Multitrack recording keeps audio source separate. Here are some reason why you may and may not want to record your podcast in multiple tracks.
The difference between channels and tracks
Mixers, audio interfaces, recorders, and other audio devices will often refer to tracks and channels.
Generally, channels are how many separate audio paths a device supports. For examples, Mackie describes their mixers by the number of channels: 8-channel, 12-channel, 18-channel, and such. Behringer uses the word “inputs” to mean the same thing (although they technically have more inputs than they say).
Tracks, also sometimes called bus, represent the final mix and separation of all the channels. You know 1-track audio as “mono,” and 2-track audio as “stereo.” However, the number of tracks does not necessarily imply any kind of perceived physical positioning (such as left and right). Most devices support at least two tracks, which are usually treated as stereo.
Consider the Behringer X1204USB and the UFX1204 (https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/ufx1204-amazon). Both are 12-channel mixers. The X1204USB (and most of the 1204 line) outputs only two tracks through USB or through the main outputs. You can get an additional two tracks from the Alt or Subgroup outputs, effectively turning it into a four-track analog mixer (but the USB is still only two tracks).
The UFX1204 (https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/ufx1204-amazon) outputs up to 16 tracks via USB to a PC or directly to USB storage. That makes it a 16-track device. Each track can be treated as an individual mono source.
Stereo audio is technically multitrack. If you have the same audio going to both tracks, you’re treating it as a single, stereo track, not two separate tracks. However, it’s possible to use stereo for multitrack, which I’ll explain further in the next episode.
Thus, when we refer to multitrack, it generally means separating audio sources into their own tracks. Here’s what a 4-track podcast could look like:
Track 1: Main host
Track 2: Cohost
Track 3: Guest
Track 4: Soundtrack
Benefits to recording podcasts in multitrack
Multitrack has some definite advantages that you might want for your podcasting. It’s all about the flexibility multitrack-recording offers.
1. Powerful editing
When each participant or the soundtrack is separated, it’s easy to edit almost anything. Here are some examples.
* If one participant coughs while the other is talking, you can edit out the cough without affecting the speaking you want your audience to hear.
* If participants talk over each other (accidentally or intentionally), it’s easy to edit out or shift things so the conversation is still understandable.
* If you have any background audio during the opening or closing, you never have to worry about perfecting the timing because you can shift things in editing when they didn’t align in recording.
* If make a mistake while you have background music or other audio, you can edit out the mistake and shift the background. This won’t sound obviously edited because you didn’t have to cut anything from the background audio.
2. Specific loudness adjustments
A common problem when there’s more than one audio source (whether a person or a soundtrack) is the loudness between the multiple sources. For various reasons, one cohost’s voice could be a different volume from the other.
Compression can help with this, but when it’s really only one source that needs the loudness-correction, recording it on its own track means you can adjust it without affecting the other tracks.
3. Targeted processing
Audio equipment, microphone technique, voice, and environment could be—and most likely are—different for each audio source (person or soundtrack). Thus, the ideal processing for one source may not be ideal for another.
Here are some practical examples.
* Audio compression (evening out the dynamic range between loud and quiet) is usually good for voices,
