How To Record A Podcast

Surprisingly, not much highly specialized equipment is actually required to record a quality podcast. The majority of people can set up a respectable recording space in a spare bedroom or a nook of their office.

Another benefit is the availability of a ton of excellent recording software for free download (also see, ‘Best Podcast Recording Software‘).

You ought to be capable of recording high-quality audio if you reside somewhere with little to no noise pollution without resorting to extensive editing or paying a lot of money.

You don’t need a professional podcast recording studio to start out because you can reach a sizable audience with modest tools (also see, ‘How To Create A Podcasting Studio‘)

This article will walk you through every step you need to take in podcast recording, from learning the fundamentals to promoting and refining it.

What Do You Need To Record High Quality Audio?

To start recording a podcast, you’ll need some kind of audio recording software that captures your voice and any other sound sources. This can include audio editing programs, voice recorders, and even mobile apps.

For basic recordings, you can use free audio editing programs like Audacity or GarageBand which come equipped with simple editing tools and options. These programs are great for creating basic recordings and getting familiar with audio editing software.

For more complex recordings, you can use a professional digital audio workstation (DAW) such as Pro Tools or Logic Pro X which offers advanced features such as multi-track recording, sound effects, and mixing capabilities. These applications are more expensive, but they make it easier to create high-quality podcasts.

More advanced microphone setups will require different podcast recording software solutions than those mentioned above. Most digital audio workstations come with their own software included and can be used for recording podcasts as well.

An audio interface is also necessary for connecting a microphone to your computer (also see, ‘How To Record A Podcast With Multiple Mics‘).

Finally, mobile podcasting and recording apps are great for on-the-go recordings. These apps can be used to record interviews or solo podcasts with just the use of a phone. Popular mobile apps like Spreaker Studio and Anchor make it easy to quickly create and publish podcasts.

Additionally, dedicated podcasting devices such as the RØDE Podcaster and the Audio-Technica AT2005USB are great options to record audio.

For remote interviews, call recording tools such as Skype, Zoom, and Google Hangouts are popular solutions. Each of these video conferencing software can capture the conversation for a video podcast (also see, ‘Best Video Podcast Software‘).

Recording Skype calls directly is also an option with programs like Call Recorder for Mac or Pamela for Windows.

A portable recording device is another option for recording podcasts on the go. The Zoom H4N is a popular choice that comes with two microphone inputs and can be used to capture both local and remote audio (also see, ‘Best Podcast Recorder‘).

No matter what type of recording software you use, it’s important to do some research and consider your budget before selecting a software option. With the right software, you’ll be able to produce high-quality podcasts that reach your target audience.

What Software Is Needed To Edit Podcasts?

Editing is an important part of producing a podcast episode. A must-have is editing software. Your audio track recording will nearly always contain blips that can’t be kept. 

Whether it’s the sniffles, coughs, or gaffes we all make when conversing for a long time or outside factors like traffic or even the weather.

Good editing software doesn’t have to be expensive, though; some of the best options are free. The top free podcasting programs are listed below.

1. GarageBand 

With the Apple program GarageBand, you can create music wherever you are. It transforms an iPhone or iPad into a library of touchscreen Instruments as well as a full-featured recording studio.

2. Audacity

A multitrack sound editor and recording system for Windows, macOS, GNU/Linux, and other operating systems, Audacity is really simple to use, highly intuitive, and was originally developed as open source by a team of volunteers (also see, ‘Audacity vs Garageband For Podcasting‘).

3. Power Sound Editor

With the help of Power Sound Editor, music fans may quickly record, modify, and create new recordings. It can be a nice change from more complex software because it is not a particularly technical program.

4. WavePad

A fully functional specialist music and audio editor software for Windows and Mac. Record and edit audio files, as well as music and sound effects, including speech, music, and other types of audio.

Some of these programs are more complicated than others. For example, Power Sound Editor seems to be a wonderful option for those who aren’t overly technical.

But Audacity offers more functions and could seem like a more comprehensive option on the one hand, but bewilders beginners because of its complexity.

It’s best to familiarise yourself with as many as you can and determine which program resonates with you.

