All the top podcasts have one major thing in common — they all sound pleasing to the ear. However, the fact that your favorite podcast sounds good doesn’t mean that the creator uses a high-end studio setup. To keep things sounding fresh, the top podcasters use simple tips and tricks that quickly and easily improve the quality of their shows. To help you create a better podcast, we turned to some of the pros for help! Seven of the biggest music podcasters shared their tips for creating the best possible podcast. Whether you’re thinking of starting a podcast or already have a show, these tips will help you sharpen your skills. If you’re ready to take your podcast to the next level, read on!
Make Sure You’re Invested in Your Podcast
Brian Wampler
Founder, Wampler Pedals and Host, Chasing Tone
Close friend of Sweetwater, boutique pedal designer, and host of the Chasing Tone podcast, Brian Wampler is no stranger to creating things from scratch. He’s the perfect person to ask for tips on creating your podcast and cultivating a personal brand. “Before starting a podcast, make 10 episodes before you release anything live,” he recommends. “By then, you’ll know whether you have the desire or initiative to keep going. So many [podcasters] burn up and fizzle out quickly.”
If you follow Brian’s suggestion and decide that the podcast life is for you, Wampler has a final word of advice. “Consistency is king — release your show on the same day every week or [on] some sort of exact schedule,” he says. By committing to consistency, your listeners won’t have to wait and wonder when you’re releasing new content. Rather, they’ll know when to come back for more content and be excited every time your podcast pops up on their feed. For extra tips to get your podcast up and running, two of the podcasters here at Sweetwater created a helpful video that gives you advice on how to start a podcast.
Consider Picking Up a Podcast Bundle
Mark Daven
Creator/Host, Guitar Radio Show
Finding compatible gear isn’t the easiest thing in the world — especially if you’re just starting out. “If you’re thinking of entering the world of podcasting, look into podcast bundles,” Mark Daven, the host of Guitar Radio Show, told us. He’s been working in the podcast industry since 2012, dedicating his show to exposing listeners to new and exciting gear, concepts, and emerging players.
“[Podcast bundles are] a great way to get all the gear you need, and all of it is matched to work together for more of a plug-and-play experience. Keep it simple. You’ll be glad you did.” With as much experience as Mark has, it’s safe to say he knows what he’s talking about. Whether you’re looking to purchase your first recording setup or to upgrade your rig, podcast bundles can help you get the tools of the trade for a great bargain.
The audio pros at Sweetwater know how hard it is to find the right gear. That’s why we offer tons of bundles and gear specifically designed for podcasters! Want to learn a little more? Check out Sweetwater’s Best Gear for Podcasting article.
Get a Good Mic with a Pop Filter
Nick Ruffini
Founder, Drummer’s Resource
“Get a solid mic and use a pop filter,” says Nick Ruffini, founder of Drummer’s Resource. He knows that a good-sounding podcast is built around a good mic, since a host connects with their audience directly through the microphone. The audience keeps coming back because they enjoy the way your voice sounds in their ears. This is especially true if you’re going to be doing ASMR-style content. So why wouldn’t you want to treat them and deliver the best possible vocal reproduction?
Nick went on to say that adding a pop filter is just as important as having a good mic. “There’s nothing worse than your audience hearing hard-hitting plosives in their earbuds every other second when they’re listening to what could’ve been their favorite podcast.”
If you’re interested in learning more about the different kinds of microphones available at Sweetwater, you can check out our list of the best microphones for vocals.
Don’t Rush It
Joe Branton
Co-host, Guitar Nerds
“I think the most important thing to think about when starting to record a new podcast is don’t rush it,” Joe told Sweetwater. He’s one of the co-hosts on the Guitar Nerds podcast. “Don’t rush the setup, don’t rush line checking each guest; if there is an audio issue, try to solve it.” This seems like simple advice, but you’d be surprised by the number of podcasters that do skip this step. Remember, if the audio doesn’t sound right to you, then your audience won’t love it either. “Taking a little extra time to dial in and troubleshoot your rig is a really simple way to take your podcast to the next level.”
