Think you need expensive equipment to start a podcast? Think again. In this post, I share a simple iPhone feature that can improve your audio, create instant transcripts and make recording content much easier, wherever you’re working.
Listen to the podcast episode below, watch it on [Youtube], or scroll down for the summary!
Prefer to read it? Here are the main points!
One of the questions I hear quite often is, “I’d love to start a podcast, but I don’t have all the equipment.”
Or sometimes it’s, “I just want an easy way to record audio without sitting at my desk.”
So I thought I’d share a little discovery I’ve made recently.
It’s not some hidden feature that nobody knows about, but it was new to me, and I think it could make creating audio content much easier for a lot of people.
The built-in Voice Memos app has become much more powerful
If you have an iPhone 16 or later, take a look at the native Voice Memos app.
I’ve used it for years to record the occasional brain dump or voice reminder to myself, but I’d never really explored all of its features.
Recently, I discovered two tools that immediately caught my attention:
- Studio Voice, which uses AI to improve the quality of your recording by reducing background noise and making your voice sound clearer.
- Transcript, which automatically creates a written version of your recording.
They’re both built straight into the app, which means there’s nothing extra to download.
It reminded me of Descript
Normally, I record my podcast using Descript on my computer with a microphone.
One of the features I use most is Studio Sound, which cleans up the audio and makes it sound much more professional.
Descript also lets you edit your transcript, remove filler words and make other adjustments if you want to.
I still think it’s an excellent option, especially if you’re producing podcasts regularly.
But discovering that the iPhone now offers similar features for quick recordings was a lovely surprise.
You don’t need a full recording setup
One of the reasons I wanted to share this is because creating content doesn’t always have to mean sitting at a desk with lots of equipment.
When I recorded this episode, I wasn’t in my office.
Instead, I was sitting in the coolest room in the house with the air conditioning on because it was far too hot to sit in my usual workspace.
Being able to record straight into my phone without compromising too much on audio quality made the whole process much easier.
It could make podcasting much more accessible
I also think this is a great option if your circumstances make a traditional recording setup difficult.
Perhaps you don’t have space for a dedicated office.
Maybe you’re travelling.
Or perhaps you’re living with a chronic health condition and getting to your desk isn’t always possible.
Being able to record good-quality audio wherever you are makes creating content much more accessible.
Don’t worry about sounding perfect
One thing I don’t spend a huge amount of time doing is removing every “um” and “ah” from my recordings.
Yes, tools like Descript can do that.
But personally, I don’t mind leaving some of them in.
I’d rather sound like a real person than someone who’s been polished to perfection.
For me, podcasting has never been about sounding flawless.
It’s about sharing useful ideas in a way that feels natural and human.
A simple tip if you’re thinking about starting a podcast
If you’ve been putting off recording because you thought you needed lots of expensive equipment, it might be worth exploring the tools you already have.
If you have an iPhone 16 or later, open the Voice Memos app, record a short audio clip, then tap the three dots to explore the Studio Voice and Transcript options.
And if you don’t have an iPhone 16, tools like Descript are still a brilliant alternative for recording and improving your audio.
Sometimes the easiest way to get started is simply to use what’s already in your pocket.
If you’re creating content for your freelance business and have discovered a tool that’s made your life easier, I’d love to hear about it. Come and join us in the Discord community or send me a message. I’m always on the lookout for simple tips that help make content creation that little bit easier.
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