Podcasting in India is booming, with creators from every niche—from finance and comedy to education and spirituality—building loyal audiences. But one of the most common questions new and growing podcasters ask is:
“How much does a podcast studio setup cost in India?”
The answer isn’t always straightforward, because your total cost depends on several factors: your purpose (hobby or professional), recording environment (home or rented studio), and the quality of gear you invest in. Whether you’re a beginner planning a budget-friendly home setup in Pune or a brand aiming to record a multi-host show in a premium Mumbai studio, this guide covers everything you need to know about Recording Studio Setup Cost in India for 2024–2025.
We’ll break down the equipment categories, offer pricing tiers (budget to high-end), and share real-world cost-saving tips—so you can make informed decisions and get the best quality within your budget.
Factors That Influence Podcast Studio Setup Cost in India
The cost of setting up a podcast studio in India isn’t one-size-fits-all. It depends on multiple factors—ranging from the purpose of your podcast to technical requirements and even the city you’re recording in. Whether you’re planning a home setup in Pune or renting a high-end studio in Mumbai, understanding these variables is essential to plan a setup that aligns with your budget and content goals.
Location: Home Studio vs Rented Space vs Agency Setup
- Home Studios are cost-effective long-term. You invest once in equipment and room treatment (₹20,000–₹2 lakh), and avoid recurring rental costs. Ideal for solo creators or hobbyists with predictable recording schedules.
- Rented Studios in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, or Bangalore offer plug-and-play options with professional gear, engineers, and acoustics. Rates range from ₹800–₹7,000 per hour depending on the city and studio facilities.
- Agency-run Productions handle everything—from scripting and setup to post-production and distribution. These are ideal for brands and corporates, but cost a premium—often ₹50,000 to ₹2 lakh per month for regular production contracts.
DIY vs Professional Setup
- DIY setups involve buying budget or mid-range gear, learning recording/editing skills, and optimizing your room with foam panels or blankets. Initial cost: ₹15,000–₹60,000.
- Professional setups require high-end gear, expert acoustic treatment, and possibly a sound engineer. These can cost upwards of ₹2–5 lakh, especially when integrated with video production.
DIY setups are great for flexibility and control, but professional studios offer superior output quality and time savings—especially valuable for monetized shows or brand-backed podcasts.
Purpose: Hobby, Monetization, or Branding
- Hobbyists often aim for minimum viable setups—just enough to sound clear without breaking the bank.
- Monetized podcasts (ads, subscriptions, sponsored episodes) demand reliable audio quality, consistent branding, and multichannel output (audio + video).
- Business and branding podcasts prioritize professionalism, visual appeal, and multi-host capability—driving up the need for lighting, cameras, mixers, and engineered spaces.
Number of Hosts/Guests
The more people you record simultaneously, the higher your gear requirements:
- Multiple XLR microphones
- Larger audio interfaces or mixers with 4–8 input channels
- Additional headphones and monitoring gear
- Space and acoustic adjustments
For example, a 2-host setup might cost ₹40,000–₹70,000, while a 4-host panel setup could push beyond ₹1 lakh, especially with video.
Equipment Quality & Brand Choices
The brand and build quality of your equipment significantly affect both performance and cost:
- Shure SM7B (₹40K) vs ATR2100x (₹8K)
- Rodecaster Pro II (₹75K) vs Behringer Xenyx Q802USB (₹8K)
- MLT Acoustix bass traps (₹10K/pair) vs DIY foam panels (₹2K/set)
Choosing pro-grade gear results in cleaner audio, less post-editing, and longer lifespan—but with a heavier upfront investment.
Also Read : Do You Need a Production Company for a Podcast in 2025?
