A Step-by-Step Guide to Recording a Podcast Remotely

Podcasting has become a popular medium for sharing information and entertainment with listeners all over the world. Unlike traditional radio shows, podcasts can be recorded anytime and anywhere, from the comfort of your own home to a professional studio or even conduct remote interviews with guests in far or inaccessible locations. 

However, recording a podcast with a guest who lives far away can be a challenge, both in terms of cost and convenience. Luckily, there’s a solution: remote podcast recording. In this article, we’ll explain how remote podcast recording works, what equipment you’ll need, and how to solve any problems you might encounter along the way. 

So if you’re interested in creating high-quality podcast episodes with guests from all over the world, keep reading!

Essential Equipments Needed for a Successful Remote Podcast Recording

If you plan to record a podcast remotely, you’ll need a few essential pieces of equipment to ensure successful recording. Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need:

A Good Quality Microphone

This is probably the most important piece of equipment you’ll need for recording a podcast. A decent microphone will benefit you by allowing your episodes to sound enjoyable with its high-quality audio. So it’s worth investing in a good one.

A Pop Filter

A pop filter is a piece of cloth or meshes that helps reduce popping sounds when speaking into the microphone. It is imperative to use a pop filter if you’re recording with multiple people, as it can help to reduce background noise.

A Quiet Room

This is important for any recording, but it’s especially important for recording high-quality podcasts. You want to find a space with little echo or reverb to stop your podcast recording from sounding messy and uncordinated.

Headphones

Headphones are essential for monitoring your recording while you’re recording it. They also help block out any background noise so you can focus on your podcast and hear what you sound like.

How to Record Podcast Remotely

When you record a podcast episode remotely, you need to do some extra preparation. Since you and your guest won’t be in the same place, you need to ensure you discuss your topic beforehand so your audience can feel the emotions of both parties even though you’re not physically together.

You want your guest to feel comfortable with remote podcasting. Here are a few things to remember when you’re getting ready to record your remote podcast episode.

• Choose your topic and set some goals.
• Do your research.
• Create a script or outline.
• Find your co-hosts or guests.
• Schedule a time to record.
• Set up your recording equipment.
• Choose the right recording software.
• Test your audio connection.
• Start recording!
• Wrap your podcast episode
• Post production 

Now that you have the basics, let’s dive into each step in more detail.

Choose Your Topic and Set Some Goals

The first step in recording a podcast is deciding on a topic. Once you have a topic and set goals, recording your episode is easier. It will help if you know what you want your audience to learn or take away from listening to each episode and the length of your ideal or perfect podcast.

Here are some Dos for choosing your topic and setting some goals: 

• Choose a topic you’re passionate about.
• Keep your target audience in mind.
• Set realistic goals for your episode.

Here are some Don’ts for choosing your topic and setting some goals: 

• Don’t try to cover too much ground in one episode.
• Don’t wing it!

Do Your Research

To create a successful and informative podcast, conducting thorough research is a crucial step that should not be overlooked. In fact, taking the time to research your topic can make the difference between an average podcast and one that stands out from your competitors.

By conducting research, you can ensure that the information you present in your podcast is accurate, up-to-date, and relevant to your target audience. Additionally, by examining your competitors’ content, you can identify gaps in the market and unique angles to explore.

Here are some Dos to remember when doing your research: 

• Learn about your topic inside and out.
• Find interesting ways to approach your topic.
• Identify your target audience’s pain points.
• Gather data and statistics to support your claims.
• Find engaging stories to share.

Here are some Don’ts to remember when doing your research:

• Don’t restate information that’s already out there.
• Don’t make things up!

Create a Script or Outline

Once you understand your topic well and some potential ways to approach it, it’s time to start creating a script or outline. Doing this will help you keep your thoughts organized and guarantee your podcast has a good flow. 

Here are some Dos to include when creating a script or outline: 

• Write out a detailed outline of your episode.
• Create talking points for each section.
• Write a script if you prefer to read from one.
• Practice your delivery.

Here are some Don’ts to include when creating a script or outline: 

• Don’t try to memorize your entire episode word for word.
• Don’t make things up as you go along.

