How to record a successful podcast in 7 steps

Microphone

• Mobile phone: In a pinch, you can also record straight from your mobile phone. Pro tip: these in-built mics do pick up background noise, so make sure you’re in a quiet spot.
• Condenser microphone: These mics are industry standard for professional broadcasters, so you can easily record multiple speakers. At Shootsta, we use the RØDE Wireless GO, a cordless omnidirectional condenser mic with high audio quality that records from the transmitter and wirelessly sends to the receiver. It’s a multi-tasker, as you can also plug in a lapel mic for video, as well as being hands free. Just plug into your computer (or phone) via the headphone port.
• USB microphone: USB mics are another plug and play option, designed to connect to your computer and just work. Blue’s Yeti, the world leader, is another condenser mic with multiple modes for sound, depending on how many speakers you have.

Video camera

• Mobile phone: As with audio podcasts, recording a video on your mobile phone is a great option. Ensure you shoot horizontally, keep your phone level by using gridlines, and always check your focus.
  • Whether you’re shooting at a table or by a sofa, you’ll want a tripod to keep your camera – and footage – stable.

• • • DSLR DSLR video cameras are the standard for filming non-Hollywood videos. They shoot high-quality footage (even 4K, if that’s your thing), and for beginners, they’re generally user-friendly and easy to learn. At Shootsta, we love Sony’s video technology, so these are the cameras our clients use.

Microphone(s)

• Lapel mic: Lapel (or lavalier / lav) mics are again the broadcast standard, as they’re discreet and allow speakers the use of their hands. At Shootsta, we use the RØDE smartLav+ for professional, high-quality audio while filming on camera.
  • You’ll also need a transmitter and receiver; the transmitter plugs into your mic, and the receiver plugs into your camera, pairing your audio with your footage

• • • Wireless microphone: We recommend the RØDE Wireless GO (see above); it’s a complete and incredibly compact wireless transmitter and receiver set, with a high-quality mic built into the transmitter.

Lighting

• We use LED lights to supplement available natural light when required. These can be fitted to a camera tripod or gorillapod.

• Check out our Shootsta Kit for more information on video equipment

• Computer
  • If you don’t need a computer to record your podcast, you’ll certainly need one to edit it. Both Windows and Mac are capable of handling your audio podcast files; for video, raw files tend to be quite large, so you’ll want to ensure you’ve got the hard drive space to accommodate them (or an external drive). Editing video footage also commands a higher-performance computer, so keep this in mind when sourcing your video equipment.
  • For audio / video editing software recommendations, see ‘Step 5: Edit your podcast’

• • • Table and chairs: The more relaxed and comfortable you are, the better you’ll look and sound. Padded chairs with back support and a table for your gear, notes, water etc. go a ways to facilitating the right environment.
    • Quiet:
      • Acoustics:If you find yourself in an echoey room, create makeshift sound panels by draping blankets across every big, flat surface you can find: windows, doors, walls, floors if they’re polished, the works. Curtains, carpet and soft furniture like sofas help dampen sound waves – otherwise, you risk sounding like you’re recording in a bathroom!
        • For an audio podcast, quiet is essential, as additional noise detracts from your speakers. With a video podcast, you’ve got more leeway; consistent background noise is your next best option, if you can’t have silence.
      • Cues: Help others, help you by telling people when you’re recording. You can either do this with a sign – ‘Quiet please, recording in progress’ is easy to make and print – or if you’re filming a video, “Rolling!” is your cue for everyone to be silent. Don’t forget to ask people to switch their phones to ‘do not disturb’ or ‘airplane’ mode.
    • Natural lighting (video podcasts): Here, lighting issues from direct sunlight / fluorescent lights, and excessive shadowing, can often make or break a video. Our advice: leverage natural light by facing a window (avoiding direct sunlight), in environments that are interesting, but not too busy.