PodCraft | How to Podcast & Craft a Fantastic Show

The term “home podcast studio” can mean different things to different people. For some, it means soundproofed walls, a large, sleek, padded table, and multiple mics running onto a mixer. For others, it means a USB mic sitting in a cat bed. The bottom line is that creating a pro-sounding home podcast studio is possible, no matter how small your budget or house space. Key Resources How to Create a Silent Podcast Studio Why Record Your Podcast Outdoors What is Reverb? (& How to Fix it!)

Cables, stands, jacks, plugs, pop filters – the less glamorous but still utterly essential part of the podcasting equipment pantheon. It’s common for podcasters to spend three-figure sums on both their mic and their recording device, then link the two together with a cable they’ll spend $5 on. On this episode, we look to better understand all these different ‘Bits & Bobs’ by running through what they are, what they look like, and what they do. Types of Audio Cable & Connection XLR Cables XLR cables and inputs. XLR cables are commonly known as microphone cables. They have a male end and a female end and are used to connect microphones to equipment or to create a link between two pieces of equipment (like a mixer to a recorder). Quarter Inch (1/4”) The 1/4″ (6.35mm) plug looks like a bigger version of the 3.5mm plug. They’re commonly used to connect microphones and other gear to recording equipment such as mixers or preamps. Most mixers and recorders will allow you to connect either an XLR cable or a 1/4″ jack to the same port. These are known as ‘Combo Ports’. The Standard Headphone Jack The 3.5mm plug/connection is most commonly found on headphones and earbuds. They’re also found on some smaller microphones too, like ‘lavalier' clip-on mics, and headsets. TS, TRS, & TRRS Plugs Audio plugs (like the 3.5mm plug) have markings on them to determine exactly how they work. These markings come in the form of little black bands that run around the shaft of each plug. These bands separate each different function of the plug in question. A plug with one band is known as a tip sleeve or TS jack. That's because the single band separates the tip from the sleeve. A plug with two bands is known as a tip ring sleeve, or TRS jack, because the bands have separated a ring in the middle, between the tip and the sleeve. A plug with two bands is known as a tip ring ring sleeve, or TRRS jack, because that has two rings separated in the middle. So what's the purpose of all these tips and rings, and how do they work differently? TS plugs are traditionally known as mono plugs, because the tip is feeding all the audio to the source in one dose. TRS plugs are traditionally known as stereo plugs because the tip is now being used to feed the left channel of your audio to the source, whilst the ring is feeding the right channel. In recent years, a third option was added to this setup – the TRRS plug. The extra ring was brought in to accommodate a microphone or video option. The most common use of TRRS plugs is talking through a headset on your PC, or making a hands free call on your phone. RCA RCA connectors are also known as phone cables or AV jacks. Mixers have RCA ports on them, and these enable you to connect and play media through them. RCA cables are usually Y shaped, with the white and red stereo audio plugs at one end, and a single plug on the other end, such as a 3.5mm or 1/4″ connection. We also cover microphone stands and pop filters. Resources Mentioned The Best Boom Arm for Podcasting Studio Cable Management for Podcasters Finding the Best Audio Cables: The (Not So) Fascinating Truth Best Podcast Microphones on the market Alitu - Our Podcast Maker App

Podcast listening isn't exclusive to podcast listeners. Podcasters need to listen to their own audio, too - both whilst it's being recorded and whilst it's being edited. We call this type of creator listening "monitoring", and that's what we'll discuss in this episode of PodCraft. Key Considerations Listen through headphones (even a cheap pair of earbuds) while recording audio to catch any real-time issues. Use headphones or speakers with a flat frequency response. Don't use gear that'll add extra bass that doesn't exist in your source material, for example. Use a headphone splitter to give guests their own headphones whilst recording.  When choosing headphones, consider things like comfort, isolation, sound leakage, as well as cable length and type.  Headphones are great for mixing voice, but switch to speakers to mix in your music if you have that option in your setup.  Gear Mentioned Audio-Technica ATH-M20X Studio Headphones  Sony MDR-7506 Studio Headphones Beyerdynamic DT770 PRO Studio Headphones KRK Rokit 5 G3 Studio Monitors M-Audio AV40 Studio Monitors Mackie MR5 mk3 Studio Monitors HosaTech YMM-261 Stereo Splitter

