When it comes to podcasting, using more than one microphone can be much better than using just one. With more than one microphone, you can pick up each person’s voice more clearly and separate it from background noise. This makes for better sound. This is very important when the podcast has more than one host or guest. In this guide, we’ll show you how to podcast with more than one microphone, which will help you make a podcast that sounds professional.
How to Podcast with Multiple Microphones: A Step-by-Step Guide
Pick your microphones.
When choosing microphones for a podcast with multiple hosts or guests, it is important to choose microphones with similar frequency response and sensitivity. This will make sure that everyone’s voice is recorded and sounds natural.
Dynamic microphones are often a good choice for podcasting because they are less sensitive to background noise, have a good range of frequency response, and cost less than condenser microphones. The Shure SM7B, the Electro-Voice RE20, and the Audio-Technica ATR2100 are all good examples of dynamic microphones that are good for podcasting.
Before you start recording, you should test your microphones to make sure they work well together and that the levels are the same on each one.
Pick an Audio Interface
For podcasting with more than one microphone, you need an audio interface, which lets you connect more than one microphone to your computer and record each microphone on a separate channel.
Think about how many inputs an audio interface has and if it has enough inputs for all of your microphones when choosing one. You should also think about how good the sound is and if the interface works with your computer and recording software.
The Focusrite Scarlett series, the Presonus Studio 68, and the Behringer U-Phoria UMC404HD are all good audio interfaces for making podcasts. To find an interface that works well for your needs, you should do some research and read reviews.
Join your microphones to the audio interface.
You’ll need XLR cables to connect your mics to the audio interface. Balanced XLR cables are made to send audio signals over long distances without picking up any noise.
To connect your microphones to the audio interface, plug one end of the XLR cable into the microphone and the other end into the appropriate input on the audio interface. Make sure each microphone is plugged into the right input on the interface to avoid phase cancellation and other problems.
Also, you should read the manual for the audio interface to find out how to set the gain for each input. Usually, the software for the audio interface will have a gain knob or a gain control that you can use to change the level of each microphone. Make sure the gain is set to the right level to keep the sound from clipping or getting messed up.
Set Up Your Recording Software
When choosing recording software for podcasting with multiple microphones, it is important to choose software that allows you to record multiple channels simultaneously. This will enable you to record each microphone on a separate channel, which makes it easier to edit and mix the audio later.
Examples of software that support multichannel recording include Audacity, Adobe Audition, and Logic Pro.
To set up your recording software for multichannel recording, make sure to select the audio interface as the input device and then assign each microphone to a separate channel. In some software, you may need to create a new track for each microphone and then assign the input channel for each track.
Once you’ve set up your software for multichannel recording, you’ll be able to adjust the levels of each microphone independently, making it easier to balance the audio and remove any unwanted noise or crosstalk.
Adjust Your Microphone Levels
Once you’ve connected your microphones and set up your recording software, it’s time to adjust the levels of the microphones. This is an important step to get a good signal-to-noise ratio and keep the sound from getting distorted or clipping.
Use the gain controls on the audio interface to change how loud the microphone is. Start by putting the gain at its lowest level, and then slowly raise it as you talk normally into the microphone. Watch the input level in your recording software and change the gain until the input level is always between -12 dB and -6 dB.
It’s important not to set the gain too high, as this can cause the sound to become distorted or clip. If you’re having trouble getting a good signal-to-noise ratio, try moving the microphone closer to the speaker or lowering any background noise in the room.
Make sure to check the levels of all the microphones and adjust them individually to make sure they are all balanced and all voices are picked up equally.
Test Your Setup
Before starting a full recording, it’s important to do a quick test recording to make sure that all the microphones are working and that the levels are balanced between them.
To do a test recording, have each person talk into their microphone for a few seconds while you watch the levels in your recording software. Listen to the recording again and make sure that all the microphones are picking up sound and that the levels are all the same. If one microphone is much louder or quieter than the others, you can change the gain until the levels are all the same.
It’s important to take the time to get the levels right and make sure that all the microphones are working properly. This will save time and frustration during the editing process. Once you’re happy with the test recording, you can start the full recording knowing that your setup is good.
Conclusion
In conclusion, podcasting with multiple microphones is a great way to produce high-quality podcasts with multiple hosts or guests. To podcast with multiple microphones, you’ll need to choose microphones that are compatible with your audio interface and recording software, and then connect them to the interface.
After connecting the microphones, set up your recording software for multichannel recording and adjust the microphone levels for a good signal-to-noise ratio. Finally, do a quick test recording to make sure that all the microphones are working correctly and that the levels are balanced between them.
With these steps, you’ll be able to produce high-quality podcasts with multiple hosts or guests that sound professional and engaging. So go ahead and give it a try!
