Recording an interview for use in a Podcast can be achieved very effectively with equipment you already have + a little care and attention to how you use it.
SMART PHONE – A HIGH QUALITY RECORDER
You use it to view Facebook, and to speak to your kids or your Mum. But it can do a lot more!
iPHONE
Every iPhone has a free App called “VOICE MEMOS”
There are similar free apps available for Android phones.
NOTE: Microphone = mobile phone… for this article I am going to use “microphone” as a shorthand for both a stand along microphone or a mobile phone.
ACCESSORIES
Keeping the microphone the same distance from the person speaking will make things sound better.
These low-cost stands can help standardise your recording technique.
TIPS TO ACHIEVE A GOOD RECORDING
QUIET or NOISEY SURROUNDINGS?
Sometimes you want to get a feeling of the atmosphere of where you are recording.
Other times its more important just to hear the words of the person you are interviewing.
eg. “atmosphere, in the field”
I recorded the views of a group of genealogists as they researched inscriptions on gravestones in a cemetery.
Having the sounds of birds, trees rustling, and the occasional workman in the distance, all gave a feeling of what it was like to be with these people conducting research out in the field.
None of the environmental noises was too loud, and they didn’t interfere with hearing what the interviewee said.
I also made sure that I held the microphone quite close to whoever was speaking (either me or the person being interviewed).
eg. “having a quiet word”
At a group meeting I wanted to record the views of one particular person.
So I asked them if we could go into another room to record a quick interview.
I used my mobile phone to record and made sure we stood close together, so that we were about the same distance from the microphone.
This meant our clothing softened any echoes from the large room we were in (but didn’t eliminate them). It also meant our voices were more prominent than any extraneous sounds coming from the other quite noisy room.
Avoid wind!
A strong wind can rasp against the body of your microphone. This can make your recording unusable.
There are covers available that will minimise this, but it is a specialist bit of equipment.
To get around the problem, be aware of the wind conditions and choose a solid shelter to keep away from the wind whilst you are recording.
An adhoc studio
Having no interruptions or extraneous noises can help both you and your interviewee concentrate on the topic you are discussing.
Here are some tips on which room to choose…
A small room with soft furnishings, carpet and curtains can eliminate echoes, and helps make a nice recording.
Sitting at a table, with your mobile-phone/microphones on stands, will keep you both at a regular distance from the microphone.
The tendency when sitting in armchairs is for people to alternate sitting forward and sitting back, which can create lots of ups and downs in how loud or quiet the recording is.
There might also be creaking from the chair when they move, or they could bang the microphone by accident.
GLASS TABLES are best avoided, as they reverberate and create a recording that is difficult to listen to.
To get around this problem, cover a glass table with a big soft cloth or towel.
CHECK all chairs are solid and don’t creak.
Other Studio Benefits…
Having one microphone set in the middle of the table can be ok… but a microphone each can be better.
Advantage – each speaker will have more clarity.
Disadvantage – you will have to be more skilful in combining and editing your multiple recording.
But I don’t have multiple microphones.
True, but each of your guests probably has a smartphone like yours.
Check out the possibilities well in advance.
Once you have made recordings on all the phones, ask them to send them to you (via Dropbox or email etc).
Its as easy as that.
REMOTE RECORDING
Is it too far for you to travel to interview your guest?
You can make a good quality remote recording if both you and your guest each have another device (eg. a computer or table) and some earphones.
1:
Using Skype or FaceTime, or something similar on your second device you can see and speak to one another.
2:
You must both use earphones, so that the recording is clean and has no echo or overlap from the other speaker.
3:
Record your individual voices, by you each using your own smartphone.
Place it on a small towel near to you, to enhance the quality.
4:
Your guest then sends you their recording, so you can combine each side of the interview and edit it.
Send files via Dropbox.com or email.
NOTES – NO NOTES?
As an interviewer you need to be as prepared as you can be.
Even if you think you don’t need notes, make sure you have them to hand just in case.
They are also essential to use to make a concise introduction, AND nearly every interviewer forgets their guest’s name occasionally!
Does your interview need notes?…. NO
Often your guest will ask if they can keep some notes to refer to. This is really NOT A GOOD IDEA.
(Let them sit on them, if they insist)
Notes will make them hesitant, and the interview will sound difficult and unconvincing.
STOP- START
If your guest trips over their words, gets a fact wrong, or has to pause to remember something or check their facts… CARRY ON RECORDING.
Tell them before you start that if they know they have made a mistake…
1 – just make a short pause, and take a breath
2 – start the same sentence again from the beginning and carry on
… this gives you a clear break to edit
EDITING
If we have asked you to make a recording for JewishTALK we will edit your audio files for you.
But if you want to edit your own audio files there is free software you can use…
GARAGEBAND (for iPhone, iPad and MAC)
AUDACITY (for both Windows and MAC computers)
All the methods outlined above…
…have been used at various times to help make the JewishTALK Podcast.
This is sometimes in addition to or in place of more advanced equipment.
CONGRATULATIONS… you are ready to start recording!
This how-to guide has been made with the support of National Lottery Community Fund
