Last week I was a guest on the Solo Podcast. During the recording session, there were a few times when the host had to stop the recording and then cue me to resume talking. The first time, I was clicking a binder clip open and closed while talking and the microphone was picking it up. Subsequent times, as I was tellingly story, I’d slap my hand down on my leg to emphasize a point while I was talking. (I had no idea that I did this – ever – until the host asked me to stop. I had to clasp my hands together to keep from doing it unconsciously).
When we reset, the host would play the last 10 seconds of “good recording” and then I’d continue as if we had never stopped. He said this would make his producer’s job easier later when he was doing post-production editing.
Now I understand a little bit more of what makes a podcast sound professional and can also imagine the hours a producer must put into post production cutting our barking dogs, sirens, throat clearing and all the other small background noises that I never hear on cleanly produced podcasts.
This was the first time I listened to my recorded voice in about 10 years. I forgot how much I sound like Kermit The Frog.
I wish I had a deep, smooth baritone.
I don’t.
It’ll be interesting to hear how the podcast turns out when it’s released in a few weeks. As long as I didn’t say anything too offensive or hurtful that I don’t recall, I’ll post a link to it here.
Update June 8, 2023
The podcast episode has gone live.
I was pleasantly surprised by my voice -a little nasally, but not nearly as Kermit-the-Frogish as I had expected.
I came away from listening to it thinking, wow, I sound really confident, energetic and not the least bit monotone. I was expecting to come across as flat, monotone, and somewhat sad.
We’ll see if any listeners concur.
Regular readers of this blog already know my story. This podcast focuses on my marriage, widowhood and transition to single life. The host did an excellent job of interviewing me conversationally without making it seem like an interrogation. His producer did great with editing out my blunders. I’m relieved that I don’t think I said anything was hurtful, offensive or cruel.
You can listen to it at the usual places. Below are some links.
Apple Podcasts:
Spotify: