How to Create a Podcast on iPhone

by Corey Philip // February 2, 2023

On-the-go listening has grown considerably; in fact, in 2022, there were 464.7 million listeners across the globe. The prediction is that listenership will grow to 504.9 million by 2024. 37% of Americans listen to podcasts every month. If ever there was a time to record podcasts, it is now. You can record anytime and practically anywhere if you have an Apple iPhone.

To record a podcast on your Apple iPhone, you can use either Voice Memos or GarageBand. Both Apps come standard with your phone. It would be best to have a good quality external microphone and a quiet recording room. Use an iPhone stand to keep your phone steady and monitor your voice levels.

You need to know some basics to make your podcast easy on the ear. Suppose you want to communicate your thoughts and ideas and go ahead with podcasting. Here are some basic tips and instructions to start your podcast.

Let's get started!

in this article:

Apple iPhone Works Well for Recording Podcasts

Make Your Podcasts a Pleasure to Listen to

Record Your Podcast

Use the Tips from Professional Podcasters

Final Thoughts

Apple iPhone Works Well for Recording Podcasts

Recording a podcast on your Apple iPhone is quite simple. Apple iPhone comes standard with Voice Memo and GarageBand.

Both applications have a facility to record podcasts. Voice Memo provides a basic recording option with a limited editing function; however, GarageBand has more sophisticated editing features and allows you to add an extra flair to your podcast. Voice Memo and GarageBand are user-friendly and navigating the apps does not require mental dexterity.

When you have had a scroll around the apps, you’ll be good to go. Most streaming platforms accept Notes and GarageBand podcasts whether you upload directly to the platform or use an RSS feed.

Make Your Podcasts a Pleasure to Listen to

Aside from doing in-depth research and preparing content worth listening to, you'll need to ensure your podcast's audio quality is up to scratch. Your podcast must be a pleasure to listen to.

It is possible to use your iPhone's built-in microphone to record, but the sound quality won’t be as clear as when you use an external mic. Several microphones are iPhone-compatible and work well for recording podcasts.

Most regular podcasters recommend the following mics for podcast newbies:

Rode mics have a pop monitor, eliminating the pop sounds you make while recording, giving your voice a clearer, steadier sound.
The Blue Yeti microphone has simple controls and four recording options: carotid, bidirectional, stereo and omnidirectional.
Shure MV88 is highly recommended and is a mic specifically for your iPhone. It connects directly to your phone to give your recording a professional sound. A recording on a mic attached to your phone will provide a cleaner recording.
Lavalier microphones are attached to the person recording the podcast. They are small and light and easily attachable to collars and clothes, giving you the freedom to use your hands and adjust recording settings if you need to. They are a cheaper option and perfect for when you first start podcasting. The challenge is that your mic will pick up the sound of any movement you make.

Suppose you plan on interviewing or having discussions with guests on your podcast; it is best to buy an omnidirectional microphone. An omnidirectional mic records sound from the area around the mic, not just the person directly in front of the mic. A word of caution is to record in the quietest place possible as an omnidirectional microphone picks up surrounding sound.

Another essential is to use headphones while you record to block out background noise that may distract you. Headphones also allow you to hear yourself clearly to know when to adjust levels.

An iPhone recording stand is another must-have. Keeping your phone still while you record eliminates sounds your mic may pick up if you move it around.

Record Your Podcast

When you decide whether to record your podcast on iPhone Voice Memos or GarageBand, and you have set up sound, you can start your podcast journey.

Voice Memos is great for basic recording.

Get going by opening the Voice Memo application on your iPhone. The advantage of using Voice Memos is that it automatically saves to the iCloud, so if you need to continue recording or editing on another Apple device, there’ll be no hassle doing this. It's simple to save your recording; stop it when you have come to the end of your podcast.

The editing function is basic and only allows you to trim the audio. However, it's still a great way to practice, work on your voice, and fine-tune anything that could annoy your listeners. The three other recording features on Voice Memos are the options to alter the playback speed, skip silences and enhance your recording.

You can save the recording to any of your iCloud or device files. There is also an option to send your file via almost all the apps on your phone.

On the other hand, GarageBand has ample editing tools.

GarageBand is a more sophisticated recording program. Even though it is designed to record music, the App works just as well for recording podcasts. Once you’ve found your way around, recording and editing your podcast will be a breeze.

Start by opening the App and selecting the Empty Project option to set up your recording template.
The next screen will allow you to select Live Loops or Tracks; Select Tracks.
Scroll through the screen, select the Audio Recorder, and click the microphone icon to take you to the recording screen.
Tap on the far-right icon at the top of the screen and deselect Metronome and Count-in, these are specifically for recording music and don’t apply to voice recording.
To record a guest, go to advanced settings and activate multitrack recording.
Press the red Record button and start recording your podcast.
When you’ve said what you need to say, end the recording by clicking on the square white button.
Your recording will be saved on your phone; you can then edit your recording and make any changes you want.

This App has many more built-in features such as music that can fade in and fade out of your show. Options to edit your dialogue, crop out pieces you are unhappy with, add in audio sections, record two voices on separate tracks, and many more. Use the reverb option on GarageBand to add a professional sound to your podcast.

The official Apple Website has detailed information on GarageBand functions and options. You will find answers to all your GarageBand questions on the site.

Use the Tips from Professional Podcasters

Professional Podcasters have spent years mastering the art of podcasting and learning the tricks of the trade; they have several tips to offer:

Keep your phone plugged into a lightning USB adaptor so your phone charges while recording. This way, your phone won’t die during a podcast session.
Check your recording levels during recording. GarageBand indicates this on screen as you record. Changing sound levels during a podcast is irritating to listeners.
Make a fist and then extend your pinkie and your thumb; the distance between your fingers should be the size of the gap between your mouth and your microphone.
Turn off notification sounds on your phone before you record; it is advisable to switch to airplane mode so there is absolutely no interference from mobile activity.
Soften hard surfaces by using blankets of rugs to muffle noises and eliminate echo. Rooms with sofas, drapes and soft furnishings work far better than sterile rooms because they keep echoes at bay.
Record your podcast guests on separate channels so you can adjust levels after you have recorded. GarageBand has this feature.
Close all applications and tabs on your phone before recording. This improves your bandwidth.
Keep your mouth equidistant from the mic while you record. If you cannot shut out the external noise, record your podcast under a blanket. Also, your closet is one of the best places to record your podcast.

Final Thoughts

Voice Memos is an Apple App that comes standard with your phone and works well for podcasters just starting out.

To record, you need an external microphone and a microphone stand. The editing options are limited on Voice Memo. GarageBand is pre-loaded on iPhones and offers more features than Voice Memos.

About the author

Corey Philip

Corey Philip is a small business owner / investor with a focus on home service businesses.

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