The first ever recording session for the podcast was seem-less, I bought Leutrim to the studio and then I was shown how to set up the EQ of the mics and how to switch the mic from one directional to figure 8. Using a figure 8 setting allowed for both me and Leutrim to be heard clearly. Before recording I requested that Leutrim put his phone on silence so there we're no distractions and also advised him not to move back in the chair because it was squeaky. As you can see below, I had topics written in my notebook, so the podcast wouldn't lose it's consistency so we wouldn't go into tangents.
Whilst working through the podcast episode, I remembered the feedback which Paul had given me for my previous episode with my mother. I specifically remember him outlining to introduce the episode clearly, keeping my vocal levels all the same. He also suggested to thank the audience, my producer and my guest which I did at the end of the episode. I was very happy with the content and the recording itself. To complete the recording I have to now record the advertisements for each episode and make music for an episode break, as it runs for 38 minutes. (Un edited). The whole process took an hour, which I was surprised by. I assume I will be racking up the hours during post production.
Day Two 8th April 2018: Private Frith
I feel as though the second episode was harder to record, not practically but emotionally. A few days before the recording of the episode I was sitting in a parade of people watching frith fall out from his phase one army training and I couldn't be prouder.
The second episode was harder to record, not practically but emotionally.
I fee as though the emotion comes through the podcast, and I feel you can really hear our friendship through the podcast just the type of banter we have and how our friendship works. Through the podcast, I'm giggling at the appropriate points from remembering the bigger parts of our friendship which we further speak about for the audience such as the anecdote when he lost my dog. I feel as though that's the point of podcasting is to feel the emotion between the two people recording the episode. That's the great thing about it. A great journalist can express emotion through a page, but there is no better way to connect with a person then to speak with them, which is basically what a podcast is.
A great journalist can express emotion through a page, but there is no better way to connect with a person then to speak with them.
The episode was intended to be about growing up, but I was so absorbed by what he was saying about his army experience that I didn't want him to stop which I reflect on at the end of the podcast. There was one practical issue, the wire was bent strangely and made a buzzing sound which was easily adapted in post production.
Day Three 3rd May 2018: Niche
Production was very seamless and enjoyable again. There was a moment in the production that I asked to pause the recording due to my lower back pain, which intensified during the recording. We took a five minute break and then continued. The break isn't obvious during the final product so I have no concerns.
Day Four 5th May 2018 : Osman, Mother & the intros.
On the last day of recording I recorded both the last episode and the first, because of everyones schedules I had to record episodes out of order. Which was very frustrating I feel as though if I was to record the first episode first then I would've been able to upload the episodes earlier and would've been able to upload all the photos. The first episode runs to an hour, which is a good length for a podcast show as they generally run between an hour and an hour 1/2. Creating the podcast episode was actually very easy again, this project has been pretty seem-less. If I was to record again I would use two mics instead of one.