The MacBook Pro is a powerful and versatile device with all the necessary tools and software to record, edit, and produce high-quality podcasts.  However, it is important to understand which software and equipment you need before you start working on your first podcast episode. 

Podcast Hardware Requirements

Microphone

A good-quality podcast microphone is crucial for capturing clear and professional audio. USB microphones like theSamson Q2U or Audio-Technica ATR2100x are popular for beginners, as they are easy to set up and provide decent sound quality. However, there are many different types of microphones out there, depending on your skill level. Check out this link or even this link for more information on microphones used for podcasting.  As a DJ I really like the Shure MV7 but thats my personal and professional preference.  It offers both USB-C and XLR outputs.

Microphones are usually USB or XLR with the higher end/professional microphones using XLR.  USB you will just plug into your mac but XLR you need to convert XLR to USB and I'll go over how to do that here.

To set up the microphone or microphones start by first plugging in your microphone into your mac.  If you have USB Microphone, just plug it into an open USB port on your mac.  If you are going the more professional route with an XLR microphone then you have a couple different options on how to connect that to your mac and let me briefly touch on those,

Simple but could be prone to issues

A step up and decent for most cases is this PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 2x2 USB Audio Interface, Blue, PC/Mac - 2 Mic.  On the back you plug your USB cable in and run it to your mac.  Plug your XLR Mic on the front and you now connected to your microphone or microphones

And studio version would be something like this PreSonus AudioBox USB Studio 26c.  On the back you plug your usb-c cable in and run it to your usb-c port on your newer mac.  Plug your XLR Mic on the front and you now connected to your microphone or microphones

 

Next click the search icon at the top right of your screen

Now type Audio MIDI Setup and click on it when it shows up

Click on the + button to add aggregate device (combine multiple mics)

Now move over to Garageband and click on Garageband in the top left corner and click on Settings.

Now click Audio/MIDI at the top of the screen and under Devices - Input Device select the Aggregate you just created

In Garageband create or project

 

Now you will see the two microphones in the aggregate (if you setup two originally) now click on one and at the bottom under Track make sure the Input is 1-2 and for the 2nd microphone make sure the Track has inputs as 3-4

Now you are ready to record your podcast...   All of this is a one time setup for your microphones

Headphones 

A reliable pair of podcast headphones is essential for monitoring audio while recording and editing. Closed-back headphones are preferable, as they help reduce external noise bleed into the microphone. Take the time to look at different headphone options before you start.

Check out this link for some headphone/headset ideas.

Pop Filter

While not an essential item, a pop filter could make your audio sound on point. A pop filter helps prevent plosive sounds (“pops”) from overwhelming your recordings. It's a simple device in front of the microphone to diffuse air when pronouncing words with strong "P" or "B" sounds. Of course, if you are strapped for cash, you don’t need one of these.

Check out this link for more information about pop filters and all the different choices

Microphone Stand or Boom Arm 

A stand or boom arm helps keep the microphone stable and in the right position during recordings. It reduces handling noise and ensures consistent audio quality. Some microphones come with a separate stand that you can set up.

An example of a boom arm for your mic you can see here

Podcast Software Requirements

Recording Software 

To get the most professional sound, you need decent recording software. In this guide, we will take a look at some of the best options.

Note that when choosing your recording software make sure you choose software for what you need. Some software only records audio, but most record both. 

Editing Software

Many recording software includes built-in editors. Though if you want to make more advanced edits, you may need separate podcast editing software. For Mac, you’ve got GarageBand already installed on your computer. This editor is more for music, but it’ll do fine for podcasts. The platform offers a range of tools for editing, adding effects, and mixing your podcast episodes. Other suggestions include Final Cut or Premiere Pro if you’re recording video. 

Podcast Hosting Platform

While not Mac-specific, you'll need a podcast hosting platform to upload and distribute your episodes to various podcast directories. A podcast host is where you store all your episodes, while a directory is where you publish your content for your audience to access.

Just a few popular hosting options include: 

• Libsyn
• Podbean
• Spotify for Podcasters
• PodCastHost

How to record a podcast with Garageband

GarageBand is a powerful digital audio workstation that comes pre-installed on macOS, offering a range of tools to enhance your podcasting experience.

