How to Record a Podcast — Step by Step

How to Record a Podcast - Step by Step

Step 1: Pre-Production

Spend 30 to 60 minutes preparing each episode. Write a 5-point outline, not a full script. Send guests a brief 24 hours ahead with topics, any sensitive areas, and tech requirements. Test all equipment 60 minutes before recording. Charge phones, close software, and silence notifications.

Step 2: Room Setup

Acoustic treatment matters more than mic choice. Choose the smallest room with the most soft surfaces (carpets, drapes, sofas). Avoid bathrooms (too reverberant) and big empty rooms (echoes). If you cannot treat the room, book a Pody studio for the cleanest results.

Position yourself 6 to 8 inches from the microphone. Speak across the mic, not directly into it (use the side, not the top). Use a pop filter to reduce plosives.

Step 3: Microphone Technique

Three rules. 1: Maintain consistent distance throughout the recording. 2: Speak from your diaphragm for fuller sound. 3: Avoid moving papers or tapping the table - both transfer through the mic stand. Wear closed-back headphones to monitor levels in real-time.

Set levels so peaks hit -12dB to -6dB. Never let signal clip (red zone). Better to record quietly and amplify in post than to clip audio.

Step 4: Recording the Session

Always record a 30-second test, then play it back. Check for: hum, distortion, clarity, and balance between hosts. Adjust before continuing.

For remote guests, use double-ender recording: each person records locally on their own device, then files are uploaded after. Tools: Riverside FM (USD 19 per month), SquadCast (USD 20 per month), or Zencastr (USD 20 per month). Avoid Zoom for the final recording - quality is poor for podcasting.

Record at 48kHz, 24-bit minimum. WAV format preferred (lossless). Avoid recording directly to MP3 - you cannot recover quality lost in MP3 encoding.

Step 5: Save Raw Files

Save 3 copies of every recording. 1: Local copy on your computer. 2: Cloud backup (Dropbox, Google Drive). 3: External drive. Lost recordings are devastating and entirely preventable. Name files consistently: showname_episode_YYYY-MM-DD_track1.wav.

If recording video, sync video and audio at the start with a clap or visual marker.

Common Recording Mistakes

Mistake 1: Not testing first (always test). Mistake 2: Setting levels too high (always leave headroom). Mistake 3: Not using headphones (you cannot catch problems live). Mistake 4: Recording in a bad room (treat it or book a studio). Mistake 5: Forgetting to save backups.

When to Use a Professional Studio

Book a Pody studio when: your home room sounds poor, your guest is in town for a limited time, you need video capture, or quality really matters (brand podcasts, paid sponsorships).

Read our equipment guide next. Hebrew: איך מקליטים פודקאסט.

Start with Pody free →