Type here to search
Search
Plan & launch
Produce & edit
Present
Grow & monetise

Recording Podcast Interviews With a Smartphone: Rode Smartlav+ & AI-Micro

article featured image

 

Why record podcast interviews with a smartphone? Because sometimes, you just need it easy. Flexibility is great, sure; options, quality, power, all have their place. But, when you just need to get a podcast recorded, and time’s a’wastin’, easy is the way.

Now, what happens when easy miraculously coincides with quality and flexibility? Awesome sauce. Right here, I want to talk about just that: a super-simple, high-quality equipment setup for recording podcast interviews with a smartphone. The Rode Smartlav+ lavalier microphone and the Rode AI-Micro interface.

This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission should you choose to buy through them. This is never at any extra cost to you, and helps support all of the free content we put out!

Want the short story? Skip to the equipment setup. Want the long story: the how and the why? Read on!

It’s also worth mentioning that we’re focusing on local, in-person podcast interviews in this article. If you want to record interviews remotely, check out our best tools for recording podcasts online.

But if you’re here for the in-person stuff, let’s crack on…

What is the Rode Smartlav+?

Even though we talk about a lot of ways to do a podcast, interview recording setups are still the most common reader question. The Rode Smartlav+ is my stock answer for most of them.

The Smarlav+ is a lavalier microphone, which means it’s a tiny little device designed to clip to your shirt. Think back to the last in-studio TV interview you saw. Did you spot that little black dot stuck to their chest? That’s a lavalier microphone.

Rode’s Smartlav+ is a veteran mic, released way back in 2014, but still more than up to the task today. One thing to be aware of, though, is that it connects via a 3.5mm plug (like a traditional pair of earbuds), and many smartphones no longer support this jack. On top of that, you’ll need two lav mics to do an interview.

But don’t worry, that’s where the AI-Micro comes in. We’ll talk more about that shortly.

Back to lav mics, though, we know that they’re a subtle and super-lightweight way to record audio. But, they come with other advantages, too.

Why Are Lavalier Microphones Great for Interviews?

1. You Don’t Have to Worry About Mic Technique

The usual alternative for interviews is a hand-held mic, like the Shure SM58 or the Samson Q2U. The problem with them is that your interviewee probably hasn’t held a mic before. If they have, then it’s likely without any training. Sadly, without training, it’s easy to mess up a recording beyond all help.

Handheld mics should be held a particular distance from the mouth, and in a particular position. They should also be handled really carefully to avoid nasty handling noises. Here’s our full guide to podcast mic technique, if you’d like a deeper dive on that front.

But you can’t expect an inexperienced interviewee to get all of this right. Sometimes, they’ll be too far away, or too close at others, popping the mic like a crazed Peter Piper picking a peck of pickled peppers.

Lav mics get rid of all of that. It’s pinned in one place, and from there, technique no longer matters.

2. Your Guests Can Relax

Ever had a really irritating, talkative co-worker who just won’t shut up? Here’s a tip: stick a big mic in front of them. In my experience, that’s an iron-clad way to get someone to shut their face-hole.

It’s true, though. If your interviewee isn’t used to it, a microphone is intimidating. It puts the pressure on, reminding them every second that they’re being recorded.

I’ve seen friendly, charismatic people transform into nervous little flowers thanks to that pressure. It’s weird how formal people become, spouting jargon and big words as if they’re trying to impress someone. And they are. The mic!

A lavalier mic gets around this. You pin it on, and within minutes, the speaker’s forgotten it’s there. It means you end up having a conversation, rather than an interview. It’s more natural, more honest and much more compelling.

Even with experienced co-hosts, a pair of lav mics can make for far better material. Again, it’s the act of removing the tech – turning a recording into a conversation.

Why Is the Rode Smartlav+ Great for Recording Podcast Interviews With a Smartphone?

There are a bunch of lavalier mics on the market, as you can see in our lavalier roundup. So, why the Smartlav?

1. You Don’t Need a Recorder – Just a Smartphone

This is the main one: you can record with a device you’re already carrying. No need to carry a separate recorder, worrying about batteries or transferring files.

Just plug the Smarlav+ or the AI-Micro into your phone, and then hit record on your voice recorder app. Every smartphone has one.

If you want to get fancy, you can even upgrade your recording app. There’s plenty out there, some with mixing or editing functions, too.

2. You Can Record Two People With a Simpler Adapter

The AI-Micro is the master stroke here from Rode. In the past, I recommended their SC6 splitter for this job, but, as mentioned earlier, an ever-decreasing number of smartphones have 3.5mm jacks on them nowadays.

The AI-Micro is a tiny audio interface that lets you plug two Smartlavs into one smartphone. That means you can record two people with great quality, perfectly synced into one device. Simple, but powerful!

Check out our full review of the Rode AI-Micro for an in-depth look.

3. It’s So Small and Portable

This setup is so portable that I take it everywhere I go. I have two Smartlavs and an AI-Micro coiled up into one of the little Smartlav drawstring bags. It fits in your palm and weighs less than a slice of bread.

My set is always in my bag, so if I go to an event or a meeting it’s there and ready for an interview on the fly.

What Else Can the Rode Smartlav+ Do?

This article is all about the 2-person recording setup, but that’s not all I use my Smartlavs for.

1. Record on the Move

A friend of mine, Andy Brown from Triple Your Clients, used to record his podcast with a Smartlav while he was out walking his dog. It was brilliant! The forest sounds and the birds tweeting gave it so much atmosphere. He always sounded full of energy, too, because he was up and active.

This isn’t limited to the Smartlav, of course. You could record on the go with any lav mic and a little recorder. The problem is, I wouldn’t carry a digital recorder around all the time, even a small one. But I’ve always got my Smartlav and a smartphone with me, so recording’s a cinch.

2. Record More Often

This is related to the point above. The fact that you can record on-the-go gives you loads more options when it comes to fitting your podcast in.

We all know what it feels like to have our creative time squeezed. When the crazy time hits, podcasting, blogging, and video are the first to go.

But, if you could record a podcast while you’re out for a walk, or stuck in traffic, or waiting for a bus, how much more likely are you to do it, every single week?

The Full Setup: Rode Smartlav+ and AI-Micro to Record Podcast Interviews with a Smartphone

As you can probably tell, I’m a bit of a fan of the Smartlav+. Even better, paired with the AI-Micro, it offers an interview setup that anyone can use, and can be carried in your pocket.

The Rode Smartlav SC6 podcast Interview Setup

Here’s my recommended full kit for recording podcast interviews with a smartphone.

The Rode Smartlavs plug into the AI-Micro, and it, in turn, plugs into your Smartphone. There’s also a headphone port on the Micro to allow you to listen back to recordings. Hence the ‘optional’ headphones listed above.

This setup will turn any smartphone into a great quality two-way interview setup. Equally, it allows anyone to record a co-hosted show and offers up a bunch of flexibility in where and when you do it.

Need More Help Choosing Podcast Equipment?

If you need some more tailored advice for your own setup, or want help with any other aspect of podcasting, then take a look at Podcraft Academy.

In there, you’ll find access to all of our video courses, tutorials, ebooks, and downloadable resources.

On top of that, we run weekly live Q&A sessions where you can get all your questions answered on an ongoing basis. Having the ability to get feedback, advice, and guidance on-tap can go a long way towards keeping you podcasting. That’s what we’re here for!

From idea to legendary podcast...

Plan & launch

From idea to recording

Explore

Produce & edit

Gear, software & tips

Explore

Presenting

Be the best show host

Explore

Grow & monetise

Promote and earn

Explore

We’ve got every step covered.