podcasting how-to
TRANSCRIPT
So You Want to Make a PodcastBenjamin Miller, Fall 2012
What is a podcast?
Basically, any downloadable audio that emphasizes speech (as opposed to music). May include video, still images, or music. Often episodic in nature. Usually, you can subscribe to episodes as a feed.
What is a podcast?
Basically, any downloadable audio that emphasizes speech (as opposed to music). May include video, still images, or music. Often episodic in nature. Usually, you can subscribe to episodes as a feed.
In other words: it’s a blog post you can listen to. And, as with blog posts, the range of possibilities
is rather large.
Why not just blog, then?
We can listen in contexts where reading would be impossible: gym, car, dishes, etc.
Sound can affect an audience in ways text can’t. It can be layered, e.g. through background music…
which can itself be layered, e.g. through harmony. Note that video adds another possible overlay.
It can represent multiple voices more directly and viscerally, by literally including multiple speakers.
Why not just blog, then?
We can listen in contexts where reading would be impossible: gym, car, dishes, etc.
Sound can affect an audience in ways text can’t. It can be layered, e.g. through background music…
which can itself be layered, e.g. through harmony. Note that video adds another possible overlay.
It can represent multiple voices more directly and viscerally, by literally including multiple speakers.
Why not just blog, then?
We can listen in contexts where reading would be impossible: gym, car, dishes, etc.
Sound can affect an audience in ways text can’t. It can be layered, e.g. through background music…
which can itself be layered, e.g. through harmony. Note that video adds another possible overlay.
It can represent multiple voices more directly and viscerally, by literally including multiple speakers.
Why not just blog, then?
We can listen in contexts where reading would be impossible: gym, car, dishes, etc.
Sound can affect an audience in ways text can’t. It can be layered, e.g. through background music…
which can itself be layered, e.g. through harmony. Note that video adds another possible overlay.
It can represent multiple voices more directly and viscerally, by literally including multiple speakers.
Can you give me an example?
Sure! In my opinion, the National Public Radio (NPR) does an excellent job of this.
Here’s a clip from their series This American Life:http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/400/stories-pitched-by-our-parents?act=4 I’ll just play a minute or two.
Can you give me an example?
Sure! In my opinion, the National Public Radio (NPR) does an excellent job of this.
Here’s a clip from their series This American Life:http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/400/stories-pitched-by-our-parents?act=4 And there’s plenty more where that came from.
What do you notice? What might you want to try?
Okay, so what tools do I use?
Since you’ve all got Macaulay MacBooks, probably the easiest thing to use is GarageBand.
It’s pretty simple, really:1. New Project > Podcast (press choose to name the
file something memorable and move on).2. Press the red Record button and talk normally.3. Drag in any additional audio or images you want.4. When you’re ready, Share > Export Podcast to Disk.
Um, isn’t that too simple?
Well, yeah, there’s a lot to be said about what good editing looks like: Minimizing “dead air” “Ducking” one track behind another etc.
But we don’t have much time now, so let’s talk about it in office hours! I’m in the Weinstein Honors Lounge TuTh 12:30-2:30pm, and on gchat TuTh 10:00-11:00pm.
How do I post it to the blog?
1. Create a new post with some descriptive text. 2. Within that post, use the upload/insert media
button ( ) like you would for a picture. But instead of inserting into post, copy the URL:
How do I post it to the blog?
1. Create a new post with some descriptive text. 2. Within that post, use the upload/insert media
button ( ) like you would for a picture. But instead of inserting into post, copy the URL.
1. Here’s where things diverge, depending on the type of file you’re uploading.
How do I post it to the blog?
3. a) for audio-only files, scroll down to the podPress settings, and click Add Media File.
3. a) for audio-only files, scroll down to the podPress settings, and click Add Media File.
Paste the URL from step 2 into the Location box.
3. a) for audio-only files, scroll down to the podPress settings, and click Add Media File.
Paste the URL from step 2 into the Location box.
How do I post it to the blog?
3. a) for audio-only files, scroll down to the podPress settings, and click Add Media File.
