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pre-episode checklist for guests

I suggest at least taking a quick look at this list before each episode recording since environment, computer settings or other variables may have changed since you last recorded!

💡TL;DR If scanning the checklist before recording, the underlined items are important and the bold items are super important!

1. Pre-recording environment and general check:

  • Check for persistent background noise that could be eliminated or at least mitigated such as a refrigerator, computer fan, air conditioning unit, space heater, etc.

  • Check for intermittent background noise that could be eliminated or at least mitigated such as people talking in the other room, electronic notifications, loose noisy jewelry, squeaky shoes, your mic being in a position in which it’ll be bumped, shuffling papers, etc.

  • In addition to mitigating unwanted noise, it also helps greatly (and in some cases can be even more imperative) to find the least echoey room possible.

  • Make sure your water/beverage is handy, your laptop/device is charging (if applicable) and all your gear is on hand.

  • Have your headphones, earbuds or headset ready, if applicable. This is 100% necessary for long-distance interviews.

  • Also for long-distance recordings make sure you have as much internet bandwidth available to you as possible. Have your family members or co-workers abstain from using the internet connection and make sure your machine and others on the same internet connection are not actively downloading/uploading.

2. Audio input check:

  • No matter what software you’re using, make sure that the correct audio input is selected. You don’t want to accidentally use your laptop or mobile device’s built-in mic, if at all possible. This is the number one mistake I see from guests, so please double check this! After selecting your USB mic or USB audio interface, you can triple check by scratching or (lightly) tapping the mic and when you listen back you’ll hear that. Please check this before every recording!

  • If you don’t have a mic, you may use a headset/earbuds with a mic or even the laptop/device’s built in mic as a last resort. The lesser the quality of your input device (i.e. if using the built-in mic instead of a USB mic), the more important it will be that you’re recording in a quiet and echo-free (or at least low echo) environment.

3. Audio output check:

  • Headphones of some sort are 100% necessary in long-distance interviews. You’ll want to make sure your headphones, earbuds or headset is your source for hearing the other participants in the interview. No audio should be coming directly out of your computer or any speakers during the interview.

4. Listen check (Check input gain and output levels):

  • Make sure your input gain is at a steady level. This can be controlled either in your computer’s audio settings or on the USB mic or USB interface you have. You need to make sure the input isn’t too quiet and definitely make sure it’s not too loud and distorting. You’ll want your levels to be “in the green” when talking. When listening back to your own voice, if your voice sounds fuzzy/sharp sounding, you’re probably distorting and you’ll need to turn down the mic input level and/or move a bit further from the mic (preferably the former).

  • Zoom.us has a feature that allows you to test and listen back to your audio upon entering the meeting room or in the settings beforehand. You may also use a local (i.e. not long-distance) recording software such as the QuickTime Player, GarageBand or Audacity to record tests beforehand on your end, which is recommended. In Zoom.us > Settings > ✅ Automatically adjust microphone volume.

  • For dynamic mics, you’ll want to be about 6 inches away speaking at a slight angle into the mic. For condenser mics, you may want to be a bit further away since they’re more sensitive. Make sure you’re speaking into the correct side of your condenser mic (usually the side with the brandname, logo or mic name).

  • No matter what microphone or device, please make sure you’re speaking into the correct part/side and at the correct distance/angle. If you aren’t 100% sure, check a few quick tutorials on your specific mic/setup.

5. Record in the background on your end (double-ender recording):

  • The podcast host may have asked you to record a double-ender (recording in the background on your computer). Even if the host didn’t request this of you, it’s a good idea. This can be done on local recording programs such as QuickTime Player, GarageBand or Audacity.

  • The easiest and quickest of the three is the QuickTime Player. Once the QuickTime Player application is open, you’ll go to File > New Audio Recording. To the right of the circular red record button, you’ll see a downward arrow. Make sure the correct input is chosen and choose “High” for the recording quality.

  • You can do a test beforehand. Make sure the volume slider on the bottom is turned down. Click the red circular record button and leave this recording in the background during the interview.

  • After the interview, stop the recording, save appropriately and send it to podcast host, if requested to do so.

6. During the recording:

  • Remember that if there’s unwanted noise on your end while you’re talking or if you mess up while talking, you may stop and start the sentence over. The Podcast Man (podcast editor) will fix the errors in post-production. Have a great interview!

  • Tip: To avoid issues, please avoid muting your mic in the software or on the actual mic, unless necessary.

I hope this is helpful! Have a great episode! -Zack, The Podcast Man