Which equipment to use for your Radio Station?

One of the most important things for radio broadcasters is the choice of their radio station equipment. Not only does your material allow you to set up your radio stream, it also helps you enhance your broadcasting quality and provide your audience with a great listening experience. 

With the vast choice of equipment that is available today, it can be difficult to know where to start. To help you see a little clearer we’re going to look at 5 categories of radio station equipment that can be useful for improving your broadcasts.

1/ Why invest in radio station equipment?
2/ Computer
3/ Headphones
4/ Microphone
5/ Mixing desk
6/ Microphone stand

Why invest in radio station equipment?

To broadcast on your internet radio station, you might want to invest in some additional equipment in order to broadcast live on air and ensure high quality audio.

Providing a great audio experience can help you attract new listeners and keep them coming back for more! Your audio quality can help differentiate your from competing stations. Rest assured, there’s no need to break the bank in order to broadcast professional audio! So let’s take a look at the different equipment you may need to start broadcasting.

Computer and Internet connection

As apposed to traditional FM (frequency modulation) radio that broadcast with an antenna, online radio stations broadcast through the power of the Internet. So, if there’s one thing you must have in order to start your online radio station, it’s a computer with Internet connection. There are no specific requirements when it comes to the operating system (MacOS, Windows or Linux), it simply comes down to your personal preference!

This equipment will allow you to:

• set up an online radio stream
• manage content
• create playlists and programs
• schedule your content to broadcast automatically
• go live on air (with a broadcasting software)

We’re now going to move on to radio equipment that can be helpful if you’re planning on broadcasting live on air. 

Note: remember that in order to go live, you’ll need to use a broadcasting software! Many are available to download for free regardless of your preferred operating system (MacOs, Windows or Linux).

Headphones

Headphones are an essential piece of equipment in the world of audio, especially for radio broadcasters. Their main role is to help you hear what’s happening on your radio better than with speakers. Furthermore, the audio quality is better, which allows you to feel closer to the music. They also allow you to pre-listen to songs before broadcasting them to ensure a smooth transition between tracks.

When you’re live on air, listening to your broadcast through headphones avoids the effect of Larsen (when your microphone broadcasts what it hears from your speakers and causes a double broadcast on your radio).

There are 3 main qualities to look for:

• Comfort: they should be comfortable and high quality as you could be wearing them for long periods of time
• Neutral: you want to invest in headphones that provide a neutral sound, meaning that all frequency ranges are heard at the same level
• Closed: they should isolate you from background noise so that surrounding sounds don’t impact your focus

Microphone

If you’re planning on speaking live on air, then a mic is an essential piece of radio equipment! Although you can broadcast from the built-in microphone on your computer, if you have one, using an external microphone will provide better audio quality.

There are many different choices, we’re going to simplify it by talking about 2 types: USB and XLR.

USB Mics

As the name indicates, USB microphones are plugged into a computer directly via USB cable. There’s no need to use mixing desk in order to connect your mic and begin your broadcast, simply connect it to your computer and you’re good to go! They are a great option if you’re looking to broadcast on a budget.

XLR Mics

In order to connect an XLR microphone to your computer, you’ll need a mixing desk or an audio interface. They are generally more expensive than USB microphones, but tend to provide better audio quality and last longer. As they are compatible with most standard audio equipment, they also leave room for you to easily change the other components of your studio set up.

Within this category, you can distinguish 2 sub-categories:

• Dynamic mics: tend to pick up mostly what’s in front of them and reduce background noise
• Condenser mics: are generally more sensitive and are known for providing a “warm” sound

Mixing Table

If you’re using an XLR mic, you’ll need a mixing table in order to connect it to your computer. Mixing desks (also called “mixers”), allow you to group multiple inputs to a single output and independently control the level of each input. You can connect other equipment such as microphones, headphones and a computer. The number of available inputs will depend on the size of your mixer.

Being able to connect several microphones allows you to broadcast live on your radio station with multiple people. It’s also a great way to involve your listeners by connecting a telephone and taking calls for example. You can also connect other devices such as: an additional laptop, a tablet, stereo players, and even instruments! They are also equipped with 48V (phantom power) which is used to power dynamic mics.

It’s difficult to recommend a specific mixer, as your choice will depend on your expectations and the type of broadcasts you want to create. We invite you to check out the article below to discover a range of mixers with 2 – 6 inputs.

Note: if you are planning on broadcasting solo with just 1 mic, then you can also invest in a simple audio interface!

Microphone Stands

To complete your studio, you may also want to look into microphone stands. The main function of a mic stand is to hold your mic steady so that you avoid touching it during your broadcasts. Touching your mic can result in parasite noises for your listeners that can be irritating and distract from your content. They are generally a very affordable piece of equipment that can make life a lot easier for radio broadcasters! There are several different types that will work best depending on your studio set up:

• A boom arm: allows you to smoothly pivot your mic without impacting the sound quality. It’s generally attached directly to your table. You will also be able to adjust how high you want your mic, and move it to a position that works best for you!
• A boom stand: again, this stand allows you to pivot and adjust the position of your microphone. However, this time the equipment stands on its own feet instead of being attached to a table. It takes up a little more space than a boom arm.
• A table stand: (also known as a desktop stand) if you’re tight for space in your studio, a table stand will probably be the best option for you. They are slightly less flexible compared to boom arms or stands, but will keep your microphone in place and also have a bit of movement to them.

There are various places where you can purchase equipment for your radio station online. However it’s always best to test it in person if possible. Here’s a small non-exhaustive list:

• Thomann
• Woodbrass
• RadioActive
• Amazon

Frequently asked questions about radio station equipment

Need help setting up your radio studio? Follow our complete guide!

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You now have all the elements you need to create a professional set up for your live broadcasts! Already have a well equipped radio studio? Share it with us on X or Instagram!