Avoid Gear Acquisition Syndrome

When I first got in to podcasting and launched Geek Cred back in January of 2007, I was using practically the simplest equipment setup possible: a $30 (give or take) USB headset which I already owned. Despite such humble beginnings, in the years since, as Geek Cred has grown, and as my interest in audio production has grown (to the point of becoming my chosen career), so has the technical complexity and sophistication of the equipment—not to mention the (gulp!) associated price tag.

Maybe it’s the geek in me, but much like the kid who would read the catalogs to see all the coolest toys, I love looking at gear online. “Wouldn’t it just be awesome if I had that microphone or that mixer?” While it may originate innocently enough, so-called “gear acquisition syndrome” can be a dangerous trap to fall in to, and I admit I’ve found myself thinking that way a few times. “If only I had that, I would sound awesome, get a huge audience, and get rich and famous.” Okay, maybe that last bit was just a little bit of an exaggeration, but not as much as you might think. With that said, it is important to remember that the equipment is just that—a tool, and instrument.  You might want that gear, but you don’t technically need anything more than the most rudimentary setup, because no matter what your topic may be, the essential ingredient in your show is you. “Content is king” may have become something of a catch phrase, but that doesn’t make it any less true.  No amount of technology can change that; there is no equipment that will “automagically” turn your show into “must-listen” content or sonic gold. (Sorry, if you don’t have a naturally deep bassy voice, that microphone will not somehow magically give you the Voice of God™.)

It’s just as important—if not more so—to learn how to actually use the gear you’ve got, and to make the most out of it. With a little effort and ingenuity, someone with more inexpensive gear, but who has taken the time to learn and knows what they are doing, is probably likely to produce a better result than someone with very expensive high-end gear, but has not become adept at getting the most out of it. While an expensive microphone can sound great in the right hands, it can also sound just as bad as a terrible $20 microphone if you’re not careful. I admit, the world of media production is full of intimidating jargon, and can be a bit daunting for the uninitiated, but no matter how tech-savvy you are, a little learning of the essentials can go a long way.

Some might be perfectly content to go on using whatever they’ve already got, and if you’re one of them, you might be better than me. I admit, for the geek in me, there’s something incredibly satisfying about buying that shiny new piece of gear, waiting for it to be delivered to my door, and when it finally is, opening it up for the first time, and setting it up. When that shiny new piece of kit arrives, I’m like a little kid on Christmas. But in the end, it’s important to remember that it’s just a tool. My intention is not to scare any podcaster away from investing a little money on some high-quality gear to improve their sound, because I think having good production quality is important. But before you go reaching for the credit card to buy that piece of would-be “killer” gear—whether it be a microphone, mixer, what have you—take a moment to take a long, hard look at yourself, and your motivations. Is this something I really need? How much will it really improve the production? Will it make it easier or quicker, Because it’s you that makes the podcast—not the gear you use to make it.

Sound off and let me know what you think in the comments!