AHVANGUARD
Accessible Podcast Studio
2-Person Setup with 3-Camera Configuration | Hands-Free Operation
📊 System Architecture
Capture
3x Mevo Cameras
→
Audio
RodeCaster Mixer
→
Control
iPad + Mevo App
→
Edit
Descript AI
→
Publish
Podcast Host
👁️
Eye Tracking
Control cursor with eye movements. Dwell-click to select. Navigate all software hands-free.
Tobii PCEye 5 + TD Control
🗣️
Voice Commands
Dictate text, control apps, trigger recording. Always-listening wake phrase.
Dragon + VoiceComputer
🤖
AI Automation
Auto camera switching during recording. AI handles 90% of editing automatically.
Mevo Auto-Director + Descript
🎬 Physical Studio Layout
📷 Camera 1
Host Close-up
45° angle left
👤 HOST
- Eye tracker on monitor
- Boom mic (left side)
- iPad within eye-gaze
- Voice control active
👥 GUEST
- Boom mic (right side)
- Headphones
- Clear sightline to host
- Comfortable seating
📷 Camera 2
Guest Close-up
45° angle right
📷 Camera 3 (Wide)
Centered, 6-8ft back | Both participants
REQUIRED Essential for basic studio operation
ACCESSIBILITY Required for hands-free operation
OPTIONAL Recommended upgrade, can add later
Good
Budget-FriendlyBetter
RecommendedBest
Premium ♿ Accessibility Technology
Eye Tracking System ACCESSIBILITY
Tobii Eye Tracker 5
Gaming-focused, basic Windows control, USB connection
$229
Good entry point
Tobii PCEye 5
Medical-grade, designed for disabilities, TD Control included
$2,495
Insurance may cover
Tobii I-Series + TD Pilot
Full AAC device, outdoor use, dedicated support team
$5,000+
Complete solution
Voice Control Software ACCESSIBILITY
Apple Voice Control
Built into macOS/iOS, good accuracy, grid navigation
Free
Mac users only
Dragon Professional
99% accuracy, extensive commands, industry standard
$500
Windows
Dragon + VoiceComputer
Always-on microphone, enhanced hands-free control
$800
Full hands-free
Production Control OPTIONAL
Siri Shortcuts
Custom voice commands, iOS integration
Free
Stream Deck Mobile
Voice control via Siri, production triggers
$50/yr
Stream Deck XL
Physical buttons, pairs with eye tracker
$249
📹 Camera System
Cameras (3 needed) REQUIRED
Mevo Start 3-Pack
1080p, auto-switching, 6hr battery, wireless, microSD
$999
Great value bundle
Mevo Start 3-Pack + iPad
Same cameras + dedicated control tablet
$1,448
Easier management
Mevo Core (x3)
4K, Micro Four Thirds sensor, interchangeable lenses
$2,997
Professional quality
Tripods (3 needed) OPTIONAL
Basic Tripods
Standard camera tripods, adjustable height
$90
SmallRig 71" Tripods
Professional, stable base, quick release
$210
SmallRig + MFT Lenses
Tripods + Panasonic 25mm f/1.7 lenses for Core
$660
Control Tablet REQUIRED
Use Existing iPad
Any iPad with iOS 14+
$0
If you have one
iPad 10th Gen
10.9", A14 chip, USB-C, great display
$449
iPad Pro 11"
M2 chip, ProMotion, larger workspace
$799
🎤 Audio Equipment
Audio Mixer REQUIRED
Zoom PodTrak P4
4 inputs, battery powered, portable, sound pads
$229
Simple setup
RodeCaster Duo
2 XLR, app control, auto-levels, premium preamps
$499
Great balance
RodeCaster Pro II
4 XLR, multitrack, effects, studio quality
$699
Room to grow
Microphones (x2) REQUIRED
Samson Q2U (x2)
USB + XLR, dynamic cardioid, great starter
$140
Best budget option
Shure MV7+ (x2)
USB + XLR, built-in DSP, auto-level
$500
Pro prosumer
Shure SM7B (x2)
Industry standard, exceptional noise rejection
$798
Broadcast standard
Boom Arms (x2) OPTIONAL
Generic Boom Arms
Desk-mounted, spring tension
$60
Rode PSA1+ (x2)
