Q&A: Secrets to High-Quality Audio for Interviewees with Podcast Producer Sean McMullin
Common mistakes, gear to avoid, and what equipment to invest in (+ a knitalong!)
For several years, I’ve listened to dozens of podcasts a week. That means I have hundreds of hours under my belt of hearing a variety of interviewing styles. All that time has given me a felt sense for what connects with listeners and what turns them off.
One of the most overlooked areas that turns listeners off is audio quality. If I start hearing that tinny, off-in-the-distance audio quality, I will immediately turn off the interview and find another episode or another show entirely.
Given how much competition there is to be heard in the podcasting space (and for your business in general), I don’t want this to happen to you.
That’s why I’ve asked Sean McMullin, podcast producer from Yellow House Media, for some simple advice on how to improve your audio quality as a guest.
(Also, yikes. I have definitely made some of the mistakes he mentions.)
Let’s get into it.
About Sean
Heya! My name is Sean (he/them) and I am an artist, coach, podcast producer, husband, and step-dad. I’m the co-founder of YellowHouse.Media, a podcast production agency that helps small business owners create standout shows. I’m a life-long learner with interests that range from cooking up natural inks to brutalist architecture. Knitting, field recording, urban interventions, bicycles, psychogeography – I love it all! I’m from the land of the Salish and Kootenai people and currently live in the ancestral homeland of the Susquehannock people.
Website: yellowhouse.media
Linkedin: Sean McMullin
Instagram:@nonsean
My first question is more of a statement: inflation! I’m kidding but not entirely. Here’s what I want to know: how can we sound like the pros that we are without spending a fortune on fancy podcasting equipment?
Learn how to get the most out of the equipment that you have on hand.
You can sound really good using nothing more than those trusty, rusty, in-the-ear headphones we all have lying around. The microphone is surprisingly good!
And then, make sure that the room you are recording in is quiet and has lots and lots of soft surfaces. We don’t want your voice bouncing around the room like a rubber ball, so record in a room with bookshelves, art and tapestries, and nice soft curtains that you can pull over the windows. Make yourself a nice cozy nest to record in… Can I suggest some tacky macromet? 🤪
Can I tell you a secret? While sure, expensive recording equipment will help to make you sound like a pro, it won’t make any difference if you are using that sexy equipment in a room with hard surfaces. Cheap equipment, used well, in soft room will sound better.
What do you wish every podcast guest knew BEFORE they hit record?
Don’t use wireless, Bluetooth headphones or microphones. Period.
Wireless headphones are great for listening to music or podcasts when you are out on a walk or doing some house cleaning or trying to block out the sound of your cats (that’s what I use them for 🤪) BUT they are just not the right choice for doing podcast interviews.
They create technical issues that don’t need to be there.
They don’t make a good recording and do weird things to your delicious voice.
And, lastly, you run the risk of losing battery power right in the middle of an interview!! I cannot tell you how many times this has happened with one of our guests. Nightmare.
Podcast interviews are an extremely fabulous way to get your voice into the ears of new audiences. It’s in your power to show up sounding amazing. Start here.
If people do want to invest in podcasting equipment, what are 2-3 pieces of gear that you recommend buying first?
1) Get yourself a decent Microphone. I recommend this one as a starter because it sounds great, and you can plug it right into your computer. Easy Peasy!
BONUS: A foam windscreen for your microphone. Helps with the plosives!
2) Invest in a boom arm that you can attach right to your desk. It might seem unnecessary, but they allow you to get your microphone up nice and close to your face. I recommend this one.
3) WIRED Headphones!!! (I am going to sound like a broken record here 🤪) Get yourself a pair of wired headphones that are over the ear. In-the-ear wireless headphones are all the rage right now – I use them constantly! – but when you are doing a podcast interview they create too many technical issues.
I use these headphones and I adore them!!
Anything else?
I put together a couple of shopping lists for you all to consider
Here is an Entry Level setup. I have used this equipment for years!
And if you are ready to drop a chunk of change, here is the Next Level setup. I wouldn’t start here, but when you are ready this is what I would recommend.
You’re always doing something creative! What creative skill are you working on right now?
Yay! Every October I participate in Stephen West’s Mystery Knitalong. You start the pattern not knowing what you are knitting and you get updates throughout the month. Thousands of people all over the world do it at the same time.
This year I am knitting with yarn from some local spinner/dyers. So much fun.
What’s on your TBR list?
Currently reading “How to Sell a Haunted House” by Grady Hendrix
Next up “A Prayer for the Crown-Shy” by Becky Chambers. I love everything that she writes.
And then the TBR list.
I’ll stop there 🤪
This newsletter is called Doing It for the Attention. What aspect of your work do you want to put the spotlight on? In other words, how can we support you?
If you ever start to get curious about starting your own podcast, hit us up!
But we also offer one-off consulting sessions. So, if you would like someone to plan content with or just have some questions that need answering, let me know and we will see if we can set something up.
Thanks y’all!
Important stuff! Thank you!!
Love this list, and I'll just add that I use the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x headphones which are one model down from the ones Sean recommends and only cost $50!