6. Monitoring

When it comes to listening back to your recorded signal, there are different solutions to choose from:

Monitoring Headphones

AKG K-271 MKII

Using headphones for monitoring largely prevents disruptive feedback during podcast recording. Additionally, monitor headphones are usually more affordable to purchase than monitor speakers and take up less space, making them a great choice for podcasters. However, not all headphones are created equal.

For beginners entering the world of podcast production, basic hi-fi headphones are perfectly suitable. But if you want a more detailed assessment of your recording quality, delving into some technical differences is unavoidable.

Closed-back headphones might sound a bit "muffled" compared to their open or semi-open counterparts. Yet, they offer significantly better feedback resistance and minimal sound leakage into an ongoing microphone recording. However, closed-back headphones often tend to emphasize bass reproduction. Semi-open headphones strike a balance for podcast recordings.

For podcasts primarily involving speech, there are no specific requirements for the headphones regarding impedance, sound pressure level, or frequency response. However, advanced producers incorporating music into their podcast episodes might consider these characteristic features when choosing their monitoring headphones. Additionally, some headphones offer useful extra features like auto-shutdown upon removal, such as the AKG K-271 mkII.

Monitor Speakers

Genelec 8010 AP

Wearing headphones for extended periods might not be everyone's cup of tea. Once the speech recordings are complete, near-field monitors can be used without any risk of feedback. They allow you to assess your podcast recordings and mix existing tracks. Beginners might use their PC speakers for this purpose, which is perfectly fine. However, more experienced podcasters who appreciate audio quality will opt for dedicated near-field monitors for their home studios. Similar to monitoring headphones, the same considerations regarding frequency response apply. An aspiring podcast producer can never go wrong with a full-range model (20Hz - 20kHz).