How to Film and Record a Podcast: 5 Simple Steps

So you’ve decided you want to start producing podcast content - great news! Whether you’re planning insightful interviews, casual chats, or expert insights, one thing’s for sure - the quality of your production can pretty much make or break your podcast.

But let’s be real, figuring out how to film and record a podcast can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re new to it. 

Don’t worry, though. With the right approach, you can create professional-quality podcast content without the stress.

In this guide, we take you through 5 simple steps to help you film and record your podcast like an expert, without overcomplicating things.

Let’s get stuck in…

1. Plan your content

First things first, plan your content, because a well-structured podcast doesn’t just happen off the cuff - it takes planning. 

So, before you do anything else, take some time to plan what topics you want to cover, key talking points, and any guest questions you want to include. 

Planning in advance will help keep the conversation flowing smoothly and ensure you stay on track throughout the episode.

Listeners appreciate structure, so make sure you establish a format that keeps your episodes engaging and easy to follow. For example, a typical podcast episode follows this structure:

• Intro - Podcasts should always begin by briefly introducing the topic and yourself/guests.

• Main Discussion - Follow the intro by covering key talking points, sharing insights, and engaging in conversation.

• Outro – In this latter third, this is where you summarise key takeaways, thank guests, and include a call-to-action, for example: encouraging listeners to subscribe, leave a review, follow on social media, or visit your website for more content.

2. Choose the right recording environment 

Once you know what you want your podcast to be about, it’s time to decide where and how you want to film it.

Your recording environment plays a crucial role in the overall quality of your podcast, and simply having a great microphone won’t fix background noise, echo, or poor acoustics. This is why choosing the right space is just as important as all the other points.

There are two options when it comes to recording and filming your content - the DIY approach (i.e. on your phone or camera at home) or hiring a professional podcasting studio, like Octopod. 

What is a Podcast Studio​?

In simple terms, a podcast studio is a professional space specifically designed for recording high-quality audio and video podcasts. These studios are fully equipped with all the necessary tools and technology to help people produce content at a high standard.

Whether you're recording solo, with a guest, or even live, a podcast studio provides the ideal environment to ensure your recordings sound and look polished.

Some of the key features you’ll find in a podcast studio include soundproofed rooms, high-quality equipment, video and audio integration and technical support. 

Looking for a quality podcast studio in South Wales? Check out our studio packages here, and for more information, feel free to get in touch.

Why use a podcast studio instead of filming yourself?

With the rise of podcasting and video content, many creators wonder: Should I film and record my podcast at home, or should I use a professional podcast studio? While the DIY route might seem convenient and cheaper, using a dedicated podcast studio can make all the difference in quality, efficiency, and audience engagement. Here’s why:

• You benefit from superior audio & video quality - A professional podcast studio is designed with acoustic treatments and high-quality equipment to ensure your podcast sounds and looks as good as possible.
  

• You don’t have to worry about managing background noise - One of the biggest challenges of recording at home is managing background noise i,e. traffic, barking dogs, or the buzz of a nearby air conditioner. But you don’t have to worry about that when using a podcast studio, as touched on further up in this blog, they provide soundproofed rooms that eliminate outside noise.
  

• Forget the technical hassles - Setting up a home recording studio requires way more than just buying equipment; you’ll need to figure out audio interfaces, mixers, cameras, and software for editing and production. For many people, that’s a steep learning curve, and so hiring a podcast studio (like Octopod Studio) eliminates the technical headaches.

Studios like ours here at Octopod provide broadcast-quality microphones, professional lighting setups, and multi-camera setups, giving your podcast a polished, professional edge that’s hard to replicate in a home setup.

This leads us nicely onto point number 3…

3. Use high-quality equipment

   
   

Great content deserves great production, and that all starts with using the right equipment.

Start off with a good microphone. High quality audio is absolutely essential because, well, podcasts are all about talking! USB mics are great for beginners, but if you want pro-level sound, an XLR microphone will give you richer, more dynamic audio.

While you can buy and set up all this equipment yourself, it takes time, money, and technical know-how. As we touched on in the point above, hiring a professional podcast studio provides broadcast-quality microphones, HD cameras, and professional lighting - all set and ready to go!

At Octopod, our podcast studio based near Cardiff features Shure SM7B and Rode PodMics, known for delivering rich, clear sound that’s perfect for podcasting and live streaming. With built-in features to minimise noise and enhance audio quality, we ensure your voice comes through flawlessly, taking your podcasts to the next level.

4. Edit your podcast

Once your content is filmed, it’s time to get editing! This is the fun part where the raw audio and video come together into a polished final product.

Editing isn’t just about cutting out mistakes; it’s about enhancing the listening experience by improving audio quality, adjusting pacing, and adding any necessary effects.

At Octopod, our typical booking includes an on-site production specialist to help with setup and recording, and post-production support like file delivery and editing (for an extra charge). Learn more about what’s included in our studios here. 

You should start editing by removing background noise, any pauses, or filler words to keep the conversation smooth and engaging for the watcher. 

5. Publish

Once your podcast is recorded and edited how you want it, it’s time to share it with the world!

This final ‘publishing’ stage basically means uploading your podcast content to the right platforms so your audience can easily find and listen to it. 

Start by choosing a podcast hosting service like Spotify for Podcasters, Buzzsprout, or Vimeo, which will distribute your podcast to major platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts. 

When publishing, make sure to include a compelling title, an engaging episode description, and relevant keywords to help new listeners discover your content. 

How we can help

At Octopod Studio, we offer a complete podcast experience.

From concept planning and recording to post-production and social media marketing, our team is on hand to help.

Get in touch at info@octopodstudio.co.uk should you have any questions about our podcast studio or recording a podcast, or book a studio.

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We are Octopod Studio, a leading content creation studio in South Wales, delivering top-quality production services for podcasters, content creators, and businesses looking to create professional, studio-quality content.