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04.01 Podcast Recording Instructions

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Before Entering the Booth

Your group should arrive with:

  • one selected topic
  • one driving question
  • a brief outline with a beginning, middle, and end
  • 3-5 possible follow-up questions
  • the correct pronunciation of names and unfamiliar terms
  • permission to record everyone participating

Do not write a word-for-word script. The outline should guide a natural conversation rather than make everyone sound as if they are reading.

Podcast Production Roles

Host

The “host” introduces the topic and participants and asks the driving question of the episode. It is the host’s job to listen closely, ask follow-up questions, and redirect the conversation when it drifts away from the topic. The host also needs to bring the conversation to a clear ending.

Guest or Co-Host

  • responds with specific ideas, examples, and stories
  • listens rather than planning the next answer
  • leaves space for other speakers
  • asks questions when appropriate

Producer

  • confirms that the RØDECaster is recording
  • monitors all microphones through headphones
  • watches levels and listens for distortion, hum, handling noise, and background sound
  • notes the approximate time of mistakes or strong moments
  • communicates silently when possible while recording
  • confirms that files have been saved before anyone leaves

If your group has more than three people, add another guest. Change roles during practice so everyone experiences both speaking and production.

Microphone Technique

  • Sit comfortably and keep the microphone approximately 3-5 inches from your mouth.
  • Aim your voice toward the front of the microphone, slightly off-axis if breath sounds are strong.
  • Keep approximately the same distance throughout the recording.
  • Speak clearly at a natural conversational volume.
  • Wear headphones and keep them away from the microphone.
  • Avoid touching the microphone, arm, cable, table, or paper while speaking.
  • Silence phones and remove bracelets, keys, or other objects that may make noise.
  • Do not lean far back when laughing or turn completely away while talking.

Sound Check

Each speaker should say several complete sentences at the volume they expect to use during the conversation. Do not check levels by whispering, tapping the microphone, or repeatedly saying test since that will not give an accurate sound level.

Before beginning the real recording double check:

  • each person can hear all speakers
  • the microphones are connected to the expected channels
  • each voice is strong and clear
  • normal speech remains below clipping
  • louder words and laughter do not reach the red
  • no microphone is muted
  • the room is quiet
  • multitrack recording is enabled

Use the booth’s prepared settings. Do not change routing, processing, phantom power, or advanced recording settings unless your instructor asks you to.

What the RØDECaster Records

The recording should include:

  • a stereo mix, which combines the conversation into one synchronized file
  • isolated microphone tracks, which preserve each microphone separately

Use the stereo mix for the normal Premiere Pro workflow. Keep the isolated tracks as a backup for balancing or repairing individual speakers.

Recording Procedure

  1. Confirm the group name and recording destination.
  2. Press Record and verify that the timer is moving.
  3. Remain silent for five seconds.
  4. Record a spoken slate:
    • date
    • group members
    • podcast title or topic
    • take number
  5. Pause briefly, then begin the podcast.
  6. If someone makes a minor mistake, pause, repeat the complete sentence, and continue. Do not stop the recording.
  7. If the group needs to restart a section, the producer should say “pickup” and identify the question or section.
  8. At the end, remain quiet and record 10 seconds of room tone.
  9. Press Stop once.
  10. Confirm that the recording appears in the file list before leaving the booth.

During the Conversation

The host should:

  • open with a concise hook and explain why the topic matters
  • identify the driving question early
  • ask one question at a time
  • use follow-up prompts such as “Why?”, “Can you give an example?”, or “What changed?”
  • invite quieter speakers into the conversation
  • summarize or complicate ideas rather than abruptly changing topics
  • close by returning to the driving question

The producer should avoid adjusting faders continuously. Make a small correction only when a speaker is consistently too loud or too quiet. The goal is a clean, stable recording, not a live performance of the mixer.

If Something Goes Wrong

  • Clipping or distortion: stop after the current thought, lower the input level with the instructor, and repeat the answer.
  • Speaker is too quiet: move the microphone closer before adding large amounts of gain.
  • Headphone echo or feedback: stop and ask for assistance.
  • Cough, door noise, or dropped object: pause, then repeat the complete sentence.
  • Incorrect statement: say the corrected sentence from the beginning; remove the first version later.
  • Recording stopped: begin a new take with another spoken slate. Never overwrite the earlier file.

File Handoff

Copy the entire recording folder from the RØDECaster rather than copying only the first WAV file you see. Keep the original filenames until every file has been identified.

Create this folder structure:

YYYY-MM-DD Groupname Podcast/
├── 01 Original RODECaster Recording/
├── 02 Premiere Project/
├── 03 Audition Session/
└── 04 Exports/

Place an untouched copy of everything from the RØDECaster in 01 Original RODECaster Recording. Never edit, rename, or delete files inside that folder.

Before Leaving the Sound Studio

  • Stop and save the recording.
  • Confirm that the file exists.
  • Copy the complete recording folder.
  • Open the stereo mix and listen to at least 20 seconds.
  • Confirm that every speaker can be heard.
  • Eject the storage device correctly.
  • Return the booth to its original condition.