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Something a little different today. Over the last week I have helped four new podcasters with their audio setups. I also received a number of emails asking similar podcast audio questions. Obviously people are looking for some guidance in this area. While I am no expert, I do have experience and I decided to do a podcast about how I have been handling my audio. Podcaster to podcaster if you will. I include lots of pictures and details - so if you’re interested, give it a listen and let me know what you think.
Direct download of the podcast: Podcast About The Podcast (24:22min 16.3MB)
or subscribe: 
I feel like I have a lot in common with the average person who would like to start podcasting. I had no radio or recording background. As such, I had to figure it all out the hard way. While I have yet to get it “all” figured out, I hope that the following information will be of some asistance. I know when I was starting, I was looking for a post similar to this.
The following photos and information are meant to supplement the information in the podcast. I am working with the assumption you have listened to it.
Here is the equipment I mentioned that I started with:
This is the M-Audio Mobilepre USB [Amazon]. This was the mic preamp I used as my laptop did not have a line in.
I also used this basic Radio Shack mic. It costs about $49 and works great.
When I first started I used Audacity, a great freeware audio editor. If you do not currently have a podcast worthy audio editing package Audacity is a great way to go.
I used the standard -12db setting, 3:1 compression and attack time 0.1secs. (For those of you who are “picky” this waveform was pre-processed that’s why it already looks nice. )
I kept the standard Normalizer settings - seemed to work fine.
I used the setting of -0.2. See the arrow above.
This is what the waveform should look like when you are done.
Slide Track 1 down and add a Track 2.
Fade Track 2 in and out.
You can export to WAV, AIFF or MP3 here depending on your preference.
This pic shows a good comparison of levels. Notice how the top track (this podcast) fills out nicely. The bottom track is my first podcast - before I learned about this stuff. Both tracks represent the same amount of “audio time” roughly 5 1/2 minutes. Quite a difference. Your goal is to get your audio to look like the top track.
Very important. The only thing that stays with your podcast is your iD3 tag. Fill it out!
Following are all of the audio chain upgrades I have made - none of which are required. The first step in podcasting is to start with whatever equipment you have at your disposal. As in - start NOW! If after you have started you are enjoying it and you’d like to approach it as a hobby, the following might be considered akin to purchasing a good set of golf clubs with which to play. If you approach it as a business, then consider them an investment one might make.
The podcaster’s best friend , the Behringer Eurorack UB802 [Amazon].
I decided to get my recording responsibilities off the computer. I now use a Marantz PMD670 [Amazon].
I got this mic based on a recommendation from Doug Kaye of IT Conversations it is a ElectroVoice RE20 [Amazon].
My Voice Processor is a Symetrix 528e [Amazon]. I really like the functionality. It has all the choices a podcaster could want and made a huge difference in the sound quality.
Just a picture from the side of my table top setup in the Home Theater.
This is a screen shot of the current editing software I am using. It is BIAS Peak 4.1. I also use SoundSoap to clean up the audio feedback calls. While at first I did not like Peak, I have come to really enjoy using it. Like anything, there is a learning curve, but I now much prefer it over Audacity. It is a great software package for the Mac. You see it here with the Vbox which has the sequenced plugins I am using.
This is the first podcast in which I am using the BBE Sonic Maximizer plugin suggested by Jim Kloss. Please let me know what you think. It is intended to add a bit of “sparkle” to the podcast. Jim has another great “how to record podcasts” posted here at his site Whole Wheat Radio, check it out.
For those that are really “geeky technical” I used LAME to encode this podcast with the following command line switch instructions: -v -V 4 -b 64 -B 128 –abr 120 –lowpass 10 –resample 24 -h. If you don’t know what that means, then don’t worry. (Though a quick definition is an instuction to encode with a Variable Bit Rate (VBR) quality of 4 with a minimum of 64kbps and a maximum of 128kbps encoding with an average of 120kbps. To have lowpassed below 10,000Hz and to have resampled to a 24 kHz sample rate with a high quality algarithm. Keep in mind it ended up with an average of 93 kbps.) There, now you can impress your geek friends. 
If you want a suggestion for an everyday spoken word podcast using LAME try : -q 0 –lowpass 10 -a –resample 24 -b 64. That should work fine
Hopefully, those of you interested in podcasting have found this useful. If you have questions or comments, I suggest rather than emailing me - post a comment below, that way everyone can benefit from the discussion. I look forward to hearing from you.
