To learn how to record a podcast, write a short episode outline, set up a microphone, and aim for peaks between -12 dB and -6 dB. Then edit in a DAW and export an MP3 for your podcast host.
This workflow is one part of our wider coverage of audio media and podcasts. If you have not settled on a show title yet, the Podcast Name Ideas: 75 Creative, Catchy Options and How To Choose the Perfect One – Voiceoriginals guide helps you choose one before the first session.
Why the order of the workflow matters
Plan, record, edit and publish run in that order because each stage can only fix so much of the one before it. A weak plan produces rambling audio that needs heavy cutting. A poorly set microphone produces noise or distortion that no editor removes cleanly. A rushed edit then reaches listeners as a finished file. The practical rule is to put effort at the front: a simple plan, a tested microphone and sensible levels do more than any later correction.
Plan the episode before you press record
An episode outline is the cheapest way to improve a recording. Beamly describes talking points as an outline or even just a list of topics to cover, which means a full script is not required. Technically Functional likewise advises creating a conversational plan before recording. For a solo show, a topic list is enough. For an interview, write your questions down so the conversation has a shape even when it wanders.
Beamly also suggests planning breaks so the episode is divided into short segments. This helps in practice: a stumble or a noise interruption costs you one segment rather than the whole take, and the finished file is easier to cut because the seams are already marked.
- Solo hosts: keep a bullet list of topics and move through it segment by segment.
- Interview shows: write the questions, then leave room for follow-ups instead of reading them in a fixed order.
- Co-hosted shows: agree the segment order in advance so that nobody talks over a handover.
Gear for recording a podcast
A microphone and a pair of headphones are the core kit. Buzzsprout notes that dynamic microphones work best for podcasting, which suits untreated rooms because they are less sensitive to background noise than condenser mics. The same guide says a USB microphone is the best option for the majority of podcasters, and Fireside adds that USB microphones are affordable, easy to set up, and plug directly into your computer. XLR microphones sound like the upgrade, but they need an interface or mixer, so they only make sense once you have a reason to add one, such as recording more than one voice into a single device.
| Setup | Gear | Approximate cost | Planning use |
|---|---|---|---|
| One person | Samson Q2U microphone plus headphones you already own | About $70 | The simplest start for a solo show; add accessories later. |
| Two people | Two Q2U microphones, two M20x units, and a Scarlett 2i2 interface | $400 total (Q2U $70 each, M20x $50 each, Scarlett 2i2 $165) | Choose this when two voices are recorded in the same room. |
| Shock mount | Mounting accessory | $35-50 | Optional upgrade once the basics work. |
| Foam ball or pop filter | Plosive protection | $6-$10 | Low-cost item worth buying early. |
Prices are the figures quoted in Buzzsprout’s podcasting guide, which names the Samson Q2U as its top microphone recommendation.
A pop filter earns its place on the list because it reduces harsh p and b sounds, according to Fireside’s equipment guide. Of everything in the table, it is the cheapest fix for a problem that is awkward to repair in editing. Spend on a shock mount only after the microphone, headphones and pop filter are working well.
Recording the session step by step
A good session is mostly setup. Work through these stages in order before you start the real take.
- Position the microphone. Fireside suggests adjusting the distance between microphone and mouth, usually 6-12 inches. Start there and fine-tune by ear.
- Set your levels. Technically Functional recommends peaks between -12 dB and -6 dB, which records at a robust level without clipping. Clipping is distortion that occurs when levels go over 0 dB, and it cannot be repaired later.
- Fix level problems at the source. If one speaker is too quiet, move that person closer to the microphone, or move a loud speaker back, before you raise the gain.
- Record a test. Leave time for a test recording after setting up your equipment, and record some room tone too. Beamly makes the same point for multi-person setups: make a test flight before starting to record the whole episode.
- Record in segments. Work through the outline one segment at a time and pause between them so the edit has natural joins.
Decibels are a logarithmic scale, so a number that looks like a small change can be a large one. Treat the -12 dB to -6 dB range as a deliberate target window rather than a loose guideline.
Editing in a DAW
A DAW, or digital audio workstation, is the software where you cut and combine your recordings. Technically Functional lists the basics: adding tracks, cutting audio files, and using a crossfade, which is a way to combine audio clips together. Use cuts to remove stumbles and dead air, and crossfades to smooth the joins so the edits do not click.
The next stage is mixing, described there as blending the different elements of the recording into a cohesive product. In a DAW this means adjusting the volume of each track in the mixer so voices, music and any inserted clips sit at comfortable relative levels. Do this after cutting, because removing material changes what you hear in context.
If you would rather not learn a full DAW, Buzzsprout points to Adobe Podcast as another option, with a generous free plan and $10/month for premium. Whichever tool you choose, keep your original recordings untouched and edit a copy.
Exporting and publishing
When the mix sounds right, export it. Technically Functional notes that you can export the track out as an mp3 file, and that file is what you upload to your podcast host. The host turns your uploads into the feed that listening apps read, so you upload once rather than to each app.
After publishing, listen to the episode the way your audience will. Our guide on how to listen to podcasts explains the apps and directories where shows appear, which makes it easy to check that your episode shows up correctly.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an audio interface?
Only if you choose an XLR microphone. Fireside says an audio interface is only necessary for XLR, while a USB microphone connects straight to your computer.
How do I record a remote guest?
Record separate tracks at a minimum, as Buzzsprout advises for Zoom. Beamly adds that tools recording the audio locally give better tracks, and that remote speakers should wear headphones so their microphones do not pick up other sounds.
What if I misspeak during the recording?
Finish the sentence or phrase, then repeat it correctly. This leaves a clean spot to cut to in the editor instead of forcing you to restart the whole segment.
How often should I publish?
Buzzsprout recommends publishing once a week, which helps listeners build a habit around your show. Choose a cadence you can sustain with your planning and editing time.
