What Gear Are We Using to Create Member Content and the #343Podcast? (Updated April 2020)

Here is a list of all the gear I use to create the #343podcast and the video/photo content that is in the membership program.

None of the links to products generate any revenue. They are not “affiliate” links. We make no money from sponsors or outside companies. No gimmicks. No outside influences.

Podcast gear

When I first started the podcast, I recorded interviews using the voice recorder app on my iPhone. Today, my gear is a lot more advanced. So, let’s dive in and look at what I’m actually using to create content right now.

Shure SM-58 Microphone
This is the microphone that can take a beating and produce high-quality audio. It’s the industry standard for most live performers in any genre. I’ll admit that it’s not the greatest for recording studio-quality sound, but for less than $100 it’s virtually impossible to beat. Click to view product

Scarlett 2i2 USB Audio Interface (mixer)
This was probably the most serious upgrade for me. Before having this piece of equipment, I was forced to record exclusively on Skype or other web-based programs. But this new audio interface allows me to just plug in my iPhone and call anyone with ease. It made interviewing Tom Byer super easy– but I was so used to Skype being free that I forgot Verizon charges a shitload for international calls. So, be careful. Facetime calls over WiFi are free. Facetime calls, in general, are also higher quality and sound much better than regular phone calls. Click to view product

In order to get the Scarlett to work with my iPhone and MacBook Pro, I do need several adapters and cables.

Adapters/Cables

• Lightning to Headphone adapter that comes with iPhone 7 and later
• 1/4 inch to 1/8 headphone jack cable. One end plugs into the iPhone adapter, the other into the audio interface.
• XLR cable for the Shure SM-58.
• USB to USB-C adapter to plug the Scarlett into my MacBook Pro.

MacBook Pro
In 2017, I ordered a new MacBook Pro. One of my best friends is an engineer at Apple and got a sweet deal… so I got some extras that I probably didn’t need, but I love this thing. Previously, I had a 2012 MacBook Pro and 2011 iMac that I would work from. Both of those have been retired. Click the view product

Garageband
All of the recording and editing happens in Garageband. There are fancier, more professional programs available, there are other free programs, but Garageband gets the job done for me.

Royalty-Free Music
The intro to the podcast came from a royalty-free music website. There are tons out there. Before this current intro song, I was using a stock Garageband loop. When Garageband changed its program, that loop disappeared and that’s the main reason why I went out and spent $49 on the intro you hear today. Plus, our listeners deserve high-quality sound. The reason for spending money is so we own it and do not ever have to worry about it being taken down or the podcast being interfered with.

*In April 2020, Epidemic Sound is running a free-month trial.

Headphones
When recording and editing, I typically use my Beats Studio Wireless headphones. But I used them with the provided standard headphone jack cord that plugs right into my MacBook Pro.

Why do I plug my headphones in? Good question.

Wired sound is still preferred by audio professionals because even the most high end wireless devices still have lag. So, if I’m interviewing someone while using wireless, there is a significant delay between the time they say it and the time I hear it. If you’d like an example of the lag time, you could use wireless headphones to monitor your own voice track and hear the time it takes for your own words to reach your ears.

If I’m in a pinch, I sometimes use my Apple AirPods. Also, if the person I am interviewing has them, I recommend using the corded Apple headphones that have the danly mic. Those usually work great when recording a phone call.

App and things

Some apps and services I use on a regular basis:

Canva
Headliner App
Calendly
Giphy
Loom

I’ll add to or delete from this list from time to time.

What about video and photo?

We use Adobe Photoshop and Final Cut Pro X for most of our editing needs. We also use a free program called Google Drawings.

Sony Handycam HDR-CX220
This is the camera that has captured the entire journey, from when Brian was coaching the kids at U11 in Southern California, when the boys went to Spain and played FC Barcelona, and more recently when they played Manchester City. It’s a simple camera. Nothing fancy. And the content that it has created should be enough evidence that you don’t need something super fancy if the content is high-quality in and of itself. Click to view product

Canon 70D and Canon 6D
These are the cameras that were used to record all of the footage from our third Coaching Summit in Fullerton, CA. Our friend Tyler Follet was the man behind that.

Click to view 70D
Click to view 6D

The first and second Summit’s in Las Vegas were recorded by our friend Arvel Chappell. He used a few different cameras and I wasn’t able to reach him before releasing this list, but Arvel is a professional filmmaker and currently works for one of the top production studios in Hollywood. Needless to say, whatever he used was top of the line.

DJI Osmo
Lastly, and probably my favorite piece of equipment at the moment. I’m using this to develop some new content that will be out in the future. Here’s a sneak peek. Care to take a guess at what’s coming in 2018 🙂 Click to view product

That’s a pretty up to date list of everything we’re using here at 3four3. I hope you enjoyed reading it. If you feel like I missed anything, or have questions, feel free to ask.

Twitter is a great place to do that. My name on there is @thatcroatianguy.