How to Record Podcast Interviews
Are you looking to start doing interviews on your podcast? Whether you want to interview in-studio, in-person, or remotely, you just need to have a few pieces of equipment, a proper set up, and a great interviewer mindset!
So let's break it down...
In-Studio Interview:
- This is pretty straightforward - All you need is your usual recording set up (consisting of a computer with Internet access, recording software, and a microphone) as well as an extra microphone and headphone set for your guest!
If you are looking for information about setting up and recording your podcast, check out our How to Record a Podcast article!
In-Person Interview:
- Now, this type of interview is a bit more complicated because if you are traveling to the guest instead of them coming to you then you likely can't bring all of your usual, more hefty equipment. But not to worry, here's a list of what you will need for a great in-person interview:
- Lapel mics or Handheld mics: Lapel microphones are small mics that clip to a speaker's shirt, so they are perfect to bring on the road and they still provide high quality audio. Handheld mics are obviously slightly bigger and require the speaker to hold the microphone, but they provide high quality audio as well and are easy to transport.
- Alternatives: Internal microphones in digital recorders or smartphones
- Alternatives: Internal microphones in digital recorders or smartphones
- Digital Recorder: There are many different types of digital recorders, some at a higher price point and others at a much lower price point. Whatever digital recorder you decide is right for you, just be sure that the recording quality is good and that you are able to plug in an external microphone.
- Alternatives: Built-in digital recorder within smartphones
- Alternatives: Built-in digital recorder within smartphones
- Microphone Splitter: A splitter is a very handy piece of equipment to have in your set up so that you can split the input between 2 or more microphones depending on the splitter that you have. Splitters are extremely inexpensive and can help you get the best quality audio on the road.
- Lapel mics or Handheld mics: Lapel microphones are small mics that clip to a speaker's shirt, so they are perfect to bring on the road and they still provide high quality audio. Handheld mics are obviously slightly bigger and require the speaker to hold the microphone, but they provide high quality audio as well and are easy to transport.
Although these pieces of equipment are usually your best bet at getting great audio from an in-person interview, the alternatives listed can be convenient, low-cost options to test out. Just beware, the alternatives may produce lower quality audio, especially if there is a lot of background noise.
Another note: Be sure to practice your best interview etiquette by giving the guest time to speak and ensuring that they are speaking loudly enough and into the microphone. And, if you are sharing one microphone, make sure that the microphone is pointed at whoever is speaking.
Remote Interview:
- Technology has made it incredibly easy to interview people from far and wide without having to even be in the same vacinity. To get you started on your first remote interview though, here's a list of software that you can use to record your remote interview:
- Ecamm Call Recorder for Skype (MacOS): You will need to have Skype already downloaded and you will need to purchase the software for a one-time payment of $39.95.
- Ecamm Call Recorder for FaceTime (MacOS): With FaceTime already available on your Mac, you will simply need to purchase the software for a one-time payment of $39.95.
- Pamela for Skype (Windows): You will need to have Skype already downloaded and the Pamela Call Recorder for Skype can be purchased for a one-time payment of $16.67.
- Zoom (MacOS & Windows): You will need to download the Zoom Launch Application and they offer a Basic version for free as well as a Pro version for $14.99/month.
- Zencastr (Browser): Unlike the options above, this software requires no installation. Zencastr has a limited version available for free as well as an unlimited version for $20/month.
- Ringr (Browser): This software also requires no installation. They offer a Basic version for $7.99/month as well as a Premium version for $18.99/month.
- Ecamm Call Recorder for Skype (MacOS): You will need to have Skype already downloaded and you will need to purchase the software for a one-time payment of $39.95.
As alternatives, Skype, Google Voice, and Google Hangouts all have their own recording capabilities, but beware of the audio quality as they record both sides at telephone quality.
Aside from the equipment and set up, make sure to prepare some interesting questions and topics for your guest and you will be well on your way to recording a fantastic podcast interview! There are a lot of options for how you want to conduct your interview as well as how you want to set it up, so consider your own requirements and happy podcasting!
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Article Image: NeONBRAND via Unsplash.