How to start a live podcast

A live podcast can mean a show recorded in front of an audience, at a conference, member event or theatre, and released later as an episode. Or it can mean a show streamed live on YouTube, Twitch or social media while it happens.

They have different problems. A stage show is about room sound and audience energy. A stream is about reliable internet and keeping viewers engaged in real time. Many shows do both: stream live, then publish the edited audio as a normal episode.

Live shows need more structure than studio episodes, because you cannot edit the experience the audience has. Plan segments, time them, and know how you will close. Leave time for audience questions, which are often the best part.

Business groups and chambers can record panels at member events and release them as episodes, which turns one event into lasting content.

Use one microphone per speaker, close to the mouth. Do not rely on a single microphone on a table. Take a direct recording from the venue's sound desk if there is one, and record a backup on your own device.

Put a separate microphone on the audience, or pass a handheld for questions, so listeners can hear what was asked. If questions are hard to hear, repeat them on stage before answering.

Room echo and crowd noise are common. Enhancement after the event removes much of it.

Use a wired internet connection, test the stream in private first, and have someone watching the chat. Always record a local copy rather than relying on the platform's recording, so you have clean audio for the podcast version.

Hilite is for recording, editing and publishing rather than live streaming, so use a streaming tool for the live part and bring the recording into Hilite afterwards.

A live recording almost always needs trimming: housekeeping announcements, technical delays, and long applause can go. Keep enough laughter and applause to make it feel live.

Editing by transcript is ideal for long event recordings. Read through the session, remove the dead stretches, and export an episode of the right length.