The Show Can Go On (But Only If It’s A Podcast!)

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Despite COVID-10, you can still be podcasting remotely.

We’re living in a unique time.

Safe at Home. Major shutdowns. Most of the regular ways of the world ground to a halt. We don’t know when things will be back to normal, or if that “normal” will be what it was before. The truth is, our current situation may last another few weeks or another few years. And when things do “come back,” it will likely be the somewhat-essential-yet-very-important services that come first; schools, voting booths, public spaces, etc.

Minor aspects of daily life may change for good; coffee meetings may be less frequent, shaking hands more exclusive, and office life may simply never return (for some). But the “luxury” items – those non-essential to a functioning society like sports, music shows, movie theatres, and most other forms of live entertainment – may be the last ones to return. Playing in front of empty stadiums is one thing, but convincing 30,000 fans that it’s safe is another.

When it comes to in-home entertainment, however, content providers have already adjusted. Radio and news broadcasts can now be aired from home, streaming specials have been released early, and online workouts are more rampant than ever. And if there’s a drop in quality due to at-home setups, it’s being excused since these creators are doing their best given the circumstance.

Naturally, this type of trend makes many wonder if this is how things will always be. If radio hosts are getting along fine from home then what is the long term need for an actual studio? If the difference is negligible, why go back to normal?

In podcasting, recording from home is actually pretty standard. We’re a scrappy industry at heart, enabled by the early days of the internet and rising to popularity as early as 2004. We’re used to this. And we’re happy to address the most significant questions about how podcasts can go on, uninterrupted, during this short and long term change to society.

Where Do I Record A Remote Podcast?

The impact of social distancing, lockdown, and quarantine have impacted podcast production. But there are ways to successfully record a remote podcast from home.

In fact, the home can actually provide a bevy of different locations to create a great-sounding podcast. Here is what to look for when recording a podcast from home:

  • Create the right space. Not everyone has acoustic blankets or other furnishings (but if you have those, great!). However, many may have a comfortable space that is away from loud noises. This space is where all audio can be recorded, so take the extra time to make it a great spot to spend several hours.

  • Consider your car. This location is really for those in a pinch (or those with young children who can’t be relied on to stay absolutely silent in the house!). A car, especially one parked in an underground or a garage, can be a very useful and soundproof location.

  • Avoid hums and vibrations. Many culprits are lurking in your home like the fridge, the furnace, maybe even your computer! They are silent sound killers since you may not be able to hear them naturally, but they can easily show up in your record.

If you need to interview guests, our top picks include Squadcast and Zencastr. Our preferred recorder is the Zoom Handheld Digital Recorder For help selecting the best podcast recording software, check out this breakdown on The Podcast Host.

(Note: Although the preferred location for any podcast is an actual recording studio, the reality is that many podcasts have been recorded from home and remotely for years now.)

What Level of Audio Quality Can We Expect From Home?  

We love excellent sound quality. JAR Audio has a deep background in radio, so we would be lying if we said that a professional recording setup could be easily recreated from home. But the reality is that many podcasts, even branded ones, are produced with relatively pedestrian standards. And we want to say that that is totally OK, especially right now.

Whatever your setup, the most important thing to do is test it out. Everyone will have different gear; some will have high-end microphones with a pop filter; others may only have their smart phone. Regardless of the method, test several times before recording to ensure the best quality.

We also recommend mentioning to the audience that the podcast is recorded from an unusual location. In this current isolation climate, the audience will appreciate learning about how and where the podcast is produced. It will also excuse any drop off in quality from what the listeners are accustomed to hearing.

For help selecting the right podcast equipment and microphone, check out this article on The Verge.

How Do I Choose a Podcast Topic During the Pandemic?

What podcasts do people binge on during a pandemic? What podcasts do people want to listen to while social distancing? Remember to choose podcast topics that you can speak to appropriately and expertly. Record what you know.

The truth is that despite the current isolation, most topics can be covered on podcasts so long as the producers are willing to flex their logistical muscles a bit. Investigative stories, interviews with experts, and industry news are all still relevant. All of these can still be produced and recorded with the podcast production team working from home.

Fictional storytelling may be the only exception. A proper radio drama typically requires all voice actors to be present in the same room because it helps build the energy of the scene and play off each other with improvisation. But who is to say this can’t be done remotely as well?

A popular topic right now is obviously the pandemic itself. Although some may suffer from a COVID-19 news cycle burnout, it may very well be the defining event of our generation, so there may be no better time to lean in. As per PodNews, there are more Covid-19 podcasts than ever, and in fact, some podcasts have been entirely taken over by the pandemic such as Vox’s Today Explained and NPR’s Planet Money. Other podcasts, such as Talk Money, have created an entirely separate series detailing the impact on different businesses and people.

And for those who have never podcasted before? It may be the perfect time to start.

The Podcast Show Must Go On

It’s going to be a long summer, especially without sports, vacations, or festivals. Listeners will be looking everywhere they can for a guiding voice, helpful advice, or just plain entertainment whether it’s a branded show or not.

In podcasts, we can and will continue. And it doesn’t matter if it’s from the closet, the car, or sounds a bit weird; we’re going to own it. And we recommend you do as well.

Roger Nairn is Co-Founder and CEO of JAR Audio

 

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