The Ultimate Guide to Remote Recording: Part One

Basics and Best Practices

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Content creators of the world, rejoice! It’s finally time to dust off that podcast idea you’ve been putting on the back burner for years.

For the first time since COVID-19 related lockdowns took effect worldwide — throwing podcast consumption and creating habits into disarray — both listenership and downloads seem to be inching back up. Those trends, coupled with a dramatic surge in episode uploads on streaming services, are the signs you’ve been waiting for.

But recording remotely can stump even the most seasoned audio pros. That’s why we’ve put together this quick start guide to help demystify that signal flow and keep your show running as smoothly as possible. This part will cover general equipment needs and best practices to follow when setting up your recording space at home. Part two delves deeper into those recording setups— ranging from a simple phone call to a fully-kitted home studio — and addresses their technical demands.

Everything else may be in flux, but the basics of getting good tape haven’t changed. Let’s dive right in.

Equipment

Before you begin, you’ll want to take stock of what tools you have on hand. If you’re looking to purchase equipment, you can use the following as recommendations, but rest assured that it is still possible to capture good audio with minimal equipment if you follow good recording protocol. Here are some things you may have on hand:

• Audio interface or digital recorder: These are pieces of gear that control AND hear everything you are recording in real-time. You’ll plug your microphone and/or phone signal IN to this device and will have headphones coming OUT. Focusrite and PreSonus both make great entry-level audio interfaces that plug directly into your computer to record into your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation, or audio software.) Digital audio recorders like the Zoom H5 (or H6) or a Tascam DR-100mkiii are great for bypassing using a computer and are very portable, reliable, and durable.
• Microphone(s) and cables: There are many types of microphones and accessories that can provide high-quality audio for most remote recording situations. If you have something similar in quality to a Shure SM58, that’s a great place to start. You’ll also need a cable (XLR or mic cable) that connects the microphone into whatever you’ll be using to capture your audio (computer, audio interface, or recording device.) Windscreens, pop-filters, and mic stands are great if you have them on hand.
• Remote recording software: We recommend using Skype phone calls on your device, plugged into a field recorder or audio interface with a 3.5mm to XLR cable for increased quality. However, platforms like Zoom, Google Hangouts, ZenCastr, and SquadCast are other reliable options due to ease of use, subscription models, or you or your subjects’ technical limitations.

Purchasing new equipment is hard right now, but you can work with companies like Sweetwater or your local audio retailer to create a custom package of equipment that can be shipped quickly or picked up curbside.

Your Remote Studio

Depending on the number of guests you’ll be talking to, your recording set up will need to capture multiple voices speaking across multiple tracks from multiple locations — all remotely! It may help you to sketch a quick signal flow diagram to keep track of what equipment is being used and where your guest’s voice (and your own) will travel. You can find some sample set-ups with diagrams in part two of this post.

Set-up

• Clothing-filled closets and small rooms with soft surfaces are great for impromptu recording, but even a car with closed doors can work. Don’t forget to listen for background noises from appliances, street noise, pets, or HVAC systems, and try to minimize them. This video has some very helpful tips for capturing great audio with limited equipment.
• Try to make sure your microphone is situated directionally away from your computer or laptop to avoid background humming, typing, or fan noises.
• As always, you will want to test out your set up before you begin recording to make sure you’re getting the best audio possible. Try a test run with a friend or colleague, and listen for unexpected clipping, background noise, or other disturbances in the result.

During Your Call

• After you’ve tested the levels and signal flow on your mic, phone, or other audio equipment, press record before you call your source.
• At the start of the call, remind your guest to be seated in a silent space, sitting still and holding the phone (or microphone) close to their mouth.
• Check levels at the very beginning and again at 5–7 minutes into the conversation. If they are at a good level, don’t adjust after that.
• Listen closely — if a voice cuts out or you hear background sounds/distractions in their audio, ask them to stop, wait three seconds, and start again back at the beginning of that sentence or idea.
• Make sure to record 30 seconds of complete silence (“room tone”) at the end of the recording to use for transitions, patching edits, and noise reduction software.
• Don’t stop recording until after you’ve hung up the call.

For more information on interviewing and recording, check out PRX and the Google’s Podcasting 101 video on Interviewing, the PRX Podcast Garage’s Podcaster Toolbox, this interactive recording checklist, or Transom’s “Before the First Call” guide.

Prepping Your Guest(s)

Preparing your guests for a recording session is one of the most critical and time-intensive parts of this process. You can help your guests prepare by sharing some information about the interview you’ll be conducting and the recording process.

• Give an overview of your project, episode, or segment, and how their interview will fit in. Make sure to mention if you’re planning to edit their answers down for length or clarity.
• If you’re doing an interview, do not share your questions in advance — this will inevitably lead to scripted-sounding responses — but you may choose to let them know what topics you plan to discuss or cover.
• Send your guest a list of best recording practices for their at-home recording setup.

You should use these best practices as a starting point, but know that they will evolve as you produce your episodes — some will become second nature to you and some will be replaced or tailored to your show’s specific needs.

If the idea of recording remotely is still hive-inducing, don’t forget: low-quality audio can still have high emotional impact. Even highly-produced shows often use noisy field audio from political protests or crunchy call recordings made from inside prisons.

Brainstorm ways you can work around quality constraints and try some new things. Consider: incorporating narrative elements, recording scripted segments that feel organic to your show, letting your host tell a story and cutting to your guests for only the highest-impact quotes, or even gently re-branding your show to let your audience know changes in quality or format are temporary and situational. It’s a great time to give yourself permission to experiment — and to forgive yourself if it doesn’t quite work out as you planned.

For a deeper dive into recording setups and their technical demands, check out part two of this series.

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This post was written with contribution from Kevin O’Connell, Studio & Operations Manager at the PRX Podcast Garage.