Start with one good USB microphone
A single decent USB condenser or dynamic mic outperforms trying to get by with a headset or laptop mic by a wide margin, and it\’s the one purchase worth prioritising.
Closed-back headphones, not earbuds
Closed-back headphones let you monitor your own audio while recording without leaking sound back into the mic, which earbuds and open headphones can\’t reliably do.
A quiet room beats expensive treatment
Recording in a smaller, softer-furnished room (closets with clothes are a well-known trick) often beats a bigger untreated room with pricier gear.
Free recording and editing software
You don\’t need paid software to start — free tools handle basic recording and editing perfectly well while you\’re finding your format and rhythm.