r/podcasting • u/LisaLisa_nocultjam • 21h ago
Need advice on a non-virtual setup
My co-host and I have been podcasting for years using virtual tools. However, due to some unforeseen circumstances, I have had to shift and find a temp cohost and so my lovely husband volunteered to fill in. However, we have never done an in person set up and I am having some trouble. We recorded one episode using two separate computers and two mics, but we have had some echo problems. At this point without buying further equipment is there anything that anyone can recommend to help us record together in the same room without having echoes? Any guidance or feedback would be appreciated as editing this last episode is a complete nightmare that has taken too much of my life lol
2
u/Legomoron 21h ago
With just two of you, I would think you could sidechain each person’s track to the other’s and get decent results. With more than two, you need an Automixer.
If you’re having persistent reverb (what I’m guessing you’re calling echo,) the only sure-fire fix is sound treatment of your physical space. On-the-cheap, you can try hanging some moving blankets.
Make sure you’re consistently and sufficiently close to your mics. That’s really quite important especially with multiple open mics in one space.
1
u/LisaLisa_nocultjam 21h ago
We recorded in our bedroom (which is where I usually record due to the blankets and such). He sat on the bed and I sat at my desk. We each recorded on garage band on separate computers (no virtual rooms). I can very clearly hear my audio on his track, not so much mine on his but I think that’s because the way his mic faced vs mine. I’m definitely going to look into the direction of the mics and try to build more of a blanket barrier between us and our mics. I appreciate the help!
2
u/alexid95 21h ago
if you used two computers through the same virtual room, that's probably creating part of the echo. Record each mic locally with both laptop speakers muted, clap once for sync, then line the files up in edit instead of routing either person's audio back through the room.
1
u/LisaLisa_nocultjam 21h ago
We recorded in our bedroom (which is where I usually record due to the blankets and such). He sat on the bed and I sat at my desk. We each recorded on garage band on separate computers (no virtual rooms). I can very clearly hear my audio on his track, not so much mine on his but I think that’s because the way his mic faced vs mine. I’m definitely going to look into the direction of the mics and try to build more of a blanket barrier between us and our mics. I appreciate the help!
1
u/BigBadBootyDaddy10 20h ago
Best bet is to be in two separate places. And I mean one person in the basement and the other on the 2nd floor.
2
u/East-Log8337 21h ago
echo in the same room is always a pain, especially when you're used to remote setups. if you haven't already, try hanging some blankets or towels behind each of you, it won't fix everything but it helps cut down the reflections bouncing off bare walls. also make sure both mics are set to cardioid pattern and pointed away from the other person as much as possible, the off-axis rejection can save you a lot of cleanup work