In this Video We Cover
- Making Space for Recording
- Setting up Recording Hardware
- Starting Recording Equipment Software
- Testing Recordings Ahead of Time using Skype Test Call
- Naming Files and Setting File Locations
- Setting Skype to Use the Best Microphone
- Best Practices for Holding Microphone During Recordings
- We Record a Test Podcast with V
Want to learn more about the equipment used in this tutorial?
Process Document
Pre-Interview Recording Instructions
Click This Link to Download the PDF
Print it Out and Follow When Preparing for a Big Interview
- Begin this process 10 minutes before your interview
Close Out All Programs
Supports with presence, focus and operating system issues.
- Plug in Your Headphones to the Computer’s Headphone Jack
Plug in Recording Equipment to the computer’s USB port
For Extensive Instructions Visit: FreedomPodcasting.com/studio
- Open Piezo – Skype Recording Software (FreedomPodcasting.com/piezo)
Select Skype as the Source On Piezo Program
Skype is already selected? Click Piezo’s Record button to open Skype
- Record a Test Call using Skype Test Call
Type “Test” into the search bar and call “Skype Test Call”
Record yourself speaking with their automated service and check you recording mp3 to ensure everything is working right.
- Call Your Interview Subject and Record the Interview
While recording with your guest or interview subject, you can be reminded that the recording is working by checking to see the duration numbers are rolling along and the level needles are moving when you and your subject speak.
- Share your podcast via DropBox with the Freedom Podcasting Team
The Reasoning Behind this Post
The biggest hurtle for new podcasters is creating recordings.
Every day at Freedom Podcasting we have people reach out to us via our customer survey . The people who reach out to us are passionate about their ideas and are ready to get their ideas out to the world. I notice that many of us grow unsure of the next step.
What is the next step?
Start recording.
That’s it. But it’s not that simple. There is a world of information out there regarding what microphones to use and high tech software programs to learn. In my opinion, most of this information is written by two types of people:
- Audiophiles – Passionate about the science of recording. These people are crazy about this stuff and should be ignored. Truth is, they are putting tremendous amounts of energy into the science of sound which only other audiophiles really understand
- Charlatans – These people don’t really know too much about this stuff but it makes sense to recommend complex solutions so that it seems like you really know what you’re talking about.
Both of these should be ignored. The truth is, we can implement Pareto’s 80/20 analysis and create high quality sound that can be traveled with and operated by a person who knows nothing about the science or complexity behind recordings.
The reason podcasting is blowing up is because there are fascinating people who have access to
Once a host begins to record, they gain momentum. Momentum is a powerful thing. Why?
With a few recordings under our belt, we’ll have the raw material needed to craft a new finished product. Without this, the work has yet to be done. If the hosts isn’t ready to get the initial work done, the show will never see the light of day.
So if you’re hoping to create the next big business or express the next big idea, start with the work that can be done. Start recording.
With the above proceesss
Thanks for the tutorial. That’s exactly what I needed to know. Very helpful.
2 Questions:
1 – Do you like skype over google hangouts or is skype just what you chose? I haven’t done any yet but I’ve heard google hangouts might be an option and I’m curious if there are pros and cons.
2 – How do you handle quality of the other person’s end? I have purchased all the equipment you recommended but if I call someone else and they are just on their phone or their built in mic on their computer, their voice will sound pretty bad, right? I don’t want to send everyone I interview a gift of an ATR2100. haha
1. I do like Skype over google hangouts. That could change now though because hangouts is getting better and better.
2. If you’re really into quality on their end, send your guest an ATR-2100. It’s only $50 and it will make them really appreciate you. Otherwise, you’re exactly right, your guest won’t sound as good as you do.
Hi!
I am attempting to start podcasting and my first podcast was a bit botched and I can’t figure out why. I was using Skype and eCamm Call recorder and as a backup, I recorded with ScreenFlow 5 in the background (which I now realize could have been part of what my problem was). Anyway, the audio quality of my guess was not great for about 21 minutes and then Skype dropped him. I tried to reconnect and did reconnect 3 times for about 10 second each before being disconnected by Skype. I am wondering why you use Piezo instead of eCamm and do you think that my problem was possibly too many recording devices trying to record at the same time? I’m kind of paranoid about getting through a whole podcast without a backup. Thanks!
Hey Paul,
Thank you for the comment and your drive to make great stuff.
We’ve just had a lot of issues with eCamm. I recommend Piezo because it’s simple and dependable.
Though I could use ScreenFlow to back up my podcast recordings, I don’t because I’ve never lost files with Piezo. If you’ve got no reason to distrust something, building secondary steps to guard against it can be more of a deterrent to doing great work than a security measure empowering you.
I recommend a clean system running only Piezo and Skype because it’s the simplicity that allows for a clean process. The more complex we make systems, the easier they are to break.
Thank you again for the comment and please feel free to reach out if there is anything I can do to support.
With appreciation,
Ian @ FP
I am starting to podcast and when I try to record through piezo and Skype I get a track that plays my voice in the left ear and my friends voice in the right ear (we are in two different locations). How do you get the track to play both voices in both ears?
Hey Kyle,
Yes, you’re doing it right. That’s called a stereo recording and it empowers you to do a lot more in post production. Check out the course to learn exactly how to do postproduction the way we do.
Essentially, all you’ve got to do is import the file into Audacity and convert it from Split Stereo to Mono. Here’s a screenshot to help you out:
http://freedompodcasting.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2015-10-11-at-3.48.59-PM.png
Hi there. After recording a Skype call, I’m realising that my ‘side’ of the conversation is very low while my friend’s is fairly normal. I’ve amplified the volume for both but my ‘side’ needs to be amplified a bit more so the volumes match. Does that make sense? Not sure how to go about this…..
From your description, it seem to me that your levels are lower than your guests. This isn’t a problem to clean up in post production. Try turning your gain up on the mixer or speaking more closely to the microphone if you want to record with higher levels.