Remote Podcasting Tips for Hosts & Guests

Remote podcast interviews are nothing new. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, many people were recording their episodes from remote settings, and the shift to social distancing didn’t cause too much of an impact. But if remote podcasting is entirely new to you, then you may have some questions regarding best practices. That’s why we’ve put together our top three tips on how to successfully record your podcast from a remote setting.

1) Find a Quiet Place

Ensure that your recording location is nice and quiet. You don’t need to go so far as to invest in soundproofing your home, but you should take appropriate steps to eliminate any pesky background noise. This might mean letting everyone in the home know that you’ll be recording so that they keep the volume to a minimal, moving the dogs to another room in case they start to bark midway through your episode, closing windows and doors to avoid noise from the outside – or even better, choosing a place in your home that is free from any street noise whatsoever.

A room with carpeting or cushions is also a great option, as the padding will dampen potential echoes on the audio recording. If your home office has hardwood flooring, consider putting down a couple area rugs or a couch with pillows to avoid the reflection of sound.

2) Equipment is Key

We cannot stress enough the importance of having a microphone when recording your podcast, as opposed to utilizing the built-in mic from your PC, cell phone or other device. It doesn’t matter how top-notch your recording software is; if you’re using an internal computer mic, your audio will not come across clear and crisp, and listeners will not thank you for it! Invest in an external microphone – most on the market today are extremely affordable and you’ll be glad that you did.

Another vital piece of equipment is a handy set of headphones. This is a must-have. If you rely on your device speakers to hear your guests, it’s going to disrupt the quality of your recording. Your co-host or guests should also have their own set of headphones in order to prevent your microphones from picking up any feedback. While we recommend getting a quality headset that you use solely for podcasting, it’s completely fine to use a pair of earbuds you may have lying around.

3) Prepare Your Guests

Prior to recording each episode, touch base with your guest to ensure they have a proper microphone and headset. While listeners tend to prefer that the host sounds clear more so than the guests, it certainly doesn’t hurt to ensure that everyone’s audio is clean and crisp all the way around. Before hitting the record button, you’ll also want to check with your guests that they are in a quiet place that is free of background noise. Of course, there are some things that are out of everyone’s control, like street noise. But ensure that all actions have been taken to eliminate as much noise as possible, such as closing all doors and windows, turning off air conditionings and fans, and silencing phones or other devices.

Need Help Producing Your Podcast?

Sorrentino Media offers recording, editing and post-production services for podcasts. We know that editing and fine-tuning each episode can get overwhelming, especially when trying to release high-quality episodes every week. Our team is here to offer any hands-on support you may need, whether it’s in the form of audio editing, or just some feedback and advice. Reach out to us with questions regarding our podcast production services.