Key features: 

• Pre-installed on MacOS
• 100 EDM- and Hip-Hop–inspired synth sounds
• Transform Pad Smart Control
• Add multiple tracks
• Available on your Mac or iOS 

Step 1: Open GarageBand and create a new project

• Launch GarageBand from your Applications folder. Click Create new project and select Podcast as the project type. Choose a name and location for your project, then click Create.

Step 2: Choose the microphone input and adjust the settings

• Connect your microphone to your Mac. In GarageBand, go to the Track Header area on the right side of the window and click the '+' button to create a new track. Select Audio for the track type and choose your connected microphone from the input settings.

Step 3: Set up headphones for monitoring

• Connect your headphones to your Mac. Monitoring your audio while recording is essential to ensure sound quality and detect any issues. In the Track Header area, click the small headphone icon to enable monitoring for each track.

Step 4: Create a new track for the recording

• If you plan to have multiple podcast participants, create additional tracks for each person. Click the ‘Track > Configure Track Header’. Next, click the Record Enable button in the header of each track you wish to use during the recording.

Step 5: Record your podcast episode

• Click the red record button at the top of the GarageBand window to start recording. Speak into the microphone clearly and ensure everyone's audio levels are balanced. When finished, click the stop button to end the recording.

Step 6: Edit and enhance the recording (if needing)

• After recording, you can edit the podcast episode to remove any mistakes. Use GarageBand's editing tools, such as the scissor tool, to cut and rearrange segments. 

Step 7: Export the final podcast episode

• Go to the File menu and choose Export to disk. Select the format, adjust the quality settings if needed, and click Export to save the final file to your desired location.

If you prefer following along with a video here is a video to walk you through the process of creating a podcast using Garageband on your Mac.

 

How to record a podcast with QuickTime on Mac

Recording a podcast with QuickTime on Mac is a simple and effective way to get started in the world of podcasting. QuickTime is a built-in application on macOS that offers basic audio recording capabilities, making it accessible to beginners.

Key features: 

• Built-in on MacOS already 
• Simple to use 
• Basic audio recording 
• Split audio into multiple clips
• Easy to use for beginners

Step 1: Open QuickTime Player

• First up, go to your Applications folder, locate QuickTime Player, and open it. You can also use Spotlight (Cmd + Space) and type 'QuickTime Player' to launch the application.

Step 2: Set up audio and microphone input

• Connect your microphone to your Mac. In QuickTime Player, go to the 'File' menu and select 'New audio recording.' A recording window will appear.
• Click the small arrow next to the red record button in the recording window. It will reveal a drop-down menu where you can select the connected microphone as the input source.

Step 3: Check audio levels

• Before recording, speak into the microphone at your normal volume to ensure the audio levels are high enough. You should see the audio level meters responding to your voice.
• To adjust the recording quality, click the small arrow next to the record button again and choose Audio quality. Select the appropriate rate based on your podcasting needs.

Step 4: Record your podcast

• To begin recording your podcast, click the red record button. Start speaking clearly, and ensure you are adequately positioned near the microphone. When you've finished, click the stop button (square) in the recording window to end the recording.

Step 5: Save the recording

• After stopping the recording, QuickTime will automatically open the recording in a new window. Go to the File menu and select Save to save the audio file to your desired location on your Mac.

If you prefer following along on a video, here is a video on how you can create a podcast using Quicktime on your Mac

Podcasting on Mac: Troubleshooting for Common Issues

 

Now that you are ready to start podcasting on your Mac, let’s talk about some of the issues you may come up against. Here’s what they are and how to solve them.

• Low microphone volume: Check the input volume settings in your recording software and Mac's System Preferences. Ensure the microphone is properly connected and functioning.‍
• Audio distortion or clipping: Reduce the input volume to avoid overloading the microphone and causing distortion. Use a pop filter to minimize plosive sounds.‍
• Audio sync issues: Check if recording with multiple microphones is in sync. Adjust the track alignment during editing if necessary.‍
• Headphone monitoring delay: If there's a noticeable delay in headphone monitoring, consider using an audio interface or external mixer for real-time tracking.‍
• Software crashes: Update your recording and editing software to the latest version. Save your work frequently to prevent data loss in case of crashes.
• ‍Audio driver issues: If experiencing audio problems, restart your Mac and check for driver updates from the microphone manufacturer.