How to Record for a Podcast | Step By Step Guide


If you want to know how to record for a podcast and have no idea about that, you are at the right place. Amazingly, it’s not difficult and in this article, you would come to know how to start a podcast in the finest way.

Setup for Recording

​First of all, you need to decide, where you want to record since recording setup is important. Home-based workspace or office formats are perfect for recording podcasts.

If you want to know how to record your own podcast, the recording place requires being audio-friendly. It defines to sidestep room with contemplative exteriors such as windows, tiles & elevated roofs.

It’s not necessary to devote much money to get this atmosphere; of course, some dense curtains, as well as sofa pillows, would help a lot. 

how to record for a podcast

However, you need to improve the excellence of audio while recording if you desire your show to become successful and pleasant.

You might get control of the surroundings with fewer interruptions as well as excellent gear. That is the thing you can’t acquire while recording outdoor.

Moreover, you can record at home extra proficiently in a discreet space having the whole thing previously arranged and organized to practice.

Preparation Requirements

Here, I want to mention some particular steps while you go ahead with recording. I would tell you how do I record a podcast? While reading this article, you’ll be acquainted with how to record for a podcast.

1. Planning

In fact, as far as I’m eager to the methodology, a beforehand planning might create a vast modification to the excellence of your demonstration.

However, it doesn’t mean you need to devote a full day, but a little planning might fulfill the requirement and make your task easier.

Most importantly, you must have an idea on which topic are you going to talk about as well as how to record for a podcast.

It is significant since, if you select the incorrect topic, then your finest equipment, as well as an excellent way of talking, don’t matter at all.

Besides, the audiophiles won’t applause your show and faultless sound quality, etc.

Therefore, have good research on the topic and discover what your listeners want to listen to. Then make a list of:

  • The queries your audiophiles are asking
  • The difficulties they are facing
  • The stresses they are in with, currently
  • The solutions which you would suggest them

Another important thing is scripting which requires your attention as well while you prepare for the podcasting.

Is it necessary to go in a detailed manner? Or should you be pretty specific and spontaneous? Let’s have a look briefly.

Obviously, a comprehensive script might create your episode extra influencing as well as truly well-engaging. 

It removes the confusion besides, confirms you declared the whole thing you require to.

The single problem is, a thorough script might scratch the spontaneity as well as trench your temperament from an episode.

Moreover, you need to be sufficiently proficient to read a comprehensive script and even then remain normal as well as colloquial. However, that is not difficult and depends on your skill.

Besides, you need plenty of time to collect anything so comprehensive.

On the contrary, a short and brief script such as simply an assortment of bullet points actually might present sufficient assistance and doesn’t bind you up.

In this way, you might be extra likable, extra spontaneous, and extra friendly. Also,

You might prepare it in less time.

However, the disadvantage of a light script is, you might extra easily mislay your manner, overlook aspects as well as repetition occurs.

The nonsense aspect rises radically and the episodes would incline to be lengthier, so, it is not a pleasant thing.

Initiate with a comprehensive script, in anticipation of you becoming extra relaxed with the mic.

At that time, lessen the element slowly, till you discover the stability among expended time, attained advantages & recording manner.

2. Instruments

While learning how to record for a podcast, you need particular instruments as well. This equipment is mentioned below:

Microphone

First of all, you need to record your voice and a good quality microphone will do that job.

Actually, it’s not possible to record a podcast without a decent microphone; however, which microphone is accurate for you?

For me, you must begin with simple and precede your technique up, beginning with whichever you have existed such as an integral microphone.

Integrated mics are not so good to record professional sound. You might take them as a short-term way out to record your initial episodes while you shift to something improved.

You might discover the best microphone online that ensembles your workspace as well as your budget.

The USB microphone makes things simple. You need to socket it straight into the computer & start recording there.

Moreover, a USB mic becomes the perfect option for those who want to record a solo show or want to record on the internet with others.

On the other hand, the Dynamic mics make it easy to concentrate on your vocal sound.

The best example is the Shure SM7B & Rode Podcaster, as they are dynamic as well as perfect for verbal words since it overlooks distant clatters.

Another best microphone is Condenser Microphone and the professionals reflect it as the manufacturing standard.

The Rode NT1-A is a condenser that records regular audio. Moreover, it generates soundless audio, thus you might use it to record manifold hosts.

Digital Recorder

If you want to learn how to record a podcast with others, then a digital recorder proves to be very useful. The cause is, it’s difficult to record with an additional USB mic hooked on a solo computer.

USB Audio Interface

A USB audio interface is a central thing amid a digital recorder & a USB mic. It connects to the computer such as it were the USB mic, however, you at that point socket in & use XLR mics into it.

It is a perfect choice for computer-centered podcasters who like to advance their sound quality.

Transportable recording maneuver

Besides, a transportable recorder becomes a perfect choice if you need to record with people individually.

Gadgets such as the Zoom Potdtrak & Zoom H6 are consistent & lightweight. Also, you might correspondingly practice them in place of an audio interface. 

It allows you to practice your XLR microphones on the PC. If you need podcasting equipment that offers you the tractability to record wherever you want, these are a perfect choice.

A Smartphone

For on-your-own recording or a 2-people conversation, an alternative I actually love is the Rode Smartlav+. It’s a lavaliere mic and plugs straight into your mobile phone.

If you supplement a Rode SC6 connector to this format, then you might socket in 2 Smartlavs & record a conversation. You might use this format if you feel it suits you.