Podcast Microphones

A poor microphone model will really influence your recording (also see, ‘Best Podcast Microphones‘). 

In spite of this, you can use your computer’s built-in microphone to create a podcast without spending any money, however, the sound quality won’t be very good. Here are some more suitable podcast equipment choices.

• USB Microphone – Connecting straight to your computer, a USB mic is a simple but efficient way to record superb audio quality (also see, ‘Best USB Podcasting Mics‘).
• Dynamic Microphone – Dynamic microphones are so-called because they solely pick up the speaker’s voice and ignore background noises like a conversation in the distance or even the sound of a door opening.
• Condenser Microphone – These are the most expert choice and are considered industry-standard. They are excellent when there are multiple speakers present since they are sensitive without producing hiss.

How To Prepare A Podcast Script

Some podcasts can benefit from winging it, but the majority need some forethought and scripting. 

Assuming you are aware of your motivation for launching your podcast, it is most likely for professional reasons. Even if they are only for amusement, most podcasts aim to make some money for their producers.

So now that you are aware of your motivation, how do you actually go about doing it? How can you transfer all of your thoughts from your head into the ears of other people?

Make a list of bullet points to start. This is your first list of concepts. Here, you can express any hazy ideas you may have had on the planning of your podcast.

Once you’ve done that, look at the list to determine whether pieces might sustain an entire episode.

Is each topic sufficiently detailed given that a podcast lasts 43 minutes on average? How long can you talk about your subject for?

Can you consider inviting someone else to participate if you feel that your concept has merit but isn’t quite enough to support an entire episode? When it involves broadening your network and your content, interviews might be useful.

Don’t rely completely on a script though! Podcasts with a strict script can come off as a little robotic. A casual conversation can be much more interesting than an official speech.

Ensure that you include the points you would like to make and the references you would like to convey while outlining the overall direction you see each episode going in.

As you record, bullet points might help you keep track of your thread.

Get Your Podcast Tone And Voice Right

One of the most important podcast recording tips is to get the tone and voice right. These things can make or break your podcast. Will there be humor? Serious conversation? 

Will you conduct numerous interviews with people in the industry you’re talking about? Aim for a decent mix of education and enjoyment.

People enjoy both learning and laughing. If you can incorporate a little lighthearted comedy into your audio, do so. 

Don’t be scared to pause when you speak to give your words some thought. A little “dead air” in your recording is normal and really helps your listeners comprehend what they are hearing.

It’s critical to breathe. Take a moment to breathe deeply before starting any recordings.

In order to sound less tense or apprehensive, attempt to relax your face and shoulders. If you hold tension throughout your body, it shows in your voice.

While extremely quiet communication is difficult to focus on, excessively loud speech might come off as confrontational.

People appreciate hearing regional accents, so you don’t have to strive to completely eradicate it. Just make sure you’re speaking clearly enough so that certain words don’t get swallowed.

Even when discussing serious subjects, you should maintain a cheerful tone in your speech. Naturally, people like to listen to joyful voices.

To make people feel energized while listening to you, keep it positive and optimistic. A positive voice can motivate more individuals.

Bring Interesting Guests To Your Podcast

Even if you don’t intend to use a chat show style, having well-known visitors can have a significant beneficial impact on your stats.

With every guest you have on your show, your viewership will double because their viewers will tune in.

You don’t even have to live in the same nation to secure some fantastic visitors; just ask around, network, and push a little. Today’s technology allows for the usage of Zoom for remote interview collaboration.

Final Thoughts

The success of your podcast depends on how successfully you launch it. Try to record multiple episodes in order to launch on time.

When a listener likes your show, they nearly always check for the following episode because they want it to be accessible. 

Fostering loyalty is necessary to maintain interest. An aggregator is essentially a podcast player app which can help you get more listeners. 

The most well-known is Apple Podcasts, which is included with iOS, but there are many others; such as Spotify, Google Play, SoundCloud, Podbay, Deezer, and Castbox – picture them as TV stations – a location where your podcast will be hosted, increasing both its accessibility and visibility to listeners.