Recording a podcast in a controlled studio is one thing—but what about when you need to take your show on the road? Whether you’re capturing interviews at a conference, recording live events, or adding immersive soundscapes to your storytelling, recording on location presents unique challenges and opportunities.

With the right gear, techniques, and planning, you can produce high-quality audio anywhere. Here’s how to make your on-site podcast recordings sound professional.

Contents hide

1 Choose the Right Location

2 Use the Right Gear

2.1 Portable Recorder

2.2 Lavalier Microphones

2.3 Shotgun Microphones

2.4 Windshields & Pop Filters

2.5 Headphones

3 Optimize Your Recording Setup

4 Minimize Background Noise

5 Plan for Power & Storage

6 Engage Your Guests & Audience

7 Post-Production: Enhancing Your Audio

8 Recording on Location

9 Contact The Podcast Wizard

Choose the Right Location

Before setting up your gear, consider the acoustics of your location. A noisy coffee shop may add ambiance to your episode, but an open field might create wind distortion. Here’s what to look for:

Minimal Background Noise – Avoid locations with heavy traffic, loud air conditioning, or unpredictable interruptions.
Controlled Echo & Reverb – Large empty rooms can cause sound reflections, while carpeted or furnished spaces absorb excess noise.
Consistent Sound Environment – Avoid places where sound levels fluctuate frequently, like busy streets or crowded venues.

Pro tip: Test the environment with a few voice recordings before committing to the spot. Apps like Decibel X can measure ambient noise levels to ensure a good recording space.

Use the Right Gear

The right equipment can make or break your on-location recording. Consider these essentials:

Portable Recorder

A portable digital recorder like the Zoom H6 provides high-quality multi-track recordings with built-in mics and XLR inputs for external microphones.

Lavalier Microphones

Clip-on mics like the RØDE Wireless GO II provide clear, hands-free audio and are ideal for interviews in noisy settings.

Shotgun Microphones

For directional audio capture, a shotgun mic like the Sennheiser MKE 600 helps isolate voices from background noise.

Windshields & Pop Filters

When recording outdoors, use a dead cat windscreen (like this one from Schulze-Brakel) to reduce wind noise. Indoors, a basic pop filter helps minimize plosive sounds.

Headphones

Always monitor your audio with closed-back headphones like the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X to catch unwanted background noise in real-time.

Optimize Your Recording Setup

Once you’ve chosen a location and set up your gear, follow these tips to get the best sound:

Position Mics Strategically – Place mics close to the speaker’s mouth but out of the way of clothing rustle or wind.
Use a Backup Recorder – Always have a secondary recording source, like a smartphone with a high-quality recording app such as Ferrite Recording Studio for iOS.
Test & Adjust Levels – Record a sample and adjust gain levels to prevent distortion or clipping. Most digital recorders have peak meters to guide you.

Minimize Background Noise

Even in a well-chosen location, background noise can creep into your recording. Here’s how to reduce it:

Use Directional Mics – A shotgun mic or cardioid lavalier helps reject off-axis sounds.
Create a Sound Barrier – If possible, use portable acoustic shields like Kaotica Eyeball for better vocal isolation.
Post-Production Cleanup – Tools like iZotope RX can remove unwanted noise without sacrificing vocal quality.

Plan for Power & Storage

Running out of battery or storage space mid-interview is a nightmare. Prepare accordingly:

Bring Extra Batteries & Power Banks – Ensure your recorder and wireless mics have enough charge. The Anker PowerCore+ is a great portable power source.
Carry Extra SD Cards – Use high-speed SD cards like SanDisk Extreme Pro for reliable storage.

Engage Your Guests & Audience

Recording on location allows for dynamic and engaging content. Take advantage of it by:

Encouraging Natural Conversations – Make guests comfortable by keeping the setup low-key and conversational.
Capturing Ambient Sound – If relevant, let the background sounds enhance your storytelling—whether it’s the buzz of a coffee shop or the echoes of a historic site.
Interacting with Live Audiences – If recording at an event, engage the audience with Q&As or live participation.

Post-Production: BACK UP YOUR AUDIO

I’ve known producers who set up a second recorder just for this purpose, even if your second recorder is inferior. But the point is, backup the data as quickly as possible. Copy the files to your laptop–or better yet, put your files on the cloud for easy access later.

Post-Production: Enhancing Your Audio

Even with a great setup, some post-production work will likely be needed. Use these tools to enhance your final audio:

Adobe Audition – Clean up and enhance sound quality. Learn more here.
Auphonic – Automates audio leveling and background noise reduction. Try Auphonic.
Hindenburg Journalist – Designed for podcasters, this software makes editing field recordings easier. Check it out.