How do you set up to record a live panel? Today’s episode features Clocking In’s very own audio engineer, Megan Wren, as she shares her setup and advice for a live panel recording at the recent Mic Check Retreat. Megan’s tips will help you prepare for your first live event recording or your next audio upgrade.
Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced by Gaffin Creative, a podcast production company for creative entrepreneurs. Learn more about our services at Gaffincreative.com, plus you’ll also find resources, show notes, and more for the Clocking In Podcast.
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Have you heard of Mic Check Society? It’s our community for podcasters who are looking to take their podcast from good to great. Come join us for educational trainings, a private member’s only community, and monthly calls! Get $10 off per month with code PODCAST at micchecksociety.com.
Why Mic Checks Matter
At the Mic Check Retreat last month, we recorded a live podcast panel, which will be fully available in Episode 129 of the Clocking In Podcast. This blog post aims to spotlight the event and the essential role of mic checks in delivering high-quality podcast episodes. The event brought together various speakers and attendees to discuss their thoughts and experiences with podcasting.
Introducing Megan, our talented podcast editor at Clocking In and the expert behind many Gaffin Creative productions. During the retreat, Megan played a pivotal role as both podcast producer and audio engineer. Here, she shares her experience and advice on setting up and executing a successful live recording.
A mic check ensures that each speaker’s audio levels are optimal. This is critical in live recordings to guarantee that the podcast is enjoyable for listeners and easy to edit. At the retreat, we performed mic checks by asking everyone to share their favorite podcasts, adjusting gain levels accordingly. This initial setup paved the way for a seamless recording experience.
Our In-Person Podcast Gear Setup
For our panel, each speaker used a Shure SM58 microphone, connected to a Scarlett Focusrite interface. This setup allowed each microphone to record on a separate channel, simplifying post-production adjustments.
Gain and volume are different; gain amplifies the microphone’s signal to a suitable recording level, while volume affects playback loudness. Proper gain settings are crucial to avoid distorted or faint recordings. During the retreat, Megan constantly monitored the mic levels, ensuring they stayed in the optimal range without clipping.
Shure SM58-LC Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone x 4
The Shure SM58-LC Cardioid Dynamic Microphone is a great, affordable choice. It’s a higher quality microphone than most entry level mics, but still within the beginner price range! This is the exact microphone I use for my own podcast!
XLR Cables x 4
To connect your microphones to the Scarlett (below), you’ll need XLR cables. Based on the number of microphones you buy, you can buy more XLR cables for less.
Focusrite Scarlett 18i8
The Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 and higher are investment pieces for podcasters. This particular interface allows you to record up to four separate tracks of audio in a single recording.
Check out smaller Focusrite Scarlett options if you don’t need as many inputs.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50X
I’ve you’re wanting to monitor your own voice in recordings, but also keep feedback from virtual interviews to a minimum, these are the right headphones for you. These are also great for post-production review.
Practical Tips for Live Recordings
- Adjust Gain Levels Before Recording: Perform a mic check and adjust gain levels for each speaker, considering that their volume might increase during the session.
- Monitor Continuously: Keep an eye (and ear) on the levels throughout the session to ensure consistency.
- Use High-Quality Equipment: Reliable microphones and interfaces can significantly enhance audio quality and ease the editing process.
During post-production, Megan removed background noise and balanced each speaker’s levels to ensure clear and consistent audio. By correctly setting the gain initially, the editing process was more efficient and effective.
Learning to master audio quality in podcasting is a continuous process. Mic Check Retreat offered invaluable lessons and reaffirmed the significance of pre-recording preparations like mic checks. If you’re interested in improving your podcast, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at Gaffin Creative for guidance and support.
Join us at Mic Check Retreat
Mic Check Retreat was not only a place for podcasters to learn and work on their podcast, but to also connect with other podcasters and get their insights! Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to podcasting. Experiment with different strategies, find what works for you, and continually adapt to serve your audience better.
If you’re interested in learning more about podcasting, growing your show, and dedicating time to focus on your podcast, consider joining us at the next Mic Check Retreat. Sign up for the waitlist to ensure you don’t miss out.
Time-stamps:
Megan’s experiences at the Mic Check Retreat (3:38)
Recording the live panel (5:10)
Running a live panel mic check (10:43)
A bonus pro-tip (15:51)
The finished product (16:47)
Mentioned in This Episode:
Episode 129: Podcasting With The Experts: gaffincreative.com/129-podcasting-with-the-experts-live-panel-recording-at-mic-check-retreat
Shure SM58: https://amzn.to/3KVJqOH
Scarlett Focusrite: https://amzn.to/3VWapir
Connect with the Speakers:
Megan Wren: instagram.com/meganwrenmusic
Laylee Emadi: instagram.com/laylee_emadi
So Here’s The Thing: layleeemadi.com/category/podcast-episodes
Danielle Desir Corbett: instagram.com/thedanielledesir
The Thought Card: thoughtcard.com/podcast
Bree Pair: instagram.com/thrivetogetherblog
Thrive Blogger Podcast: thrivetogether.blog/podcast
