Estimated reading time 5 minutes
Table of Contents
Introduction
Do you want to start your own podcast? Do you need to know what stuff to get and how to use it? Podcasting is hot right now. I mean, I recently walked into Target, and they had podcasting pro audio gear on display – in Target! That means there are lots of people out there who want to share their views with the world. If you’re one of them, keep reading How to Record a Professional Quality Podcast to learn how to get a professional sound.
This article uses technical terms. For definitions, see the Glossary at the end of the post.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission from purchases made through the links. I’ll only recommend products I use, use in lessons, or ones my students or colleagues have recommended.
How to Record a Professional Quality Podcast: Selecting Your Gear and Mic Tips
While you don’t need a full recording studio to record a professional quality podcast, you do need professional quality equipment and some knowledge of how to use it effectively.
First, you’ll need to get your audio equipment.
All your equipment must be professional quality if you want to create a good product for your audience.
Second, it’s better to have a condenser mic than a dynamic mic, because the condenser mic will better capture the nuances of your voice.
- Even better still is a large diaphragm condenser mic, because it’ll color the sound of your voice in a pleasing way. However, they can be pricy.
- On the other hand, dynamic mics are cheap. They’ll get the job done, but the sound quality of a condenser mic is far superior.
Third, you can save money by buying a podcast starter kit.
If you buy your equipment separately, it can add up quickly. However, a starter kit is much more affordable.
For example, PreSonus’ AudioBox Studio Ultimate gives you: 1) an audio interface, 2) recording software plus plugins, 3) studio quality headphones, 4) a large diaphragm condenser microphone, and 5) studio monitors (speakers) for way less than half the cost you’d run up assembling all this gear as separate pieces.
All that’d be left for you to buy would be a microphone stand and your acoustical treatment (see the Controlling Acoustics section).
For more information on how to get a professional sounding product.
In addition, you need to develop your microphone skills.
- Speak about 6 to 12 inches away from your mic, or about the distance between your outstretched thumb and pinky.
- Using a pop filter will help remove the puffs of air from your plosive consonants (e.g., p and b). However, it’s even better if you also speak perpendicularly across the mic rather than directly into it, because this minimizes the problem of recording pops.
- Use a de-esser to remove sibilance from your s and z consonants.
- Edit out imperfect sections of takes, and make sure you save your audio recording to a lossless file format (e.g., WAV) for editing, though your final recording will usually be saved in MP3 file format.
- In addition, you need to learn how to speak clearly.
For more information on diction.
That post is slanted toward singers’ diction. However, it’ll still help you learn how to speak clearly so that people will understand what you’re saying.
How to Record a Professional Quality Podcast: Controlling Your Acoustics
When recording a podcast, you need to avoid reverb.
Too much reverb will make it harder for people to understand what you’re saying.
- The ideal is to go for the very dry sound you hear on talk radio.
- You achieve this by using acoustic foam applied to your recording space.
- You can either glue the foam to your walls, or you can staple them to drywall using a staple gun.
- You don’t have to fully cover the walls – there can be gaps between panels to add some liveness to the sound. (You also should have carpet covering the floor.)
- For example, to get a live but controlled sound, you can apply acoustic foam panels in a checkerboard pattern on all your room’s walls and on the ceiling above where you’re recording.
- Just make sure that on parallel walls, a bare patch of wall faces an acoustic panel on the opposite wall.
- This will help absorb mid and high frequency standing waves.
How to Record a Professional Quality Podcast: Creating Quality Content
Not only do you need to pay attention to the technical aspects of recording your show, but you also need to put thoughtful effort into the content itself.
- Make sure it contains information that’s entertaining and/or useful for your listeners.
- Prepare your scripts ahead of time and practice what you’re going to say. If you have a spontaneous format while interviewing guests, at least make sure you have an outline of what you plan to say and do and have researched your questions for your guests.
- Think about creating elements that make your brand unique: i.e., theme music, a logo to go on your artwork, recurring segments, and sound effects.
- Search social media sites to get ideas of what people in your niche are interested in.
- You’ll need to have a title for each audio file episode, create artwork for the podcast album, and upload it to a distribution website (e.g., Buzzsprout, Podcastle, or Tranistor) or to YouTube.
Final Thoughts
Takeaway points:
- While you don’t need a full recording studio to record a professional quality podcast, you do need professional quality equipment and some knowledge of how to use it effectively.
- Avoid reverb and work on your diction to help make it easier to understand what you’re saying.
- Not only do you need to pay attention to the technical aspects of recording your show, but you also need to put thoughtful effort into the content itself.
Have fun recording!
Glossary
What Does Decibel Mean? (In Less than 3 Minutes)
Do you need to know what the word decibel (dB) means? Do you want a decibel chart so that you can know what noise levels are safe? Decibels are used in sound recording, radio, and live concert reinforcement. Keep reading “What Does Decibel Mean? (In Less than 3 Minutes)” to learn what it is and how it works. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.
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How to Play Your $@?% Clarinet in Tune
Would you like to sound good when you play? Do you need help with your clarinet intonation? If you’ve ever had a hard time staying on pitch, or felt discouraged about bum notes, this post has you covered. Click to learn how to play your clarinet in tune. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.
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Measuring a Song’s Success
Why does one person say a song is great and another says it stinks? In the “Art vs Commerce” post, we looked at two versions of the song “32 Flavors” and how the Boston Songwriters Workshop members reacted to it. Then, we looked at how and when the art vs commerce question arose. Finally, we asked, "How do you measure a song’s success?" Read more to learn the answer. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
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Joy to the World – A Heavenly Song of Celebration
Do you want to know the words to Joy to the World? Would you like to learn how to sing or play it? In this post, you’ll get the essentials: 1) all the words to the song, 2) two videos (one for the song itself and one for easy piano), and 3) easy-to-read shape note sheet music with a sing along song track. Keep reading Joy to the World - A Heavenly Song of Celebration to learn more. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.
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