Tip 1: Choose the Right Microphone
Microphone selection is the most important decision for your podcast recordings.
USB vs. XLR - Which is Better?
USB Microphones (Plug & Play)
- Advantages: Easy setup, no additional hardware needed
- Disadvantages: Less flexible for upgrades
- Recommendations:
- Beginner: Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB ($80-100)
- Advanced: Rode NT-USB+ ($150-180)
- Pro: Shure MV7 ($250-300)
XLR Microphones (Professional Standard)
- Advantages: Better sound quality, expandable, industry standard
- Disadvantages: Requires audio interface
- Recommendations:
- Beginner: Rode PodMic ($100)
- Advanced: Shure SM7B ($350-400)
- Pro: Neumann TLM 103 ($1000+)
Dynamic vs. Condenser
Dynamic Microphones
- Less sensitive - ideal for untreated rooms
- Pick up less background noise
- Robust and durable
- Perfect for home office podcasts
Condenser Microphones
- Very detailed, clear sound
- Require acoustically treated room
- Sensitive to background noise
- Ideal for professional studios
Our Recommendation: For most podcasters, a dynamic microphone is the better choice.
Tip 2: Optimal Microphone Distance
The correct distance from the microphone is crucial:
The Rules of Thumb
- 6-12 cm: Ideal for most voice recordings
- Closer: More bass (proximity effect), more intimate
- Further: More natural, but also more room presence
Practical Exercise
Make a test recording at different distances:
- 5 cm - very close
- 10 cm - optimal
- 15 cm - natural
- 25+ cm - too far
Listen back and choose the distance that best suits your voice.
Tip 3: Improve Room Acoustics
Your recording room has a massive impact on sound quality.
Identifying Problems
The Clap Test: Clap your hands. Do you hear:
- Echo? → Reverb problem
- Clear, hard reflections? → Too many hard surfaces
- Dull, short sound? → Good damping
Simple Solutions
Budget-friendly ($0-100):
- Hang blankets on walls
- Use bookshelves as diffusers
- Record in room corner (smaller reflection surfaces)
- Use curtains and carpets
Medium Budget ($100-500):
- Acoustic foam panels at reflection points
- Bass traps in corners
- Portable vocal booth (foldable)
Professional ($500+):
- Complete room treatment
- Diffusors and absorbers
- Acoustically optimized room
DIY Trick: The Closet
Record in a closet filled with clothes - the textiles absorb reflections excellently!
Tip 4: Use a Pop Filter
Pop sounds (P, B, T) can ruin recordings.
Solutions
- Pop Filter: $10-30, reduces plosives
- Foam Windscreen: $5-15, less effective but better than nothing
- Microphone Placement: Slightly offset instead of frontal
- Speaking Technique: Speak slightly past the microphone
Pro Tip: Combine pop filter with proper speaking technique for best results.
Tip 5: Set Gain Staging Correctly
Incorrect gain is one of the most common beginner mistakes.
The Golden Rule
Target Levels When Speaking:
- Peak: -12 dB to -6 dB
- Average: -18 dB to -12 dB
- Never above -3 dB! (Clipping danger)
Setting Workflow
- Start with low gain
- Speak at normal volume
- Increase gain gradually
- Peak at around -6 dB when speaking loudly/laughing
- Test with more emotional passages
Recorded too quietly? Better too quiet than too loud - quiet recordings can be amplified, clipping is irreparable.
Tip 6: Minimize Noise and Background Sounds
Professional recordings are free of noise.
Common Noise Sources
Technical Noise:
- Computer fan: Place laptop further away
- Air conditioning: Turn off during recording
- Hard drive noise: Use SSD
- Smartphone: Activate airplane mode
Environmental Noise:
- Traffic noise: Record during quiet times
- Neighbors: Communicate or find time windows
- Pets: In another room during recording
Mechanical Noise:
- Chair squeaking: Use chair pads
- Table vibrations: Microphone arm with shock mount
- Keyboard: Don't type during recording
Use Noise Gate Correctly
A noise gate suppresses noise during speech pauses:
- Threshold: Set so only voice comes through
- Attack: 5-10 ms
- Release: 100-200 ms
- Caution: Don't overdo it - can sound unnatural
Tip 7: Monitor During Recording
Control your recording in real-time.
