producing a killer podcast
TRANSCRIPT
Summary/Outline
• The Hardware
• The Software
• Capturing the Audio
• Building the Show
• Distributing the Content
The Hardware
• Zoom H4n Digital Recorder Amazing.
• Lavalier Mics (2) - Countryman Isomax
• Sony Dynamic Stereo Headphones (Studio Headphones)
The Hardware
• Samson Handheld, uni-directional super-cardioid mics
• XLR cables sold separately
• Both mic options are great with the hand-held digital recorder, because it’s all very portable, and you can record anywhere.
The Software
• Audacity Your main project file and editor. Free!
• The Levelator Compressor, normalizer, and limiter all in one. Cleans up the clip. Free!
• Podclear Remote guest records. Better audio quality than Skype. Starts at $8 for four sessions.
• ID3 Editor (Mac) & EasyTag (PC/Linux) for meta data for your podcast files (Name, artist, etc. ). Free!
Capturing the Audio
• Get a quiet or relatively quiet spot to talk
• In person is always better, because the conversation is more dynamic. You can hear the personal connections.
• Prep lots of questions, but don’t be too rigid.
• Record more material than you need.
• Take notes if you can while recording.
Building the Show
• Dealing with Raw files
• Writing Intros/outros
• Think about transitions
• Writing show notes
• Licensing (theme music)
• Give yourself time to get the edit right
• Show length: 30 - 45 minutes feels about right
• If you get big, you will get sponsors; may get picked up by a “network” (e.g., 5by5 Studios)
Distributing the Content
Hosting Distribution
Hosting & Distribution82% of all
podcast downloads
Streaming. Radio format. App on iOS and Android.
Embeddable and social.
Links & QuestionsClose On Episodes • Ep. 3 - Dan Chichester - Comic book writer (Marvel
Comics): https://soundcloud.com/buddhaplex/episode-3-dan-chichester • recorded at On The Rocks: http://
www.yelp.com/biz/on-the-rocks-new-york-2 • Ep 4 - Bruce Henderson - Musician (live show
included in episode): https://soundcloud.com/buddhaplex/close-on-episode-4-bruce-henderson
Recording & Editing Software • Audacity: http://audacityteam.org/ • Levelator: http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/
23594/the-levelator • ID3 Editor: http://www.pa-software.com/id3editor/ • Easy Tag: https://wiki.gnome.org/Apps/EasyTAG • Podclear: https://podclear.com/#/
Hosting & Distribution • Libsyn: https://www.libsyn.com/ • Simplecast: https://simplecast.fm/ • Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/