However, there are many other preferences while carrying your podcast on sites. Moreover, recording discussions on the smartphone increase diversity as well as innovative viewpoints to your shows.

3. Software

In order to make the sound of your podcast smooth, you need decent and excellent editing software. 

Whether you record indoor or outdoor, good software helps you a lot. I’m giving you a shortlist of software here.

Audacity

Audacity is free software that is easy to use besides well-matched with Mac, Windows & Linux structures.

It is the maximum practiced substandard soundtrack software designed for Windows, Linux & Mac systems. Also, most of the podcasters use it without difficulty.

For beginners who are learning how to record for a podcast as well as professionals, this software is a perfect format.

GarageBand

 The next amazing software that is broadly practiced by instrumentalists & podcasters equally is GarageBand.

Adobe Audition

It is filled with lots of excellent features that are a requirement of the experts as well as the podcasters. However, you need to learn how to record a podcast with this software first.

It is a subscription database that I practice to edit & manage all my podcasts.  Most of the professionals use it; however, it isn’t as unapproachable as a software package such as Pro Tools.

Accordingly, you might still simply acquire control on that even if you’re a novice.

Skype  &  Zoom

There is particular other software that you might practice such as Zoom & Skype and it’s the easiest way to record a podcast.

However, Zoom & Skype is video conferencing software relatively than podiums that are formed exactly for podcasting. Thus they frequently produce inferior-quality sound.

In order to learn how to record for a podcast on Skype, you must need particular supplementary software that would provide you extra tractability with audio.

On the other hand, while recording on Zoom, specific settings would assist you in acquiring improved quality sound.

Apart from these renowned editing & recording software, some less famous platforms are also available such as Pro Tools & Hindenburg.

4. Distant Recording Podium

These types of platforms are particularly made to tell how to record for a podcast. It defines that if everybody possesses his individual microphone and is recording in a decent place you might acquire truly great-quality sound.

Several podiums such as Squadcast, Zencastr & Riverside. FM as well includes a video that is truly vital in distant recording as you require seeing who you’re speaking to.

Moreover, these remote recording podiums make it easy to use video of the episode on YouTube or to display it on social media.

How to Record for a Podcast

Currently, you have acquired knowledge about all the equipment as well as the different software which you might use for your task.

Now, in this article, I chose Audacity which is the easiest way to record a podcast. Firstly, you need to download it.

In fact, Audacity uses your integrated microphone to record. Just confirm the one you need to use is picked from the pop-up list of options succeeding to the microphone sign.

While you’re going to start your podcast recording, tap on the red key. While your show finishes you need to tap on the stop key. 

In case you disremember anything and need to supplement it to your podcast, simply tap on the red key again, it would start a fresh audio track from the start.

In its place, pause the recorded audio and you might pick it up from wherever you left it.

​How to Pause & Continue

Obviously, soundtracks don’t constantly work as we expect. Even expert podcasters forget what they’re speaking as well as require a break.

The pause feature of Audacity assists you to gather your ideas as well as saves you from the editing burden of audio.

​You might click the pause key to get rest from the podcast and while you get prepared to begin back up, simply tap the pause key again.

As soon as you’re totally done, tap on the stop key to finish your recent audio track.

​How to Export the Podcast

While you’re contented with the recording, you can export and file up your podcast. For that you need to follow these steps:

  • Visit the File and select “Export Audio”
  • Enter the name of your podcast episode & select your file category. I suggest M4A (AAC) or MP3 since they are customary as well as the most prevalent.
  • In the case of several audio tracks, you would get instruction to combine them into a particular one-track channel.
  • Click on confirm to carry on.  
  • Provide the data of your show (acknowledged as metadata) for example, title, performer & year, and continue
  • If you selected the MP3 to export the podcast, then you have to install an Encoder named LAME.
  • You might download it from Audacity for Mac & Windows. The equal thing relates to M4A (AAC) documents because you require the FFmpeg library to export.
  • Put it in Audacity > Preferences > Library, now click on Locate. So, Download the folder through these guidelines & confirm in Audacity.
  • Lastly, confirm to export the show. It must be presented in your downloaded region.

How to Edit the Podcast

Editing works like a magic and the podcasts don’t appear wonderful without this magic. While learning about how to record for a podcast, you must as well have command of editing.

You might clean up your recording before publishing it with particular editing.

You can cut out a wrong word, delete silence gaps, or shrink aloof sounds in surroundings.

Moreover, you might import your recorded audio into Audacity by clicking File > Import > Audio.

The most mutual difficulty that all podcasters suffer is breaks of silence. Anchors might stop for some moments to gather their ideas; however, it doesn’t create your podcast interesting.

Therefore, you can cut fragments out with the help of Truncate Silence.

  • Select your complete recording, go to Effect > Truncate Silence.
  • Eliminate lifeless air with the help of these settings:
  • Duration: 2
  • Level: -20dB
  • Truncate to: 0
  • These settings would eliminate every audio that’s less than -20dB & extended than 2 seconds.

If the audio appears hasty or it simply doesn’t feel correct at all, at that point attempt to fine-tune the settings a little and check the audio.

Audacity offers lots of things as well as options to develop your podcast. Such as, increasing or stabilizing audio for reliable audio levels, supplementing fade in/out & eliminating contextual noises.

Conclusion

I hope this informative article about how to record for a podcast helped you a lot. I tried my best to cover each and every aspect of that.

It is a perfect way to prepare yourself with all the equipment before going to start the recording as that is the best way to record a podcast.

If you have any queries, feel free to drop them in the comment section below. I would love to answer you as soon as possible.

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