Podcast Studio Equipment and Cost Breakdown (India)
| Category | Component | Details / Examples | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microphones | Dynamic Mics | Shure SM7B (noise rejection, broadcast quality) | ₹40,000+ |
| Microphones | Condenser Mics | Audio-Technica ATR2100x, AT2020 | ₹6,000 – ₹15,000 |
| Microphones | USB Mics (Entry-level) | Blue Yeti, Snowball, Samson | ₹4,000 – ₹10,000 |
| Audio Interfaces | Basic Interfaces | Behringer UMC22 (2-in), Audient EVO4 | ₹3,500 – ₹15,000 |
| Audio Interfaces | Mid-Range Interfaces | Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, PreSonus AudioBox | ₹15,000 – ₹25,000 |
| Mixers | Analog/Digital Mixers | Zoom LiveTrak L-8, Maonocaster AM-07, Audio Array AI-03 | ₹10,000 – ₹70,000 |
| Acoustic Treatment | Foam Panels | Basic wall treatment for echo control | ₹5,000 – ₹15,000 |
| Acoustic Treatment | Pro-Grade Setup | Rigid panels, diffusers, multiple wall coverage | ₹50,000 – ₹2,00,000 |
| Acoustic Treatment | Bass Traps | Installed in corners for low-frequency control | ₹20,000 – ₹50,000 |
| Soundproofing | Isolation Work | Mass-loaded vinyl, sealed doors, drywall | ₹100 – ₹400 per sq. ft |
| Editing Software | Free DAWs | Audacity, GarageBand (Mac) | ₹0 |
| Editing Software | Professional DAWs | Adobe Audition, Reaper, Logic Pro, Pro Tools | ₹15,000 – ₹50,000 |
| Furniture | Desk | Recording desk or console for equipment | ₹8,000 – ₹30,000 |
| Furniture | Chair | Comfortable chair for long recording sessions | ₹5,000 – ₹15,000 |
| Accessories | Mic Boom Arms | Flexible mic placement | ₹2,000 each |
| Accessories | Pop Filters | Reduces plosive sounds | ₹500 – ₹1,000 |
| Accessories | Shock Mounts | Reduces vibrations from table/floor | ₹1,000 – ₹3,000 |
| Accessories | XLR Cables | Good quality cables for mic-to-interface | ₹500 – ₹2,000 each |
| Accessories | Monitoring Headphones | Audio-Technica ATH-M20x, ATH-M50x | ₹8,000 – ₹11,000 |
| Lighting | LED Panels or Kits | Basic LEDs to professional video lights | ₹3,000 – ₹20,000 |
| Other Essentials | Flooring, Rugs, Curtains | Improves acoustics, reflection control | Varies |
| Other Costs | Electricity (AC/Heating) | Ongoing operational cost for sealed studios | Recurring |
Budget Podcast Studio Setup Cost Breakdown (₹15,000 – ₹40,000)
At the budget end (₹15–₹40 K), the goal is to cover essentials for a clear podcast without splurging. Creators on this budget often rely on all-in-one or USB gear and free software. In fact, experts note you can start recording on a smartphone alone for virtually no costs – a great fallback until you upgrade. More commonly, a budget setup will include a decent USB microphone or an entry-level XLR mic, a pair of headphones, and a few accessories. For example, a popular USB mic like the Blue Yeti (₹10,000) paired with basic closed-back headphones (₹4,000) and a pop filter/boom arm (₹2,000) adds up to only ₹16K. One guide’s breakdown shows a simple USB-mic setup totaling about $270 (₹22K), and adding an XLR mic plus a basic interface brings it to $390 (~₹32K). These examples fall right in the ₹15K–₹40K range. In this tier, expect to use free recording/editing software (like Audacity) and work in a quiet room or rudimentary home studio.
Key equipment: A good USB microphone (≈₹5–10K) or entry XLR mic (≈₹8–15K) with an audio interface, budget studio headphones (≈₹3–5K) and basic mic stand/boom, plus pop filters and cables. Most gear here is plug-and-play (e.g. ATR2100x or Blue Snowball mics, Focusrite 2i2 interface ~₹13K).
Estimated cost: Roughly ₹20,000–₹35,000 for a complete one- or two-person kit. Going beyond ₹40K at this level usually means adding a second mic or better headphones.