Well this post sure seems to have garnered a lot of attention. I’m glad so many people are finding it useful. My original goal was to help people get started. Not long after I first posted this I got a call on my audio comment line (206) 888-Blog from Doug Kaye of IT Conversations. He offers some great additional information including some ideas about how to extract the best possible encoding from your MP3 codec. For those that are referring and linking to this post for podcasting guidance I wanted to be sure to make Doug’s comments available:
I have also changed some equipment since first posting this. After the podcast first went out I started corresponding with Paul Figgiani who has a podcast called The Point. Paul is similarly interested in trying to squeeze as much audio fidelity into his podcast. After emailing back and forth we each decided to try experimenting with the hardware version of the BBE Sonic Maximizer. I can report that we were both disappointed in our findings. While the software plug-in does allow me to add a bit of “life” back into the audio, the hardware version was way too overbearing. Might sound good on a guitar, but was way too much for the human voice. As such we both ended up returning the units.
After some further research I have settled on the Aphex 204 Aural Exciter and Optical Big Bottom [Amazon]. (You got to love the name and the nod to Spinal Tap)
You’ll be able to hear this unit at work in the next podcast. I also went about trying to organize the gear a bit and settled on a Road Ready case. Since I record in my basement theater I wanted something I could pack up quickly if guests were coming over. I also added a Furman Power Conditioner So that all the cords etc, could stay inside the case. Obviously the case has no audio benefit; just makes organization of everything simple. Here is a picture of everything put together.
Some people have asked about my headphones. I use Sennheiser HD600 for mastering and then the iPod earbuds to check everything. I learned the hard way to make sure you are using the equipment your listener is most likely using to do any fine tuning.
NPR explains how they make “media sausage” out of their audio in Pulling Back the Curtain. You too can sound like NPR talent. An interesting transcript and audio of a story about NPR’s editing process. Every wonder how all those people sound so spot on and intelligent - never at a loss for words? Is this where podcasting is headed? Remember - these people have staffs to do the “dirty” or should we say “cleaning” work. Thanks to John for the link.
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If you want further information on podcasting then check out my book. It covers the same kind of information handled here but with much more detail. From soup to nuts we cover show creation, recording, editing, equipment, software, show promotion, podcaster secrets and monetization. Podcast Solutions, the book which I co-authored along with Dan Klass is now available on Amazon.
Here are some of the items:
Hi Michael
I have a question about the .mac hompage link.
I have a .mac account but i only can host my mp3s at my idisk’s public folder. The download speed is only 30 kb/s. You and Adam Curry have your files at your .mac homepage where i can get a better download speed. Can you explain me how i can get my files in an .mac homepage link.
I hope you understand what i’m talking about.
Bj??rn
Bj??rn, I downloaded one of your New Noise Edition podcasts and as you mentioned it was not terribly fast, though it wasn’t that bad. The main difference between your link and the way Adam and I are doing it is that we are hosting the file in our “Sites” folder. However, because the “Sites” folder is transparent to the downloader all they see is the name of the folder inside the “sites” folder that holds the file. Perhaps .mac throttles down on the “Public” folder. Try Making a folder called “NNE” put you new podcast in there and then put all of that in your “Sites” folder. The link would then be - “http://homepage.mac.com/newnoiseedition/NNE/NewNoiseEdition2.mp3″. See if that speeds it up.
Hope that helps,
Mike
Audacity w/ lame encoding and a text editor is about all you need. I’ve worked in pro audio for some time, and I’d say that lo-fi is fine, so long as your creativity is in overdrive. Don’t worry so much about the pro audio gear… just worry about your message!
th0m
http://www.free-conversant.com/thom/main
http://www.wowway.com/~antipasto/
Very cool. I love the pictures. For comparison, you can see the picture I took of my podcasting set-up last week. I’m on Windows, using Sony Soundforge.
– Bret
Podcasts:
http://www.internet.pro
Weblog:
http://blog.lextext.com
Thx Michael for your help. I changed everything as you has written and it works.
It occurs to me that you might changes the default (-3db) setting on the normalize step to 0 db
and you won’t need to amplify the results… they should be close to what you desire. Tweaking the
new setting will allow you to skip the amplify step.
FYI, I think there may be a post-processing tool to eliminate the room noise…
You’re audio sounds pretty damn good now. The mic is key to getting a listenable show…
we need to find one near $100 that does the job. In the audio world the Studio Techics
mics are reputed to be the best quality for the $’s. They are made in China but they rival a lot of German mics at 1/5 the cost.
