Author: Chris Curran

My guest is Scott Weingart, producer and host of The EMCrit Podcast, as well as a physician (MD, FCCM) and Editor-in-Chief of EMCrit.

Scott is not your average podcast producer and we really learned a lot from him about his equipment, workflow and processing.

Also, I got to tell a cool story about a sweet monitoring trick I learned from the immortal audio engineer Andy Wallace from his sessions with (also immortal) singer/songwriter Jeff Buckley at Soundtrack in NYC in 1994.

Additionally, I spell out one elaborate method of taming nasty “P’s” popping after they’ve been recorded.

Here’s some of what Scott and I discussed:

• Shure 87A microphone
• Sound Devices USB interface
• The usefulness of a dog clicker!
• Noise reduction within Adobe Audition
• Hi-Pass filter
• Tube-model compressor
• Hard limiting
• Loudness Radar
• LKFS

Thanks a ton for hanging with us, Scott!

My guest is Cliff Ravenscraft, the Podcast Answer Man! I actually got my start in podcasting by watching his tutorial videos 😉 He began podcasting in 2005, and since then he has trained many, many people how to start and produce their podcast.

We discussed Cliff’s hardware setup and workflow, including:

• Noise reduction
• Mackie VLZ4
• MDX-4600
• Roland R-05
• iJingle Pro – app to play sound clips
• Using the audio from a Snapchat video on an audio podcast
• Adobe Audition (single track editor, broadcast preset of multiband compressor)

Thanks for a great chat, Cliff!

My guest is Cody Boyce – podcaster, podcast producer, and founder of Podcast Masters.

Commander Cody is also a cohost on the Rogue Squadron podcast.

Some of what we discussed (which Cody uses):

• Soundflower -to- OBS -to- Twitch
• AKG C1000S dynamic microphone
• EQ – hard filter at around 120 Hz on every voice (which he adjusts to taste)
• Logic Pro
• How Cody uses Shure 57’s
• Motu Traveler
• WNS – Waves Noise Supressor
• WLM – Waves Loudness Meter
• Side-chaining – Waves C1

We covered a lot in this episode – enjoy listening!

Thanks for being a great guest, Cody!

My guest is Bryan Orr, independent narrative audio producer and host/producer of the Dialed In podcast. An all-around cool guy who’s actually involved in other shows and his own business as well.

Fun times discussing Bryan’s equipment, processing, and narrative-style production philosophy and workflow.

Listen for all the details. (fyi, my written show notes here are always just the tip of the iceberg)

Some of what Bryan and I discussed:

• A cool EQ trick for pushing music to the background
• AT 8035 shotgun microphone, usually with a Rode shock-mount pistol grip.
• Zoom H5
• EV RE20 through a cloud lifter
• Roland R-05
• Reaper (like me!)
• ReaDelay plugin to create stereo bounce delays, etc.
• Vocal Rider

Thanks for being a great guest, Bryan!

My guest is Ray Ortega, host of The Podcasters’ Studio, and Podcasters’ Roundtable.

Ray has been an incredibly helpful force in the world of podcasting since 2007. Enjoy listening to this episode full of tips, equipment and workflow details straight from one of the podcasting masters!

Oh, and here’s the link to the Vocal Rider plugin we mentioned.

Thanks for hanging on the show with us, Ray!

My guest is Joshua Rivers – Owner of Podcast Guy Media and host the Creative Studio Podcast.

It was fun hanging with Josh. BTW- he (and his children!) are fans of Barry, too! YEAH OH YEAH

Josh’s equipment and workflow include:

• PR40, AT2100USB
• Behringer Q802USB
• Sennheiser HD 280 PRO Headphones
• Adobe Audition
• iFree Skype Recorder
• Multiband compressor
• Hard Limiter

We also discussed the production workflow which Josh is using for the narrative style episodes that he is producing now on season 4 of the Creative Studio Podcast. Give it a listen 😉

Thank you for having so much fun with us, Josh!

Have you ever recorded a podcast with 16 participants in one room?!! Liza Miller has.

My guest is Liza Miller, host and producer of the Motorcycles & Misfits podcast. She used to do live sound in clubs, many moons ago, and now she is having a blast with so many friends doing Motorcycles & Misfits. 

Btw, she found a pretty solid, inexpensive purchase: 3 Behringer XM1800S microphones for $40! When you have 12 mic’s open in a room you have to keep costs down 😉

Special note: After the outro music, she gives me a microphone challenge – she uses 2 different inexpensive mic’s and asks me which one I like better. Listen to the very end to hear if I chose the $30 mic or the $13 mic!

