Notes for our guests on Cybershow (updated)

We use Jitsi or NextCloud for recording our sessions.

No installation is necessary — simply click a link we will send you ahead of time.

Both NextCloud and Jitsi function similarly to Teams or Zoom, with a few advantages:

• Superior audio quality: (details below)
• Privacy: These run on our own server, so your content is not exposed to companies like Microsoft or Google.

Before your scheduled appearance, we will send a link for an audio and camera test. You’ll be able to rejoin the same link for the actual session.

Typically, our hosts will be in one location at the studio. If not, we’ll all join the same videocall session remotely.

We encourage a pre-show conversation to outline the key topics. While we love spontaneous and lively conversation, having a plan can ensure a smooth flow.

Audio quality is critical for our listeners. We recommend using a large condenser USB microphone (like the Yeti etc) or a lavalier mic. Poor video can be compensated with images or headshots, but subpar audio is harder to overlook.

If you have a room with soft furnishings and curtains that's better than a kitchen or "acoustically bright" space with reverb.

If recording video, don’t worry if your camera feed drops—we can replace it with a static image if needed.

Don't be afraid to get really nice and close to the mic. It gives a warmer, more intimate and authoritative sound. We'll tell you if there are pops or bits that are too loud.

At the start of the session we'll do a quick sound check. It helps if you know how to change your microphone gain.

We've seen some problems with Bluetooth headsets. In general they're great for audio quality but sometimes they have dropouts and interference in the feed. Ideally use a wired USB headset, but if you're using Bluetooth radio please check you have consistent audio quality.

Guests typically have an "open mic", meaning you won’t be muted unless you choose to mute yourself.

Usually we all self-mute if turn-taking for better quality. This gets more necessary of we've more than 3 or 4 participants.

Please ensure your environment is quiet. Control background noises like pets, children, heaters, or fans. Silence phones, close windows, and create a distraction-free space.

We enjoy a bit of playful tension and banter, so feel free to disagree and have fun! While we aim for a "Family" rating when possible, we're flexible—so don't stress too much about language.

If we're going for a non-explicit channel then we may edit bad language to meet those requirements, but usually we'll just leave it as is for natural tone.

Please avoid defaming individuals unless they are public figures and the discussion pertains to well-known facts. Remember libel laws are different in the UK than in US. While we prefer to discuss everyone in a fair light, we encourage you to speak your mind and sincerely express your views. Give as much power to truth as truth to power.

Our production values are extremely high. Before coming to podcasting our producers have won top industry awards in radio, television and film sound design.

To enhance the content we may add compression, effects, stereo placement, music beds, "stings and grabs", and employ creative editing.

Our episode formats vary, from street voxpops and "On the go" live interviews to monologues and very straight dialogical discussions with two parties. At its best Cybershow is a hip-hop magazine cut-up with lively banter and cuts for comedy emphasis to keep dark topics a bit lighter.

Editing will often be used to make your points more succinct and keep a good energy to the episode. Most guests don't even notice this.

Editorial control does extend to cutting anything we consider may be libellous, mischievous disinformation, things that may inadvertently be offensive in some cultural contexts or subtract from your good image or ours.

As a yard-stick consider the British news feature "Have I Got News For You" or some edgier Radio 4 analysis programmes.

We will not distort your message by any editing or omission. but in extreme cases we may drop whole segments or an episode if there's an obvious values clash that can't be resolved. This amounts to "participation is not a guarantee of broadcast".

Our shows often cover current events, so feel free to bring up relevant news or hot topics to support your points.

Do try to verify, and if possible reference topical media points.

On radio or TV it rarely works to read out long URLs so if we're preparing show notes for an episode please supply us with links that can go on the website or be captioned into video.

We want our guests to feel comfortable and come across in the best possible light. For recorded sessions, editing will ensure you sound great. If something doesn’t go as planned, just ask, "Can I try that again?" Or simply restart a sentence if you fluff it.

You will receive a pre-release copy of the episode for review and final approval. If you're uncomfortable with anything, we're open to making minor edits before the final release.

We understand that you will want to promote your organisation, product, or service. Don't worry, we'll create space for that!

Somewhere during the session we'll ask you to give a short summery of your company name, commercial activities, where people can reach you and so on.

Where appropriate we'll ask natural questions, such as "How would your company solve that?" to help you seamlessly plug your offerings.

If it's a video session feel free to place your brand or organisational imagery in shot but please make sure you have clearance with your organisation with respect to trademarks and logos.

Please plan to join the session 5-10 minutes early for setup. The session will typically last around 60 minutes, but we can be flexible depending on the conversation.

By participating in the show, you consent to the recording and public distribution of the content. If you have any concerns about this, please let us know before the recording begins.

We encourage guests to share their episode once it’s published. We can provide you with promotional materials such as short video clips or images for social media. Let us know if you’d like to receive these.

We are not fans of mainstream US platform social media, but we do keep a nominal presence on:

• Linked-In
• BlueSky
• Facebook

These are updated infrequently, so please rely on your own promotion if time is a factor for creating a coordinated buzz on a topic.

Our feeds are picked up lots of podcast relays including the major commercial ones:

• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts
• YouTube

Thank you again for joining us. We look forward to an engaging and insightful conversation!

Best regards, Andy, Helen & all the Cybershow Team