Since 2004, when the first podcasts were broadcast, they have been rising in popularity. However, it wasn’t really until 2014 that they really took off with narrative podcasts, in particular those that included true crime elements, began to become a part of more popular culture.
It is estimated that there are a staggering 4,250,179 podcasts registered across the globe. Whilst these numbers are down over the last couple of years, they were an incredibly important part of many people’s routine during the pandemic when the number of podcasts rose significantly.
With so many podcasts out there competing for the attention of their audience, it is important to ensure that all of the elements of your podcast are the very best that they can be. Whilst for many podcasters, this means ensuring that their content is great, it is important not to overlook the quality of your podcast sound.
Choosing the right microphone
Not all microphones are created equally, and if you want to create a great sound with your podcast then you do need to ensure that you opt for a good quality microphone. Do not let the purchase price of quality equipment put you off. Microphone hire is a great alternative that will offer you the quality of sound that you need at a great price.
There are other advantages to be had when you hire rather than purchase your microphone. The first is that when you use a reputable company for your microphone hire you will have access to the best and latest technology, something that you may often not be able to afford. The second is that not only will the hire company be able to advise you on the best microphone for your needs but also if the microphone that you hire develops any issues, they should also be able to assist you with a replacement. That way, your podcast is not disrupted.
Understanding your microphone
Having a great microphone for your podcasts is only part of the process needed for great sound quality. A good microphone is really no good if you do not understand the right technique required to use it properly,
As with stage acting, there is a particular style of vocal projection that is required when it comes to using a microphone. These are techniques that are different to how you would speak in your day-to-day life. The factors that can impact on any vocal recording that you might make are:
• Plosives – P and F sounds that need a degree of air movement – with inexperience these can send too much air into a microphone, and this distorts a recording.
• Sibilance – too little sibilance in your recording and your recording can be less intelligible for your audience.
• Proximity effect – the closer you are to the microphone when you record, the louder any bass-like frequencies in the voice will appear
Learning how to counter each of these factors, together with the right microphone set up will help to ensure that your recordings are the best possible quality that you can achieve.
Final Tips
One final consideration that will certainly help you is your recording environment. This will have a huge impact on the quality of your recording.
If you cannot afford to use a recording studio that has specifically been designed with sound quality in mind, it is important to remember that glass and tiled surfaces will give you an echo sound in your recordings, and carpets and soft furnishings will act by absorbing the sound. Therefore it is best to opt for something between the two. You should also ensure that there is as little audible background noise as possible.
