How To Start A Podcast: The Tech and The Tools

In my last blog post “How To Start A Podcast – Goals, Topics and Motivation“, I talked about getting clear with your goal and your topic.

Moving on to capturing and producing your podcast: there are many ways to approach recording. Which way works for you depends on the quality ambitions of you and your listener.

Once you’re satisfied that your content is working how you want, you can always scale your recording methods to improve the quality of your audio. But first, we’re going to outline two approaches that can get you started, or further along on your audio journey.

Recording Methods

We break recording approaches down into a few distinct technical approaches:

Webinar Method

The relatively no-tech approach is to record on Zoom, or one of the better recording platforms like Squadcast or Riverside FM. You can take that to the next level by importing the downloaded mp4 into Garageband or Audacity and adding your own intro music or idents and exporting a final episode.

Pro Tips:
The principle of garbage in/garbage out applies here. There’s a hierarchy of microphones that will produce differing results.

1. Your laptop mic and webcam.
Components of both are as cheap as anyone could get, like using a Christmas cracker toy for a professional job. It might work if you have to, but ………

2. Consumer USB mic or headset.
You’ll hear a considerable jump in audio fidelity with a dedicated external microphone for a cost that is easy to absorb. See our mic comparison video on YouTube to hear a laptop vs headset vs Blue Yeti.

3. Semi Pro USB mic.
The new breed of XLR/USB combi mics like the Shure MV7 will take your audio to a standard that will make your podcast producer almost weep with happiness. The price bracket is double that of the consumer USB mics, but the audio that they produce easily matches the increased cash spend.

Studio Method

Gearing up to the studio method gives a huge bump in production quality. It needs some investment in your own dedicated recording device, as well as microphones, stands and having a space that you can use to record in.

These are the sorts of thing you might use:

Digital Recorder

The Rodecaster combined recorder, mixing console and production system records directly to an SD card. Your audio files can exported as a stereo mix or saved individually and transferred for post-production editing and mastering work.

More portable solutions for standalone recorders are the handheld digital recorders from Roland, Tascam or the popular Zoom H series. These give you the advantage of more easily being able to throw them into a backpack and head out for for location recording.

Again, all of the these devices record your audio files on to an SD Card, either individually or as a mixed stereo file combining all inputs.

We’re most often seen with a Sound Devices Mixpre6, loved by film sound guys and field recordists for the glorious audio and robust construction. But that comes at a cost that doesnt always balance for more casual users.

Microphones

With any of these recorders, the world of professional XLR-connected microphones becomes yours. Budget is usually a deciding factor. We love the classic Shure SM7B, but the Shure MV7, Rode Procaster, Audio Technica AT2020 are also popular choices.

Producer Support

Most of our clients who want a high quality podcast also feel they benefit from the advice and skill of a professional producer. This gives them someone to advise on content, presentation and also edit and optimise their audio for the best results.

Coming from someone who was a regular reader of the Haynes Motor Manuals back a few decades – you COULD learn to fix you own car, but paying a professional will get you a better job, done faster and with less chance of a personal injury.

But let’s stay Punk for this article and keep on DIY-ing!

Get Hosted – Get Listed

The two final parts of the chain are to host your podcast somewhere and then get set up on the major podcast directories so people can hear your fabulous new podcast.

Podcast Hosting

Another highly competitive space, with a range of pricing and features. It’s always worth keeping in mind that you get what you pay for and good hosting is critical.

Your host will, basically do just that. Host your podcast mp3 files and artwork and give you an interface to generate the RSS feed that drives the podcast listing.

Popular podcast hosts used by client in our studio are: Whooshka, Captivate FM, Libsyn, Acast, Podbean, Simplecast

Once you’re set up with a host and have your first episode available, you’re ready to let the world know you’re there.

Register Your Podcast

The Big Three are your essential destinations. Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, then as many other directories as your feel like visiting.

Each of these links will require an account for you to login to the service, but there is no charge and you can expect your show to be listed within 12 hours of registration.

Podcast Connect, Apple Podcasts
Spotify For Podcasters
Google Podcast Manager

With the subscribe links (e.g. https://open.spotify.com/show/6ghoxG1wmLCUPGDB19JuWC) that will be available to you once your show is approved, you’ll be able to launch and begin to grow your audience.

These are the URL’s that will take listeners right to your show in that particular podcast directory, and from there they can take action to subscribe/follow your show.