The popularity of podcasting has skyrocketed in recent years. Whether it’s true crime or just a good old natter, more and more people are taking to the airwaves to express themselves, tell a story and discuss the important issues facing society today.

Thankfully, it’s easier than ever to start your own podcast, especially with a smart computer literally fitting in the palm of your hands… But how hard is it to actually create a professional-sounding podcast?

Why is the answer more complex than you think…

With issues like audio pops, background noise and low-level humming plaguing many, the answer to ‘great audio’ is a difficult one to crack. This is because it largely depends on a whole range of often contradictory and competing factors, including: your budget, the acoustics of the room in which you record, your knowledge of recording techniques and post production, the limitations of your equipment and so on.

Walking a tricky tightrope, content creators often feel bamboozled as debates around dynamic vs condenser mics, XLR vs USB outputs and what brand beats another begin to fog up their choices. With no clear answer, that initial enthusiasm to start a podcast can fade, only to be replaced by an alienating mix of doubt, fear and imposter-syndrome – but please, don’t despair…

How can I improve my audio immediately?

There are many ways that you can improve your audio quickly and effectively. There’s noise cancelling foam panels, free editing software and a whole host of easy tips and tricks out there. However, most importantly of all, there are a range of affordable and effective microphones on the market – the most sure-fire way to bump up your audio fidelity.

Arguably the most important element in any recording set up, your microphone dictates the limits of the audio quality you can achieve, and represents something that no budding podcast host should take lightly.

If you’re using an unsuitable microphone, an in-built phone mic for example or your favourite pair of earbuds, your audio will always be missing that certain Je ne sais quoi. Whether it’s muddy clarity, a lack of depth or a sea of nasty and unwanted noise artefacts, you’ll be forever discontent with the sound of your flashy new show. We can’t stress this enough: the better the microphone, the better the sound. Simple.

What microphone should I choose?

Recognising that more and more content creators are turning to podcasting, audio-technology brands are beginning to produce microphones designed to help new users master the art of audio.

With simple, easy-to-use equipment available at entry-level prices many are beginning to feel the benefits of achievable, professional-grade recording quality. Brands like JOBY for example – who were behind the famous GorillaPod – are one of many beginning to tailor to a wider range of content creators.

Recently, the brand released their new WAVO line of audio accessories, designed to cater to audio streamers, podcasters and video creators alike. Including a whole host of market-leading products, the line is designed to help achieve premium audio quality with ease. And, one product in particular, the WAVO POD, is perfect for podcasters looking to find the most suitable microphone for their setup.

JOBY Wavo POD

A large-diaphragm USB condenser mic, the JOBY Wavo POD features the versatility of both cardioid and omnidirectional pickup patterns and features impressive 24bit/48kHz high-res sampling rates. With an eye-catching black and red design to boot, and a handy pop filter included, the WAVO POD comes with a zero-latency headphone monitoring jack and USB Type-C connection for simple plug-in and play operation.

Easily customizable and versatile thanks to its unique mounting system, the Wavo POD stand can be detached to fit a tripod or GorillaPod for better stability. The microphone body is compatible with both ⅜” and ⅝” threads, using the included adapter, enabling you to connect it to a boom arm as needed. The rig can also be further tailored to suit your setup thanks to the ¼” side mounts – the perfect match for the JOBY range of accessories such as the GorillaPod arms.

The multifunction knob uses an intuitive system of colours for perfect control of all audio levels so you are in control of your sound at all times, and priced at £89.95, this is a great all-round mic for people looking for an effective but affordable option.

What’s the JOBY Wavo range?

The Wavo POD is just one of a new audio range from JOBY – the renowned content creator accessory brand – that will take all your mobile and camera creations to the next level. Carrying on in the brand’s reputation for easy-to-use and high quality products, the wavo range is expertly engineered to help you achieve superb audio – whatever or wherever you record.

Alongside the POD, the Wavo range includes the Wavo PRO and PRO DS on-camera microphones, the Wavo Air – a wireless lav kit – and the Wavo Lav PRO. The range perfectly complements JOBY’s iconic GorillaPod, and includes everything you need to produce professional-grade recordings.

For more information please head to www.joby.com/uk-en/microphones/

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ACAST: Let’s kick things off: how did your podcast come about?

Dane: Howard, aka “The Hza”, approached me while I was doing my group podcast, Quotas Full, with some other comedians. It was already an idea I had, but Howard came with some microphones and a free room, and then I came with a series of questions and ideas for guests. We put it together and hey presto, podcast!

Howard: I couldn’t cope with people not hearing Dane talk like he does! We were having lunch and he was speaking his mind about
something and I told him the world needed to hear this side of Dane Baptiste — he embodies the ‘question everything’ mantra.

What do you love about making a podcast?

Dane: I love people watching; it’s a natural part of the comedian’s complex in my opinion. Having a podcast allows you to ‘people listen’, which always allows you to have a much more rounded idea of who somebody is. As children, only slumber parties gave people the opportunity to be intimate with friends and acquaintances — podcasts bring that opportunity back.

Howard: For one hour or so we get to connect with a guest in a totally unique way, not knowing whether we’ll end up going deep or just having a real laugh. Some funny people have come on the show and talked really seriously, which has been amazing. The format of the show keeps it fresh and different every week.

How do you plan an episode?

Dane: It’s a collaborative effort between the Hza and I; we basically look at people we think are both interesting and iconic to our listeners, and we do our best to curate these people for the best meeting of minds.

Howard: Our questions are generated in different ways. I’ll usually know the guests’ questions before the show, and I’ll think of my question in a way to balance against theirs. Dane just does his thing, which works!

Once it’s recorded, what’s the process for getting it out to your listeners?

Howard: It always feels like a chore, but it’s not that bad! I’ve taken a few notes as the show records, but I’ll always edit it from start to finish just to get it flowing as best it can. Someone always coughs, don’t they? Once I’ve edited it we send the individual tracks over to our sound mix master Dee Dhanjal at Audio Culture, so it sounds perfect. Without the mix the show just isn’t the polished product the audience loves. Dee is our unsung/sung hero!

Do you do anything to connect with your listeners?

Dane: Well, the show’s ethos is for listeners to hear what’s being discussed in the hope they’ll question their reality more often. We encourage them to question us and their environment and, when we can via live shows, we can include them in the conversation. In the meantime keep your questions coming, folks!

Howard: We push the socials pretty hard every week and love to mention to our listeners during the show that they should contact us with their questions. The opening of the show is a question from one of the audience, which is a brilliant way to connect with the listeners.

What’s one hot tip for budding podcasters out there?

Dane: Choose a subject or guests who you’ll enjoy speaking about and to, respectively. Keep things exciting and, if not, brief — as the attention span isn’t what it used to be. Think of who you want as listeners and think about how best to engage them. Most of all, have fun — it’s really supposed to be a conversation that interested people wanna hear, so keep it informative and inclusive.

Howard: Grow your show in your own way, tweak it along the way, and just keep going! And enjoy it!

You can listen to Dane Baptise Questions Everything on Acast and all other podcast platforms. Got a podcast or thinking of starting a podcast? Join the world’s biggest podcast network to grow your show and make money. Find out more about joining Acast.

This article came from Issue #013 of Pod Bible magazine, which you can read online or buy in our shop.

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