5 Easy Ways to Make Your Podcast Sound Better

Podcasting is all the rage. There are countless shows with a nearly infinite number of cumulative episodes to choose from. And, with the current level of market saturation, shows have to compete for listeners. Maybe you’ve asked yourself, “How can I make my podcast sound better?” Luckily, Sweetwater has some simple pointers to make your podcast sound better. We’ve come up with five easy methods that anyone can do to improve a podcast’s sound. Best of all, these simple tricks require very little technical know-how to pull off.

Use a Mic Stand

This one might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s worth mentioning. If you’re using a handheld microphone, then you may struggle to keep it appropriately placed and suffer from handling noise. By using one of the hundreds of microphone stand options here at Sweetwater, you can eliminate handling noise and keep your microphone perfectly placed. You’ll deal with less noise and benefit from consistent levels. Just remember, even a basic mic stand is better than having no mic stand at all.

K&M 23105 Tabletop Microphone Stand – Black

Gator Frameworks GFW-MIC-0501 Desktop Mic Stand

Atlas Sound DS7E Adjustable Height Desktop Microphone Stand – Black

Pick Up a Pop Filter

Pop filters lessen the effect of plosives. (Plosives are consonant sounds that include a sudden burst of air, like “b” and “p” sounds.) Throwing a pop filter in front of your microphone will save you boatloads of time fixing these problems in post production. All of the pros use them, which is more than enough reason to buy one, too! We recommend the Gator ROK-IT or Gator’s GM-POP FILTER. We also compiled a list of other tips to help you get the most out of your podcast microphone.

Gator ROK-IT Nylon Pop Filter

sE Electronics Studio Mic Pop Screen

Neumann PS 20 a Pop Screen

Make the Most of Your Recording Space

First and foremost, you want to start with an excellent recording. And, to do that, you should optimize your recording space. Acoustic treatment, like Auralex Studiofoam Wedgies, will help absorb extra sound and reduce room noise drastically. If treating your entire room isn’t an option, then a reflection filter will help you sound like you’re in a vocal booth. If you want to read up on acoustic treatment methodology, check out our comprehensive guide to acoustic treatment. It will help you transform your room into a studio in no time!

While Sweetwater recommends using traditional acoustic treatment, you can re-create its effect on a budget. Find a quiet nook in your home and make a blanket fort with as many blankets as possible. Once you’re ready to record, settle yourself inside and go to town. This method isn’t as effective as treating a room, but it will undoubtedly help you get a cleaner take with less noise.

Auralex 2-inch Studiofoam Wedgies 1×1 foot Acoustic Panel 24-pack Charcoal

sE Electronics Reflexion Filter X Portable Vocal Booth

Use a De-esser

If you’ve ever listened to a show without a de-esser, then you know how annoying the “s” sound can be. A de-esser is a piece of software (or a hardware box) that identifies and tames disruptive “s” sounds in your recordings. Most DAWs come with a de-esser; but, if you don’t have one on tap, the Waves Sibilance plug-in will do wonders. A de-esser can take care of most offending sibilant sounds, but the best way to get rid of them is to practice your vocal delivery and mic technique. Keep practicing and prevent your fricatives from frustrating your fans.

Waves Sibilance Vocal De-esser Plug-in

McDSP DE555 De-esser Native v6 Plug-in

Edit Your Show

We harp on this a lot here on inSync, but the
benefits of editing cannot be overstated. A listener at Sweetwater actually
came across a storytelling podcast where the host stopped the show for a few
seconds to throw a squeaky toy to their pet. Talk about distracting! The better
move would have been to cut that segment out of the final product. Editing lets
you remove coughs, sneezes, “ums,” and more. If one of your hosts or guests
appears via Zoom or telephone, then editing out any connection issues will
definitely be needed. Plus, you can completely restructure an interview if you
so choose. Taking extra time to edit your show will lead to many happy
listeners, trust us.

PreSonus Studio One 5 DAW

Let Us Help You!

Starting and improving a podcast is no easy feat. But, with the expertise of Sweetwater behind you, it’s easy to make your podcast sound better. Call us up at (800) 222-4700 and let us know how we can help. Your Sales Engineer and Sweetwater’s free tech support department will get you set up with the right gear and make sure it works flawlessly.

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