How to create audio for podcasts/streaming

This time, I am going to show you how to record and edit audio data for streaming podcasts, and what kind of items you will need to get started.

[Level 0]

Let's stream audio with a PC or smartphone!
All you need is a PC/tablet device or a smartphone! The picture below shows how to record audio for making podcasts using the built-in microphone of the device. Just start recording yourself anywhere for the time being.

[Level 1]

Just connect the microphone to your PC! Let's deliver some high-quality sound with a USB microphone!

Another method is to connect a USB microphone to a PC. All you need is a PC, a USB microphone, and recording software!
If you're doing simple recording and editing, you can easily use free software or GarageBand on Mac.

[Level 2]

High-quality sound recording with an audio interface

If you have an audio interface with a mic input that supports phantom power, you can record on your PC/Mac using a dynamic mic or a condenser mic.
If you want to stick to a microphone for recording, it's common to use an audio interface. Some like mixers with an interface function because they have highly visible controls and adjusting the volume is easy.

*When using an audio interface for live streaming or video conferencing, even if there are multiple microphone inputs on the interface, the number of inputs and interface functions may be limited depending on the specs of the streaming application.
A multi-functional audio interface with multiple inputs/outputs is designed to fully perform to its specifications when combined with DAW software.

[Level 3]

Recording and editing audio with DAW software

Let's edit some recorded audio on DAW software. You can create a higher level of podcast program by cutting and pasting audio wherever you like, adjusting the overall volume, adding a jingle for scene changes, and inserting your favorite audio data/background music.

→Lessons for beginners/Choose music production software

→List of DAW Software (Sequencer)

[Level 4]

Plug-in software for even higher quality of audio

Let's make a few more adjustments to the sound by using the plug-in software available on the DAW software.
Most DAW software comes with spatial effects such as reverb and delay as well as EQ and limiter to optimize the sound quality. If used properly, they're also useful for adjusting the sound to make it sound more natural and for adding effects to a certain part of your streaming program.
If your DAW software is compatible with external plug-in standards, you can add a variety of plug-ins.
Use plug-in software such as noise reduction for recording, overall sound pressure adjustment, and filter processing for radio voices for more flexible editing.

→List of Plug-In Software

[Other Items]

Useful Items for Streaming Part 1: Monitor Headphones

Monitor headphones are useful when monitoring the audio for streaming, and checking and mastering recorded audio. The difference between general listening headphones and monitor headphones is that the sound quality in the monitor headphones is a lot cleaner and can replicate the original sound better. Many monitor headphones have a characteristic of having a high resolution with flat sounds for their use. Those headphones are perfect for checking how the sound is recorded through the microphone. If you monitor the sound while recording, closed headphones are recommended for sound isolation so that the microphone doesn’t pick up noises escaping from the headphones.

→List of Headphones for Streaming

Useful Items for Streaming Part 2: Sound Absorbing Panels

Some recording rooms may have a reverb in the room so you may not be able to record the sound that you would want. Sound absorbing panels help to reduce the reverb in the room to some extent and create a better recording environment. Maybe you might want to check these out if you only have a few recording place options and the reverb bothers you?

→List of Accessories for Streaming

What do you think? We have more items that are useful for streaming and making podcasts at Sound House. Please check them out!

→Top Page for Streaming/Podcast Category

（Published on 2020-12-29 Revised on 2021-02-25）