If you want to highest-quality audio in your podcast of two more more hosts, then you have only two options:
- Record in-studio with multiple microphones and a mixer
- Record separately and combine in post production (called a double-ender)
“Double-ender” comes from the pre-satillite days of television when two personalities would be recorded with audio and video in their separate locations and then the two videos later combined. Sometimes, they would even edit to make it appear as if the two personalities were in the same studio.
Although the technique is no longer used for television broadcasts, it still works great for podcasting when you want the highest-quality audio without bringing all of your hosts in-studio.
Set up for best quality
- The best microphone you can get for each cohost (even the cheapest mics will produce better quality than Skype)
- Audacity or other means of recording for each cohost
Record your podcast
- Skype, Google Voice, or even a phone call between cohosts
- Clap as you count to ten to synchronize
Share the files
- Dropbox to easily synchronize folders, or other file-sharing services (Box.net, Senduit, Ge.tt, and more) to transfer the recordings to the producer (probably you)
Mix it together
- Import all the separate recordings into Audacity or your program of choice
- Align the clap-offs
- Listen to random points throughout your podcast to ensure the dialog is not overlapping
- Edit and export as normal!
Fishy Behringer mic on Amazon
Maybe this is from when Maxwell Smart started podcasting. Amazon.com has a photo glitch on their Behringer B-1 Large-Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Mic. Read the funny reviews and post your own (share them here, too).
Free calling in Gmail extended through 2011
When you combine Google Voice and Gmail, you can make free computer-to-phone calls right within Gmail. This has been free for 2010 and Google announced it will be free for 2011. I'll talk more about this in a future episode, but it present another free way to bring in live phone calls for your podcast.
New podcast: Christian Meets World™
We're happy to have Jason Rennie join Noodle.mx Network with his podcast that connects the Christian worldview to the everyday. Subscribe to Christian Meets World™.
Need personalized podcasting help?
I no longer offer one-on-one consulting outside of Podcasters' Society, but
request a consultant here and I'll connect you with someone I trust to help you launch or improve your podcast.Ask your questions or share your feedback
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Disclosure
This post may contain links to products or services with which I have an affiliate relationship and
may receive compensation from your actions through such links. However, I don't let that corrupt my perspective and I don't recommend only affiliates.