In this article, I will detail the recommended items you will need for setting up a small Internet radio studio in your home or apartment. These items can be neatly arranged on a small-to-medium-sized desk. The rig will assume the connection of two microphones to accommodate those who seek to do podcasting, talk shows, and guest interviews.
I will list each item and describe their functions. I will also provide an image and link where you can purchase each item.
It is assumed that you have a high-speed Internet connection with at least 10MB upload and 60MB download speeds. Which is more than you will need.
This could be a wired or wireless connection to your router/modem. Wired is better but I have not had any issues broadcasting over a wireless connection.
One thing to keep in mind is the number of devices connected to your router/modem. Do you have Smart TVs connected to your network? Wireless printers? Other computers? Mobile devices? Do you have family members who are connected and they are watching streaming movies (Netflix, YouTube, etc) or downloading files and such? If so, your home network is a shared network and it could bog down your streams. If you have a professionally set up home network with routers and switches with configurable ports, the above will be non-issues. If you are the only one using your network, this is a non-issue. I was successfully streaming with another person in my house sharing the network. I just wanted you to know these things in case you run into your streams cutting in and out.
Items such as headsets and speakers are whatever you have at hand. These do not have what I have in my list below. These are the recommended items in case you do not have them. Make sure that your stereo headsets are the wired-type with a 1/4 inch plug or adapter. The headsets and speakers will plug into a 1/4 headset port on your PV6 mixer console.
You might even have a laptop or desktop. It will work fine as long as it has a fast processor, two 3.0 USB ports, and a minimum of 8MB of RAM. 16 MB or more is better. Why? Because you will be running SAM Broadcaster on it and interfacing the PV6 Mixing Console and Behringer U-Control into it. Whatever computer type you use should be dedicated to SAM Broadcaster Pro. It is OK to have a web browser, Microsoft Office and a few programs you use on it. But this computer should not be loaded down with a bunch of software.
This computer is your home Radio Studio for live broadcasting. EVERYTHING connects to it and runs in and out of it.
Recommended Studio Equipment
| Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop | To run SAM Broadcaster | $487.00 |  | Buy Here |
| SAM Broadcaster Pro | Internet Radio Software | $299.00 |  | Buy Here |
| PV6 | Mixing Console | $149.00 |  | Buy Here |
| Behringer U-Control | Connects PV6 Mixer To Computer | $29.99 |  | Buy Here |
| Audio-Technica AT2035 Microphone Bundle | A high-quality condenser Mic with pop filter and XLR cable | $163.90 |  | Buy Here |
| InnoGear Adjustable Mic Boom w/Shock Mount | To support the AT2035 Microphone | $19.99 |  | Buy Here |
| Sony Stereo Headsets | Monitoring via headsets | $89.95 |  | Buy Here |
| RCA Audio Cable | To connect speakers to PV6 Control Room RCA output jacks | $5.69 |  | Buy Here |
| 6.35mm Male to 3.5mm Female Headphone Stereo Audio Connector | To accept a stereo cable with a standard 3.5 mm (1/8 inch) plug | $5.50 |  | Buy Here |
| Extra Male to Female XLR Cables | For talk shows where more than one mic will be used. | $7.59 |  | Buy Here |
| Gold-Plated 6.35mm 1/4 inch Male TRS Stereo Plug to 2 RCA Phono Male Audio Y Splitter Cable,Connector | Used for connecting the I/O ports on the Behringer U-Control to the I/O plugs on the PV6. | $10.98 |  | Buy Here |
| 3.5mm to 2-Male RCA Adapter Audio Stereo Cables | Connects RCA output 5/6 to the headset input jack on the computer. | $8.99 |  | Buy Here |
| Powered 7-Port USB 3.0 Hub | Expands the existing USB Ports on your computer to plugin other USB devices, if needed. | $33.95 |  | Buy Here |
| Focusrite Scarlett Solo 2nd Generation USB Audio Interface (Optional) | For Portability. Great for travelling. The Focusrite mimics your Mixing console without all of the bells and whistles. You can plug your condenser Mic into it and plug the unit into a USB port on your computer running SAM Broadcaster Pro. You could broadcast while on the road! Just pack up your laptop running SAM Broadcaster, your microphone and XLR cable, and the Focusrite! | $109.99 |  | Buy Here |
| Edifier R980T 24 watt Computer 4-inch Speakers (Optional) | Don't want to wear headsets all of the time? These speakers are great sounding, small, powerful and are space-savers. They can be plugged directly into the headset port on your laptop or into the "Headphone" jack on your mixing console (recommended) via a 6.35 mm Male to 3.5 mm Female Headphone Stereo Audio Connector. (see above) | $69.99 |  | Buy Here |
| Newer Foldable Adjustable Microphone Isolation Shield | Click on the image to the right to see what this unit looks like and you will see its use. It is a portable sound absorbing unit that your microphone sits in between (either dropped in from a boom above or as shown in the image). It kills the echos as if you are in sound-proof room. It easily sits on a small to medium sized desk. I love it! | $92.99 |  | Buy Here |