Who is it for: Beginner podcasters and hobbyists on a tight budget. Ideal for solo hosts or a two-person show who need clear audio but can’t (or don’t want to) invest heavily yet. This setup is great for experimenting and learning; you can always upgrade gear later as your podcast grows.
Mid-Range Podcast Studio Setup Cost Breakdown (₹40,000 – ₹1,00,000)
Mid-range budgets (₹40K–₹1L) unlock better audio quality and flexibility, especially for multi-host shows or semi-pro projects. In this tier, podcasters usually move to XLR microphones and higher-end interfaces or small mixers. For example, two good XLR mics (₹15–20K each) plus a 2–4 channel audio interface (₹15–30K) and decent headphones (~₹5–10K) can easily reach ₹50K–60K. Benchmark Technomate notes that “mid-range setups cost ₹20,000 to ₹50,000” for one mic/interface, but doubling up or choosing premium models pushes costs higher. As a point of reference, one guide’s “full setup” with two mics and a mixer totaled about $570 (≈₹47K). In practice, serious mid-range setups (especially with two or more hosts) often run ₹60K–90K. At this level you might also add modest acoustic treatments (foam panels), a better webcam/camera for video podcasts, and perhaps paid editing software.
Key equipment: Multiple XLR microphones (e.g. Shure SM58/Rode PodMic, ₹8K–20K each, an audio interface or small mixer (e.g. Focusrite Scarlett series, Yamaha MG10XU; ₹8K–30K depending on channels, quality studio headphones (₹5K–10K), and essential accessories (pop filters, boom arms, cables ~₹2K–5K). You may also include a basic pair of computer speakers or start basic soundproofing panels at this stage.
Estimated cost: Typically ₹40,000–₹90,000 for a complete setup. (For example, two XLR mics (₹30K), a 4-channel interface (₹25K), headphones (~₹8K) and accessories easily sum to ₹63K.) Many setups with 2–3 hosts, a mixer, and some treatment fall between ₹50K and ₹1L. As one analysis shows, two mics plus a mixer ran about $570 (≈₹47K) before adding extra gear. Going up to ₹1L might include premium mic models or a dedicated mixer board.
Who is it for: Dedicated or semi-pro podcasters, small teams, and enthusiasts. This tier suits anyone who wants noticeably better sound and possibly recording with multiple people. If you plan to monetize your podcast or build a local studio, mid-range gear provides a professional edge without the cost of a full broadcast rig.
High-End Professional Podcast Setup Cost Breakdown (₹1.5 Lakh – ₹5 Lakh+)
High-end budgets (₹1.5L–₹5L+) allow for broadcast-quality, studio-grade setups. At this level, there is little compromise on audio fidelity or build quality. Professional podcasters and studios invest in premium XLR microphones (like Shure SM7B, Rode Procaster, or AKG C414) – often ₹25,000–₹1,00,000 each. They also use advanced audio mixers or multi-channel interfaces (often ₹20,000–₹50,000 or more) that can handle several microphones and integrate with software seamlessly. High-end studio monitor speakers (₹50K+ pair) and dedicated sound booths or full acoustic treatment (panels, bass traps totalling ₹20K–₹50K) are common. In this range, even a single mic setup can cost over ₹1 lakh. Benchmark Technomate notes that “professional” kits typically start around ₹75,000 and go beyond ₹2,00,000, so spending ₹1.5L–5L is consistent with building a mini broadcast suite.
Key equipment: Top-tier XLR microphones (₹25K–1,00K each ) for each host, a professional-grade mixing console or digital audio interface (₹20K–50K+) with multiple channels, studio monitors (speakers) and headphones (₹10K–30K), plus extensive acoustic treatment (walls/ceiling panels, ₹5K–20K) or even a soundproof booth. Camera and lighting rigs (₹20K–50K+) may also be included if recording video. All cables, power conditioners, and backup storage are typically higher-end as well.
