Hey Besties,

Today we’re talking about one of the most important (and underrated) parts of making a great podcast: your audio quality. You want to get the best possible audio, no matter where you’re recording. And you don’t need to break the bank to do it.

Whether you’re in a pro studio, tucked into a closet at home, on the road, or chasing a creative lightning bolt at your neighborhood coffee shop, there are ways to make it work. And when your audio is crisp, clean, and listenable? Your show instantly feels more legit and engaging.

Good sound is half the battle. Let’s break down how to get it—anytime, anywhere!

🎤 The Golden Rule: Garbage in, garbage out

No amount of editing wizardry can fully fix bad audio. If you record muddy, echoey, or overly noisy sound, that’s what you’ll be working with in post. And harsh echoes, clipping, and excessive background noise are often baked in and hard to fix after the fact.

So your best bet? Capture the cleanest, clearest audio you can at the source. Your listeners will thank you—and so will your future self when you’re editing. Here’s how:

🏠 Making your home recording setup sound like a studio

✅ Mic matters (a lot!) – This is where to invest if you can. A good dynamic microphone (like the Shure MV7, Samson Q2U, or Audio-Technica ATR2100x) is ideal for home setups and untreated spaces because it’s less sensitive to background noise. A condenser mic (like the Rode NT1 or Blue Yeti) will pick up more nuance—but also more room noise—so only go this route if you’ve got a quiet, well-treated space. If so, a condenser mic can give you warm, studio-quality sound.

👉 Pro tip: Always wear headphones while recording so you can hear issues in real-time.

✅ Get close & personal – Keep your mouth about 4–6 inches from the mic for that rich, radio-ready sound. Too far away, and you’ll sound thin and distant. Too close, and you risk clipping and plosives (those pesky ‘P,’ ‘T,’ ‘K,’ ‘D,’ ‘G,’ and ‘B’ sounds). Speaking slightly off-axis (just to the side of the mic) helps minimize breath sounds and plosives, too.

✅ Pop filters & boom arms = small investments, big upgrades – A pop filter helps tame harsh consonants, while a boom arm keeps your mic stable and out of the way. It also reduces handling noise and keeps your setup comfy and ergonomic if you’re recording longer sessions.

✅ Treat your space – Soft surfaces absorb sound. Small, carpeted rooms are your friend. Closets full of clothes are amazing DIY booths. Or go full podcasting ghost and drape a blanket over yourself. It might look ridiculous, but it sounds great. Add rugs, pillows, blankets, or even foam panels to the walls.

👉 Bonus tip: Turn off noisy electronics (fans, fridges, HVAC, etc.) before recording—they’re sneaky audio killers.

🌍 On-the-go recording tricks

✅ Lavalier mics = stealthy sound heroes – Clip-on mics like the Rode SmartLav+ or the Tascam DR-10L are lifesavers for recording on the move. They’re small, portable, and surprisingly powerful—perfect for video, live events, or street interviews. I’ve always got a lav mic with me when traveling. Tuck the cord under your clothing and do a quick mic rub test to avoid rustling.

✅ Directional mics for the win – Shotgun mics are designed to capture what’s directly in front of them while rejecting off-axis noise. They help isolate sound in noisy environments, zeroing in on your voice and cut out background chatter. Perfect for busy environments and mobile recording. Try the Rode VideoMic NTG. Pair with a handheld recorder or plug into your phone for flexibility.

✅ Your phone = a surprisingly decent Plan B – If it’s all you’ve got, use the built-in Voice Memos app (iOS) or a recorder app (Android) in a quiet space. Pro hack: Remember to speak into the bottom mic, and cup your hand around it to create a little sound chamber. It helps! Even better: attach a lav mic for better quality.

✅ Wind protection is non-negotiable outdoors – Recording outside? Even a light breeze can ruin your take. Use a foam windscreen, furry “dead cat” cover, or if you’re desperate, improvise by literally putting a sock over your mic to cut down wind noise.

✅ Pack a mini kit – A lav mic, small tripod or stand, windscreen, and phone adapter take up very little room and let you record anywhere with confidence.

🔧 Fixes for common sound issues

✅ Echo problem? – Reverb-y audio sounds cheap and amateurish. Throw down rugs, hang curtains, or even set up a makeshift blanket wall to deaden the space. A coat closet might not be glamorous—but it sounds amazing.

✅ Too much background noise? – Tools like Adobe Podcast Enhance or iZotope RX Elements can help clean up hiss, hum, and background chatter. But be careful—overprocessing can make you sound robotic. Always prioritize clean capture so you can start with the best possible raw track versus trying to work miracles in post.

✅ Dealing with plosives or sibilance? – Use a de-esser plugin in post for harsh ‘S’ sounds, and trim or fade out spikes in plosives if you didn’t use a pop filter.

✅ Mic too quiet? – If your levels are too low, boost the gain slightly in your editing software. But beware: if you crank it too high, you’ll amplify everything, including noise, which means welcome to hiss city. Try to record around -12 dB to -6 dB for the ideal balance of clarity and headroom.

✅ Always record a backup track – Redundancy is your best friend. Trust me on this one, the few times I’ve failed to record a backup are inevitably when I have issues with my main recording. Don’t get stuck in a bind. Record a backup on Quicktime, a second mic, a Zoom recorder, or even your phone.

🚀 Boost your sound savvy

🎚️ Check levels before you record – Always do a 10-second test to check mic placement, levels, and background noise. Better to fix it up front than catch a mistake an hour in. This is especially important if you’re new to podcasting or experimenting with a new setup or space.

🎧 Edit with headphones on – You’ll catch details you’d miss on speakers. Even cheap wired earbuds are better than nothing.

⏺️ Record in WAV when possible – WAV files are uncompressed and better quality than MP3. You can always compress later—but you can’t un-compress garbage.

🪄 Automate what you can – Tools like Auphonic can balance loudness, reduce noise, and even add ID3 tags. Save yourself time with smart post-production helpers.

The bottom line? Great audio doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive—it just requires intention. No matter where you’re recording, a little preparation goes a long way. You’ll sound like a pro, even if you’re just recording in your pajamas.

I’m teaching some upcoming workshops you might be interested in:

• Land Big Bylines by Writing for Columns (THIS IS TOMORROW!)

• The Multi-Passionate Writer’s Life

• How to Build a “Platform” for Writers Who Shudder at the Thought

• Creating Your Podcast

• Podcasting for Writers: How to Start, Sustain & Grow Your Podcast

• Start a Newsletter to Supercharge Your Platform, Network and Business

So… ROLL CALL! 🗣

Have a favorite recording hack? Comment below and let me know!

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