Headphones have turn out to be a type of visible shortcuts individuals affiliate with podcasting. If somebody sees an individual sporting headphones and speaking right into a microphone, they assume, “That’s a podcast.” I talked about that broader confusion in What’s a Podcast Anymore?
Sure, some podcasters ought to put on headphones in some conditions. However headphones will not be as needed as many podcasters appear to assume, and in some instances, they will even get in the way in which. So listed below are 4 locations I feel it’s best to rethink the headphones.
1. Take away headphones out of your art work
Your podcast art work doesn’t want headphones, a microphone, an RSS icon, an audio waveform, or another visible cliché that merely says, “This can be a podcast.” Your art work ought to signify what your podcast is about, not the way you produce or distribute it.
There are exceptions. My podcast is about podcasting, so a microphone and RSS icon make sense in my branding. Dave Jackson’s Faculty of Podcasting can moderately use related imagery as a result of he additionally talks about podcasting. In case your present is about music, old-time radio, audio manufacturing, or one thing else the place headphones are a part of the topic, then headphones may match.
However most podcasts will not be about headphones, microphones, RSS feeds, mixers, or waveforms. In case your present is about parenting, enterprise, sports activities, theology, gardening, storytelling, or virtually the rest, these podcast-production symbols in all probability don’t assist your viewers perceive your present. They solely talk the medium, and your viewers already is aware of they’re taking a look at a podcast.
Take into consideration ebook covers. Most books don’t put an image of a ebook on the quilt except the ebook is about books or writing books. Films and TV exhibits don’t normally model themselves with cameras and movie reels except the story is about filmmaking. Your podcast art work ought to work the identical method.
So in case your podcast branding makes use of headphones solely as a result of “that’s what podcasts appear to be,” I like to recommend eradicating them. Present what your podcast is definitely about.
2. Keep away from headphones in your movies
I see this lots: somebody has a lovely video setup, nice lighting, a clear background, a pointy digicam, and possibly even a hidden microphone so the body seems polished. Then they placed on massive studio headphones.
Why?
If you happen to’re recording a solo podcast or solo video, you may not want headphones in any respect. While you’re first beginning out, headphones will help you study your microphone method. They make it easier to hear bumps, plosives, room noise, and different sounds that make it into the recording. That’s helpful coaching.
However as soon as your setup, your microphone, and your method, the headphones may turn out to be pointless. I haven’t worn headphones for a lot of latest episodes of The Audacity to Podcast as a result of I’m not listening to something whereas recording. I understand how shut I should be to my microphone, I do know what sorts of sounds it picks up, and any sound clips might be edited in later.
Headphones may also create a visible distraction. They cowl a part of your face, disguise your ears, and make the video really feel extra like a recording session than a direct dialog along with your viewers. That is likely to be acceptable for some sorts of content material, however it’s not routinely higher.
There are good causes to put on headphones on video. If you happen to’re demonstrating audio processing, reacting to audio, enjoying clips reside, or speaking with a distant visitor or cohost, then headphones can forestall echo and make it easier to hear what it’s essential hear. However for those who’re merely speaking to your viewers, particularly in a solo video, contemplate taking them off.
Consider headphones like coaching wheels. They’re useful while you’re studying, however you in all probability don’t have to maintain them without end.
3. Take away headphones from conversations
This one is partly philosophical, however it’s nonetheless sensible. While you sit down to speak with a pal, member of the family, or somebody you like, you don’t normally placed on headphones. You have a look at one another and speak.
In truth, if somebody is already sporting headphones when a dialog begins, the traditional factor to do is take them off. That easy motion says, “I’m listening to you now.” We’re used to listening to individuals with our ears, not via headphones, particularly after they’re bodily in the identical room.
So for those who’re recording an in-person dialog, ask whether or not the headphones are literally needed. If you happen to and your visitor are sitting throughout from one another, you in all probability don’t want headphones to listen to one another. You may want them for those who’re additionally bringing in a distant visitor, enjoying clips, or monitoring one thing particular. However for a traditional in-person dialog, headphones can add friction.
And that friction issues. Headphones might be uncomfortable. They will mess up hair, make individuals sweat, press towards glasses, create little squeaks from the frames, or trigger ear fatigue. For some individuals, together with me, listening to their very own voice via massive studio headphones may even trigger complications.
That discomfort can have an effect on the dialog. Your visitor may turn out to be extra conscious of the headphones than the dialog. They may maintain adjusting them, fear about how they give the impression of being, or really feel like they’re “performing a podcast” as an alternative of merely speaking.
In case your visitor is just not used to podcasting, eradicating headphones could make the entire expertise really feel extra pure. A microphone can fade into the background if it’s positioned nicely. Headphones normally turn out to be extra noticeable the longer somebody wears them.
So for those who’re recording in particular person, attempt designing the area so you possibly can hear one another naturally. Take away that additional layer of pressure and see whether or not the dialog feels higher.
4. Attempt earbuds or in-ear screens (IEMs) as an alternative
If you happen to actually do want to listen to one thing with out utilizing audio system, attempt earbuds or in-ear screens as an alternative of massive studio headphones. This could work nicely for distant company, cohosts, on-line conferences, clips, or any state of affairs the place speaker audio might bleed into your microphone.
In-ear screens, usually abbreviated IEMs, sit inside your ear canals as an alternative of masking or urgent towards your ears. That introduces its personal consolation and hygiene issues, particularly if a number of company could be sharing them. However for your self, an everyday cohost, or a recurring visitor, earbuds or IEMs might be far more snug and fewer distracting.
I particularly like a extra open earbud design as a result of I can hear each the audio feed and the pure sound of my very own voice within the room. If my ears are fully sealed off, I have a tendency to show up my very own monitoring an excessive amount of as a result of I’m combating the bone-conduction sound of my very own voice. That may make company too loud in my ears, trigger fatigue, and even have an effect on mixing choices.
My present favourite answer is a straightforward hack with Apple’s wired EarPods, not AirPods. I flip them the wrong way up and reverse them, placing the left earbud in my proper ear and the correct earbud in my left ear. Then the cable goes behind my head as an alternative of hanging in entrance of me.
That setup retains the cable out of the way in which, lets me hear the room, and is far more snug for me than giant studio headphones. It’s additionally far much less seen on video, particularly in case you have hair that covers your ears. And for the worth, I feel Apple’s EarPods sound and really feel higher than some costlier in-ear screens I’ve tried.
I nonetheless have studio headphones, and I typically use them for modifying. However for recording with another person, earbuds are normally the higher match for me.
In case you have non-isolating IEMs you actually like, I’d love to listen to what you suggest. Ship your ideas via PodcastFeedback.com/audacity, particularly in the event that they’re snug, not too costly, and nonetheless allow you to hear your individual voice naturally.
Headphones might be helpful. I’m not saying it’s best to by no means put on them. However they’re not sacred podcasting gear, they usually’re actually not what makes your present a podcast. Take away them out of your art work in the event that they don’t signify your matter. Keep away from them in movies while you don’t want them. Take them out of in-person conversations after they add pressure. And while you actually do want monitoring, attempt earbuds or IEMs as an alternative.
