Part 2: Recording a Perfect Show
Welcome back to this week’s newsletter, where we’re diving into the practicalities of recording a high-quality podcast. If you missed the first part, don’t worry, you can catch up here.
Once you’ve decided to launch a podcast, it’s tempting to just dive right in – and to an extent, that’s a strategy I’d recommend – it certainly gets you past the procrastination! But there’s a drawback here – so many clients I speak to who have failed to produce good quality outputs for their podcast come to me with stories of woe – Zoom died halfway through the meeting, Teams decided to stop their mic working in the 45th minute of the interview… etc. These platforms WEREN’T built for podcasting.
In fact, I struggle to use half of them for video conferencing, never mind anything else! So today’s newsletter focuses very much on using the right equipment, and technology to generate high-quality audio and video outputs from your recording episodes.
Recording Equipment
Whilst everyone thinks it’s expensive to buy podcast equipment, it doesn’t have to be. Here are some key pieces of gear to consider:
- Microphone: A good microphone is essential. Consider options like the Audio-Technica ATR2100x or the Blue Yeti.
- Headphones: Over-ear headphones like the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x provide excellent sound quality.
- Audio Interface: An interface like the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 can greatly improve audio quality.
- Recording Software: Software such as Riverside.fm offers high-definition audio and video recording.
For more detailed insights, check out our guide on podcast equipment.
Recording Environment
The environment where you record your podcast is just as important as the equipment you use. Here are some tips to optimise your recording space:
- Quiet Space: Choose a quiet room and minimise background noise.
- Acoustic Treatment: Use foam panels or blankets to reduce echo.
- Consistent Setup: Keep your recording setup consistent to ensure audio quality is uniform across episodes.
For a deeper dive into creating the perfect recording environment, see our article on setting up a podcast studio.
Recording Software and Editing
Recording high-quality audio is just the first step. Editing is where your podcast truly comes to life. Here’s a process to follow:
- Record in Segments: Break your recording into manageable segments to make editing easier.
- Use Descript: Descript is a powerful tool for transcribing and editing your podcast. It makes the editing process straightforward and efficient.
- Add Overlays and Visuals: Get a graphical artist to create overlays in different formats (landscape, square, portrait) using tools like Canva.
For more on editing and producing professional-quality podcasts, visit our comprehensive guide.
Repurposing Content
One of the biggest advantages of podcasting is the ability to repurpose content across various platforms. Here’s how you can do it:
- Create Short Clips: Turn segments of your podcast into short video clips for social media.
- Transcribe for Blogs: Use Descript to transcribe your episodes and create blog posts.
- Quotes and Audiograms: Turn impactful quotes into visual content and create audiograms to engage your audience on different platforms.
For more strategies on repurposing podcast content, read our article on maximising content reach.
Final Thoughts
By now, you should have a good idea of how to start recording a high-quality podcast. Remember, the key is consistency and quality. Stick to a regular recording schedule, use the right tools, and continually engage with your audience. If you have any questions or need further guidance, feel free to reach out. Happy podcasting!