Paste the URL from step 2 into the Location box. Enter a title, and auto-detect file size and duration.
3. a) for audio-only files, scroll down to the podPress settings, and click Add Media File.
Paste the URL from step 2 into the Location box. Enter a title, and auto-detect file size and duration.
How do I post it to the blog?
How do I post it to the blog?
3. a) for audio-only files, scroll down to the podPress settings, and click Add Media File.
Paste the URL from step 2 into the Location box. Enter a title, and auto-detect file size and duration.
4. Save the post, and the player should appear automatically!
How do I post it to the blog?
3. a) for audio-only files, scroll down to the podPress settings, and click Add Media File.
Paste the URL from step 2 into the Location box. Enter a title, and auto-detect file size and duration.
4. Save the post, and the player should appear automatically!
You can adjust the location of the player using shortcode: just type [display_podcast] wherever you want to see it.
How do I post it to the blog?
3. b) for video files, paste the URL from step 2 into the body of the post.
4. Surround the URL with some simple shortcode, like this:
[video mp4=http://link-to-your-movie.mp4]
4. Save your post, and watch your video appear!
How do I post it to the blog?
3. b) for video files, paste the URL from step 2 into the body of the post.
4. Surround the URL with some simple shortcode, like this:
[video mp4=http://link-to-your-movie.mp4]
4. Save your post, and watch your video appear!
Again, I’m happy to discuss further in office hours.
Editing audio
You learned how to edit in GarageBand way back at the Tech Fair: it’s a lot of drag-and-drop, plus ⌘T to split and ⌘J to join.
Editing audio
You learned how to edit in GarageBand way back at the Tech Fair: it’s a lot of drag-and-drop, plus ⌘T to split and ⌘J to join.
But there’s more! GarageBand comes preloaded with instrumental tracks that you can use for background music or as “fills” to cover over awkward transitions.
Editing audio
You learned how to edit in GarageBand way back at the Tech Fair: it’s a lot of drag-and-drop, plus ⌘T to split and ⌘J to join.
But there’s more! GarageBand comes preloaded with instrumental tracks that you can use for background music or as “fills” to cover over awkward transitions.
Just click this button in the lower rightto open a pane with Jingles.
Did you say “drag in” audio?
Click the button in the lower rightto open a pane with Jingles.
Did you say “drag in” audio?
Then just drag from the preview section into your tracks.
Or click the other button to browse your iLife libraries. Just be sure to follow Fair Use guidelines.
Did you say “drag in” audio?
Fair Use what now?
In general, you’re allowed to use small amounts of copyrighted material, as long as it’s…
1. for commentary or critique2. for illustration or example3. captured accidentally or incidentally4. memorializing an experience5. launching a discussion6. making a new work out of remixed relationships
Fair Use what now?
In general, you’re allowed to use small amounts of copyrighted material.
Read more (or watch the short video) at http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/fair-use/related-materials/codes/code-best-practices-fair-use-online-video
(You’re generally safe if you stay under 30 seconds… and always cite your sources!)
Anything else we should know? Always, but of course there’s no time. Email me at
[email protected] with any questions.
I look forward to hearing from you, and to hearing your podcasts!
Bonus slide: Ducking
You can set one track to automatically get quieter whenever it overlaps another track – e.g. background music can fade when speech starts.
Bonus slide: Ducking
You can set one track to automatically get quieter whenever it overlaps another track – e.g. background music can fade when speech starts.
This is called ducking.
Bonus slide: Ducking
You can set one track to automatically get quieter whenever it overlaps another track – e.g. background music can fade when speech starts.
This is called ducking. GarageBand makes it pretty easy.
Bonus slide: Ducking
The ducking controls are here.
Bonus slide: Ducking
Click the down-arrow (blue) to set a track as background.
Bonus slide: Ducking
Click the up-arrow (yellow) to set a track as foreground.
Bonus slide: Ducking
The volume of background tracks will drop whenever they overlap with foreground tracks.
Bonus slide: Ducking
If you don’t see these buttons, turn on Ducking in the Control menu.