Podcast Production: How to Record and Send Files to your Podcast Editor

This guide teaches you how to record and send audio files like an expert. Make your podcast editor happier, and send them exactly what they need.

What do you need to know before you record?

• Pick a quiet room with little reflection. Windows, wooden floors, and bare walls all create reflections and the ‘room’ will show up in the recording. Carpeted rooms with curtains, bookshelves along the walls, and even acoustic panels or foam are great for recording a ‘dead’ sound. 

• Before recording, it helps to close your eyes and focus on what you hear. We are constantly surrounded by sound, so we often just phase it out. Recordings aren’t as biased and will pick up the hum of your refrigerator or heating system, and the buzz of your lamp or external hard drive. Do everything you can to eliminate this noise while recording. 

• If you are recording remotely, make sure all people involved are wearing headphones. Headphone volume should be loud enough to hear, but not too loud that it’ll show up in the recording. 

• If you are recording on more than one device, sync up in the beginning by alternating ‘1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6’ then try and clap at the same time. You can also send a summed, stereo, or call recorder file that records everything on one track. 

• If you are able, record each person on a separate track. If you are sharing a microphone, try to make sure each person is equidistant. 

• On average, your recording level should be hitting yellow at its peak and never hit red. Most meters measure in dBu, so aim for between -20 and -10 dBu.

• Shoot for average of -6dB of headroom

• Record fully raw audio, with no effects in the audio chain. 

• Record in Mono, 24 or 32 bit, and 44.1 kHz or higher 

• If there is any disruption, background noise, or you flub a word; pause and then go back and repeat what you said. 

• If you do not like what you said or how you said, feel free to tell the editor what you want taken out.

How do I Prepare Files?

• Do not send recording sessions (Garageband, Audacity, Pro Tools, etc.) unless there is a reason you want us to have the entire session. 

• Export your files as .wav or .aiff 

• Summed, Stereo, or Call Recorder files can be exported as .mp3 

• If you have to send an .mp3 or any other file type, make sure it is the highest possible quality. 

How do I Name Files?

Naming your files is important. Follow these instructions to make everything run smoother, cut down on cost, and create a better sounding podcast. 

Step 1: name your file with the date it was recorded in the following format - YYMMDD. 

Step 2: add an underscore and the name of your podcast or project (Recurring clients will be assigned an abbreviation). 

Step 3: add another underscore and a descriptor of the file (i.e. speaker's name, subject of the recording, etc.) 

Multiple versions: If you need to share another file that contains the same naming protocol, add underscore and the number beginning with 1. The first file you created without a number will be considered _0 though not represented as such. 

Examples: 

Regular: 

200306_The Best Podcast_Michael 

Assigned Abbreviation: 

200306_TBP_Michael 

Multiple Versions: 

200306_TBP_Michael_1

Multiple Files: Place all the files in a folder and name it using the same format as above. 

Example: 

Folder: 

200306_TBP_Episode 12 

Files: 

200306_TBP_Michael 

200306_TBP_Michael_1 

200306_TBP_Ashley 

200306_TBP_Stereo_Mix 

200307_TBP_Outro 

How do I Send Files?

Talk to your podcast editor or production team and see how they prefer to receive files. It’s always best to stay organized and to backup everything. We recommend setting up accounts with all three of the following:

• Google Drive - Widely used, easily accessible, great for backing up files.

• Dropbox - A little more secure, requires more setup, great for backing up files.

• WeTransfer - Easy to use, files expire after 7 days.

Need Professional Help? Check out our Recording Services.