Life, Listened

Podcast Starter Guide for Alt Summit Attendees

This page was created for attendees of the Altitude Summit conference in partnership with Life, Listened. For comprehensive podcast coaching and audio services, email us at hello@lifelistened.com.

HOSTING & STATS

LIFE, LISTENED IS PART OF BLUBRRY’S AFFILIATE PROGRAM. WE USE THEIR SERVICES AND WHOLEHEARTEDLY RECOMMEND THEM TO PODCASTERS. IF YOU CLICK THROUGH AND MAKE A PURCHASE WE’LL MAKE A SMALL COMMISSION AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU. THANKS!

We recommend Blubrry for podcast hosting (that’s the platform that stores your audio files). Blubrry has a plugin called PowerPress that allows you to publish your podcast from a blog post on your WordPress site (which is really helpful for bloggers already familiar with WordPress). We use Blubrry for their statistics reporting as well.

RECORDING & EDITING

  • We record remotely using CleanFeed – radio-quality sound, multiple party recording for interviews (free)
  • We do minor edits using Audacity (free)
  • Our professional sound production company is Yokai Audio. For technical coaching and sound editing, email brian@yokaiaudio.com and tell him you met us at Alt!

MICS, MIXERS, & MORE

THIS PAGE INCLUDES AMAZON AFFILIATE LINKS TO OUR FAVORITE PODCASTING PRODUCTS. THAT MEANS IF YOU CLICK THROUGH AND MAKE A PURCHASE YOU’LL BE HELPING US GROW LIFE, LISTENED AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU. THANKS!

SINGLE HOST (1 Speaker)

This simple setup basically requires a USB microphone and a computer with a copy of Audacity installed on it. Audacity is a free digital audio workstation (DAW) that comes with basically everything you need to record a quality podcast. For USB microphones, it’s hard to beat the quality and value of the Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB. This microphone connects via either USB or XLR, so it can grow with you if you decide to expand your gear to include a digital audio interface. It comes with a stand and all necessary cables.

PROTIP: Buy a windscreen to go with the microphone. They’re super cheap (around $7 for a five pack on Amazon) and knock down plosive noise, the popping sound you get from B and P sounds.

TWO CO-HOSTS IN THE SAME ROOM (2 Speakers Recording Together)

To record more that one microphone at a time, you need a digital audio interface.  There is a wide variety of brands and options available, we recommend the Focusrite Scarlett series. They’re reasonably priced and provide reliable, high quality recording.  For two speakers, you will need a Scarlett 2i2.  Digital audio interfaces use microphones with XLR rather than USB cables. The ATR2100-USB can use either USB or XLR, so it remains an excellent choice for a second low cost, high quality microphone.  Audacity will record both microphones as a single stereo track, which you can then split into two separate mono tracks to make independent edits if you wish.  

CO-HOSTS OR HOST/GUEST NOT IN THE SAME ROOM (2+ Speakers Recording Remotely)

The most cost-effective way to do this is to get two ATR2100-USB microphones and use Cleanfeed to record. Cleanfeed is a super simple, internet-based communication and recording software solution. If you’re just recording two people, Cleanfeed is free. Beyond two people, you will want to upgrade to a monthly subscription. It gets you a separate channel for each additional guest or host and is worth every penny of $22 a month. Cleanfeed requires a solid, high-bandwith connection to the internet. 30 mbps or better. You can ensure maximum available bandwidth to your computer by connecting to your router with an ethernet cable. Ethernet is always faster than WiFi.

All parties must wear ear buds/headphones when recording remotely.

MULTIPLE PEOPLE IN THE SAME ROOM (3+ Speakers Recording Together)

Here’s where things start to get more expensive and slightly more complicated. Audacity can only handle two inputs at a time, so for more than two speakers you will definitely need a digital audio interface and different software to run it. The Focusrite Scarlett series is our recommended option for interfaces. Interfaces run from a single input all the way to eight, allowing you to record up to eight microphones simultaneously. You also have more options in microphones, since interfaces use XLR inputs rather than USB. The ATR2100-USB is still a great choice, but if your budget allows, you might want to consider professional quality microphones like the Rode NT1-A or Electro Voice RE20. You’re also going to need a digital audio workstation designed for multi-track recording. Pro Tools has great cloud collaboration tools that make it our favorite.

RECORDING IN THE FIELD

The Zoom H6 is an excellent choice for portable field recording, allowing you to record up to six separate microphones with a small, battery-powered device rather than lugging a laptop and interface around with you. The H6 comes with a stereo microphone attachment that works well for handheld interviews, and 4 XLR inputs that can be used to connect microphones for use with multiple speakers. Audio files are then moved to your computer via SD card.

STARTER EQUIPMENT CHECKLISTS

THIS PAGE INCLUDES AMAZON AFFILIATE LINKS TO OUR FAVORITE PODCASTING PRODUCTS. THAT MEANS IF YOU CLICK THROUGH AND MAKE A PURCHASE YOU’LL BE HELPING US GROW LIFE, LISTENED AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU. THANKS!

1 Speaker

2 Speakers (Host & Guest, 2 Hosts) Recording Together

2 or More Speakers Recording Remotely

3+ Speakers Recording Together

Field Recording

  • Zoom H6
  • Your choice of microphones and cables as needed
  • A computer to copy files to

Helpful, Not Necessarily Required

CONTENT DEVELOPMENT

If you are looking for in-depth coaching to take you from where you are today to having a podcast launched, distributed, marketed, and on its way to being able to monetize, that’s what we provide at Life, Listened. We package together the audio services provided by Yokai WITH our hands-on, personalized coaching that includes a strategic launch plan, content development, marketing/social media support, and a whole lot of supportive hand-holding as you get your podcast off the ground. If you’re interested in talking more with us about this, email hello@lifelistened.com and we’ll chat.