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So here we are, in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, and people worldwide have adopted a new set of phrases to relate to one another.
If you get a lot of work emails from colleagues, you've probably received (or even written) a lot of "Stay safe"or "Be well".
If you've been receiving mass emails from banks or companies you purchase from, you’re getting tons of "in these uncertain times".
And if you listen to a lot of podcasts, you keep hearing "I’m recording this in my closet.".
You might be wondering—as some of my newer-to-podcast friends have been—"Why the hell is everyone in their closets?!"
The answer is simple, really. It's all about acoustics. And although I'm not a podcaster, or skilled in technical or scientific terminology, let me explain
In order to produce great quality audio for a podcast, most podcasters invest in a great quality microphone. They want their voices to sound crisp and clear.
The downside: those microphones are also fantastic at picking up small noises and echoes. Podcasters have to be especially careful to record audio in a quiet space that isn't too large, and/or that can absorb background sounds.
Most newbie podcasters—and currently a TON of podcasters who are quarantined in their homes—choose to record episodes in their closets because:
- closets are usually small
- the clothing is great for absorbing echoes
- there's a door to stop unwanted kids or pets from barging in on a recording session
Just imagine how good the acoustics are if you're recording in the closet where you've stashed all your toilet paper!
When you listen to as many podcasts as I do, you learn all kinds of interesting tricks that hosts do to improve the quality of their audio if they can't be in a studio.
Podcasters who travel a lot and have to record from the road often mention recording in their hotel room closets. I feel for these folks, as noise in hotel rooms comes from all directions, including from the plumbing and housekeeping!
A lot of newbie podcasters who don't have home studios record with a blanket over their heads. This is another way to help absorb sound, so that the microphone isn't picking up tons of background noise. Can you imagine doing your work or side hustle with a blanket over your head for what's probably an hour or more??
I'm super grateful that podcast delivery is one of the few things that hasn't changed throughout the last month. In these uncertain times, I've been pleasantly surprised (and kept sane) by the consistency with which podcasters have been showing up.
THANK YOU, PODCASTERS! Keep up the good work and stay safe!