PODCAST is the phenomenon that emerged with Apple's iPod and the advance of multimedia. It's an audio form which can be streamed from a web site or downloaded to your computer, mp3 player or mobile phone. Podcast allows anyone to broadcast a radio-on-demand show. We embraced it at the
National Post as another platform to broaden our readers/viewers/listeners base.
However, it is important to create a decent quality audio. Here are a few tips for reporters armed with the audio recorders.
Whenever possible, set your interviews in a quiet environment, i.e. hotel room, office, or any other closed space with no background noise
If the interview must be conducted outside, try to do it in a car. If that is not possible, look for a shelter from the wind and noise—a wall, a tree (with no birds on), or even block the wind with your and interviewee's body, if no better protection is available
Avoid holding the recording device in hand—every move of the fingers will create noise on the recording. Leave the recorder on the table or a desk, approximately 1-2 ft from the interviewee's face. If the interview is being done in a quiet room, the distance between the microphone and the person being interviewed can be greater; on contrary, if the interview is being done in a noisy environment, the microphone needs to be closer to the person. Do not bring it too close, to avoid 'popping' sounds on 'p' and 'b'
If you must hold the recorder, keep your hand and fingers absolutely still.
Ideally, use a microphone detached from the recorder, which can be used on a desk-stand, or hand-held. That is the best way to get a high quality audio and to avoid any noise coming from handling of the recording device. If the microphone is hand held, hold it steady and don't move fingers over it.
Instruct your subject to talk in loud, clear and even voice, for the best results.
Do not interrupt the subject's answer—if you talk over the subject, it can't be edited out. After each completed answer pause for a couple of seconds before asking your next question. The pause, while making the audio easier to edit, also often makes the subject add things to his answer that he didn't say originally.
If the audio is being cut without the questions asked, instruct the subject to answer in whole sentences, which means repeating the part of the question when answering it.
Example:
Question: "Where were you born?"
Correct answer: "I was born in Toronto"
Incorrect: "Toronto"
Record sounds that pertain to the story/interview, e.g. if the interview is with a pianist, record him playing the piano, when possible. If working on a traffic story, get some traffic noise.
When recording sound for the background audio, isolate it from any conversation or other man-made sounds unrelated to the story.
