{"id":2390,"date":"2023-12-22T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-12-22T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thepodcasthost.com\/uncategorised\/recording-podcast-interviews-with-smartphone-rode-sc6\/"},"modified":"2023-12-27T09:46:00","modified_gmt":"2023-12-27T09:46:00","slug":"recording-podcast-interviews-with-smartphone-rode-sc6","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thepodcasthost.com\/equipment\/recording-podcast-interviews-with-smartphone-rode-sc6\/","title":{"rendered":"Recording Podcast Interviews With a Smartphone: Rode Smartlav+ & AI-Micro"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Why record podcast interviews with a smartphone? Because sometimes, you just need it easy. Flexibility is great, sure; options, quality, power, all have their place. But, when you just need to get a podcast recorded, and time\u2019s a\u2019wastin’, easy is the way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, what happens when easy miraculously coincides with quality and flexibility? Awesome sauce. Right here, I want to talk about just that: a super-simple, high-quality equipment setup for recording podcast interviews with a smartphone. The Rode Smartlav+ lavalier microphone<\/strong><\/a> and the Rode AI-Micro interface<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission should you choose to buy through them. This is never at any extra cost to you, and helps support all of the free content we put out!<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Want the short story? Skip to the equipment setup<\/a>. Want the long story: the how and the why? Read on!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s also worth mentioning that we’re focusing on local, in-person podcast interviews in this article<\/strong>. If you want to record interviews remotely, check out our best tools for recording podcasts online<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But if you’re here for the in-person stuff, let’s crack on… <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the Rode Smartlav+?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even though we talk about a lot of ways to do a podcast, interview recording setups are still the most common reader question. The Rode Smartlav+ is my stock answer for most of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Smarlav+ is a lavalier microphone, which means it\u2019s a tiny little device designed to clip to your shirt. Think back to the last in-studio TV interview you saw. Did you spot that little black dot stuck to their chest? That\u2019s a lavalier microphone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rode’s Smartlav+ is a veteran mic, released way back in 2014, but still more than up to the task today. One thing to be aware of, though, is that it connects via a 3.5mm plug (like a traditional pair of earbuds), and many smartphones no longer support this jack. On top of that, you’ll need two lav mics to do an interview. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But don’t worry, that’s where the AI-Micro comes in. We’ll talk more about that shortly. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Back to lav mics, though, we know that they’re a subtle and super-lightweight way to record audio. But, they come with other advantages, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Are Lavalier Microphones Great for Interviews?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. You Don\u2019t Have to Worry About Mic Technique<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The usual alternative for interviews is a hand-held mic, like the Shure SM58<\/a> or the Samson Q2U<\/a>. The problem with them is that your interviewee probably hasn\u2019t held a mic before. If they have, then it\u2019s likely without any training. Sadly, without training, it\u2019s easy to mess up a recording beyond all help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Handheld mics should be held a particular distance from the mouth, and in a particular position. They should also be handled really carefully to avoid nasty handling noises. Here’s our full guide to podcast mic technique<\/a>, if you’d like a deeper dive on that front. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But you can\u2019t expect an inexperienced interviewee to get all of this right. Sometimes, they\u2019ll be too far away, or too close at others, popping the mic like a crazed Peter Piper picking a peck of pickled peppers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lav mics get rid of all of that. It\u2019s pinned in one place, and from there, technique no longer matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Your Guests Can Relax<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ever had a really irritating, talkative co-worker who just won’t shut up? Here\u2019s a tip: stick a big mic in front of them. In my experience, that\u2019s an iron-clad way to get someone to shut their face-hole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s true, though. If your interviewee isn\u2019t used to it, a microphone is intimidating. It puts the pressure on, reminding them every second that they\u2019re being recorded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve seen friendly, charismatic people transform into nervous little flowers thanks to that pressure. It\u2019s weird how formal people become, spouting jargon and big words as if they\u2019re trying to impress someone. And they are. The mic!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A lavalier mic gets around this. You pin it on, and within minutes, the speaker’s forgotten it\u2019s there. It means you end up having a conversation, rather than an interview. It\u2019s more natural, more honest and much more compelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even with experienced co-hosts, a pair of lav mics can make for far better material. Again, it\u2019s the act of removing the tech – turning a recording into a conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Is the Rode Smartlav+ Great for Recording Podcast Interviews With a Smartphone?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are a bunch of lavalier mics on the market, as you can see in our lavalier roundup<\/a>. So, why the Smartlav?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. You Don\u2019t Need a Recorder – Just a Smartphone<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is the main one: you can record with a device you\u2019re already carrying. No need to carry a separate recorder, worrying about batteries or transferring files.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just plug the Smarlav+ or the AI-Micro into your phone, and then hit record on your voice recorder app. Every smartphone has one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to get fancy, you can even upgrade your recording app. There’s plenty out there, some with mixing or editing functions, too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n