Thanks for the great presentation and quality of advice. Now Adam Curry intends to document his
set-up for us all.FYI,
McD, I think you have a good point there. I no longer use that software so it has not been an issue, but for new users I think that would solve for the need to amplify. Thanks for the suggestion.
I also got a great audio comment from Doug Kaye of IT Conversations. He has been extremely kind to me over the last few months always taking the time to respond to the questions that I email to him. In addition to the audio comment he sent along some links about MP3 encoding and recording interviews. Good stuff - here they are:
http://www.itconversations.com/wikis/itc/pmwiki.php/Main/SampleRates
http://www.itconversations.com/wikis/itc/pmwiki.php/Main/BitRates
http://www.itconversations.com/wikis/itc/pmwiki.php/Main/CheapInterview
And here is one more I added - the IT Conversations Studio 2:
http://www.itconversations.com/about.html
Lots of good stuff. Check it out.
Enjoyed your podcast about podcasting.
Great example of what a Radio Shack Mic sounds like compared to a more expensive mic.
I appreciated the tips about Audacity, and the fact that you took the time to show examples on your web page for an application you are no longer using.
There are several Mixers like the Behringer Eurorack UB802. I own a Mackie 1202 for example. So if a person is looking for some of this Audio Gear, they should check out a Pawn shop, ebay, the local music store, etc. Keep the out of pocket expence low and the creativity high!
I believe George Lucas once said, “It’s not the technology, or the special effects that make a movie, it is the story that people will remember. The special effects should help tell the story, not be the story…”
I believe the same is true with PodCasting, You can have all the greatest equipment made, but it does not create the content. A person who is considering Podcasting should just go out there and do it!
One thing that either you or me missed… where did you get the mic stand? I like that option!
Thanks!
Jake, it is a OC White ProBoom-B. You can find them at BSW; they have been great in steering me the right direction on equipment.
Very Helpful. Thanks Mike
Hey all,
I’m very new to podcasting and I just wanted to say thank you to Mike and all the people who posted comments to this post it is the most helpful thing that I have come accross thus far.
However, I do have a question that I can’t figure out by looking at what has been shown above.
I’m having trouble figuring out how to add a bit of music as an intro. I have some mp3’s that I want to use but I can’t figure out how to cut and paste them into a audio track on Audacity.
Could some one explain how to go about doing that?
(I’m working on a g4 iBook if that info helps to answer the question.)
Thanks again.
Neil, let me see if I can help.
I assume you have an Audacity window open with your “show” in it. Now go to the file menu and select open. Choose the mp3 you want to open. This will cause a second Audacity window to open with the selected Mp3 in it. Select the portion you want to paste (click drag) or just cmd-A to select the whole mp3. Now click back on your Audacity window with the show in it. Click on some empty space in the window and hit cmd-v or select paste or whatever works for you. Then you can trim the file or using the examples above move it and the fade it in and out appropriately. This method allows you to make independent edits to the new file first. Alternatively, you can select Project and import audio from the drop down menu. Select the file you want and that will import it right into the active Audacity window.
Couple of caveats. I have converted all mine to mono. That is why there is only one waveform per track. If you recorded in stereo or use a stereo mp3 you will have 2 waveforms per track. You also want to make sure that the sample rates are the same. If when you listen to the files it sounds like one of the tracks is speed up - then you will need to resample to match the master track. We’ll discuss that later if it is an issue for you.
Hope this helps.
Yo Dr. G,
All cool stuff here. Being as consumed with podcast neepery as I am, I was fascinated. You do waaaaaay more tech stuff than I do. One of my not so subtle tricks is the use of the music bed. By having that music there across the bottom, it covers up the room noise and static and obscures audible seams in my edits. It has its own risks, such as getting too loud and obscuring the talk or as I have recently heard, being so repetitive and hypnotic that it drives people nuts.
There is one thing you said in here that is a misconception I once had, but Doug Kaye straightened me out. In an MP3, there is almost no benefit between going mono or stereo, because the MP3 encodes the diffferences between the two channels. When you use a mono source like a mike, you just make that difference zero so there is no work or filesize needed to encode that difference. In an uncompressed format like WAV stereo is twice the size of mono, but not so in MP3.
