HOW TO RECORD A RADIO PROGRAM FROM DIFFERENT LOCATIONS

It takes a lot to put together a fantastic radio program. A great show has great guests, and after sending thousands of emails and making a ton of calls, you finally got one. The only problem is that this superstar guest can’t make it to your studio—or perhaps, you work from home and can’t expect them to come to you. Your next option is to record a remote show. This means you will be at your studio location while your guest is at an alternative site. If you’re starting to panic, don’t worry. Here’s how to record a radio program from different locations!

Understanding The Basics

If you have the option of a studio. Then you may try recording the classic way—by giving your guests a landline number to call direct. Your studio should have the phone line already connected to your board, and you can simply “pod the call up.”

It is the best practice to inform your guest caller before the show to find a landline and a quiet space. Landlines are more reliable and keep the audio quality a little better than cell phones do (welcome to the dark ages of radio).

Sometimes the old techniques are still the best. You also want to make sure your guest confirms all the info for your interview. This includes when, where, and who is calling whom. This a good practice and especially helps with organizing a live show.

Consider Call Software

Call recorder software, like Skype or Zencastr, is easy to use. The benefits of using Skype to record a radio program from different locations include: it’s free (Skype to Skype calls), most people already have it, and you can call anyone from anywhere. If your guest is in London and you are in Indiana, then you won’t have to worry about traditional call charges or trying to dial an international number. 

Call Software Beginner Tips

You want to make sure you test everything before you get going. Again, there is nothing worse than having a bunch of technical issues while your guest is waiting. Use your call recorder software’s test call service to test your audio quality. Note that these can sometimes sound tinny to the ear and at times difficult to understand. However, with the rise of the podcast, most people are now used to this quality of interview. 

Make sure you use the audio calling feature rather than the video call. This will help with the internet connection. Sometimes with a lower quality Wi-Fi connection, a video option can become choppy and more digitized than the audio aspect. Even though your Wi-Fi is excellent, your guests’ may not be.

Record It

Your call recorder software will likely have an internal feature that allows you to record your calls. This is a basic level of recording (if you are pre-recording to air later), and you can input this file into an editing software to tweak the audio for cleaner sound later.

Mixing Tips

Using a mixer allows you to control the feed effectively, which produces better audio, especially for a live broadcast. To use a mixer, you will need to set up a Mix-minus (a technical term for avoiding feedback during a call) on your call software. Use a second channel input for your computer—you will need a Stereo Y cable to connect your computer. Then the audio will need to go out of the mixer to the computer using a 3.5ml cable, adapted with a quarter inch adapter into your mixer output, and plug the other end into the input (microphone input) on your computer.

You want to make sure you check all your levels before you have your caller on, and tweak them again before you go live. It is essential that you do not create a feedback loop with your call software. You don’t want to have your caller hear themselves so, so make sure their post-fader is down on the call software channel. Then you can bring up your preferred audio recording software and check your levels to confirm that everything is as it should be with your sound. Press record on your audio software and you’re ready to go!

Streamline Your Broadcasts With RCS Sound Works

Looking for ways to streamline your broadcast and work process? RCS Sound Works offers a full suite of tools to help you manage your broadcasts, including:

GSelector (Music Scheduling)

Music scheduling software allows you to easily manage your playlists, and RCS GSelector sets the industry standard. Create a station, design clocks, enter and code your songs, and GSelector will schedule them according to their natural demand. Access your scheduling from anywhere WiFi is available—even on your mobile devices. Learn more.

Zetta (Radio Automation)

Zetta is the leading radio automation software on the market today. It runs on a modular workflow, which means you can change what’s playing without changing the sequencer or affecting other operations. Zetta is truly integrated software that’s perfect if you have multiple stations. When you make changes through Zetta, all of your stations will reflect those changes instantly. Zetta is also available on your smartphone, giving you control of your station from anywhere! Learn more.