| After editing, mixing and mastering hundreds of | | | | 2. Don't place the microphone directly behind a wall. |
| podcast, and seeing the same quality issues pop up | | | | This will result is reflections and will make the voice |
| again and again, I wrote this short guide to help new | | | | echo. |
| podcast producers produce better sounding podcasts | | | | 3. Place the microphone directly in front of your mouth, |
| and not make the same mistakes, which, once | | | | around 4-8 inches away. You can also place the |
| recorded, are difficult to fix. These are most essential | | | | microphone a little higher then your mouth and point it |
| tips for recording any good podcast. | | | | downwards. |
| Format: | | | | 4. Always use a pop screen/filter to reduce the |
| Format is one of the most important yet most | | | | explosive breath sounds. |
| overlooked aspects of Podcast recording. I am | | | | Levels: |
| amazed to receive Podcasts recorded in wav 8 bit, | | | | As a rule, the recording levels should never cross 0 db. |
| 8000khz, or worse on 32 KBps mp3! To give you an | | | | A level higher then 0db causes nasty distortion in your |
| idea, this is like packing a chocolate pastry in a | | | | recordings. The best way to avoid it is to do a sample |
| matchbox! Nothing much of the original will survive! | | | | recording and hear it back. Always monitor the levels |
| I always advice recording in wav format at 44,100, 16 | | | | on your recording software. Low levels can always |
| bit. This format renders the best quality for size. But | | | | be fixed, but distortion is nearly impossible to fix. My |
| the file size can be huge (1 min recording =10 mb | | | | advice; don't record at the maximum levels. Reduce |
| approx). But once it is recorded, a sound engineer can | | | | them a little and always check that your recording has |
| mix, master, eq and polish it up and reduce it a small 15 | | | | no distortion. Or better, if you can apply a compressor |
| mb file, ready to upload. This way the saturation and | | | | in the signal chain, it will take care of the peak levels. |
| quality of the source is maintained the most and all | | | | Location: |
| other process like noise reduction and Eq yield beautiful | | | | An acoustically treated room is the best place for |
| results. If you are recording in mp3, I would suggest a | | | | recording. Though ideal, it might not be available to all |
| bit rate of 320 kbps, 44,100 at the least. | | | | podcasters. Never record in rooms which have lot of |
| Placing the microphone | | | | metallic furniture/items or a completely empty room. |
| Placing the microphone or Miking is an elaborate | | | | These will reflect the sound waves and will result in |
| science in itself. If the mic is too close to the mouth, it | | | | bad recordings. A room with carpet and wooden |
| will cause pops, and bass boost, making the sound | | | | furniture is a better choice. |
| muddy or harsh. If it's too far, the voice presence will | | | | Make sure the location you choose has minimum |
| suffer. It is always a good idea to record a couple of | | | | ambient noises. Fans, exhausts, noisy CPU all |
| samples with different placements and see what gives | | | | contribute to broadband noise. Make sure that there |
| the best results. Some basic do's and don't- | | | | are no phone ringing, the neighbor's dog or the doorbell! |
| 1. Keep the microphone as far away as possible from | | | | Happy recording!! |
| unwanted sound sources like CPU fans, A/c ducts etc. | | | | |