We also discussed:

• Behringer XM8500 microphone
• Shock mount mic clips
• Mackie 1642 VLZ Pro
• Alesis 3630 dual channel compressor
• Power conditioner
• Behringer U-control audio interface
• Adobe Audition
• HA-400 headphones
• Soundbooth program
• tascam DR-11G (recorder for backups and remote recordings)

Thank you for having so much fun with us, Liza!

My guest is Alan Mead, dentist and host of The Dental Hacks Podcast. Don’t let the whole dentist thing mislead you – he has a bad ass audio setup and he records multitrack the same way I do! 

Alan uses:

• Rode Broadcaster microphone
• Focusrite Saffire Pro 40
• Four windows laptops
• Four dbx 286s’s
• iMac running Adobe Audition
• Backing up original track files

Thanks for being a tremendous guest, Alan!

My guest is Chris Saunders, host of Return to Camp Blood – a Friday the 13th fan podcast. Chris has a very practical and low cost setup, and he makes the most of it! (Btw, his show is super niche; they only talk about Friday the 13th movies…lol)

He produces his show from start to finish and regularly has 2-3 other co-hosts who are all in different states. They connect via Skype and record with Pamela call recorder. He pans himself hard left and all other co-hosts hard right. They all use ATR2005’s and Chris has a Behringer XENYX X1204USB mic that he uses if his roommate or someone else is hosting with him at his house.

Then he brings the raw .WAV file into Adobe Audition, separating the stereo file into two mono tracks. He normalizes the levels for both tracks and removes background noise, and maybe adds a gate if the background noise is still an issue. He also truncates long periods of silence using a preset he made. Any period of silence more than 550 milliseconds long gets truncated to 550 ms. Then he edits and mixes down to 16 bit 44.1kHz .WAV file at -19 LUFS. Then, in another separate session in Audition, he adds intro/outro music, any other audio clips, and then exports to MP3.

Thank you for being a great guest, Chris!

My guest is Georg Holzmann, founder of Auphonic. He lives in Austria.

We went deeper than usual into audio processing including:

• Machine learning
• Compression
• Noise reduction
• Loudness levels
• Handling multiple voices
• Crossgating

We spent time going line by line through the fascinating Audio Processing Statistics that Auphonic provides after you process a piece of audio.

During the show we discussed the screenshot shown here, which contains these data:

• Programme Loudness
• Max Peak Level
• Loudness Range (LRA)
• Max Momentary Loudness
• Max Shortterm Loudness
• Leveler Gain mean
• Leveler Gain min
• Leveler Gain max
• SNR mean
• Background Level mean
• Signal Level mean

I also asked him about how voices with different EQ appear different in loudness, as well as if there are cases for which I should process the audio a bit first before using Auphonic.

We appreciate you hanging with us, Georg!

My guest is Mary Mazurek – audio engineer with 25 years experience, radio producer at WFMT Chicago including the “Live from WFMT” show, and instructor in the Department of Audio Arts and Acoustics at Columbia College in Chicago. 

Because she’s doesn’t host her own podcast show yet (coming soon!), she joined the show from her makeshift studio in her closet including a homemade pop filter using a knitting hoop and panty hose! 

We had an awesome conversation about many vital topics: 

• Trying out her new microphone – Shure MV-51 USB
• EQ frequency bands and how they affect the sound
• Fletcher–Munson curves
• Compression philosophy and tips
• Microphone choice
• Microphone placement
• Proximity effect

Thank you for being a wonderful guest, Mary!

My guest is Max Flight, host of Airplane Geeks Podcast, co-host and producer of The UAV Digest and the #PaxEx Podcast.

We talked about all phases of his podcast production. This is an overview of what Max’s engineering in his own words from an email he sent me:

I’m involved with 3 podcasts, all aviation-related:

1. Airplane Geeks: Co-founder (2008), host, and producer (since 2009).

2. The UAV Digest: A spinoff from Airplane Geeks. I co-host and produce.

3. The PaxEx Podcast: Co-host and I produce it up to the MP3, after which I hand it off.

All shows are over Skype with co-host(s) and guest. Mix-minus, 2 laptops, record into both hardware and software, soundboard on iPad. I record in my home studio, in hotel rooms, at conferences and public events (annually at the Smithsonian’s Air & Space Museum). So depending on the situation, I use the Heil PR40, Sennheiser e835, AudioTechnica ATR2100, and a Sennheiser MD 46 interview mic.