Keep up the good work, chief. I’m glad the Wired reporter used my plug for you. You r0ck, d00d!
d
Dave,
Thanks again for the plug again. You make a great point about the mono vs. joint stero vs. stereo. Doug actually left me a very detailed audio comment on that subject. I’ll have get it and put up a link so everyone can hear.
Michael,
Thanks for the help. It worked just fine.
Michael,
You have the best sounding Podcast I’ve heard. Even your original setup sounds better than most. Thanks for taking the time to explain how you accomplish such excellent audio quality. Could you say a little about how you set up Peak. Its a little hard to make out the Vbox plugins from the photo. I presume you automated what you were doing manually with Audacity. Also, do you run the mic input through all the sound processing gear before it gets to the Marantz recorder? With your new setup, do you record on the Marantz in PCM format and then still convert to MP3 with Lame, or do you record directly to MP3?
Really enjoy your Reel Reviews,
Thanks
Wow, incredible work you’ve done her, Michael. The documentation and photography is excellent. Is your theater that dark when you podcast, or do you simply have an uncanny sense for presentation? Beautiful…nice job!
Richard,
Let me answer your questions in the order that they take place in the recording/editing chain. Though this is not technically correct, the way I have everything set up right now is as follows. It goes: Mic > Symetrix 528e > Aphex Aural Exciter (see update) > Mixer (this is where my laptop is patched in to play audio comments etc.) > Marantz PMD 670.
I record in standard PCM format. I edit in WAV or AIFF (doesn’t really matter) using Bias Peak 4.1. Since all the voice processing is done via hardware I now have little use for audio adjustments in the software. The Vbox is neat little VST plugin arranger. You can set multiple plugins and change the order in which they process the audio. In the picture shown here I was sing BBE Sonic Maximizer with Bias Squeeze right after it because Sonic Maximizer was adding some gain and I needed to clamp down on it. (In English: Sonic Maximizer was making it louder and I wanted to control that.)
Once I am done I archive a copy and then I take another and convert it to MP3 via Lame. Package it with cover art and add id3 tags. I wish I could automate this via AppleScript. Geoff Hankerson was kind enough to write one up but it required compiling and running things from the command line and just proved to be too technical for me. If you are interested it is here.
Harold thanks for the comment. Yes it is that dark. When we built the house the deal was I could do what I wanted underground (the basement) if my wife could do what she wanted above ground - the rest of the house. That is how I got dark flat grey walls and exposed acoustical treatments. There was a pre-negotiated non-spousal approval agreement in place.
Great post. How do you get your phone calls into the podcasts, do you just dub your answering machine tape or are your messages delivered in some sort of wav file?
Thanks!
Scott, I use the K7.net service. It is free, don’t ask me how - but it is. You can even request a vanity number. You can also select WAV as the file format. Though it is sampled at 6kHz it still sounds superior to the other choices (GSM). The files are delivered straight to the email box of your choice. Call in a comment, compliment or film recommendation at (206) 888-BLOG to try it out.
Hello! Great write up … Steve
Hi Michael,
Thanks for all the help you have been doing for us “podcasting nubies”! I have been following your production notes and have purchased the EV RE20 mic, Behringer UB802, and the Aphex 204 which I have been putting off for a couple of years. You, and Doug Keyes “inspired” me!
I embarassed to bother you, but could you possibly list the connections to have between the UB802 and the Aphex 204 please. My old mixer/compressor never challenged me this far! Thanks again for all you’ve put into your great podcast and audio quality….I really love it!
Dennis
Dennis, here is what I have set up. Remember, the Aphex does not take the place of the a compressor. It is an additional unit. If you do not have a hardware compressor, you can use a software vesion such as the one in Audacity. However with your setup, a hardware compressor would probably work best.
I run Mic >> De-esser >> Compressor / Downward Expander >> Aphex (via sidechain) >> Equalizer >> Output Stage >> UB802 >> PMD670
The de-esser, compressor, downward expader, equalizer and output stage are all contained in my Symetrix 528e. A neat part about the design is you can reconfigure the order in which the stages process audio or send the signal to an outboard processor, like I did with the Aphex and then route it back into the unit.
I use the mixer as the last stage mainly as a way to mix in audio comment I play off my computer. Hopefully this helps. If you have further questions shoot me an email and we’ll set a time to talk by phone. I am curious what you are up to at the K State Exension.
