The ten-minute sound check that saves an hour of editing
Print it, tape it inside the desk drawer, run it before every episode. Six steps, no jargon.
Every studio we hand over gets a laminated card in the drawer. This is what is on it.
Minute 0 to 2: power and routing
Interface on. Recorder set to the correct template. Every host says their name; the meter on their channel moves and no other meter does.
Minute 2 to 4: levels
Each host reads two sentences at show volume. Peaks land around minus 12 on the meter. Louder voices move back, not down.
Minute 4 to 6: headphones
Each host confirms they hear themselves and the others without delay. If a host hears an echo of their own voice, the remote-guest path is feeding back.
Minute 6 to 8: room and noise
Thirty seconds of silence recorded. Listen back for the HVAC, the fridge, the laptop fan. Move the laptop, close the door, note anything you cannot fix.
Minute 8 to 10: backup and clock
Backup recorder running. Phones on silent. A clap on camera for sync if there is video.
Team Training walks your hosts through this card until they can do it without reading it.
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