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Podcasts are excellent platforms to share unlimited content, ranging from relationships and religion to sports and entertainment. But to record a podcast worth listening to, you need the perfect podcast software. Fortunately, the internet is filled with podcast recording programs to help you capture high-quality podcast videos and audio. But all podcasting programs are not the same. So, here are some well-researched podcast recording programs to use for free. I'll also introduce you to some essential equipments you need to record quality podcasts.
In this article
Part 1. Essential Equipments for Podcast Recording
Starting a podcasting business can be challenging. Apart from figuring out the right niche, you must also shop for podcast tools, which may be costly. So, in this part, we'll discuss the necessary equipment for recording a podcast. Let's jump in!
- Microphone
Why do you need a microphone when your computer or smartphone already has one? The reason is that inbuilt mics do not block ambient sounds. For obvious reasons, you'll need your podcast audio to be of the highest quality. So, purchase a noise-canceling microphone or USB mic.
- Computer
Another essential device that you'll need is a computer. Remember that you'll need to retouch your podcast audio before uploading online. But luckily, an average computer will do just fine with podcast recording and editing. So, get one!
- Headphones
A good cook should always taste their food before serving it. The same applies when recording a podcast show. You'll use the headphones to hear your voice and identify areas that need improvement or deleting before uploading. Now you know why musicians often wear headphones in the studio.
- Podcast recording software
A podcast recording software is a program to record high-quality podcasts professionally. While scouting for recording software, check for features like pricing, audio quality, noise reduction, and more. Don't worry; the next section will furnish you with seven excellent options.
- Sound editing software
As said before, you'll use your computer to record and edit audio. But you can't edit audio without a proper audio editor. Ensure that the program you choose offers essential tools like trimming, cutting, splitting, splicing, adjusting volume, sound effects, etc.
- Recording studio/room
Do you have an empty room in the house? Great! Use the room as your podcast recording studio. To capture high-quality sounds, you'll need a quiet environment devoid of unwanted TV sounds, children screaming, and other unwanted noises. You can also invest in soundproof materials to give the room an acoustic feel.
Part 2. Top 7 Different Ways to Record Podcast [with Guide]
Without wasting time, let's learn how to record a podcast with seven effective methods. Note that some of these programs might need a subscription to use.
1. Media.io Online Podcast Recorder
If you're still a greenhorn with podcast recording, Media.io is the perfect tool for you. It's a simple online podcast recording software that captures podcasts with a single mouse click. You only need to run the program, connect a mic, and grab your podcast. To make the recording session more engaging, Media.io Podcast Recorder features a beautiful waveform for detecting audio pitch and noises quickly. And after recording the podcast, you can trim, cut, compress, convert, and more.
Follow these quick and simple steps:
Step 1 Launch Media.io Online Podcast Recorder on your computer browser and click the Audio Only function. This should be selected by default anyway.
Step 2 Now plug your microphone into your PC and select it. If you don't have one, don't worry because you can use your computer's inbuilt mic.
Step 3After the program has finished debugging your connected mic, click Start Recording to capture up to 30 minutes for free. Of course, you can unlock more minutes by upgrading your account.
2. Audacity Podcast Recording Software
If you frequently edit and record audio, you need no introduction to Audacity. It's a free, open-source program that you won't even believe it's free. Audacity allows you to record high-quality audio using whatever mic you may have. After podcasting on Audacity, the program gives you a range of tools to trim, reduce noise, amplify, change tempo, compress, reverse, reverb, and more. It's simply one of the best podcast recording software for PCs.
Below are the steps:
Step 1. Launch Audacity and select your voice input device on the Microphone drop-down menu.
Step 2. Next, find the Microphone icon and adjust the recording volume accordingly. You can also change the playback volume.
Step 3. Now click the red REC button to begin recording audio. You can capture any audio length that you want. Once you've recorded enough podcast content, click Stop and tap Play to preview it. It's nothing complex!
Limitations: Although Audacity is a free and professional-grade audio recorder and editor, the UI can be a little intimidating.
3. Adobe Audition
Adobe Audition is a paid digital audio workstation that rivals Audacity in every way. You can create, record, mix, and design great-sounding audio in minutes with Adobe Audition. This program allows you to record a podcast from a connected microphone or your computer's mic. Interestingly, users can adjust the noise level before recording audio. And don't forget that all recorded clips are saved in WAV format.
A step-by-step guide for recording a podcast with Adobe Audition:
Step 1. Fire up Adobe Audition and then click Edit > Preferences. Now click Audio Hardware and choose the Default Input device.
Step 2. After selecting your microphone, click Window > Editor. Once the editor opens, you'll see the audio controls at the bottom.
Step 3. Click Record to start recording a podcast on Adobe Audition. You'll see green waveforms as you narrate audio. Tap to stop to finish recording audio on Adobe Audition.
Limitations: Like Audacity, starting with Adobe Audition can be challenging for beginners. Even worse, the service costs $20.99/month after exhausting the 7-day free trial.
