When we first considered doing a podcast, we spent several weeks researching and considering ways we could record it. We thought about trying to use iChat or Skype, and just record the output on one of the computers. We even ran a test or two with each. We fiddled with a lot of settings before we finally got them to work. Even when we did, the audio quality would be great for one of us, but really poor for the other, since we were trying to record everything on one end.

Then, one particularly bright and sunny day, (for Seattle anyway…it’s always particularly bright and sunny in Phoenix), Zach came up with a great plan. We were making it too hard. After all, this isn’t rocket science. We simplified. We streamlined. We decided to use….telephones. They worked great for our first podcast, but then we got an even better idea. We could talk over ichat, but each of us record our side of the conversation as I’ve outlined below. We think it sounds pretty darn great. Thanks Apple!

Here’s a simple overview of the recording process:

1. Each of us records our own voice using Garageband. We create a simple track for a voice (under real instruments) with no effects on it. We’re both using a Logitech 250 USB headset, and it works fantastic. (Yes Logitech, we are willing to have you sponsor the podcast and load us up with cool free gear.) We found that using the built in mic can pick up nasty things like fan noises, as you can hear in Podcast #1.
2. John calls Zach, or sometimes we get really crazy and do it the other way around.
3. Each of us starts a recording, and then we count down together to have a reference point to sync the recordings.
4. After the show, I convert my file to an mp3 and send it off to Zach. He mixes them together, edits out the ugliness, and adds some purdy music in Garageband.
5. He exports it to iTunes, converts it to an MP3, and we’re in business.

We’re still exploring some other options so that we can include guests in the future. Ideally, we’d like their voice quality to match ours, but that could get tricky unless they are willing to do the recording on their end. If you have any brilliant ideas, let us know.