Which gear and tools does Scott Kivowitz recommend for recording high-quality podcasts?

I focus on two main areas: gear and software/platforms.

For gear, I always start with:

1. A good microphone (USB or XLR, depending on budget)
2. Closed‑back headphones to monitor your sound
3. A pop filter and shock mount
4. Some basic sound‑dampening in your space (foam, curtains, rugs)

For software and tools, I often recommend:

1. Audacity – free recording/editing
2. GarageBand – great for Apple users
3. Adobe Audition – pro‑level editing
4. Hindenburg – built for podcasters and storytellers
5. Descript – edit audio by editing text, great for removing ums/uhs
6. Riverside.fm and SquadCast – studio‑quality remote recording
7. Transistor.fm – podcast hosting
8. Castmagic – post‑production help (show notes, clips, etc.)

What’s your current budget and are you recording solo or doing interviews?