Source for Your Co-hosts or Guests

If you plan on recording with co-hosts or guests, now is the time to reach out to potential candidates. It’s crucial to ensure your guests are knowledgeable about your topic and will be able to contribute interesting insights. 

Here are some Do’s to keep in mind when sourcing for co-hosts or guests:

• Send a personalized invitation to each potential co-host or guest.
• Create a list of questions you want to ask.
• Ensure everyone is on the same page about the episode’s format and goals.

Here are some Don’ts to keep in mind when sourcing for co-hosts or guests:

• Don’t invite too many people to participate.
• Don’t wait until the last minute to reach out to potential co-hosts or guests.

Schedule a Time to Record

Now that you have your co-hosts or guests lined up, it’s time to schedule a time to record. It will help the deliverability of your podcast content if you choose a time that works for everyone and give yourself enough time to set up and test your equipment beforehand. 

Here are some Do’s that can help you schedule a recording time that works:

• Choose a time that works for everyone involved.
• Create a recording schedule.
• Make sure you have enough time to set up and test your equipment.
• Give yourself some buffer time in case things don’t go as planned.

Here are some Don’ts to avoid when scheduling a recording time that works:

• Don’t wait until the last minute to schedule a time to record.
• Don’t try to cram too much into one recording session.

Set Up Your Recording Equipment

Now it’s time to set up your recording equipment. If you’re recording remotely, it will help if you ensure everyone, including you, has the proper software and internet connection. 

Here are some Do’s that can help your podcasting journey when setting up your recording equipment:

• Choose the right recording software.
• Test your internet connection.
• Set up a backup recording system.

Here are some Don’ts that can hinder your podcasting journey when setting up your recording equipment. Please avoid practicing them:

• Don’t try to record without the proper equipment.
• Don’t wait until the last minute to set up your equipment.
• Don’t forget about setting up a backup!

Choose the Right Recording Software

There are a variety of different software options available for recording podcasts. Some are free, while others come at a cost. We recommend that you choose the best podcast software that will work best for your needs. Once you’ve chosen the right software, be sure to test it out and make sure it’s working before you start recording.

Test Your Audio Connection

Since recording your podcast remotely will require a strong internet connection, it is necessary to test your audio connection to avoid hiccups in your post-production process.

Once you’ve chosen the recording software you’ll be using, it’s time to get everyone set up and ready to go. You are to ensure each person has basic knowledge about the software’s functionality and a working headset or microphone. Doing a test recording beforehand can help identify and fix this issue.

Record Your Podcast

Now it’s time to hit record and start podcasting! It’s important to be prepared and ensure everyone knows their role. If you run into any technical difficulties, don’t panic! Just take a deep breath and troubleshoot the problem. 

When you’re ready to start recording, hit the record button and let the conversation flow. Stay on topic and watch the time to ensure you stay within the time allotted for each segment. 

Below are the Do’s to include when recording your podcast: 

• Make sure everyone is ready before you start recording.
• Assign roles to each person involved.
• Take a break if you need one.

Below are the Don’ts to exclude when recording your podcast: 

• Don’t try to rush through the process.
• Don’t panic if you run into technical difficulties.
• Take your time in executing each process.

Wrap Up Your Podcast Episode

After concluding your topic, it’s time to wrap things up. Thank your co-hosts or guests for their time, and let them know when the episode will be released. If you’re editing the episode, give yourself enough time to do a good job. 

Post Production

Once you have wrapped up the podcast recording, it’s time to edit and publish your podcast. Remove any dead space or errors, and add any intro or outro music you want. Once you’re happy with the final product, upload it to your chosen hosting platform and share it with the world.

Different Ways to Record Your Podcast Remotely

There are different ways that you can record your podcast remotely. The most popular method is using platforms like Skype or Zoom. It allows you to connect with your co-hosts or guests and record the conversation just like you would if you were in the same room.

Another option is to use Google Hangout or other VoIP services. This includes telecommunications services and  is usually the most accessible and affordable solution. However, it can take time to get consistent audio quality. But if you need to create a video podcast, using a video conference software is necessary.

