One of the problems that many podcast producers fall into is how to record a podcast when the co-host or interview subject lives in another state or province.

Since having that person fly or drive to your location is silly, there are plenty of cost-effective ways to record people for your podcast and still get broadcast quality sound.

Since I am the only host of my podcast called Cubicle divasWhen I need to record an interview to include in my podcast, I use a service called Audio Acrobat. For a small monthly fee, I call the person I need to interview and then call the Audio Acrobat number using the three-way calling feature on my phone.

If you’re looking for a no-charge option, Jason Van Orden has a solution for the more frugal podcaster. Van Orden is the co-host of a podcast called Internet business dominance with another person in another state. It has a simple strategy to record the voices of both at the same time that doesn’t cost a penny.

“We call each other on Skype or Google Talk so we can hear each other. We all have the same scheme in front of us, which clearly indicates who is doing what. Each of us has open recording software on our computers and we press record at the same time. (someone counts) “, says Van Orden.

“My co-host uploads the audio file to his site and I download it. Then I put the two audio files together and sync them. It looks like we’re in the same room. This technique is often called ‘double-ended,'” he says. Van Order.

Paige Eissinger, co-host of a podcast called Views from the cooperativeHe also uses Skype, but uses a different technique than Van Orden.

“I use Skype and HotRecorder to create the podcasts that I make with my co-host who lives in another state. HotRecorder is a very inexpensive program available online for download. Either (or both) can record the conversation directly on their own computers with HotRecorder, “says Eissinger.

According to Eissinger, there is an added benefit to using Hot Recorder to record your interviews.

“HotRecorder saves the file in the HotRecorder format, but it comes with a companion program called HotConverter that allows you to convert to a wav or ogg vorbis format. Once you’ve converted the file, you can open your conversation in your favorite audio edit, schedule and The nice thing about this is that it records each voice of the conversation on a different track so that you can edit them individually, “says Eissinger.

Podcasting guru Penny Haynes, who produces 3 podcasts and is also the founder of the International Podcasting Expo, shares her own technique for recording interviews for broadcast-quality audio.

“I ask interviewees to download a free version of a program called RecordPad and provide them with my FTP information to insert into the Options section,” says Haynes.

“When they finish recording, the mp3 file is automatically uploaded to my server, so I can mix the two files as if they were with me when I recorded.”

For less technical interviewees and co-hosts who can be all thumbs when it comes to FTP programs and recording software, Donna Papacosta, who produces a podcast called Trafcom News Podcast, suggests purchasing recording equipment that connects to your phone.

“For remote guests, I use a Telecom audio VoicePort connected to my phone and my Edirol R-1. The person on the other end doesn’t have to do anything but talk,” says Papacosta.

As a first-time podcast producer, Danielle Culter used a tool called the Gizmo Project to record her first podcast with her out-of-state co-host.

“The quality is not that bad and can be fixed when you edit. My co-host spoke quietly, so you can notice a difference in the levels there (or maybe I’m just a loudmouth), but overall I was very happy with the results, “says Culter.

Warren Contreras, a podcast enthusiast, agrees that the Gizmo Project tool can be effective for recording multiple voices in multiple locations.

“For multiple remote participants, you can take a look at the Gizmo Project. Conference calls are included, as well as a one-click record button,” says Contreras.

The citations for this article were obtained from the Podcaster Central network at Ryze.com.

(c) 2006 Leesa R. Barnes. All rights reserved throughout the world.