TESTED IN LAGOS, NAIROBI & JOBURG
Gear that survives the grid.
Three studio builds, itemised and priced honestly - plus the mics we'd actually buy. No affiliate fluff; when we get paid, we say so.
THE STARTER$150
One host, a phone, and a door that closes.
Boya BY-M1 lav mic - $25
Any Android + open-source recorder - $0
Foam-free blanket booth - $0
Powerbank (10,000mAh) - $30
Wired earphones - $15
Hosting, year one - $80
FULL BUILD GUIDE →
Any Android + open-source recorder - $0
Foam-free blanket booth - $0
Powerbank (10,000mAh) - $30
Wired earphones - $15
Hosting, year one - $80
THE CREATOR ★$500
Two hosts, USB workflow, sounds professional.
2× Samson Q2U (USB/XLR) - $140
Used laptop that runs Reaper - $200
Boom arms + pop filters - $60
UPS for load-shedding - $70
Acoustic panels (DIY) - $30
FULL BUILD GUIDE →
Used laptop that runs Reaper - $200
Boom arms + pop filters - $60
UPS for load-shedding - $70
Acoustic panels (DIY) - $30
THE STUDIO$2,000
Four voices, video-ready, client-friendly.
Rodecaster Duo - $500
2× Shure MV7 - $500
2× budget cams + capture - $400
Lighting pair - $150
Inverter + battery - $350
Treatment that isn't egg boxes - $100
FULL BUILD GUIDE →
2× Shure MV7 - $500
2× budget cams + capture - $400
Lighting pair - $150
Inverter + battery - $350
Treatment that isn't egg boxes - $100
QUICK PICKS - MICS UNDER $100
Samson Q2UUSB + XLR, grows with you. The default answer.
BEST OVERALL
$70
Boya BY-M1Lav mic that makes phone recording listenable.
BEST AT $25
$25
Fifine K669BCondenser on a budget - quiet rooms only.
BEST DESK
$35
Maono AU-902Two-pack value for co-hosted shows.
BEST PAIR
$90
POWER RULE Nº1
Buy the UPS before the second mic.
A $70 UPS has saved more African episodes than any $300 microphone. Full load-shedding survival guide in the course.
READ THE FIELD GUIDE →