Headphone Monitoring Setup
Why Important:
- Detect errors immediately
- Control levels
- Hear noise
Settings:
- Monitoring volume: Comfortable, but not too loud
- Latency: Under 10 ms (otherwise disturbing)
- Headphones: Closed for best isolation
Recommended Headphones:
- Budget: Audio-Technica ATH-M20x ($50)
- Standard: Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro ($130-180)
- Premium: AKG K371 ($150)
Tip 8: Consistent Recording Sessions
Consistency is the key to professional sound.
Setup Checklist Before Each Recording
□ Microphone position identical (mark with marker)
□ Room setup same (doors, windows, position)
□ Gain settings documented
□ Noise sources eliminated
□ Water within reach
□ Phone on airplane mode
Tip 9: The Right Recording Software
Your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) is your most important tool.
Recommendations by Level
Beginner (Free):
- Audacity: Open source, simple, sufficient for basic podcasts
- GarageBand (Mac): Intuitive, good effects
- Reaper (Trial): Professional features, affordable license
Advanced (Paid):
- Adobe Audition: Industry standard, part of Creative Cloud
- Logic Pro (Mac): $200, very powerful
- Studio One: Good for podcasters, fair prices
Pro:
- Pro Tools: Industry standard for professional studios
- Nuendo: Specialized in post-production
Important Features for Podcasts
- Multi-track recording for interviews
- Non-destructive editing
- Good noise reduction
- Export presets
- Auto-save function
Tip 10: Multi-Track Recording for Interviews
Remote interviews have special requirements.
Local Recording is King
Why Record Locally:
- No internet quality issues
- Highest audio quality
- Each speaker has their own track
- Easier editing
Recording Methods
Method 1: Everyone Records Locally
- Each guest records on their computer
- Files are shared after the conversation
- Software: Audacity, QuickTime, Voice Memos
Method 2: Specialized Software
- SquadCast: Automatic local recording
- Riverside.fm: High quality, separate tracks
- Zencastr: Good for beginners
Method 3: Video Call Backup
- Record Zoom as backup
- Don't use as main recording
- Only for emergencies
Synchronization
Tip for perfect sync:
- Everyone claps simultaneously at the beginning
- The waveforms show the clap
- Align tracks at this point
Bonus Tips for Even Better Sound
Warm Up Before Recording
- Drink warm water
- Do voice exercises
- Speak for 5 minutes as a test
Record Multiple Takes
- Don't miss the best performance
- Give yourself the freedom to repeat
- Better takes = less editing
Take Notes During Recording
- Mark good spots
- Note need for repetition
- Makes editing much easier
Backup, Backup, Backup
- Save on multiple drives
- Cloud backup after session
- Keep raw files
Avoid Common Mistakes
❌ Recording too loud → Clipping is not repairable
❌ Bad room → Reverb/echo ruins the recording
❌ Inconsistent setup → Episodes sound different
❌ No monitoring → Errors are only discovered during editing
❌ Compressed formats → Always record in WAV/AIFF, never MP3
Conclusion: Invest in the Basics
Good recordings don't happen by chance. The most important investments:
- Time for Setup: Set up your room correctly
- Good Microphone: The most important single device
- Acoustic Treatment: ROI is higher than more expensive equipment
- Consistency: Document and repeat your setup
The good news: With the right techniques, you can produce professional sound even in your home office. And even if something isn't perfect - tools like SONE can get a lot out of it with AI-powered mastering.
Ready for the next step? Record your podcast with the perfect setup and let SONE handle the professional mastering - automatically, in seconds, and in broadcast quality.