Joe is an audio fanatic who is always searching for the perfect bass tone or the highest-quality vocals for his podcast. When we asked him to tell us a little more about problem-solving, he gave us a quick checklist of the basics: “Are the mic levels even between guests? Are the mic levels as loud as they can be without peaking? Is everyone happy with their headphone mix? It all sounds really obvious, but a well-managed recording means an easy, stress-free edit, and that just makes your life a lot easier.”
Get Up Close and Personal
Trey Xavier
Editor in Chief, Gear Gods and Co-host, Excessive Nerd S*** Podcast
Like we mentioned before, your microphone is the most important link between you and your listeners. The editor in chief of Gear Gods, Trey Xavier, agrees. “Your listeners come to you for content, but they’ll stay longer if the experience of listening to you talk is more enjoyable.” We agree; if you can deliver your unique vocal timbre to your listeners, you’ll stand out from the crowd of generic podcast voices.
Trey is also a co-host of the Excessive Nerd S*** Podcast, so he’s no stranger to using a mic. He recommends that you get up close and personal with the mic. “The proximity effectwill give you a little bit of that movie-announcer flavor, so get right up on the mic until you hear a noticeable increase in the bass presence of your voice. This makes listening to someone talk really nice, and people are more likely to listen to what you have to say.”
Start Every Episode with a Clap for Easy Syncing
Mike Dawson
Managing Editor, Modern Drummer Magazine and Co-host, Modern Drummer Podcast
Mike Dawson has a super simple tip that makes things easy on you in post production. “Start every episode with a snap or a clap to make syncing easier and to let you know where to begin the mix,” he notes. “Also, clap or snap any time there’s a restart or edit point during the episode.” This tip from the co-host of the Modern Drummer Podcast is used by creators of all kinds. Film studios, vloggers, and podcasters all use this trick because it lets you use and edit multiple mics or cameras with total ease.
Mike Dawson is the managing editor of Modern Drummer magazine, one of the most popular magazines for drummers. He’s spent a lot of time as a performer, writer, session musician, and co-host of the Modern Drummer Podcast. He’s chock-full of technical tips for editing and offered up a few more suggestions, saying, “Removing long pauses, lip smacks, and coughs will keep the show flowing and sounding professional.” He recommends using proper EQ and compression to create a tight and polished podcast.
Make Sure You Edit Your Work
Bandrew Scott
Founder, Podcastage.com and Host, Bandrew Says Podcast
You wouldn’t turn in a term paper without running spell-check and reading it through, right? The same should apply to your podcast. Bandrew Scott has one major recommendation for podcasters. “Edit your podcast. Many people think there’s a special badge for releasing a podcast that is unedited — there’s not.” When reflecting on popular unedited podcasts such as the Joe Rogan Experience and No Agenda, Bandrew had this to say: “I hate to break it to you, but you’re not Joe Rogan or Adam Curry. These people have years and years of experience speaking on mic, and over those years they have developed the skills that allow them to skip the editing step. Until you reach that level, edit your show.”
Bandrew, the host of the Bandrew Says Podcast, makes a good point. Your mic can pick up a lot of small, annoying things during your recording sessions. Whether it’s an accidental sneeze, a cough, or an awkward pause, these things can really interfere with the mojo of your show. A listener won’t like it if a dark, serious tale is interrupted by the doorbell or a restroom break. By editing your show, you can make sure that your dialog, sound effects, and intro music sound perfect each time. It might take a little extra time, but your listeners will appreciate the polish.
Regardless of your skill level, you can make your podcast sound better with a few simple tips and tricks. At the end of the day, you don’t have to follow every suggestion you come across. You know how your show is supposed to sound and have complete control over the finished product. But, if you do run into trouble and need advice, or if you want to get a new a mic or mixer, be sure to contact your Sweetwater Sales Engineer. Dial (800) 222-4700, and one of our friendly experts will be happy to consult with you.