Podcast Studio Build
The studio build for The Cheat Code — a two-camera, two-host podcast/video setup. Every line item below is priced three ways — buy-new on Amazon, used online (eBay / MPB / Reverb), and local pickup on Facebook Marketplace (Downtown LA). Click any price to go straight to the listing.
Bottom line — three ways to buy
Line items & price quotes
Blackmagic ATEM Mini Pro ISO
×18-input HDMI live switcher · records isolated feeds of every camera + program. The hub of the whole rig.
Pick: low-risk used item — local or eBay around $400–450 saves ~$150 vs new.
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Sony FX30 (body)
×2 · ~$1,600 eaSuper 35 cinema camera. Prices shown per body; totals below are for the pair.
Pick: on a $3k+ camera, buy used from MPB (~$1,570 ea, 6-mo warranty, graded). FB is cheapest if you can inspect in person.
Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 (Sony E)
×2 · ~$500 eaDi III-A VC RXD — the do-everything APS-C zoom for the FX30s. Per-lens prices; totals are for the pair.
Pick: used ~$500–520 ea lands the pair right at budget. New is +$560.
Shure SM7B
×2 · ~$439 eaBroadcast dynamic mic — the podcast standard. Per-mic prices; totals are for the pair. (Part of the Audio line.)
Pick: mics age gracefully — used ~$300–330 ea is a safe buy and saves ~$220+.
RØDE PodMic USB Mic · Option B
×2 · ~$180 eaBudget alternative to the SM7B — dynamic broadcast mic with both USB-C and XLR, built-in pop filter + APHEX DSP. Runs on the Rødecaster (XLR) or straight into a computer (USB).
Pick: at $180 ea, buy new — a pair is ~$360 (vs ~$660–878 for two SM7Bs), keeping audio inside the original $400 line. The SM7B stays the recommended mix pick for top-tier sound; PodMic USB is the value play.
Rødecaster Pro (original)
×1Podcast mixer/interface for both SM7Bs. Original is discontinued — new = Pro II; the original lives on the used market. (Part of the Audio line.)
Pick: used original ~$340–380 on Reverb/FB. Only go Pro II ($699 new) if you want the newer features.
3-point lighting kit
key + fill + backSuggested build: 3× COB LED (e.g. Amaran 100d S / 150c) + softboxes + light stands. Prices are for the full kit.
Pick: COB lights are common on local resale — a used Amaran/Godox kit ~$600–700 comes in well under budget.
LG 32UN550-W (32" 4K UHD)
×1 · 31.5"32" 4K UHD (3840×2160) display, HDR10, height-adjustable stand. Doubles as the ATEM's live preview over HDMI and your editing screen.
Pick: buy new (~$299 at Amazon/Walmart) for full warranty + dead-pixel coverage — it's right at budget. Used 32" 4K runs ~$180–210 if you'd rather save ~$100.
Cabling & power
buy newBundle: 6× HDMI (cameras→ATEM + monitor), 2× XLR (SM7B→Rødecaster), USB-C, surge strip, cable management.
Pick: buy cables new — they're cheap and reliability matters on a live switch. ~$260 covers everything.
Recommended build — itemized (~$6,810)
| Item | Source | Condition | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATEM Mini Pro ISO | Facebook (DTLA) | Used | $400 |
| Sony FX30 × 2 | MPB | Used · warranty | $3,140 |
| Tamron 17-70 f/2.8 × 2 | MPB / eBay | Used | $1,040 |
| Shure SM7B × 2 | eBay / Facebook | Used | $660 |
| Rødecaster Pro (original) | Reverb | Used | $380 |
| 3-point lighting kit | Facebook / eBay | Used | $650 |
| LG 32" 4K monitor (32UN550-W) | Amazon / Walmart | New | $300 |
| Cabling & power | Amazon | New | $260 |
| Total | $6,830 |
Ongoing subscription — episode review & edits
Frame.io — review & collaboration
subscriptionUpload each episode so your partner and editor can leave timestamped comments, approvals, and edit notes in one place — instead of scattered texts and screenshots. Now an Adobe product.
Pick: Pro at $15/member·mo (~$13 billed annually, ~13% off) — for 2 hosts ≈ $30/mo / ~$360/yr. Trial it free first; move to Team only if you add reviewers or need 3 TB+.