You most likely already carry an expensive recording device around with you everywhere you go. We're talking, of course, about your smartphone. In this episode of PodCraft, we take a look at the different gear and options available for turning your phone or tablet into a fully functioning podcast studio. Gear & Resources Are built-in mics any good? Rode AI Micro Rode SmartLav + and SC6 Splitter Shure MV88 Rode Wireless Go Zoom iQ6 Recording apps for iOS Recording apps for Android Recording podcasts with Facebook Messenger Launch Essentials Course  

Mixers and audio interfaces have much in common with the podcast recorders mentioned on our last episode. One crucial difference is that these are less likely to work as standalone devices, and will need other gear to make them work (typically, mics and a computer).  A mixer or audio interface is an excellent tool if you prefer to use podcast recording software.  Our favourite interfaces are the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 and the PreSonus Audiobox USB 96. On the mixer front, Dev was highly impressed by the Boss Gigcaster 5 and 8 recently, too.  Also Mentioned in This Episode How to set up a Mix-Minus (blast from the past!) Podcast Growth Essentials Course

In this episode, we’ll cover why you might want to use a digital recorder in your podcasting efforts, and how to choose the best one for you.We’ve discussed digital recorders in the past, and in fact, you can find our current definitive guide here: The Best Digital Podcast Recorders on the Market. This episode digs into the very same stuff with a little extra detail. Each option depends on your own unique situation, show format, and budget. But here are some of the models we typically recommend: Zoom H1 or Tascam DR-05 - the lower-cost 'lite' models Zoom H5 or Zoom H6 - premium Zoom options  Rodecaster Pro II - the ultimate podcast recorder Zoom PodTrak P4 - does a lot of what the Rodecaster does at quarter of the price Mackie DLZ Creator - the "money is no object" option Also Mentioned Growth Essentials Course

First thing's first, you're going to need something to record into, aren't you?  On this episode we take a deep dive into the world of microphones for podcasting.  The Best Podcasting Microphones Here, you'll learn The difference between XLR and USB mics The difference between Dynamic and Condenser mics What are Polar Patterns, and which one do you need? Can you use built-in mics to podcast? And, what are OUR favourite mics?  Also Mentioned in This Episode Samson Q2U (USB and XLR) Blue Snowball (USB) Blue Yeti (USB) Rode Procaster (XLR) MXL 990 (XLR) Shure SM58 (XLR) Alitu: The Podcast Maker

Welcome to our new and updated season on podcasting gear and technology. We last recorded this one back in 2019, and a lot has changed in that time.  Or has it?  You can easily keep track of every resource, tool, or product mentioned on our Resources page, and on the Podcraft Equipment Season page. 

Affiliate schemes are a great way for podcasters (even completely new ones) to earn some income. On this episode, we dive into what affiliate programmes are, how they work, which ones to choose, and how to get the best from them. Check out our full guide to affiliate programmes for podcasters, the Alitu affiliate scheme, and the IndiePod Community.  

In a world of AI chatbots, it's easy to have your shownotes drafted up in an instant. But how do you create shownotes that are actually good?* That's one of the questions we'll be answering on today's episode, along with considerations around audio ads, variety shows, and email list signups.  Thanks to our listeners who sent in this week's voice questions. Why not submit one yourself?  Listener Podcasts Family Histories Podcast She Needs Grit All About Home Construction Tweet Trends Resources Mentioned The guide to podcast trailers Where to advertise your podcast How to create great podcast show notes The IndiePod Community Rephonic's 3D audience graph SparkToro *Alright, so these shownotes aren't exactly mindblowing. But they do the trick, do they not? ;-)