The Accessibility of Podcasting and Diverse Approaches

Podcasting stands out as a uniquely accessible medium. It’s remarkably straightforward to both create and enjoy content. Consequently, each podcast adopts a distinct approach, reflecting the individuality of its creators.

A wide range of hardware and software options are available to aspiring podcasters. Setups can vary significantly, from professional studios like those at NPR to simpler configurations utilizing USB Skype connections – a common solution during recent times.

Insights from Leading Podcast Professionals

We consulted several prominent podcast hosts and producers to gain insight into their workflows. They shared details about the equipment and software they employ to produce their shows. The following individuals contributed their expertise:

• David Rees of Election Profit Makers
• Eleanor Kagan of Welcome to Your Fantasy
• Avery Trufelman of Articles of Interest
• Sarah Enni of First Draft and Track Changes
• RiYL (Remote Podcasting Edition)
• Sam Dingman of Family Ghosts
• Anita Flores of I’m Listening
• Justin Richmond of Broken Record
• Lauren Spohrer of Criminal/This Is Love
• Jeffrey Cranor of Welcome to Night Vale
• Jesse Thorn of Bullseye
• Ben Lindbergh of Effectively Wild
• The author of this article, from RiYL

Science Vs.: Adapting Production During a Pandemic

The importance of reliable scientific information is often emphasized. However, discerning trustworthy science can be challenging. Fortunately, Science Vs., a Spotify/Gimlet production, addresses complex questions and separates fact from fiction, covering topics from 5G technology to the effects of vaping.

Rose Rimler, a producer for the show, joined us to discuss how Science Vs. has adapted its production process throughout the pandemic.

From Office Collaboration to Remote Recording

Prior to COVID-19, the team operated from a Brooklyn office featuring over ten recording studios and smaller meeting rooms used for script reviews. Daily routines involved frequent movement between these spaces, contributing to an average of 6,700 steps per day in 2019.

With the onset of the pandemic, the team transitioned to recording both themselves and interviews remotely, utilizing portable recorders provided by Gimlet.

Equipment Choices for Quality Audio

The standard equipment includes Zoom recorders paired with directional or shotgun microphones. Rimler personally uses a Zoom H6 recorder and a Sennheiser MKE600 microphone. She finds the microphone’s quality sufficient for recording in a standard room without needing additional soundproofing.

Achieving high-quality audio from guests presents a different challenge. While recording phone calls or Zoom sessions is a basic option, the resulting audio quality can be subpar. To improve guest audio, the team now requests guests to record their audio locally using their smartphones.

Leveraging Smartphone Recording Capabilities

The iPhone’s built-in “Voice Memo” app provides a surprisingly effective recording solution. Guests record their side of the conversation and then send the audio file to the production team.

When guiding guests, Rimler suggests finding a quiet room, activating airplane mode on their phone, and holding the device close while speaking, or placing it on a stable surface like a stack of books.

Maintaining Collaboration in a Remote Environment

Science Vs. has always prioritized collaboration. The lead producer initially drafts the script, then collaborates with the host and editor for revisions during the week leading up to publication. This collaborative process, previously conducted in person, now takes place via Google Hangout.

This shift to remote work has also resulted in a significant decrease in Rimler’s daily step count.

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