Boom overhead: rethinking podcast audio at BlackBerry QNX
Two episodes of MotorTrend's InEVitable podcast in a day, and one audio experiment that beat the setup we normally trust.
Capital Arts Productions was brought in by Hearst Communications to capture two episodes of MotorTrend's InEVitable podcast at BlackBerry QNX headquarters, with host Ed Loh. Because we had the time to properly build the set, we also got to try something with the audio.
Two episodes, one day
Two podcast episodes over the course of a day is a full schedule, but it is not a rushed one. The Hearst team was incredibly organized, friendly, and collaborative throughout the entire process, which made the shoot run smoothly from setup to wrap.
Time to build the set
Because we had time to properly build the set, we were able to dial in a strong lighting setup and position multiple cameras for clean coverage of the conversation. That is the part of a shoot day that quietly decides everything downstream, and it is the first thing a tight schedule takes away from you.
The overhead experiment
With the set built, we experimented with the audio: we mounted a handheld recorder overhead as a boom-style microphone. The result was surprisingly strong. The overhead mic delivered a more open and natural sound compared to the lav mics we normally use for podcast recordings.
Having time to properly build a set and experiment with gear can make a huge difference in the final result.
The episode opening. Filmed by Capital Arts Productions, produced and edited by the team at Hearst Communications.
The takeaway
These kinds of production days are always a reminder that having time to properly build a set and experiment with gear can make a huge difference in the final result. The experiment only happened because the schedule had room in it.
Credit where it is due on this one. Host Ed Loh was incredibly friendly and accommodating, even going as far as to give us a hand with equipment teardown without being prompted, and he knew exactly what he was doing. Very impressive. Well done by all involved. The finished episodes are produced and published by MotorTrend; the series is available on MotorTrend’s official YouTube channel.
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