One of the most important characteristics of a successful podcast is consistency. Keeping up with a release schedule is vital to building fans who will ultimately make it a routine to listen to your show.
Unfortunately, and I know this from experience, traveling can ruin your podcast recording schedule. big time.
So what is the best way to solve this problem?
Hit the record button on the go! And not just because you want to keep up with that schedule, but because some of the best conversations you’ll ever have are while you’re traveling and in person with other people.
These are golden opportunities that often go to waste, but not anymore, because I’m going to tell you everything you need to make it work and make it easy.
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Equipment
Before you head out, it’s important to gather and pack the right gear for your recording sessions on the go. In most cases, you won’t be taking your normal home podcast setup with you on the road.
That said, if your normal setup includes a relatively small all-in-one production console like the Rodecaster Pro IIthen it may be worth packing it along with a pair of microphones and an SD card to suit your needs.
However, in most cases, what you’ll be looking for is a portable yet powerful recording setup. Here are some options:
Rode SmartLav+ with mobile interface
The smallest and cheapest option combines a wired lavalier microphone and an interface for a device you probably already have access to: your mobile phone.
Whether you are an iPhone or Android user, a Rode SmartLav+ Microphone Setup you can connect directly to your device. Because it’s small, you can even attach it to a t-shirt or blouse and it’s completely out of the way.
I use this setup on the fly for both solo episodes and interviews. If you’re going to do an interview, make sure you get a dual mobile interface so you can connect two microphones to record simultaneously.
This configuration has limited post-editing capability, since everything is recorded to one track, but it is the easiest and most flexible.
For a quick demo, check out this video I recorded with my son a few years ago:
Enlarge H6N
The zoom H6N it’s the ultimate portable recorder that lets you capture the best quality sound while you’re on the go. There are built-in mics (and some you can swap out for different recording styles), and 4 mic inputs for different XLR or TRS cables, which is awesome for group interviews.
This means you can have up to four different people, at four different microphones, recording to four different tracks at the same time. Instead of using your phone to record, this device uses an SD card to record your files, and it’s easy to import them back to a computer when you get home or back to your hotel room.
This is the device I normally use when I’m on the go. I bring two microphones, like the Samson Q2U – which are connected via XLR, press record and the program starts. Be sure to bring a pair of XLR cables as well, as these are generally not included with USB-specific microphones that have XLR compatibility.
I don’t add intro songs or voiceovers while recording on this device, everything comes in post editing. The ease of use and handheld portability is impressive. Also, I love the ability to see tracks and sound levels from each mic so I know if one isn’t too loud or too soft.
Quick tip: don’t forget your SD card! Trust me.
Headphones
Headphones are often overlooked when it comes to recording on the go, but since you probably won’t be in a sound booth or studio, and possibly in a crowded or traffic-ridden area, it’s important to have headphones so you can monitor Sound.
It is too noisy? Very soft? Is there too much background noise? The only way to really know is by listening to the audio as it comes in.
My absolute favorites are the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro Studio Headphones. I use them in my home studio, and also when I’m out and about.
They’re soft, comfortable, and sound amazing. They don’t cancel noise, but they do get the job done when it comes to monitoring your sound in an environment you might not be familiar with or have a lot of control over.
It’s up to you whether you want to keep your headphones on while recording, but at the very least, test your audio with the headphones on before recording. It would be a shame to have poor audio quality on your podcast when a quick test could have been avoided.
Video camera
I won’t go too deep here, but video podcasts are becoming so popular that it’s pretty standard to turn on your camera when conducting an interview on the go. The audio is already fixed, which is nice, but a good shot with a camera (or more) can allow you to reuse that opportunity, often in an interesting and visually appealing environment, on a platform like YouTube, or perhaps in a course. by Internet.
The biggest concern for video is definitely lighting, and we really don’t want to bring heavy-duty lights with us, do we?
If you’re going to be indoors, the best scenario would be to set up the interview space near a window with indirect light and have the camera point out. This will put a nice highlight on you and your interviewee.
If you’re outdoors, a spot that has constant shade is nice. However, the environment and weather can make it difficult to keep everything consistent. But shooting outdoors is awesome, so it may be worth the sacrifice.
Finally, as far as which camera to use, use one you are already familiar with, if possible. A phone might work, or a point-and-shoot camera like a sony zv-1 with a tripod to screw it on (maybe even a Switch).
Planning
When possible, try to plan an interview or recording session in advance. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been to events where a friend and I say we’re going to record “sometime,” only to have it never happen because time slipped away.
Here’s a quick order of operations:
- In an ideal scenario, connect before the trip or event occurs. Yes, you can always meet new people and plan an ad hoc podcast session, but for the sake of your time and calendar, it’s always best to plan ahead.
- Arrange a time and place to meet. Find available spaces to record that are as quiet and echo-free as possible. Make sure you have permission to record in those spaces if they are in event areas. I once found an empty break room at an event, which was great, until a crowd of people arrived in the middle of the interview to prepare for the next performance in that space.
- Get your interviewee’s contact information. This way, if plans change or someone has trouble finding the other person, they can contact each other and find a solution.
Some of my colleagues have gone so far as to rent interview space. This could be a conference room, hotel room, or dedicated study space on the premises that is used all day for just this purpose.
michael hyatt, one of my mentors, once interviewed a dozen people, one after another, in a single hotel room. It took all day, but afterward, he had 12 interviews filmed and recorded for later use. It was a great use of his time.
Quick tip: bring spare batteries or a battery bank! The last thing you want to happen is run out of power for the interview(s) you’ve scheduled.
Quick tip #2: Sometimes ambient noise is great for a podcast; adds a different flavor and feel to the listening experience. If you can capture sound from the space you’re in before your scheduled sessions, make a test recording first to determine if it will work or not.
record the conversation
Whether it’s a single recorded conversation or a dozen interviews in a single day like Michael Hyatt, it’s important to remember who you’re recording. for. Your podcast listeners will soon click Play and join (or drop out of) the conversation you’re currently having. So, be in the moment!
The reason I’m saying this is because it can be very easy to get distracted when recording in a different environment, especially if it’s unfamiliar to you. So here’s the trick:
Be curious and enjoy the conversation.
I always start my interview at home, before hitting the record, by saying to myself, “It’ll be like the two of us are in a coffee shop, just having a conversation.” You have the opportunity to do just that!
(Although I have learned that coffee shops are No actually the best for interviews. The espresso machine is a common annoyance that tends to dominate the conversation.)
The great thing about meeting and talking to people in person is that there is a level of energy that you just can’t get in an online interview. When you are in the moment, the audience will feel like they are with you. Now, with a microphone in hand (or attached to a shirt), you can have a great conversation, in real time, and capture all that great energy for them.
After the interview
There are a few items to take care of after the conversation is over. I usually do my best to upload files to Dropbox as soon as I can, that way they’re safe and can’t be stolen or lost.
Second, I also take notes of the interview itself (or dictate them) so that I can remember the highlights. This is important because I’m usually recording the intros and the end of these episodes at home; If I wait too long, I’ll forget all the great things we talked about.
Beyond the technology and audio files, there is one more important aspect of podcasting on the go that I want to leave you with.
It’s easy to end an interview, say goodbye, and move on. But here’s the thing: you just sat down and had a deep conversation with someone in person! Real relationships can be built from that, especially for people you’ve never met before.
So don’t end the conversation when the record button is pressed. Keep the conversation going whenever you can, perhaps over coffee the next morning, dinner later, or follow up online later. Take this opportunity to nurture the connection you made – it could turn into something amazing!