Professional studio arms, smooth movement
$218
Rode PSA1+ (x2)
Same - already the best option
$218
Headphones (x2) OPTIONAL
Sony MDR-ZX110 (x2)
Basic monitoring, lightweight, comfortable
$30
Sony MDR-7506 (x2)
Industry standard, accurate, durable
$198
Beyerdynamic DT 770 (x2)
Premium comfort, accurate sound
$318
Cables & Accessories REQUIRED
Basic Kit
XLR cables (x2), pop filters (x2)
$60
Standard Kit
Quality XLR, pop filters, shock mounts
$120
Premium Kit
Mogami cables, windscreens, isolation pads
$200
💻 Software & AI Tools
AI Video Editor OPTIONAL
Descript Free
Basic editing, 1hr transcription/month
$0/mo
Limited features
Descript Creator
AI filler removal, Studio Sound, 30hr/mo
$12/mo
Most features
Descript Pro
Auto multicam, unlimited, team collab
$24/mo
Everything
Podcast Hosting REQUIRED
Spotify for Podcasters
Free hosting, Spotify integration, basic analytics
$0/mo
Buzzsprout
Easy hosting, great analytics, 3hr/mo free
$12/mo
Transistor.fm
Professional hosting, multiple shows, advanced
$19/mo
Production Apps REQUIRED
Mevo Multicam App
Camera control, auto-switching, streaming
Free
Mevo + Rode Central
Camera + mixer control apps
Free
Mevo + Rode + OBS
Full production suite with OBS Studio
Free
📋 Minimum Required to Start
These items are essential for basic podcast operation with accessibility features:
Core Equipment
- Mevo Start 3-Pack $999
- iPad (or existing) $0-449
- Audio Mixer (Zoom/Rode) $229-499
- Microphones x2 $140-500
- Basic Cables/Filters $60
Accessibility Tech
- Eye Tracker $229-2,495
- Voice Control Free-800
Software (Free Options)
- Mevo Multicam App Free
- Apple Voice Control Free
- Descript Free Tier Free
- Spotify for Podcasters Free
Absolute Minimum (with existing iPad): ~$1,657
💰 Total Investment
Good
$2,176
Accessibility: $229
Cameras: $1,089
Audio: $519
Software: Free
Cameras: $1,089
Audio: $519
Software: Free
+ $0/mo (limited features)
Better
$5,988
Accessibility: $3,045
Cameras: $1,658
Audio: $1,035
Software: Included
Cameras: $1,658
Audio: $1,035
Software: Included
+ $24/mo
Best
$9,863
Accessibility: $3,544
Cameras: $4,456
Audio: $1,233
Software: Included
Cameras: $4,456
Audio: $1,233
Software: Included
+ $43/mo
💡 Our Recommendation
Go with Better tier for most categories. The Tobii PCEye 5 is worth the investment for reliable accessibility,
and the RodeCaster Duo + Shure MV7+ combo delivers excellent audio quality.
The Mevo Start 3-Pack with Auto-Director is the key accessibility feature - it eliminates the need for manual camera switching during recording.
Descript Creator handles most editing needs, and you can always upgrade later.
📝 Important Notes
- Insurance Coverage: Tobii PCEye 5 may qualify for Medicare/Medicaid coverage as assistive technology. Get a letter of medical necessity from your physician.
- Mevo Auto-Director: This is the key accessibility feature - it automatically switches cameras based on who's speaking, requiring no manual intervention.
- Voice Commands: Use Siri Shortcuts + Stream Deck Mobile for commands like "Hey Siri, start podcast recording" and "Hey Siri, stop recording".
- Descript AI: Handles filler word removal, audio cleanup, and auto-multicam in post - dramatically reduces manual editing time.
- Start Simple: You don't need everything at once. Start with cameras + audio + basic accessibility, then upgrade voice control and editing tools.
- WiFi Network: Mevo cameras require a dedicated 5GHz WiFi network. Keep them separate from other devices for best performance.