Although recording podcasts remotely has been in practice for a while now, it has become a necessity since the COVID-19 pandemic. Naturally, after the pandemic it became a trend that many used as an opportunity. Today too, podcasters and enthusiasts are looking for ways to make high-quality remote podcast episodes. To the untrained eye, it may seem messy to start and set up a remote podcast recording. In fact, all you need is a bit of clarity on how to do it. Luckily, this article will explore how to record high-quality podcasts remotely in 2022.
Benefits of Recording Podcasts Remotely
But before we jump into how-to's, let's discuss some of the most important benefits remote podcasting has to offer.
- 1) No one has to travel: Remote podcasting allows you to make your content from the comfort of your home. This also means that you will save on time, money, and effort that you would otherwise spend on traveling.
- 2) A new world of possibilities: You are no longer bound by geographical boundaries, which means you can invite people from all over the world to be your guests. This is a great way to add diversity to your podcast and make it more interesting for your listeners.
- 3) Multiple guests from all ends of the world: Instead of agreeing on a location and traveling there, all participants just need to log on with their devices and focus on having a great conversation.
- 4) More flexibility with your schedule: Remote podcasting greatly simplifies the process of coordinating schedules with your guests, which can be a real pain. This is especially true if you have guests living in different time zones.
Challenges of Recording Podcasts Remotely
Still, nothing good comes easy. Even though remote podcasting has many advantages, it also comes with a number of challenges that you need to be aware of.
- 1) Technical issues: Since you will be relying on technology to record and transmit your audio, there is always a risk of technical problems. This can include things like internet connection issues, problems with devices, and so on.
- 2) Sound quality: When recording remotely, there is a chance that the sound quality will suffer, especially if your guests do not know how to set up their equipment properly.
- 3) Less human interaction: Lastly, remote podcasting can be quite lonely. If you are used to recording in person, you might miss human interaction. This is something you need to be aware of and prepare for mentally.
Before You Start
There are a few things that must be finalized before you actually start recording an episode. We have all of them covered here:
Choose Your Format
The first thing you need to do is decide on your podcast format. Are you going to have a single host or multiple hosts? Are you going to interview guests or have co-hosts? How long do you want each episode to be? These are all important questions you need to answer before you start recording. Once you have decided on the format, it will be much easier to move on to the next steps.
Prepare Before Recording
More often than not, your guests won't be podcasters or interviewers like you are. Coupled with the fact that remote podcasts lack intimacy, this can make it quite uncomfortable for your guests during the recording. To avoid this, you need to have the topics of discussion and your questions planned out. You don't have to stick to that strictly, but if at any moment you feel there's an awkward silence, you can quickly start a discussion around something new.
To make your guests feel even more comfortable and to make the recording process smoother, you can send them a list of questions or talking points beforehand. If you feel it won't be appropriate to do so, you can instead brief them about how you imagine the conversation will go beforehand. Either way, they will know what to expect and can also prepare for the recording.
Remote Podcast Equipment Checklist
Whether you are recording alone or with guests, you need to make sure everyone has the proper equipment (alternative option later). Here's what you need:
- 1) Microphone: Without a decent microphone, your audio might suffer and it will be hard for your listeners to engage with your content. Here you can find quality microphones for all budgets.
- 2) Headphones: Although not strictly necessary, it is always a good idea to find a pair of headphones handy. This way, the audio feedback from speakers won't hurt the recording. You can also listen to the audio as you are recording and catch any mistakes or issues right away.
- 3) Quiet environment: Background noise can be quite distracting, and it can really affect the quality of your recording. If possible, try to find a room where you can close the door and isolate yourself from any outside noise.
- 4) Recording software: You will need some software to record the podcast. There are many different options available, both paid and free. Do some research and find the one that suits your needs the best.
- 5) Internet connection: Last but not least, you need a stable internet connection. This is especially important if you are recording with guests, as interruptions can cause issues.
How To Record Podcast Remotely
The most efficient option we can suggest is Podcastle, an AI-powered software for recording and editing podcasts. With all its perks, features, and tools, it encompasses everything that you need to record a podcast (be it audio or video with multiple guests) from start to finish, without spending a fortune on equipment and whatnot.
Record Audio Podcasts Remotely
Podcastle allows you to easily record high-quality podcasts by using minimal equipment, even with your laptop’s built-in microphone or phone’s voice recorder. The input will be cleared of alldistracting background noise, highlighting the voices. Additionally, it will soften and amplify your voice, making it sound crystal clean. Podcastle also will automatically adjust the levels of your audio to a consistent one, letting you not worry about how far you and your guests arefrom the recording device.
Open Podcastle, click on “create,” and select “recording.” Type in a title, choose audio recording (or video recording) and enter the studio.
You will be asked to check your microphone and camera and choose the input sources. After you’re done you will be redirected to the Studio, where you can start recording your podcast episode.
Alternatively, you can create a new project from the dashboard and record your solo podcast there. This is useful for recording multiple, even overlapping, audio tracks.
You can also import audio from the device you’re using. Whether imported or recorded, all the audio files can be directly edited in Podcastle with easy-to-apply features and tools.
Record Video Podcasts Remotely
Podcastle also can be used to conduct smooth and easy-to-set-up remote video podcasts with up to 10 participants.
By creating a video recording project from the dashboard, you can copy and send the podcast link to your guests and there they are, without any unnecessary obstacles. You will receive your video recording in a shiny rendered grid layout. Make sure to ask your guests to stay for a few minutes to ensure proper calibration.
The audio input from all participants will be automatically perfected with noise reduction and auto-leveling, just like when recording an audio track. You can also access all the interview tracks separately to apply further edits.
Podcast Editing
In the Podcastle studio you can edit your podcasts to perfection with just a few clicks. As you right-click a particular audio track, it will launch a pop-up menu with multiple options you can choose from.
The Magic Dust feature will remove the background noise in your audio and single out the speakers’ voices. In turn, the auto-leveling tool will adjust the loudness of your sound to a consistently audible level. You can also further polish your audio with the AI Silence Remover. The tool will automatically detect and remove silent parts from your audio, making your podcast sound smoother in the flow.
You can also merge your clips in the Audio Editor to seamlessly edit your multi-track recordings without the worry of things getting out of sync. This is a particularly useful step to take before using the silence remover. It will ensure that only the long pauses you want to be removed are deleted from your recording.
In the Audio Editor, simply highlight the clips you wish to combine and select Merge. This will create a single new track from your merged clips. The original clips will remain on the soundboard but will be muted.
Additionally, you can make good use of filler word detection to further improve your podcast. The tool will automatically detect all the uhs, uhms, and other unnecessary and flow-braking words, and highlight them so you can delete each with a click.
You can also embellish your project with any sound effects or background music from Podcastle’s copyright-free library. The variety provides you with multiple sounds that can hugely improve your audio in the overall user experience.
Closing Points
Podcastle is the best solution for anyone looking to record high-quality remote podcasts, regardless of experience or budget. By following these simple tips, you will be able to take your podcasting game to the next level and make a real impact with your content. Whether you’re a solo podcaster or planning to record remotely with multiple participants, Podcastle has got you covered. Try Podcastle today and see for yourself how easy and fun podcasting can be!