Michael, Thanks for the early reply. I follow your hook up so far. My Symetrix 528e arrives tomarrow and will lash it up and let you know how I do. Thanks for the offer to visit by phone. I would like to have a converstion with you about your “production equipment”. I’ll send another comment when I get the system cabled.
As to what I’m up to here at the Kansas State University Research & Extension office in Wichita: I’m the technology & community development agent, a.k.a. Sedgwick County Extension Agent. I came form the communications/technology industry to extension after a long (40 yrs) as a small business entrepreneur. My goal is to enhance our agents use of current interactive technology tools (blogs, podcasts, website, and telecommunications. I loved my work forever! And I’m a real audio buff too! I’ve been an amateur radio operator (ham radio) since I was 14 years old and I’m a young 66 years old. Lots of interesting projects on my plate and lots more to think up! It’s you fault for asking!!
We’ll visit later. Thanks again.
Dennis
================================================
Dennis Main, Extension Agent
Technology & Community Development
K-State Research & Extension
Sedgwick County Kansas
7001 W. 21st Street, North
Wichita, KS 67205
316-722-7721, Ext. 164
Fax: 316-722-7727
Email: dmain@oznet.ksu.edu
Website: www.SedgwickCountyExtension.org
What I do: “Blend technology with education…..for life!
I have converted the RealAudio feed from NPR into an MP3 file (approx 4.9MB) if you are interested in providing it for other listeners.
Keep up your great Reviews.
Michael,
Great article! Wish I would had found it about two weeks ago before I went through all the headaches and mistakes myself. I did enjoy the information and found it to be spot on. Nice work.
Jeff
i have to mics and a mixer in to my computer my band uses it to record are work and it sounds good i have just recorde the file of what i want my podcast to be on my windose pc and now i am haveing a hard time understaanding how to move it to a webpage i do not have a webpage except blogger and i would like to now how to make it an xml and put it on the webpage for people to download if blogger dose not work do you know any free alternetives
thanks a bunch
Crispy,
Try this link. It is from a Podcasting 101 presentation I did. There are links on how to podcsat using Blogger as well as most other blog software and servces.
Hi michael,
Enjoy your show very polished and professional.
I have a question simular to a post made earlier.When I have a mp3 file ready to upload to my .mac account which folder should I drag and drop it into on my idisk.Also what type of web page needs to be created to host the file.Do I add the file and publish a sharing/download web page.Could you please help its driving me crazy.
regards,
@lexander
@lexander, you want to put them in a folder in your sites directory. As for the page, I don’t know, I have never hosted a site on dot mac. I am sure there are sites describing that aspect if you run a google search.
Thanks for replying michael.
I will not be hosting from my .mac account,I have a blogger web site.You explain that you put the files in a new folder in your sites directory.Is it a case of just creating a new folder inside my sites folder,then placing my mp3 files into the new folder.This is another stupid question how then do I get the URL address for that mp3 file to copy and paste to my blogg.
thanks michael
@lexander
Hi Neighbor,
Fortunately, typing “beanpat” into Google my Weblog is at the top of the list! I try to put up something every day for my family.
I also have, a family photo album with a “mouseover” feature that you may find interesting.
Question: your podcast-about-the-podcast ends just as you are about to describe your changes. How do I get the rest?
Your podcast description is great and very much appreciated!
@lexander, as for the URL just build it like you would any other sitename.com/folder_name/Mp3_Name. If you want you can still have the file at dot mac and run your site elsewhere. Lots of podcasters have the audio files on different servers from the one running the blogs. You might want to run a search for a how to on podcasting using Blogger, I am sure there are plenty. You can start here.
Ed, I updated the thread with pictures of changes after I had already produced the podcast. I have more Podcast About The Podcasts coming. I will be sure to highlight the changes I have made and what benefit I was trying to achieve.
Hey - I only just discovered podcasting, after being in radio for several years. I do a show that I record directly to my iRiver h140 from the mixing board at my station. Thanks for the info - hope I can be successful with iCasting.
I need help to understand if I can do interviews over the phone. and how to record and post for listening. I also want to sing with my guitar and post. So I want also to have a co-host mike too. Can you help? Gary
Hey Michael,
Excellent primer that has me really excited and motivated about doing my own podcast. Where did you buy most of your equipment? Particularly interested in the recorder, processor and Eurorack. I clicked all of the links, but couldn’t find information on how to buy. Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks for your time,
Jeff
Gary,
I plan on doing more Podcast About The Podcasts. I’ll try to address some of those issues.
