A Founder’s Podcast Tech Stack

<creator meanderings>

Sometime ago I created a list of my own tech stack over on my personal site. Had a lot of feedback about how people appreciated it.

So I decided, why not do it here as well. Except instead of it including the site and it’s inner workings, I chose to focus more of the studio/podcasting gear and a few of our other services I use to run Open Channels FM.

And although I did add a brief description, I also realized I could create a post telling more about not only the gear or SaaS, but how we use it specifically here. Mmmmmm. Maybe someday.

Podcast Recording and Production

• Auphonic – A long-time tool that has been used on this podcast from the very beginning. At the very end of our production workflow it’s used for leveling out and compressing the audio. Best leveler in our opinion.
• Canva – The easiest way to create podcast and video covers, but all other graphics we use here on the site.
• Castmagic – This has really cut down our workflow having it all in one place. Drop your audio in. Get a transcript and generate all kinds of content you can use to create your show notes, post content, social and other blog posts. Unlimited uses for repurposing.
• Riverside.fm – We use this platform for all my remote audio, video and livestream recording of podcasts. Have found their quality in recordings is absolutely great.

Scheduling and Organization

• ClickUP – This is where I manage it all. I don’t use it in the regular way a team might, but have been able to fine-tune if for my podcasting, ideas and personal stuff.
• CoSchedule – This has been the one social sharing platform that we have found the most useful for several years.
• NetWireNews – The best and simplest RSS reader around. And it’s open source.
• SavvyCal – Back and forth on calendars. No calendar is perfect for the kind of scheduling we need to do on our podcast, but after testing things, it’s the closest.

Podcasting gear

• Elgato Facecam – Been using this for years, and if you need a video camera, it will do the trick. Also works great with the Elgato Prompter.
• Elgato Prompter – Works so good in helping you keep your eyes directly on the camera. Also, great if you need a teleprompter.
• Elgator Stream Deck – Short cuts. Tap a button. Leave Zoom. Boom. Good stuff.
• Elgato Wave Mic Arm Pro – Avoid that looming mic arm from above that others cannot unsee when you are on video or in a meeting.
• Elgato Wave XLR – This mic XLR interface is simple and has a small footprint without sacrificing quality. Works with single mic.
• Shure Microphone SM7B – An XLR mic that has been hanging in our studio for many years.
• Rode Wireless Go II Mics and Transmitter– The goto for doing podcasts on the go. (no pun intended)
• Sony ZV-1 Vlog Camera – A nice mix of a camera and useful for vlogging, espeically at events.