Recording with someone across the country, across the state, or just outside your normal setup? Remote podcasting opens up a lot of possibilities — but it also adds a few extra steps if you want your show to still sound polished and professional.

In this episode of Snohomish Podcast Playground, Trent walks through the basics of recording a podcast remotely, from choosing the right platform to making sure both sides of the conversation sound clean. If you’ve ever wondered whether Zoom is “good enough,” what Riverside actually does, or how to avoid the usual remote-recording headaches, this episode is a great place to start.

What we cover

• Why remote recording is a little more complicated than in-person recording
• How to use Zoom more effectively, including recording separate audio tracks
• Why Riverside is built for podcasting and how local recording improves quality
• Why your microphone and interface still matter, even when recording online
• The importance of headphones to avoid echo and messy audio
• Why you should prep your guest before the session, not during it
• How testing ahead of time can save you from unusable audio
• What to check after the recording so files don’t get lost
• A simple backup option using Audacity
• A more advanced option for recording remote guests through your board or interface

The big takeaway

Remote podcasting can work really well — but only if you slow down, test your setup, and help your guest do the same. A little preparation on the front end makes a huge difference in the final sound.

Snohomish Podcast Playground is part of the Snohomish Podcast Network
Music: https://pixabay.com/music/upbeat-have-fun-382760/

You’ve recorded. You’ve cleaned up the audio. Now comes the part that makes your podcast feel like a show: sound design.

In this episode of Snohomish Podcast Playground, Trent breaks down how to add music and sound effects in a way that supports your story (not distracts from it). You’ll learn a simple workflow for layering audio, how pacing and silence can make moments hit harder, and the licensing basics you need to understand before you publish anything.

What we cover

• Why music and sound effects can add emotion, tension, and impact—even to simple stories
• A practical workflow: edit your voice first, then layer music and SFX on top
• How to use sound effects to create scenes (crowded street, rain on a tin roof, etc.)
• Why pacing matters: matching your voice cadence to the “movement” of the music
• The underrated tool: silence (and why it can be more powerful than constant audio)
• Where to find royalty-free music and sound effects (including Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/)
• Licensing basics: “royalty-free” doesn’t always mean “free for anything”
  • Attribution requirements
  • Personal-use vs. commercial-use restrictions
  • Why it’s worth reading the license before you publish
• When it makes sense to record your own sound effects instead of downloading them
• Examples to listen to for inspiration (including Trent’s “Seybert” episode and “From Pitch to Puget Sound”)

The big takeaway

Sound design is where your podcast becomes immersive. Take your time, follow the license rules, and use music + effects to make listeners feel the story—not just hear it.

Produced and edited by Olivia Blomberg

Snohomish Podcast Playground is part of the Snohomish Podcast Network
Music: https://pixabay.com/music/upbeat-have-fun-382760/

You’ve recorded your episode. You’ve set your levels and picked your editing software. Now comes the part that turns raw audio into something people actually want to listen to: the edit.

In this episode of Snohomish Podcast Playground, Trent breaks down a beginner-friendly editing workflow—how to clean up breaths and filler words, shape the message, and keep your pacing natural (not choppy). You’ll also learn the difference between a quick “leave it mostly raw” style and a more polished, NPR-style edit—so you can choose what fits your show.

What we cover

• The difference between tracks and clips (and why each voice should get its own track)
• Two ways to clean up audio:
  • Cut it out (razor/blade tool)
  • Turn it down (volume automation/nodes)
• Delete vs. ripple delete (and why ripple delete can save you hours)
• How to remove big breaths, filler words (“um,” “uh”), and awkward pauses without ruining your cadence
• Why editing is often best in multiple passes (cleanup pass + content/story pass)
• How to listen for clarity: “Does this make sense to someone who isn’t in my head?”
• What to do about mic bleed when recording with multiple people in the same room
• The biggest speed tip: learn keyboard shortcuts for your editing software

The big takeaway

Editing isn’t about perfection—it’s about making your message easy to follow. Clean up what distracts, keep what feels human, and build a flow your audience can stay with.

Snohomish Podcast Playground is part of the Snohomish Podcast Network
Music: https://pixabay.com/music/upbeat-have-fun-382760/