How to Improve Sound Quality on a Podcast
Anyone who listens to podcasts knows that the most annoying thing is great content you cannot hear. The problem is not usually the volume of the podcast, but rather the space where it was recorded.
The Problem:
When someone speaks, the sound travels through the air in waves. These waves bounce off surfaces like walls and tables.
When a microphone picks up these waves, it often picks up all of them, so the resulting recording has an echo, like the podcaster is shouting into an auditorium even if she is talking in her bedroom.
The Solution:
The easiest way to record quality audio for a podcast is to use the smallest room possible, sound proof it and cover it with acoustic foam.
You can use sound proofing foam to keep ambient noises out, but it is very difficult to get a truly soundproof space. Try to record at times when other people are not around. If you live in an apartment, learn when your neighbors are quiet. If you live in a house, try to record when you are alone or when others are asleep.
The goal is not so much to sound proof your area, but to absorb stray sound waves. This is where acoustic foam panels come in. Hang plenty of them up around your space.
If you can’t find acoustic panels in your area, you can use blankets or other soft materials.
Following these simple steps will help your podcast sound clean and professional.
The Foam Factory sells sound proofing foam custom cut to fit any installation. For a variety of acoustic foam panels, shop The Foam Factory.