How to get good sound quality for your podcast
“Good” sound is enough… It's really about the content..
— Gordon Firemark
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First off, …
Have a checklist My favorite tool = http://processstreet.com This tool lets you set up process checklists, and include text, audio, video and images so you get things right every time. This tool is also great for showing your assistant, your VA, or your teenager how to do some of the steps, so you can get back to higher-level tasks.
Develop your podcasting system and follow it every time. It simplifies thing immensely and will ensure your show is consistently high quality.You can set up a routine for yourself so that every time you record, you go through all the steps necessary to ensure your recording comes out as clean and clear as possible.
Develop your podcasting system and follow it every time. It simplifies thing immensely and will ensure your show is consistently high quality.You can set up a routine for yourself so that every time you record, you go through all the steps necessary to ensure your recording comes out as clean and clear as possible.
Start with:
Quiet environment
Background sounds
Tell family and colleagues what you're doing
Put up a sign on your door
Acoustics
Room size and shape
Reflections
Damping Rugs, towels, blankets, coat closet, etc. specialized tools canvas paintings, squares etc.
Background sounds
Tell family and colleagues what you're doing
Put up a sign on your door
Acoustics
Room size and shape
Reflections
Damping Rugs, towels, blankets, coat closet, etc. specialized tools canvas paintings, squares etc.
Embrace room characteristics
Eliminate interference
Computer hum
Fan noise
Vibration – shock mount or boom stand off the table
Mobile phones – airplane mode
Computer hum
Fan noise
Vibration – shock mount or boom stand off the table
Mobile phones – airplane mode
Microphone
Selection – dynamic vs condenser
Pattern. Omni vs cardioid vs hyper vs shotgun
Placement
Stand
Pop filter
Selection – dynamic vs condenser
Pattern. Omni vs cardioid vs hyper vs shotgun
Placement
Stand
Pop filter
Mixer or interface
Quality preamps
EQ
Gain structure
Quality preamps
EQ
Gain structure
Headphones
Closed vs open
Earbuds vs over the ear
Closed vs open
Earbuds vs over the ear
Connectivity
Skype vs G+ vs others
Connecting phones
Bandwidth
Use Ethernet
Skype vs G+ vs others
Connecting phones
Bandwidth
Use Ethernet
Time of day
Energy levels and fatigue
Quiet times vs noisy times
Lighting
Energy levels and fatigue
Quiet times vs noisy times
Lighting
What you eat and drink
Avoid extremes of cold/hot/spicy
Avoid dairy
Stay hydrated and lubricated
No ice in your glass
Avoid extremes of cold/hot/spicy
Avoid dairy
Stay hydrated and lubricated
No ice in your glass
Warm up.
Physical and vocal exercises
Tongue twisters
Physical and vocal exercises
Tongue twisters
Finally, smile. It comes through.
After recording – encode without compression for editing
Run through sweetening tools
Levelator
Auphonic
Levelator
Auphonic
Encode At lowest bit rate suitable to your content.
Mono/stereo
Mono/stereo
Use quality encoding tools.
Lame
Fraunhofer
Auphonic
Etc.
Lame
Fraunhofer
Auphonic
Etc.
Final thoughts
Perfection is the enemy of productivity
Very good is good enough (unless you're doing a show for audiophiles)
Get started and improve incrementally. Don't wait until everything is just right.
Perfection is the enemy of productivity
Very good is good enough (unless you're doing a show for audiophiles)
Get started and improve incrementally. Don't wait until everything is just right.
After all, it's about your content. As long as it sounds pretty good, folks will enjoy.
Get started with a podcast for your practice, (or just for fun), you can get our Free Law Podcasting Startup Guide, when you sign up to access our video series (also free) on how you can grow your practice with more good clients and referrals, without breaking the bank.
As always, the Law Podcasting Podcast is brought to you by Power Podcasting for Lawyers, the only online podcast training built specifically for lawyers by lawyers.
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