Over the last decade, podcasts have steadily grown to become one of the most popular and preferred ways of media consumption. Reports from a Variety article stated that there are over 2,000,000 active podcast shows and 48 million episodes as of April 2021. The rapidly flourishing form of audio entertainment is now considered one of the quickest ways to gain traction and establish authority over niche topics. Entertainers and celebrities too have switched over to the podcasting medium as a way of personal rebranding. However, you do not need to have an established fan following to create your own show, in fact, all you need is an internet connection and inexpensive audio equipment to get started- it’s that simple.
Subject knowledge, the art of storytelling and audio quality make the trifecta of creating a great podcast. High audio quality experience in audio content creation as a standard must seem like a no-brainer (after all audio is the medium), however, it is a commonly overlooked element. Apart from reducing the listener’s general enjoyment, studies have found podcasts with lowered audio quality negatively impacted the level and ease of comprehension of the subject and lowered the credibility of the source. Unlike texts on a blog, podcasts capture the tone, wit, humour, and emotions of the speaker explicitly. Podcasts also allow listeners to access the unfiltered thought processes of the speaker which creates a personal listening experience. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure there are clear and crisp dialogues, distraction-less environments, and only purposeful and relevant sound effects.
The predominant reason for the successful and widespread adoption of podcasting by creators is their accessibility and feasibility. Amateurs under duvets covers or professionals with studio rooms and huge budgets, no matter where you are in your podcasting journey or the kind of resources you have at your disposal it is entirely possible to achieve a great audio experience with a few tricks and tips. If you’re new to the audio scene, take advantage of Shure’s MOTIV Desktop app (compatible with MV7 Podcast Microphone and the MV88 + Video Kit and Stereo USB Microphone) to ensure studio-quality audio levels with a touch of a few basic settings. MOTIV also allows you to manually alter the EQ, Limiter and Compressor and save your settings for consistent audio in all recordings.
Choosing the right audio equipment is crucial- this not just includes microphones and the device to record your podcasts onto. Many internet guides fail to emphasize the salience of a good noise-cancelling pair of headphones. Shure’s carousel of podcast specific products is engineered from decades of stage and studio experience to add a touch of professional polish to your podcasts. Introducing the AONIC 50 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones, for a premium listening experience with exceptional comfort and durability.
Wearing headphones has a huge impact on your performance whilst recording as it allows you to hear exactly what you sound like to others. They help creators observe the overall sound integrity of the recording and pick up on flaws, they otherwise will not notice. In this blog, we will encounter three reasons why taking advantage of a true noise-cancelling pair of headphones can be transformational for recording podcasts!
Eliminates Bleeding and Echo:
Bleeding also known as spill or leakage are “unintended sounds picked up by the microphone”. For instance, when you have more than one speaker there are multiple sources of audio, which may get picked up by other microphone channels apart from the intended one. Shure AONIC 50’s sound-isolating technology blocks up to 37dB of noise to eliminate distractions and unwanted noise with a press of a button. Another extremely common phenomenon that might occur while recording is Echoes or feedback. Although they can be removed during post-production with the help of editing software, wearing headphones can significantly minimise or eliminate the feedback loop by shielding the microphone from being exposed to any other source of audio other than the speaker’s.
Balanced Volume levels:
Having inconsistent audio levels can be distracting for listeners and maybe even pull them away from an immersive and engaging episode. With headphones on, creators can constantly monitor audio levels which give them more control over adjusting their voice. Especially with guest speakers who may or may not have experience recording will benefit from wearing headphones as they can self-regulate if they are being too soft or loud. Built with the same design musicians use for in-ear monitoring on-stage AONIC 50’s truly immersive audio features have a wide and flat frequency response that emit deeper bass and clear sound. They help reproduce sound the exact way they are being recorded so you can make necessary adjustments while recording.
Post-Production Editing:
Podcasting microphones can be too sensitive and pick up even subtle noises that may go unnoticed whilst recording. Using a pair of superior quality headphones during editing can help pick up on flaws reliably all the while ensuring quality, sync, and volume levels. AONIC 50 guarantees up to 20 hours of battery life on a single charge and long-wearing comfort for those long nights of editing. If working in busy surroundings, get equipped with adjustable noise-cancellation, where Environment mode allows you to hear the outside world with a flip of a switch.
Compared to other forms of contents, podcasts create a sense of emotional connection between the speakers and the listeners. It’s convenient to consume while travelling or multitasking, engaging for longer periods and is personal as it allows the listeners to get to know the creators’ content as well them as individuals. Podcasts can help creators establish authority over subjects and position themselves as leaders in industries. It’s a powerful medium when wielded correctly can reach and attract a great number of people from anywhere in the world. Enhance your podcast’s audio with Shure’s superior podcasting equipment today.
The Immutable Podcast by CMS' Solutions Team
Immutability refers to the incapability for modification or erasure. CMS Distribution is thrilled to launch our brand new podcast series around all things Storage. Through a monthly stream of episodes, solution architects Stefan Ferrari and Ian Hall take us through a journey of appreciating everything from the latest news and trends to the pivotal principles and finer nuances of technologies, devices and platforms.
Listen here: The Immutable Podcast