Here are several ways to accomplish the flexibility of multitrack recording with different podcasting hardware and software.
Before you go down this path of learning how to record podcasts in multitrack, check out my previous episode about why and why not to record podcasts in multitrack (https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/why-and-why-not-to-record-podcasts-in-multitrack-tap286/).
Multitrack basics
To produce your podcast in multitrack, you three things:
* Separated audio channels (voices, sounds, etc.)
* Multitrack interface/recorder
* Multitrack editing software (also known as âdigital audio workstationâ or âDAWâ)
1. Separated audio channels
Multitrack recording is pointless if all your audio is mixing together into the same track.
Every participant in your podcast should have their own microphone. This is not only necessary for separating the audio channels, but itâs also necessary for clear listening. There are some exceptions, such as in-person newscaster-style interviews or high-end video with specialized equipment and techniques.
Podcasting with remote participants can make separating audio channels more complicated. For example, if you have multiple participants connected through the same method (such as Skype, Hangouts, telephone, and such), their voices are mixed into a single channel. Youâll run into a similar complication if you use the same device for both remote participants and your soundtrack (music, segues, sound clips, etc.). Iâll explain possible solutions further down.
Depending on your podcasting hardware and software workflow, you may have to make choices about how you separate audio channels. For example, you may be limited to only two channels, but you have three voices. In such a scenario, you must choose which channels to combine into the same track, such as in-studio cohosts on one track and remote participants on the other track.
2. Multitrack interface/recorder
When you have separated audio channels, you need a way to capture that audio without mixing everything together.
Most of the mixers within podcaster budgets may have multiple input channels, but only two output tracks. So even if you have a 6-track recorder, youâll be limited to the number of tracks your interface can support.
The inverse could also be a problem. You could have a multitrack mixer, but your recorder may be limited to only two tracks (stereo).
The ideal multitrack recorder will let you capture each audio channel into its own track, instead of combining channels into separate sides of a stereo track.
3. Multitrack editing software
Most audio- and video-editing software supports multitrack editing on PCs. But multitrack editing is not as common with mobile apps.
Workflow will vary with each app. Generally, you need the ability to edit or process one track without affecting the other, as well as the ability to edit or process multiple tracks.
For example, can you delete a cough from one track without deleting the words from another? Or can you delete something and have it shift all the tracks together and maintaining alignment?
Multitrack editing requires a little more knowledge of the tools, especially understanding things link synchronization, target tracks, cross-track edits, split-edits, and more. The most popular multitrack editors (including Audacity and Adobe Audition (https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/audition)) already support these features.
With understanding these three basics, you can work with your particular tools or upgrade to the right tools to accomplish your needs.
How to separate tracks through PCs and mobile
If you host your podcast with remote participants, there are two ways to separate each voice (or soundtrack) into separate channels.
Record each participant independently at the source
This is usually called âdouble-enderâ or âmulti-ender.â Itâs the easiest way to get every participant on their own audio track and get the highest audio quality from each of them!