Other gear: TritonAudio FetHead, Marantz PMD620 and Zoom H4n recorders, Focusrite Scarlett Solo, a bunch of Behringer UCA-2xx audio interfaces, Sennheiser A380 and Sony MDR V6 headphones, Monster Cable 3500, Yamaha HS5 monitor. I’ve used a Presonus Tube-pre in the past, but not lately.

For software I use Audacity and Hindenburg Journalist Pro. I love Hindy. It’s really a different model for a DAW. I like to record clean at proper levels with no effects (and little to no noise floor). Each person on their own track, EQ by track, global compression, loudness at -16 LUFS.

Thank you for being a wonderful guest, Max! FYI, follow Max on Twitter @MaxFlight

My pal from New Jersey, Ralph M. Rivera, hangs with me in this session. A bit of fun was had by all. He is the cofounder of Podcaster’s Toolbox, host of the Web.Search.Social podcast, and a wonderful marketing guru. He and his beautiful wife, Carol Lynn, had a booth at Podcast Movement encouraging folks to get on the “Beta train” for Podcaster’s Toolbox. You can too.

We discuss many of the questions I got from folks in my Q&A session on audio engineering at Podcast Movement 2016. Listen for all the answers and tips!

Here are some of my notes:

• What to do when you compress an already-kind-of-noisy signal and the noise becomes really loud? (try smashing it on top using high threshold with high ratio!)
• Multitrack software programs are just tools, and for podcasting it’s more important HOW you use the tool than having the most expensive, feature-rich program.
• Marc Johanssen’s Podcast Gear Group on Facebook
• Video tutorials: Dave Jackson, Carey Green,
• Fixing things…..The golden rule of audio engineering: Record it right the first time!
• How to process audio that has a lot of room reverb on it, and get rid of the reverb?
• What is EQ exactly? Frequencies, adjusting to taste…
• Gating, expanding
• Speaking directly into the mic or speaking on an angle past the mic?
• MP3 quality of final episodes. (128kbps stereo, 64kbps mono)
• Best way to make sure 3 people in the same room sound good and don’t bleed too much? (1. Everyone very close to their mic, 2. Mic’s pointed away from each other (120 degrees is optimum for 3 mic’s), Multitrack Auphonic’s crossgate feature)
• One attendee mentioned Levelator, and another attendee said it’s still around but is not being updated so it’s slowly dying kinda.
• LUFS (origin, what does it mean, levels of music, tv commercials, etc)

Listen to this entire session for all the goods, including AFTER the music fades — Ralph and I briefly discuss our wild plans for our shared double booth at Podcast Movement 2017 in Anaheim, California!

Thanks for hanging with me, Ralph!

My guest is Jason Bryant, founder of Mat Talk Online and the Mat Talk Podcast Network. We had a great chat – listen to get the full effect 😉

Here’s an overview of Jason’s equipment and workflow (taken from an email he previously sent me):

I host 10 different shows (of the 14 on the network)

Using a MacBook Pro with an AT2005 microphone for my home set up. Routed through a Yamaha MG102C and a FocusRite 2i2. I use the AT2005 based on it’s sound and flexibility. I record for triple redundancy. I use Adobe Audition as my main recording option, but also record externally out of the Yamaha board into a Zoom H5 (my audio in one channel, caller’s audio in the other). I also use ECamm Call recorder as a backup. The ECamm/Skype is using the USB portion of the AT2005, while the mixer and Focusrite are using the XLR portion of it — so if any channel goes out, I don’t have to stop the interview, I can keep going with three relatively clean copies of the recording.

With the Skype setup, I’m running a mix-minus from the aux send through a Behringer U-Control, so when I play back other call audio to the guest, they can hear it, same with music, effects and drops, which I’ve got lined into the Yamaha from another MacBook Pro.

Most of my shows are hosted on Libsyn, but I have three that are hosted on Blubrry (two of them archived or retired shows).

On the road, I’ve used the H5 with the add-on so I can get 4 XLR mics (they’re either AT2100’s or AT2005). When I’m doing interviews in press conference situations, I’m using a Sennheiser MD46. It’s a dynamic mic with an elongated handle with room for a mic flag and it works well with the long time you have to hold the mic.

I also use a giant squid audio lav mics, this is the two lav mic into one 1/8 jack. I typically use this when I don’t have room for mic stands or I’m in a situation where we’re at a restaurant and mics getting in the way are a pain. I’ve used this in various environments.

