Ever wanted to get into podcasting? Now is a great time to start. Interest in podcasts is at an all time high, there are a lot of resources available and the equipment needed to get started is more affordable than ever.
I’m in the research and planning stage of a putting together podcast — here I’m sharing links to some of the materials I found in my research.
Start by going over some of the resources in “Podcasting Basics” to build your an understanding of how it all works. Good luck!
A. Understanding Podcasting
What is a Podcast? A radio show that you listen to on purpose. It is often episodic. They come in many different styles/formats:
- off the cuff style
- organized – stylized
- topic specific
Podcasting Basics:
- Podcasting Basics Part 1: Voice Recording Gear http://transom.org/2015/podcasting-basics-part-1-voice-recording-gear
- Podcasting Basics Part 2: Software http://transom.org/2015/podcast-basics-part-2-software
- Podcasting Basics Part 3: Audio Levels and Processing http://transom.org/2015/podcasting-basics-part-3-audio-levels-and-processing
- Podcasting Basics Part 4: Hosting and Distribution http://transom.org/2016/podcasting-basics-part-4-hosting-distribution
- Helpful series of videos on how to podcast: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzJ1r4EGn-enCMU1kPstXd7e1SjI3jP_O
- “Podcasting manual” by Blubrry – http://create.blubrry.com/manual
Further Online Resources
- CBC Doc project – “Lessons in getting an indie podcast off the ground” http://www.cbc.ca/radio/docproject/blog/lessons-in-getting-an-indie-podcast-off-the-ground-1.3450264
- The Timbre – podcast reviews – http://thetimbre.com including “The 50 best podcast episodes of 2015” http://www.timbre.com/the-50-best-podcast-episodes-of-2015
- Podcast newsletters: “The Podcast Broadcast” (http://www.podcastbroadcast.org) , “Hot Pod”
- “38 Best Podcasts in the World” – http://www.businessinsider.com/38-best-podcasts-in-the-world-2016-3
- Canadian Sound and Story Workshop – Facebook group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/radioworkshop
- Transom A showcase and workshop for new public radio – lots of resources! Transom.org
Podcasts About Podcasting
- The Podcast Digest – interviews indy podcast producers – http://thepodcastdigest.com
- Tape – A radio show about people who make radio – http://taperadio.org
- Radiowaves – Interviews with the voices of public radio – http://www.radiowavesshow.com
B. Tools
For the most part, these are simply lists of tools. You can get a better sense of what tools you need when and how to use them from the Podcasting Basics resources above.
Equipment – General
- USB microphones – simple and affordable but cheapish, need to use them with computer,…
- Better to have an analog microphone – can connect to computer, recorder…
- Microphones and Recorders – the “Part 1: Voice Recording Gear” in Podcasting Basics goes over options.
- iPhone internal mic is pretty good. but can’t monitor the sound.
- Need to wear over ear headphones. Earbuds only ok for mixing/editing.
Audio Editing Software
- Hindenburg http://hindenburg.com/products/hindenburg-journalist – the Journalist version is very good for the price and it is a tool focused on radio/talk (unlike other music focused tools).
- Audacity – some have said it’s a bit clunky but works and is free! http://www.audacityteam.org
- Audition -through Adobe Creative Cloud subscription.
- Reaper – http://www.reaper.fm
- Pro Tools (http://www.avid.com/US/products/family/Pro-Tools) and Logic Pro (http://www.avid.com/US/products/family/Pro-Tools) – professional standards but expensive, likely more than needed for a beginner/
Recording on Skype / Google video
- Total Recorder (Windows) — http://www.totalrecorder.com
- Piezo by Rogue Amoeba (Mac) — http://rogueamoeba.com/piezo
- Audio Hijack Pro by Rogue Amoeba – more features than Piezo (Mac) — http://rogueamoeba.com/audiohijack
- Use your Recorder w/ aux cable.
Digital Formats
- record in WAV then compress to MP3.
- buy a large sound card so you can record in WAV.
Music/Sound Effects
- ask musician friends
- pond5.com
- freemusicarchive.org – free archive – must attribute often. Check Podington Bear – http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear
- There are many more if you search.
Hosting and Distribution (if planning to go more public with the podcast).
- To get a podcast on iTunes you must submit an RSS feed.
- Options: libsyn (http://www.libsyn.com), Soundcloud (https://soundcloud.com/for/podcasting), Feedpress (https://feed.press), Blubrry (http://create.blubrry.com/resources/podcast-media-hosting —WordPress focused)
- Self hosting. https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/why-you-may-want-to-host-your-own-podcast-rss-feed
- Check your feed at: http://www.castfeedvalidator.com