5 Tips for Recording Quality Podcasts

Learn To Work With What You’ve Got

The barrier to entry in podcasting is extremely low. You don't have to spend hundreds of pounds on a microphone or other recording equipment. As with anything, it's hard not to be jealous of other people, but before you start thinking that what you have on hand isn't good enough, think again.

Did you know that some of the biggest podcasts out there have used an iPhone (or similar) to record episodes? If you use something well enough, no one will notice it's not infused with gold. So before you think about upgrading the Blue Yeti microphone, get the manual out of the box and learn how to use it. It will save you money, trust me!

Treat The Space You’re In.

The microphones in the studios of BBC radio stations may cost hundreds of pounds, but if you try to record with one in a windy field, it will still sound terrible.

Most people won't have a recording studio handy, or the money to build one, but you really don't need one.

Criminal, the podcast that tells the "stories of people who have done wrong, been wronged, and/or been caught somewhere in the middle," was initially recorded in host Phoebe Judge's closet. The audio quality was good, definitely listenable, and you probably wouldn't have known it was recorded that way if I hadn't told you.

The easiest way to treat the room is to put something soft under and behind the microphone. I've used a towel and a pillow before. If you're recording solo and don't mind small, enclosed spaces, you can also try the closet. Just don't take out all your clothes and leave yourself to talk to three wooden boards. Or get under the covers and go back to bed.

Drink Water

Have you ever noticed what happens when your mouth dries out? It starts making little clicking sounds as it opens and closes. Think about how in old cartoons older characters sounded when they talked - all that ticking and clicking. It can be extremely annoying and puts off your audience.

Fortunately, there's a simple solution. Drink water. Here's how. By keeping your mouth wet, you'll prevent those annoying sounds and keep your audience focused on your content.

Back It Up

The biggest tip I can give for recording podcasts is to also record a backup. It doesn't matter how crude you are in doing this. I often just use my phone. The hope is that you'll never need it, but you'll be grateful if you ever do.

Recently, I was recording an interview and at the end of the conversation with my guest, I wanted to stop the recording and save it. However, instead of stopping it, I started recording. None of what we had said had been recorded!

Fortunately, I had also used my phone as a backup.

Now it was not as good as the primary recording. Neither of us were sitting very close to my phone and we definitely weren't paying attention. It saved my interview though and I was able to use it in my podcast the following week. Without my phone, it would have been lost forever.

Wear a Headphone

It's a pretty obvious tip when you think about it, but an important one nonetheless. Why is it so important to wear headphones when recording your podcast?

Well, for one thing, it lets you know that your microphone is working. If you can't hear yourself, it's because the microphone isn't turned on or isn't properly connected to the recording device.

Second, if you are wearing headphones, you can hear what your microphone is picking up. Your microphone is probably more sensitive to your air conditioner or boiler than your ears. If you hear these sounds through your headphones, you will be reminded to turn them off or change locations. <a href="https://mountas.com/best-phone-holders-for-video-recording/>Visit mountas.com to buy the podcast and vlogging equipment.