I also use a Roland R-05 when my H5 is in use another way. Example: When at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, I run an XLR to 1/8 inch cable to the roland, hit record and leave. That XLR is from the breakout box that typically sit in the back of press conference rooms so I can capture clean audio direct from the source rather than trying to use the onboard condenser mics.

I can essentially record from anywhere. I’ve even used Bossjock when my batteries went dead, using the AT2005 and the lighting camera connection kit.

The only set-up i haven’t yet tried is recording remotely directly with the Focusrite, which I’ll actually be trying this weekend in Oklahoma when I have numerous interviews for the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Thank you for being a great guest, Jason!

My guest is Daniel J. Lewis who is one of the four individuals on my personal “Mt. Rushmore of Podcast experts and educators.” (see his full bio and links below)

We talked in depth about his personal podcast production workflow and equipment, including his:

• Microphone choice (he recently switched over to an RE-320, which I think might be the next mic that I try)
• Behringer mixer (X1832 USB)
• MDX4600 (4-Channel Expander/Gate/Compressor/Peak Limiter with Dynamic Enhancer and Low Contour Filter)
• Zoom H4N
• Fast SD card
• Audition (DAW)
• Cool way to use Overcast
• PowerPress (including the “Feed Episode Maximizer” feature)
• Libsyn

More about Daniel:

As an award-winning podcaster, Daniel J. Lewis help others launch and improve their own podcasts for sharing their passions and finding success. Daniel creates training resources (like SEO for Podcasters) and podcasting tools (like My Podcast Reviews); he offers one-on-one consulting and a premium podcasting community (Podcasters’ Society); he is a keynote speaker on podcasting and social media; and Daniel hosts a network of award-nominated shows covering how to podcast, clean-comedy, and the #1 unofficial podcast for ABC’s hit drama Once Upon a Time. Daniel also writes about entrepreneurship and technology.

Thank you for being a great guest, Daniel!

My guest is Drew Smith, host of the Under Ten Fitness podcast, Radio DJ and producer, personal trainer and powerlifter.

In this episode, Drew tried to stump your host by playing 3 different pre-recorded sound clips recorded with 3 different microphones, and then asking which sound clip was which mic. The 3 mic’s are a Sennheiser e835, an EV RE-20, and an EV Cobalt Co9. Play along – listen and guess for yourself! Pause the podcast right before I make my guesses.

We discussed Drew’s podcast equipment and workflow in depth, including his MXL 990 condenser microphone, PreSonus AudioBox, Adobe Audition, and more.

We also briefly discussed (and I got to check out in person!) a new piece of equipment Drew recently purchased, the Zoom R16.

Thank you for being a great guest, Drew!

My guest is Steve Savanyu, Director of Educational Services at Audio-Technica U.S. Steve has over 40 years of professional audio experience in live sound, studio and broadcast applications. He has worked on large live and broadcast events including the Presidential/Vice Presidential Debates (2008 & 2012), and the 2008 New York City Papal Visit.

Steve schooled us (in deep detail) on the technical differences between these types of microphones:

• Dynamic
• Condenser
• Ribbon
• Carbon
• Ceramic
• Crystal

We also talked about:

• Diaphragm sizes
• Pickup patterns (and how phase cancellation is manipulated)
• Mic output levels
• Preamps
• What XLR actually stands for! Do YOU know? Listen for the answer.
• Also the difference between the famed ATR2100-USB and the ATR2500-USB.

I also asked a selfish question about a super small mic that I want for a specific application. Steve suggested the BP8-96 or AT8-99.

Thank you for being a great guest, Steve!

My guest is Kevin Farkas, Founder and Executive Producer of Veteran Voices of Pittsburgh Oral History Initiative, and Founder of The Social Voice Podcast Network (TSVPN).

We discussed his podcasting equipment and workflow, including Zoom F8, RE 320, Internet Archive, digital recorders, Blubrry, Presonus V2 Tube Preamp, and more.

I also went DEEP into the weeds regarding sample rates, bit depth, precision EQ’ing, frequencies and more.

Thank you for being a great guest, Kevin!

My guest is Joel Boggess, Podcast and Book Launch Expert, Host of ReLaunch. He is the author of Finding your Voice, as well as a podcast news and tech contributor for HuffPost and Success.com. 

Joel is a rockstar with regards to podcast content, launches and marketing, but here we discussed Joel’s technical setup, equipment and workflow including his custom studio setup, editing, Heil microphones, Mackie mixer, Behringer Multicom PRO-XL MDX4600.

Thank you for being a great guest, Joel!