By Mike Mahony
Podcast clean up can be a big job if the recording was not done well. I want to discuss how to get the best recording and then how to perfect it during editing and mixing. This is a skill you will develop over time, but it is incredibly important to producing an amazing podcast.
Podcast Cleanup Before and During Recording
Small is Good
When you record, try to record in the smallest possible room you can. This will reduce echo and outside noise, making podcast cleanup even easier.
This actually contradicts previous practices that were thought to be best. In the past, it was thought that you needed a big room to get the best sound. This is why studios were made from converted churches. Larger was thought to be better.
Multi-tracking has changed everything. It removed the room from the equation entirely. Today, most of us can get away with a laptop and a closet to do our recording.
Think ahead. Before you even record one word, look at the room you are about to record in. As stated, the smaller the room the better because it will make podcast cleanup that much easier. You will want to remove any possibility of an echo by adding some blankets in front of walls and on solid floors.
This is why most closets are perfect for recording. They are filled with clothing (which dampens the sound) and they have carpeting on the floor.
Check for Reverb
Make sure to run a test recording to check for reverb. Reverb is an echo-like sound, which is similar to — but not as extreme as — the sound you might get if you were to record in your bathroom or an empty room. In these environments, where the sound bounces off bare walls and floors, rather than being absorbed, your recording will sound ‘tinny’ at best …read more
Source:: Medium
