You do not need a shopping cart full of gear to do stand-up. Most new comics start with a phone, a notes app, and a local open mic. This guide is for when you want to level up your writing, recording, or home rehearsal setup without wasting money on gear you will not use yet.
If you are still writing your first jokes or have not signed up for a mic, start with How to Get Started in Stand-Up Comedy. When you are ready to browse rooms, use the open mic directory.
Start with what you already have
Before buying anything, use tools you likely own:
- Notes app on your phone for joke ideas, set lists, and post-mic debriefs
- Voice Memos to record yourself rehearsing out loud at home
- Your laptop microphone for rehearsing with OpenMicced (no extra hardware required)
Paid gear helps later. It does not replace stage reps.
Writing and prep
Comedy is rewritten in the days after a set. Capture ideas when they hit and debrief while the room is still fresh in your head.
- Moleskine Classic Pocket Notebook — small enough for a bar table, durable enough to survive your backpack. Use it for joke fragments, set order, and post-mic notes.
- Pilot G2 Gel Pens (pack) — smooth ink for fast writing during open mics and writing sessions. Cheap pens that skip are not worth the frustration.
Books on joke writing
These two books show up in comedy classes for a reason. They teach setup/punchline thinking in plain language. For a full walkthrough of how to use them alongside your first open mic, see the getting started guide.
- Step by Step to Stand-Up Comedy - Revised Edition by Greg Dean — focuses on listing associations and turning observations into punchlines.
- The Comedy Bible by Judy Carter — practical exercises for mining material from your job, family, habits, and appearance.
Recording your sets
Some venues allow phone audio recording; others do not. Always ask the host or check house rules before you hit record. When recording is allowed, these tools help you review what landed.
- UBeesize Phone Tripod — portable flexible tripod with remote and phone clip for table or chair recording at open mics. Keeps your hands free and the audio steadier than holding the phone.
- Rode SmartLav+ Lavalier Mic — clips to your shirt for clearer voice capture than the built-in phone mic in a noisy bar.
- Zoom H1n Handy Recorder — pocket recorder if you want dedicated audio without tying up your phone. Useful when you also use your phone for notes or signup links.
Home rehearsal
You do not need a studio to rehearse. Say your set out loud, pause after punchlines, and time the full five minutes. OpenMicced works with your laptop’s built-in microphone for virtual audience reactions, transcripts, and recordings.
If you want higher-quality audio for general rehearsal or voice notes on your computer:
- Samson Q2U USB Microphone — affordable USB mic that works with laptops and simple recording apps. A solid step up from built-in mics without a full interface setup.
- Aokeo Professional Microphone Pop Filter — reduces plosives (hard P and B sounds) when you rehearse close to the mic. Optional, but cheap insurance if you record often.
Open mic night basics
Nothing here is comedy-specific, but these items make long nights easier:
- JanSport SuperBreak Backpack — room for your notebook, charger, water, and layers when you bounce between venues.
- Hydro Flask 24 oz Standard Mouth Water Bottle — dry mouth kills timing. Bring water even when the venue sells drinks.
What to skip for now
Save your money until you know what you actually need on stage:
- Wireless stage microphones — the venue provides the mic. You will not plug in your own at open mics.
- Expensive cameras — phone video is enough for early self-review. Focus on audio and joke writing first.
- Full PA or speaker systems — you are performing in rooms that already have sound. You are not running your own show yet.
- Premium “comedian” branded gear — notebooks and mics do not need a comedy logo to work.
Put it together
A sensible starter kit for most new comics:
- Notebook and pen for ideas and debriefs
- One joke-writing book (Greg Dean or Judy Carter)
- Phone voice memos or OpenMicced for home rehearsal
- Optional recording gear once you have done a few mics and know venue rules
When you are ready for stage time, browse open mics in your city, pick a beginner-friendly room, and put your name on the list. Gear supports the work. The work is still getting on stage.