Having been in the podcast industry for 10+ years, we’ve gone over lots and lots of raw podcast recordings. We’ve worked on them to make them sound the best possible. But it’s always better to start with a good quality raw recording instead of one that’s got too many issues to attend to. So, that’s why we decided to write this blog to give you our top tips when it comes to recording the best quality podcast you can.
If we can talk about the main categories of problems that may be present in a raw recording, then it’s fair to say that they are:
- Background noise
- Echo
- Glitches/Interruptions
So, if you’re recording your podcast from home, keep reading because you’ll get plenty of practical advice.
Eliminate background noise for a best quality podcast
Firstly, we’ll start with the simplest one of all, and that’s making sure that your surroundings are quiet. It may be an obvious one, but it’s really about recording when you know that the neighbour’s dog won’t be crying because it’s been left home alone, or when the TV in the other room isn’t taking over the whole house.
It’s also about choosing the room in your home that’s the quietest in general. For example, our living space is close to the rail tracks, and it wouldn’t be a good idea to record there for us. A train may pass anytime, and ruin the recording. So, for the best quality podcast recording, we’d choose the opposite part of our home where it’s quieter.
I know you may be saying, you can’t always predict when a certain noise will happen. And that’s true. That’s why when it does happen, you need to make sure you provide enough space to edit it out. What does that mean? Well, it’s about stopping talking, waiting for a couple of seconds and then restarting the sentence the noise cut off.
Remember that paying attention to things like this will drastically reduce audio editing time!
No echo in your recording
This is a more common problem than you may think. And it all comes from recording in a room that’s not suitable for it. And by that, we mean a room that is without acoustic treatment.
The best quality podcast recording will always come from a room that’s not going to let the sound zoom through the room multiple times. It is for this reason that you should prep your recording space – give it the right acoustic treatment.
These come in different shapes and sizes, and can be pricey, especially if you’re trying to start your podcast on a smaller budget. Because let’s face it, podcasting equipment will cut you back a bit to begin with.
If you want to buy acoustic panels, you could check out Acousticmac, Ikea or find some on Amazon. Or you can even get someone to make them for you. We had ours made – we actually had the frames made, and then we filled them with rockwool, and covered them with a fabric of our choice.
DIY echo reduction for best quality podcast recordings
The most cost-effective way of ensuring you get a decent-quality sound is to do the following:
- Put carpets on your floor.
- Treat windows with curtains (velvet ones work best).
- Have lots of upholstered furniture in the room.
- Throw many cushions on the sofa.
Recording tip: Choose a smaller room or corner of the room with a carpeted floor and some furniture. Bare hard surfaces like tiled floors and glass are a no-no. For a no-cost solution, use blankets to cover them.
Prevent glitches in your podcast
Glitches are also a frequent thing in raw podcast recordings. By glitches, we mean silent interruptions – like when you’re breaking up during a phone conversation. They’re very hard to work on because what wasn’t there initially can’t be added in.
You can only have the best quality podcast if you make sure your recording software can work without interruptions. Whether it’s a live studio recording or an online one, here’s what we recommend doing before you start:
- Restart your device (computer or phone).
- Close any apps and tabs that you do not need for recording.
- If you’re recording online, an ethernet cable connected to your device is by far superior to wi-fi.
Conclusion
Best quality podcast recordings can be achieved even if you’re on a tight budget. Remember that great content can bomb if you present it in a bad way. That’s why the Podcast Magician team is here – to make your content stand out. Contact us if you need support with podcast post-production or promotional assets. We’d love to hear from you.