Estimated cost: Easily ₹1.5 lakh and up for complete outfitting. (For example, 4 premium mics (₹3–4L total) plus a pro mixer (₹50K), monitors (₹100K/pair), headphone sets (₹30K total) and room treatment can quickly exceed ₹5L.) Even the core audio gear alone (multiple mics + interface) often runs ₹1L–2L. Large studios may go far beyond ₹5L for elaborate installations.
Who is it for: Full-time, professional podcasters and studios. This level suits high-profile shows, commercial productions, or businesses creating branded podcasts. It delivers the best possible audio quality and flexibility (multi-guest recording, live streaming, etc.), but requires deep pockets.
Also Read : How to Start a Podcast on a Budget?
City-wise Best Podcast Studio Setup Cost in India
- Mumbai: Equipment+rent estimate (₹2–6L); studio rental ~₹1–2.5K/hr
- Delhi NCR: Similar gear, rent ~₹30K–1L; example rate ₹1.5–4K/hr
- Bangalore: Setup costs, rent ~₹40K–1.2L; studios quote ₹5.5–7K/hr
- Chennai: (Lower rents, roughly ₹1–2K/hr; gear ~₹1–4L).
Tips to Save Cost Without Sacrificing Quality
Setting up a podcast studio in India doesn’t have to drain your savings. With the right strategies, you can achieve professional-grade sound and production quality even on a modest budget. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling up, these expert-backed cost-saving tips help you optimize your investment without compromising on performance.
Use Free or Open-Source Software
Avoid high-cost subscriptions early on by using Audacity (free) or Reaper (free trial + affordable license) instead of Adobe Audition. These tools offer studio-grade editing and support most plugins used by professionals.
Buy Used or Refurbished Gear from Trusted Sources
Many Indian creators buy certified pre-owned microphones, interfaces, or headphones from platforms like Bajaao Renew, Amazon Renewed, or local pro audio dealers. Since studio gear is typically well-maintained, you can often save 20–40% on high-quality equipment like Focusrite interfaces or Shure mics.
DIY Acoustic Treatment Can Be Highly Effective
Instead of investing in expensive commercial soundproofing, use DIY acoustic solutions such as:
- Thick curtains or carpets to reduce reflection
- Bookshelves filled with irregular items to diffuse sound
- Hanging moving blankets or foam panels with adhesive strips
These simple tricks, backed by real-world testing from Indian podcasters, can drastically improve recording quality without big spending.
Collaborate or Co-Share Studio Spaces
If you’re located in metros like Mumbai, Delhi, or Bangalore, consider sharing studio rental costs with fellow podcasters or renting during off-peak hours. Some Indian podcast studios offer shared plans or discounted bulk sessions, especially for independent creators.
Also Read : How Long Does It Take to Edit a Podcast?
Conclusion
Setting up a podcast studio may seem daunting at first, but with clear planning and the right choices, you can achieve excellent audio quality at every budget level. Whether you’re spending ₹20,000 for a solo USB mic setup or ₹5 lakh+ for a full-scale broadcast suite, understanding the cost dynamics and equipment options empowers you to scale wisely and produce content that builds trust with your audience.
From budget home studios using USB microphones, to professional multi-host setups with acoustic treatment and DSLR cameras, this guide has shown you how the podcast studio setup cost in India varies based on your needs, location, and goals.
By applying the cost-saving tips shared above—like using open-source software, opting for refurbished gear, or co-renting studio time—you can reduce expenses without compromising on sound clarity or production value.
Final takeaway: Start where you are, invest gradually, and focus on creating meaningful audio experiences. Because in podcasting, your voice matters more than your gear—though great gear helps your voice shine.
Ready to Launch Your Podcast with Studio-Grade Quality?
Skip the guesswork and step into a fully equipped, sound-treated podcast production studio in the heart of Mumbai. Whether you’re just starting or scaling up, Ollar Studios has flexible packages, professional engineers, and everything you need to sound like a pro.
Call us at 9004344101 Or Book Your Studio Session at Ollar Studios – Click Here
