Podcasts: They’re easy to make, easy to access and, for the most part, free. From true crime shows to conversations about politics, your favorite pastime can be found and enjoyed at the tap of a finger.
For many of us, podcasts and other audio productions like audiobooks help us pass time. We listen to them on a regular basis because they make mundane tasks more interesting or stimulate our mind while doing something that doesn’t require a lot of thought. At this point, I think it’s safe to say that they are here to stay.
Last week, I dove deep into the pre-production process with the goal of creating a plan that would help me plan my first podcast episode. The topic I wanted to pursue was one that means a lot to me personally; the gender conflict in nerd culture. For the sake of my podcast, I used “nerd culture” to refer to media that is predominantly used by males or catered to males. This could be anything from video games to tabletop roleplaying games or comic books.
After pinning down my topic and going through the pre-production process, it was time to get started. To better-prepare, I read several articles about the production and post-production process.
READINGS
In “ 7 Secrets for Getting Pro Sounding Vocals on Home Recordings,” author Filippo Gaetani offers his tips for nailing vocal tracks in the comfort of your own home. Not only is it important to be in the zone and making sure you’re in the right headspace, it’s vital that you feel comfortable so you can comfort yourself and any guest you may be interviewing. In the article, Gaetani offers technical tips such as positioning your mic and pop filter correctly, finding the correct levels, and doing several takes. What was most interesting to learn is that, while it would be nice to have, you don’t need a big fancy studio to record solid audio. Incorporating a few hacks like ensuring you’re in a neutral, dry room and avoiding cavernous rooms, all you need are some old blankets, curtains and pillows to create your very own vocal booth. In the end, your production will have the most success when you feel comfortable enough to experiment to find the right sound.
Because I originally went to school for broadcast journalism, I tend to feel more comfortable editing video over audio. However, learning the basics of both has the power to change your entire production. In the article Sound Advice: Editing Audio for Video by Hal Robertson, he shares why no one should ever overlook audio over video because when done properly, they have the power to perfectly supplement one another. The first thing to note is the difference between A-roll and B-roll. A-roll is the primary footage in your video, which includes on-camera talent. For this, it’s best to use the best microphones and cables you have to ensure you get the best A-roll audio. B-roll, on the other hand, is supplementary footage. It’s filler pieces such as traffic movement or any other shots that will support your video topic. Robertson emphasizes that putting in the work is worth it as it will be easier to work on in the long run.
RESEARCH
Robertson felt strongly that audio and video should supplement each other and when they do, the final product feels like it was meant to be. Composer John Williams is the expert when it comes to using audio to elevate visual content. Most everyone has seen the Jurassic Park scene below because what John Williams did was create an experience. He builds up the excitement and makes the audience feel like they’re alongside the main characters.
To compare just how much audio makes a difference, check out what the scene would feel like without it.
I have been a fan of the show Supernatural since it first debuted in 2005. It’s a show about two brothers who travel the country hunting monsters and other entities in their 1967 Chevy Impala. At the end of every season, they used the song Carry on my Wayward Son by Kansas to wrap up what happened during the entire season leading up to the start of the season’s final episode. They did it almost every season for 15 years. When the show ended at the end of 2020, they used that song for the final time and brought every fan to tears. They knew what they were doing and how much it meant to the fans. This is an instance of using a sentimental song to elicit strong reactions from a specific fandom.
Another example of well-produced audio accompanying what you see on screen is the final scene in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. It does an incredible job of wrapping up a perfect movie and making you feel like you really are in this magical world. It elevates the scene beautifully and leaves the viewers feeling hopeful.
CREATE
After completing my pre-production planning and research, it was time to record my podcast! I set up my home office by using tips I learned in Gaetani’s article. Because I have no rugs or carpet in this room or anywhere else in my house, I placed blankets everywhere to prevent an echo. I used four blankets for each side of my desk, placed a quilt and old bedding foam on the floor, and hung a thick comforter on my closet doors.
I used two Blue microphones, a Yeti for my guest and a Snowball for myself. I also turned off the AC and the fan to limit the sound around us. Though there were certain things out of my control (her moving her mic every once in a while as she spoke), I ended up loving the final product. Check out my podcast below.
At the end of this entire process, I found that my biggest obstacle was the time limit. My interview with my guest came out to 28 minutes which meant there was so much extra content I wished I could have used. After shaving it down initially, I managed to get it 13 minutes, then 12, and then kept listening and editing it until I got it down to 10:00 minutes exactly.
Time limits exist for a reason in the broadcast and radio world because going over or under means changing the rundown or getting in the way of paid advertising. In the end, I loved this audio experience and I can say that it did in fact spark a desire to keep adding to my new SoundCloud page!