Jeff,
I made most of my purchases at BSW. I got the Marantz PMD 670 here. Hope that helps.
OK, I installed iPodder and listened to the podcast about podcasting. I cut and pasted some URLs into the window and they are listed in the window below but when I double click on any of them or right click on any of them, nothing happens. Nothing plays at all. I am using the Windows Media Player and it played your mp3 file (podcast) just fine but all I get is a screenfull of HTML-looking text at http://reelreviewsradio.com/wp-rss2.php. Obviously, this is a format that the WMPlayer will not recognize. What do I need to play these .php files?
I am coming at this from the other side. I am a TV sound engineer with nearly 30 years of experience but I’m new to podcasting. I have some ideas though, on how it could be used to great effect in my home state. Please excuse my stupidity on this particular technology. Does iPodder actually play these text screens or do I need some other type of player? The mp3s play fine with WMPlayer.
Hi Michael,
What an education. I have a really dumb question, as I am a severe novice. How do I get my sound recorder to expand beyond one minute?
Never mind my original post. I figured it out. Now, on to another stupid question.
After I have recorded my podcast, 1) how do I change it from .wav to .mp3? I cannot seem to get LAME MP3 Encoder to work, and 2) how do I upload that to my weblog (radio Userland?
Almost there……almost….
Let me know what you think about myset up.
http://mytestsite.myblogsite.com/02-20-05.xml
MP3:
http://mytestsite.myblogsite.com/my1stpodcast.mp3
Hi looking to start a podcast. I was wondering what would be the (basic ) start up equipment i need.
I see in web site you have listed a range of products . but do i need all of them?
I anticipate a bit of field interviews.. Any feelings or referrals re: all battery systems.
Very respectable site and vision. In the true spirit of podcasting I give a special nod to your generosity and authenticity.
I just wanted to drop a quick note on how great this podcast was. It certainly helped me to bring my debut podcast to life, and it’s great to see that Michael is inspiring / helping so many others as well.
Cheers,
Eric Berlin - dumpsterbust@gmail.com
Dumpster Bust: Miracles From Mind Trash
dumpsterbust.blogspot.com - soon to be www.dumpsterbust.com
Check out Dumpster Bust Radio!
HI. I’ve been working on the ideas for a podcast (or podcasts) for quite some time. I’ve always had an interest in audio, and more than a little expertise in computer hardware. I’m very, very impressed with your efforts on the “Podcast on Podcasting” topic, and fervently hope that you continue. I’m working on building my content ideas, but in the meantime have started playing and learning Audacity. My plan is to use Audacity on my Win XP Homebuilt, with the following HW:
Yamaha MG 10/2 Mixer
KEL H-1 Mic
Behringer VX2496 Ultravoice Processor
Edirol UA1X USB Cable Audio Interface
O.C. White Proboom
Again, kudos to you for helping us newbies…I wonder if I might ask some questions once things are set up and I’m totally confused. Feel free to email me at my posted address…
Again, GREAT job.
Mark
Michael — three thumbs up for your Podcast About The Podcast as well as this blog. Incredibly informative.
I imagine I’m not alone in saying that until 2 days ago I didn’t know a damn thing about audio or podcasting. I think many of us are more interested and expert in what we want to speak about “on the air”, although your efforts have made me an idiot audio enthusiast wanting to learn more. I downloaded and played with Audacity last night and it was terribly fun.
To that end — does anyone know any good webpages akin to an “Idiots Guide to Audio” … not so much about the equipment, but the terminology, basics, etc. ? Also if anyone knows any message boards that might be useful? Some of the terms in the stuff mentioned below still don’t mean anything to me. I don’t want to clutter Michael’s blog up.
If Michael doesn’t mind — I’ve found the Professional Audio catalog and Professional Audio SourceBook at B&H to be very useful:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=catalog.jsp&A=getpage&Q=FreeCatalog.jsp
The Pro Audio SourceBook is over 1500 pages, split into 15 PDF’s. It includes all the equipment Michael has talked about.
Hi Michael:
Thanks for the great primer. I’m very excited and ready to set up my own “podcasting studio”. I have a Dell laptop with Audacity installed and I plan to get the following equipment: 1) Behringer UB802 and 2) Behringer C-1 studio condenser micriphone. Is it enough for me to start with just these 2? I understand the UB802 can work as both a mic preamp and mixer. Do I need a compressor, or it’s optional?