4. Garageband
Garageband is a digital workstation developed by Apple for macOS, iOS, and iPad devices. It features a multitrack timeline where you can create nice-sounding music and podcasts quickly and easily. Users can record audio using an internal mic, a connected device, or headphones. After recording audio, users can trim, cut, amplify, add sound effects, reverse, and more. Interestingly, you can use third-party music apps like iTunes on Garageband.
Below are the steps to record a podcast with Garageband:
Step 1. Open Garageband on your macOS and click the Details button at the bottom-left corner of the home window. Here, choose your connected mic on the Device Input menu.
Step 2. Double-click Empty Project to ensure the mic is selected before clicking Create. On the net window, open the Display Mode menu and choose Time. This way, you can keep track of your audio recording duration.
Step 3. Now tap the Record button to begin capturing your podcast on Garageband. Lastly, click Stop to add the recorded audio track to the timeline for further editing.
Limitations: First and foremost, Garageband is compatible with Apple devices online. Secondly, there are lots of hidden features which might be confusing to beginners.
5. Zoom
Zoom is a virtual conferencing app that shot into the limelight during the Covid-19 pandemic. Back then and even now, many organizations used this app to hold virtual meetings with several participants. But Zoom comes with another exciting extra that allows you to record audio in a meeting. It's effortless to use, as the steps below will show you:
Step 1. Install Zoom on your macOS or Windows computer and launch it. Then create a Zoom account using an email or Facebook ID.
Step 2. Join a meeting and then click Settings > Recording. Here, choose the destination path where your recorded file will be saved and allow the app to record a separate audio file. You can also select "Record video during screen sharing."
Step 3. Close the Zoom settings window and Start a New Meeting. Your webcam camera will automatically launch, then you'll choose to record the meeting with computer audio or not.
Step 4. Tap Record to start capturing the Zoom meeting. After recording enough content, stop the session and find the recorded files in the destination folder.
Limitations: Zoom is primarily a video conferencing app. So don't expect any audio editing features here.
6. RiversideFM
Recording podcasts from your browser is super convenient. It's even better if the online podcast recorder is compatible with mobile browsers. With Riverside.fm, you'll record smooth 4K quality videos with crystal clear audio. You can also record uncompressed 40kHz WAV audio using your browser's microphone or an external mic. Moreover, you can edit your recordings with a beautiful background and logo.
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Step 1. Visit Riverside.fm and create an account before starting a New Studio. You can enter the studio name and the recording mode. In this case, select Audio Only.
Step 2. Connect your headphones before requesting camera permissions. Once you allow permission, select your microphone before clicking Join Studio.
Step 3. Now you're ready to start recording. To do that, tap Record and capture your audio. If satisfied, tap Stop and wait for the recorded podcast to finish uploading.
Step 4. Click the View recordings button and download the recorded video. That's it!
Limitations: Although this online podcast recording software is convenient, it doesn't give the most straightforward experience. So, stick to Media.io if you want to record a podcast online quickly and easily.
7. Rodecaster Pro
Rodecaster Pro is a powerful podcast production solution that offers studio-quality audio recordings. It's straightforward, making it perfect for beginners and professional podcasters. Rodecaster Pro has four microphones and four headphone channels, allowing users to capture multiple podcast sounds. This intuitive device also boasts a full-color touchscreen, high-pass filter, noise gate, and compressor. And best of all, you can connect your computer or smartphone to the device using a USB and exploit the program's advanced recording capabilities.
Key features:
- Simple to set up and record podcasts.
- Four high-quality microphone and headphone channels.
- Echo-free phone connectivity via Bluetooth or TRRS.
- Record directly to computer or microSD using USB.
Limitations: Consider this device if you're looking for the best way to record a podcast at home. However, you'll need at least $500 to lay your hands on it. So, it's safe to say that Rodecaster Pro is for professional podcasters.
Part 3. Top 7 Extra Podcast Tools for Audio Recording
Recording high-quality podcasts should be a breeze with the tools mentioned above. But as said earlier, your podcast audio will need a bit of polishing before uploading online. Below are some editing techniques that you should know:
- Remove background noise
If you can't afford a noise-canceling microphone, use a noise remover to erase all background noises from your podcast. This tool will help you remove unprofessional and untidy background noises to make your podcast more engaging to listen to.
- Trimming and cutting
Is your podcast audio too long, or does it feature words you don't want your audience to hear? Simple, use an audio trimmer to cut, trim, split, and delete the unnecessary sections. Using this tool should generally be easy whether you're a beginner or a pro.
- Add background music or sound effects
It's also a good idea to incorporate sound effects into your podcast audio to boost engagement. In that case, visit Media.io Editor and customize your podcast with sound effects and music. You can also download sound effects from websites like SoundGator, SoundBible, YouTube, and FreeSound. But take note that overdoing the sound effects can badly backfire.
- Add subtitles and texts
You don't expect everyone to understand the language you use to narrate your podcast, do you? So, add subtitles to guide your viewers throughout the show. For this purpose, use the Auto-Subtitle Generator to create accurate subtitles in 90+ languages. After generating the subtitles, this tool edit and delete the subtitle text tracks.