Day 13: Recording Interview Episodes

Today we discuss everything you need to know about recording a podcast episode including key things for the best recording environment, how to record an interview episode, and setting yourself up a checklist for your recording flow. We will be recording a sample episode so that you have some experience inside the recording software and have something to practice editing with.

Steps for Skill Mastery:

1. Setup the proper recording environment
2. Practice recording an interview episode
3. Reflect on your practice episode
4. Setup your checklists

Step 1: Setup The Proper Recording Environment

First, make sure you have the proper recording environment setup so that background noise is minimized and you are ready to record your episode without distraction.

Some things you will want to consider are:

• Ensure there is nothing making noise around you (fans, computers, dogs, etc)
• Record in an area with dense surroundings.
• Remove things from arms reach distance that you may fidget with.
• Make sure the seating is appropriate.

Activity: Make You Environment Recording Ready

Get your space ready for recording by checking the things to consider above.

Below is a video showing some things you can do to make your environment better for sound without spending a lot of money on acoustic panels.

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Step 2: Record A Practice Interview Episode

Now let’s record a sample episode. Below are videos using the different recording software's mentioned in the software lesson: Zoom, Zencaster, Squadcast, Riverside

Zoom

Note: Remember to turn on separate audio tracks for each participant (shown in video)

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Zencaster

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Squadcast

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Riverside

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Activity: Record a Practice Episode

Using your recording software of you choice, record a practice episode. I recommend recording an episode that is 5-10 minutes long.

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Now let's move to setting up some checklists for yourself.

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Step 3: Reflect On Your Practice Episode

After recording your practice episodes, take some time to reflect on how you did.

Activity: Reflection

Answer the following questions:

1. How was recording your episode for you?
2. What do you want to improve on?
3. What did you like about your practice episodes?

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Practice and reflection will help you on your journey to becoming a pro podcaster.

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Step 4: Setup Your Checklists

Now let’s create a few checklists for yourself. These checklists will serve you with every single episode that you record.

Below are a sample recording checklists and room for you to write down you specific steps

Sample Before You Record Checklist

• Make sure you're in a controlled environment conducive to recording great audio
• Turn of fans & AC units
• Turn off notifications and put devices on silent
• Put dog or other noisy animals in separate room
• Make sure your software is up-to-date
• It's a good practice to restart any programs you'll be using to record
• Make sure you're comfortable!
• You have water (room temp - ice water irritates the throat)
• Lip balm (helps with lip smacking)
• Your clothes, hair, and body temperature are set
• Comfortable seating or standing area
• If you're doing video, check to be sure your lighting / settings are in good shape
• If it's a live recording, confirm listeners / viewers can hear / see you (if applicable)
• Test your mic settings to be sure the correct device is being picked up by your software
• Test to be sure your recording is coming through (audio waves are moving)
• Be respectful of timing (set a timer, or have a clock nearby you can easily check)
• Be sure to actually hit record!

Sample After Recording Checklist

• Thank your guest for their time
• Let them know when their interview will go live
• Confirm you'll be emailing them to remind them the day before & day of
• Ask what you can do for them & for a recommended guest
• Do a "save-as" final file so nothing is lost
• Edit your recording
• Export file as an mp3
• Upload to your media host
• Schedule!

Activity: Setup Your Checklists

Using the steps outlined above & the sample pre-recording and post recording checklists, write down the specific steps you are taking to create your recording from beginning to end so you have a step by step, repeatable process for yourself.

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Each of these items will help you be more proficient at creating your podcast as we move forward.

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Skill Lesson Mastered

Demonstrate mastery of the knowledge and skills presented in this lesson by applying it to the above activity. If, and only if, you have a full understanding and have mastered the knowledge and skills presented in this lesson, select the next lesson in the navigation.