Thanks - Globe
Globe,
That is more than enough to start. You can use the built in compressor in Audacity with no probems.
Michael
Hi Michael:
Thanks for your speedy response. I’m tempted to ask you another question: did you encounter any problem with noises from the sound card or computer fan during your recording? If yes, can you edit and remove these noises in Audacity? If not, is there any way to minimize them?
Last question: Have you tried MixMeister’s Propaganda software ($50)? I saw great review in CNET. I think it works just like Audacity with more functionality and automated exporting and publishing capability.
Thanks - Globe
Not sure if you still monitor this, but I was wondering something. It looks from the pictures like you have two pop filters. If that is the case, is there a reason for that? Does it work better than one? I would imagine it would muffle the sound a bit.
The pop filter I ordered for the RE-20 comes with a two screen element. It allows for the screens to be used individually or in concert with each other. After experimenting I preferred the setup you see above.
Michael,
I am a professor at Columbia College Chicago in the broadcasting/radio
department. This coming j-term, between the fall and spring semesters, I am
teaching a course on satellite radio and other emerging technologies. We
plan to do some on podcasting.
Although I have plenty of experience in recording audio and saving it as MP3
etc., and still continue to work as a radio broadcaster, I do not have the
expertise in the technical part of the podcast…the rss, the tagging, etc.
How one actually gets it to be on a site for downloading? I’m trying to
educate myself through websites and podcasters, but I’m finding it to be
quite difficult.
I am wondering two things - if you can direct me to a source that could walk
me through the rudimentary process of getting these files into a podcast
environment, and secondly, if you would consider speaking to this class
through a podcast of your own. Maybe something that could explain the
phenomenon, how you got started, what you’ve learned, where this technology
is taking us, and what you see coming? I think it would be exciting for the
students to hear this, and to hear it in the podcast environment. Or maybe,
you have a better idea.
I would like to discuss this with you further when you have time. I can be
reached at his email, or at my office phone 312-344-8159.
Thanks so much for your time and consideration.
Dave Berner
Radio Department
Columbia College Chicago
I am new the podcasting scene and I have already recorded a segment to broadcast. My question is how to I go about that? I have used propoganda and have it converted to an mp3 file, what’s next?
Hi:
As far as a cheap studio mic, I love my Studio Projects B1. It can be had for under $100, and it’s nice and bright. Of course, it needs phantom power and I usually run it through a pro channel tube mic pre, which makes anything sound good. Still, when I tested it with my Marantz PMD660 (like the 670 but smaller), it still sounded good with the units built in phantom power.
You might check that out. EV makes good, cheap mics. There Cobalt CO11, although usually used for live events, is also under $100 and sounds good in a studio setting.
I’m starting a podcast and I’ve seen all the materials that you have on your site (whick is very helpful). Do I need more materials than what I see on your site? What softwares do I need or which other softwares do you recommend? Am i going to need any licenses to get on the air? Are all of the softwares user-friendly? Thank you
Hi. I’m one of the hosts of Vox Monitor, the Podcast Review Podcast. Think of it like Siskel and Ebert, but for podcasting. We play clips of the podcasts we review and discuss the merits of the shows.
I thought that perhaps your listeners - the ones to Podcast about the Podcast, might find our service to be of use. We review on demand. Just email me, and you’ll usually be reviewed within two weeks.
We review any kind of podcast from beginners just starting out to the Daily Source Code. (We reviewed it in episode 29).
thanks,
Eric
www.voxmonitor.com - The podcast review podcast.
Michael,
Thank you for this site, which is one of the most informative on podcasting. I have dabbled in radio for a while. In the past I own the Symetrix 528e, but did not find it as useful as you have. What are your thoughts on the Aphex 204 Aural Exciter and Optical Big Bottom. I am one of those with a “not ready for radio” voices.
My wife is looking at the Marantz 660 for podcasting. We have heard some good and bad things about it. The 660 appears popular for interviewing for radio. Should she consider other options?.
Continued success,
Geoff
www.impmeso.org
I bought the Marantz PMD 670 and I cannot figure out how to reduce the noise on this thing. I’ve tried going XLR in directly, RCA in directly from the sound board, XLR out from the sound board and i’m still getting a hugely noticable amount of noise. I thought it was from the Mic pre-amp, but if I’m going RCA in, wouldn’t that cut out the pre-amp?
I’m bummed. An expensive piece of equipment and now I have to do all this noise reduction, something that I was trying to avoid when I bought it.
