneous photography.

• Excellent Image Quality: Produces high-quality images with good color accuracy and depth of field compared to smartphones.

Cons:

• Limited Zoom Range: The maximum zoom is only 100mm, which might not suffice for all photography needs.

• Price Point: Considered fairly expensive compared to other compact cameras on the market.

• No Interchangeable Lenses: Users are limited to the built-in lens without the option to switch out for different focal lengths

For the video aspect of her video podcast, Emma Chamberlain uses the Canon PowerShot G7X Mark II. This camera is an excellent choice for those looking for a compact camera that delivers great performance. Especially in the settings that Emma films, where there isn’t much need for zoom, angles or the like, then it works perfectly. We’d say this is a good choice for solo-casters but if you plan on doing more multi-camera footage, you may want to look at alternatives.

Want equipment to record from anywhere?

For some of us, recording a podcast from bed isn’t going to work for sound quality. But with the right equipment, it just might. If you need a hand finding the right equipment for your show, in order to record from wherever you like, Lower Street can help. We guide brands in launching top-notch podcasts, and we’d love to help you launch yours. Get in touch.