Read on to learn more about remote podcast recording tools.

Recording Locally 

Recording your podcast locally is the most common method. All you need is a microphone, software (e.g., Garageband or Audacity), and a quiet place to record. This option gives you the most control over sound quality and editing, but it can be more challenging to coordinate if you’re working with remote guests as it involves mixing the different recordings of those involved in the podcast.

The podcasting software used for recording locally primarily leverages an audio recording program for recording your voice. It also lets you add any other audio tracks, such as music or sound effects.

Although recording locally is simple enough to understand so that each person can record their audio track, it requires more effort to set up, edit, and upload. 

Video Recording Software Option

You can use a video-recording program like iMovie or ScreenFlow to remotely record your podcast. Although this option is technical, it enables you to include video footage and audio recordings after recording the podcast.

A more straightforward method for using the video recording option is to record your podcast directly onto your computer or laptop using the PC’s built-in microphone. Although this is the simplest method with little technicality, it won’t provide the best sound quality.

Anchor’s Record with Friends Feature: A Convenient Way to Invite Guests

Anchor, a leading podcast recording and hosting service, offers an easy and convenient way for podcasters to invite guests and friends to join their show. With the Record with Friends feature, you can invite up to four guests from anywhere in the world to join your podcast.

To use this feature, you simply send the guest a link and they enter their name in a pop-up box. Once they do, they can instantly join the podcast recording session. The Record with Friends feature works like an online call, but with the added benefit of Anchor’s crisp audio quality and background noise removal feature.

Whether you’re looking to interview experts, collaborate with friends, or invite listeners to participate, Anchor’s Record with Friends feature makes it easy to create engaging and high-quality podcasts.

Zoom

If you’re recording remotely, Zoom is also a great option. It allows you to record audio and video, which helps you capture your guest’s faces and voices for a more engaging podcast. Additionally, Zoom offers various features that make editing and sharing your recordings easy.

Whichever method you choose, make sure that you test it out beforehand to ensure that everything is working properly. You don’t want to start recording only to find out that there’s a problem with the audio. So to ensure that you sound clear and consistent throughout the duration of recording your podcast, always check your audio connection before hitting record. 

Finding a Suitable Location for Your Podcast

There are a few things you need to consider when finding a suitable location for your podcast. 

Firstly, you need to think about the acoustics of the room. If your recording space has hard surfaces (e.g., concrete walls), it will likely create an echo. Echos aren’t ideal or pleasant because they will make your audio sound messy.

To solve this, record in a room with softer surfaces (e.g., rooms with just carpet or curtains) that can help absorb sound.

Secondly, ensure there isn’t too much noise in the background. Sounds from air conditioning, loud streets, or even pets can make it hard for listeners to hear what you’re saying. So it’s a good idea to find a quiet place to record where there aren’t too many distractions.

Lastly, to produce high-quality “video” podcasts, paying attention to the lighting in the recording space is fundamental. Adequate lighting will significantly enhance the visual appeal of the recording and give it a more professional look.

Tips for Recording a Clear Remote Podcast

Assuming you have all the necessary equipment set up for remotely recording your podcast (microphone, audio interface, etc.), there are a few tips to keep in mind when recording remotely. Here are some tips:

• Find a quiet space to record in: this will help reduce any background noise that could be picked up by your microphone and ruin your recording.
• Use a high-quality microphone: this is crucial for getting clear audio recordings. If you’re using a built-in microphone on your computer, try using an external microphone instead.
• Use headphones: this will help isolate your voice from any background noise and ensure that only your voice is picked up by the microphone.
• Speak clearly and consistently: this will help ensure your recordings are clear and easy to understand.

A side note; Make sure you are satisfied with your recording before you end the session. This way, you won’t waste time re-recording sections that weren’t up to par.

Frequently Asked Questions on How to Record Podcasts Remotely

Final Thought

In conclusion, remote recording is a great way to create high-quality content for your podcast. 

And you can easily get started and enjoy the process by following the steps we’ve outlined. It’s essential to remember that it takes time and practice to become proficient in podcasting, so don’t be too hard on yourself; instead, get out there and make magic!