In the world of podcasting, audio quality is king. No matter how great your content is, if your audio quality is poor, it can be hard for listeners to engage and enjoy your podcast. Unfortunately, there are several mistakes that people make when recording their podcast audio that can lead to poor audio quality. In this post, we'll discuss five of these common mistakes and how to avoid them.
Not Using the Right Equipment
One of the most common mistakes that people make when recording their podcast audio is not using the right equipment. While you don't need to invest in expensive equipment, it's important to use a good quality microphone. Even a medium-quality microphone is a huge improvement on a cheap one and will help to capture your voice in a clear and crisp manner plus avoid distortion.
Recording in a Noisy Environment
Recording in a noisy environment can be a recipe for disaster when it comes to podcast audio. Ambient noises such as traffic, kitchen appliances or background conversations can make it difficult for your listeners to hear what you're saying. To avoid this mistake, try to record in a quiet space with minimal background noise. Noise reduction software can help with background noise but it's always best to start from the best place possible.
Not Paying Attention to Levels
Another common mistake when recording podcast audio is not paying attention to levels. Levels refer to the volume of your audio and ensuring that it's consistent throughout your podcast. If your levels are too low, your listeners will have to strain to hear you. On the other hand, if your levels are too high, it can cause distortion and make your audio sound unpleasant. To avoid this mistake, use a level meter to monitor your levels and adjust them as needed.
Speaking Too Close or Too Far from the Microphone
The distance between you and your microphone can have a significant impact on your audio quality. If you're too far away, your voice can sound distant and muffled, while speaking too close can cause popping and distortion. To avoid this mistake, position yourself about 6-8 inches away from your microphone and speak directly into it. You may want to swap out your office chair for something in a fixed position as lots of us have a tendency to swing from side to side whilst speaking!
Not Editing Your Audio
Even if you've recorded your podcast in a quiet space with good quality equipment, there may still be some imperfections in your audio. Editing your audio can help to remove any unwanted background noise, adjust levels, and improve overall quality but cutting out long pauses and other elements that pull listeners out of the experience. To avoid this mistake, take the time to edit your audio before publishing your podcast. Or better yet, employ Monkey Hill Media to deal with all your editing needs! You can even send us a sample recording and we can make recommendations for quickly and cheaply improving your audio quality.
In conclusion, by avoiding these five common mistakes, you can significantly improve the quality of your podcast audio. Take the time to invest in good quality equipment, record in a quiet space, pay attention to levels, speak at the right distance from your microphone, and edit your audio. By doing so, you can ensure that your listeners have an enjoyable and engaging experience listening to your podcast.
