The simplest way to record a two-person podcast is using Detail and one horizontal iPhone, and then using the Auto Edit feature to create a cut that crops into the speakers and switches between them in clips.
However, if you want to get more creative with the angles or have more freedom with your edit, you can connect two iPhones or iPads together to record into one project.
Step 1: Set up your microphones
When connecting two iPhones in the same room to record your podcast it's important that you connect and use microphones to capture the sound of each person with minimal feedback and echo.
Wireless option: RODE WIRELESS GO II
These are great quality wireless mics and when set up correctly will capture each person in one channel.
USB Wired option: Shure SMB7 XLR with a USB output.
You'll need:
2 X mic stands (if you'd like to be hands free)
2 X Shure SMB7 XLR (or preferred wired mics)
2 X USB cables
2 X iPhone adapters to connect the USB cables to your iPhone
☝️ In the tutorial video above, we are also using the Zoom Pod Track P4 because we're plugging in the microphone XLR cables instead of using the USB cables. This is also an option, especially with microphones that do not come with a USB output.
Plug each microphone into an iPhone and we recommend doing a quick recording test to make sure your happy with the sound.
Step 2: Set up your iPhones
If your podcast is going to be in a horizontal format, we recommend shooting horizontally. You can easily change this format later in Detail.
Tripod: Make sure your iPhones are on two sturdy tripods, we recommend the SmallRig 3935 CT-10 tripod.
Attach your iPhones to the tripods horizontally, with the rear camera facing the podcast host and guest.
Angle the right iPhone to the left person, and the left iPhone to the right person so essentially you're creating a cross shot.
Open Detail on each phone and start a new project
Switch both iPhone cameras to the rear camera by toggling the camera switching icon (🔁) on the project view
Connect the cameras by tapping the Multiplayer icon (👤+) you should now see the "other" camera feed on each phone. Don't worry if the other camera's feed looks a bit grainy, this is because it's showing you a preview and the high-quality file will be synced to both devices after recording.
Swap layouts to Picture in Picture or Split Screen (tap Layout and choose one of these double layouts) so that you can see both cameras at the same time
☝️ Important to note that if the microphone icon on the project view has a little usb icon next to it, it means your microphones are connected.
Step 3: Do a test recording
Hit record on one of the iPhones – the other iPhone will automatically start recording because they are connected.
Make sure to talk into each microphone for a few seconds so that you can make sure the sound is working correctly.
Hit the record button again to stop (on any iPhone)
Unplug a mic from one of the Phones, plug in or connect headphones, scrub the timeline of the test recording and play and listen back to make sure you're happy.
Step 4: Hit record
You can record into the same project as your test, simply hit record again, take a seat and record your podcast.
Step 5: Sync
It's important to note here again that each device records its own footage locally and when the recording has stopped, Detail will begin the syncing process. This means that the high-quality files from each device will be synced to both devices.
Syncing happens automatically and takes time depending on how long your recording is. Keep the project and app open while this is happening to avoid interfering with the syncing process.
Once both files are synced the app will notify you and you're ready to edit your project!