Creating a Podcast

Basic recording with Zoom can be a very easy way to create your podcast. Check out these instructions on recording with Zoom to learn the basics of how to record a Zoom session. There are two ways to use Zoom that depend on the internet connection you and your participants have. If the internet connections are good (try turning off the video to optimize) and everyone has good mics, you can simply extract the audio from your recording. If your connections aren't great, you can meet via Zoom, but record individually to separate devices.

Recording your audio in Zoom

Once you have the Zoom recording you will need to convert it to an audio file. Some audio editors will allow you to import the video file directly while others may require you to convert it before importing. One simple conversion option for HSU folks is to use Camtasia (instructions on exporting audio in Camtasia). You can access Camtasia for free using HSU's remote access options.

Recording your audio to separate devices

If your internet connection isn't great, you can still have the conversation or interview using Zoom, but have each participant record separately to their own devices (see the options above). This method enables you to have the conversation in real time but get higher quality audio. Most professional podcasts during the COVID-19 pandemic have adopted this model.

One simple option is to have each participant wear headphones to listen to each other in Zoom but then record their voice to their phone- either holding it to their face or propping it up so that the mic is facing them. It will be important to ensure that the phone is not picking up the audio from the Zoom session- this will make editing much more difficult. What you want are isolated audio tracks, one for each speaker, that you will then edit together.

Syncing

One thing to consider if you choose the Zoom with multiple recording device option is that you will need to sync everyone's audio files. This is fairly easy to do in an audio editor, but you will need a point of reference. A simple method is to make a loud clap before the interview begins. This clap will need to appear on all of the recordings, so you can either ensure that all participants clap into their mics at the same time. Then when it's time to pull all of the files together in your audio editor (see below), you will see the sound wave of the clap in each file and can visually line them up to sync the tracks.