Podcast Production in New York City
Podcasts are an industry-standard format for telling your audio story, and have become a convenient and fun way for listeners to access a vast selection of audio content. Individuals and organizations are producing podcast recordings on an ever-increasing scale.
If you are considering creating and recording a podcast, we’re offering some valuable information to ensure a successful production.
What Exactly Is A Podcast?
The term podcast covers a wide range of audio content. It is any type of audio file that users can stream or download; podcasts are typically distributed in a series (Season One, Episode One) or on an ongoing basis to subscribers who can get automatic downloads.
How Do I Create My Podcast?
Not sure how to create your podcast? Let the experienced producers and engineers at CMD help you create an effective and successful podcast at our state-of-the-art podcast studios. Our studios are conveniently located in midtown New York City. Learn more about our facilities by visiting our recording studios page.
First, decide on the general format. Here are some common types:
Interview
Solo
Round Table
Audio Magazine
Interview
A good example is WTF with Marc Maron.
A host and a guest discuss ideas in a casual and spontaneous fashion. Typically only the questions are scripted and there is ample back-and-forth spontaneous dialog - more than you’ll need in the final product - so be prepared for audio editing and clean up.
Solo
An example is The Blindboy Podcast.
The content can be comedy, poetry, storytelling...whatever you’re passionate about that can be recorded as audio. Be open to experimenting with music and sound effects. CMD can help provide you with elements from our massive sound effects and music library.
Round Table
Gaming Podcasts like Giant Bomb are a good example.
A host introduces a panel of industry-expert guests who discuss a particular topic. Here at CMD we can record you and your guests whether they attend the session in person or need to connect remotely. It is not uncommon to have a few people in the studio and to connect remotely to a few guests, while recording everyone at the same time. Be aware that the more people that are involved the more planning is necessary.
Audio Magazine
Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History is a great example. (He recorded much of Season 1 here at CMD.)
An audio magazine is the most creative form of podcast. It tells a story by combining audio narrative, music, sound effects, ambiences, found footage...pretty much any type of audio that can best relay your message. This format requires the most planning, and involves audio editing and audio mixing. So it will take more time, but in the end this is the ultimate in creative audio storytelling.
Things To Prepare
Podcasts have common elements that can be planned out in advance to help ensure a successful production:
Introduction - You can write a short script that we will record once and re-use as the introduction to all episodes of your podcast. This will add a strong consistent element and save studio time on future podcast recordings.
Music Theme - Many podcasts use a music bed, mixed in with the host, to open and close the recording. This can help to establish a signature for your podcast.
Segment Themes - If you have segments that recur in your podcast episodes, consider using a music, sound effect or ambient theme so listeners can get familiar with your story.
Things To Remember
The first time you record a podcast it will take time! Keep in mind this is a creative process, and allow extra time for your first episode. On a positive note, be aware that subsequent podcast productions will definitely go quicker - so don’t judge your entire season based on how long it takes to complete your first episode!
If you are technically adept, try recording a mock-up podcast at home. You can use free programs like Garage Band or Audacity to record and edit your audio and see how your ideas come together.
CMD is located in the heart of midtown Manhattan. At our NYC podcast recording studio we have experienced engineers & mixers, and the best microphones, preamps, consoles and plug-ins to ensure the highest quality recording, editing and mastering for your podcast recording. Email us at info@cmdnyc.com to get rates and information. We are located at 37 West 37th Street, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10018.
