If you’re reading this and wondering if I’ll talk about how I started my podcast from scratch – just hold on! I’m saving that story for a future post in this series. But, I want to tell you quickly how I record my show and why I’ve made the decision NOT to use a professional recording studio.
When I started this podcast, I knew nothing about audio recording. When I say nothing, I mean NOTHING! I never leave voicemails for people, I don’t record voice notes on my phone, I rarely make any videos or TikToks. I hated the sound of my voice and avoided saving it for posterity at all costs.
The one thing I did know is that I would need quiet while recording in my apartment in NYC and my apartment is not the quietest place. I’m talking, bickering married neighbors whose nightly arguments resonate clearly in my apartment. Neighbors across the hall who have about fifty-eleven grandchildren who run up and down the hallway like it’s their playground. Neighbors on the other side who might be virtual house DJs at an online nightclub. Not to mention, my upstairs neighbors of whom I am convinced are not actually living in an apartment up there so much as a bowling alley. Needless to say, I was having quite the dilemma figuring out how to record.
So what did I do?
I finally settled on recording in my walk in closet. It’s not glamorous but it’s spacious. The only drawback to this closet is that it is right up against the wall of another apartment (the virtual DJs, not the couple that hates each other). Sometimes, I can hear some bass music when I’m trying to record. I’ve considered treating the walls for sound but sound treatment is to keep recorded sound in, not keep unwanted sound out.
I decided not to book time in a professional studio for two reasons. One, this is NYC and studio time is expensive. I’m doing this show completely on my own. It would be a major out of pocket cost for me to book studio time here. Don’t believe me? Google it! Including post production editing, it will cost over $100 per episode! The second reason is because while I’ve had some lovely punctual and respectful guests, I’ve also had guests that have decided not to show up to a recording (virtual) or cancelled at the last minute. Imagine if i’d booked studio time? I would have lost hundreds by now in non-refundable booking fees.
And that would have been a disaster!
I’ve had to work with what I already have for now. What I do is position my microphone and laptop facing away from the noisiest part of the closet. I used to construct a fort out of a chair, blanket and pillows, while I sat on the floor with my phone and airpods. Now, I’ve added a folding chair, a microphone and studio headphones. I know the sound would be crisper with some wall treatment but until this show starts making some money, I’m going to have to keep that on the back burner for now.
For now, I’m happy with the set-up. I know it can be a lot better and hopefully this year I can make some adjustments. It’s sorta like having an office… with no windows and ventilation!
Next time, I’ll tell you some things I wish i’d known before I started recording and then, we’ll get into how I started recording my show from scratch!