Anyone have any solutions?
Thank you for your very clear outline of the equipment you use. I would be interested to know if the 204 Aphex unit is replacing the microphone preamp or perhaps the Symtrex 528 unit? I didn’t understand how it is being integrated into your set-up to produce the awesome sound. Thank you again for your generaous advice.
Companies like Pod Shack are really making issues like these non-existent. The company is one of the big up and comers that is helping everyday people bypass all the nightmares of podcasting by providing turn key creative solutions like editing for less than $5, intros/outros and voice over guys. Amazing organization and is run by a radio producer… kind of a la Adam Curry. Where Adam was the front and center guy, the owner of Pod Shack was the behind the scenes producer and really understands what podcasters need to sound professional. Who has time for all this? I say give it to Pod Shack and get back to great content.
Howdy,
Check out the new “Podcast Amp” — which allows you to discover and listen to podcasts from your PC via wimpy:
http://www.wimpyplayer.com/products/podcast_amp.html
-mike
Our present situation:
1. We operate in a Windows-based network environment.
2. We prefer not to add any MAC hardware or software.
3. We professionally record our information and then edit our audio files using Adobe Audition.
4. We currently host mp3 format files on our website that are downloaded to PCs.
The future:
We now have requests to make these files available as podcasts for those who don’t want to sit and listen or save/burn and listen.
The question:
Since the files are already available as mp3s, what is the most seamless software method (Windows based) for podcasting these files?
Thanks,
Douglas McCullough
dougm@fpcjackson.org
I ‘ve downloaded an ipodder but it didn’t do the job. I am also using windows XP, so what type of ipodder do I need that will run on windows XP? I came across information on the Internet that stated that ipodder app is cool for windows. Sorry if I am hindering your duty but could you please send me the link you used to download yours and your web host so I could do it right. I believe this information will help me a lot. Thanks.
Yours friendly,
Chief Ody Ibekwe
pretty good! but i have a question.
What about if i record in “live” using mixcastlive or castblaster, im i still able to record high quality voice? rather than do a post produccion.
thanks
Hi Michael,
Have you ever had problems with Audacity defaulting to 24 kHz… even though that’s not actually an available setting in the first place… and causing “chipmunking” when people play it through Linux? I have had recordings saved at both 22 kHz and 44 kHz think they were actually in 24 kHz, and I’ve heard that’s an Audacity “default”
thanks
Heather
I just wanted to throw out a quick ‘thank you’ to you Michael for this great info. I am still surprised to see how few other Podcasters have their production information on their sites, let alone an episode dedicated to the voodoo that they do.
Podcast/Blog http://www.friedgeek.com
As funds allow I’ll be adding improvements based on what I’ve heard here. Keep up the great work with the podcast.
Michael, marvellous site, thanks for all your hard work. I have combed all your wisdom avidly, and expect to get the book too.
I bought a PMD670 — actually, after reading your case study on Marantz’s site. Google led me to your review site. I bought some condenser mics [Audio Technica 3035 cardioid, nice for speech, with an omni-directional Stagg PGT80, ditto] with a view to building a sound archive.
If I make a final choice, I’ll ebay the least liked and get something appropriate for ENG use. What do you use for mobile recording?
And is there a type of flash card can you recommend for the Marantz? I have become very aware that counterfeit Sandisks and other brands abound “out there”, so I am being vigilant. Marantz advised me to go for 40-60 speed cards, but their reply was too vague to be of much use, and their site doesn’t have the recommendation files the recorder’s manual advertises.
I can see podcasting is the way I shall be going. Your site has inspired me to get a digital mixer. I was looking for the model like yours, but got not a Eurorack MX802 but a Eurorack MX802A, only because it was at a knockdown on ebay. The extra inputs will allow me to wire in my Technics keyboard and various other musical gizmos.
My Marantz, mics and mixer were all ebay sourced, and so far have totalled a risible $700 (350 GBP) including post/pkg. Takes some researching, some hard looking and auction sniping, but is proving affordable to go that way. I may well get a voice processor too. My headphones are Grados, which’ll do fine for now.
I have an engineering friend who is brilliant at one-offs, and will make me a modification to my old but sturdy Anglepoise lamp arm, (with the lighting component taken off), which I think will make a useful mic hanger at low cost.
My studio is my box room. A small space 8 x 9 ft, hard walls and surfaces, so I have to think about sound-muffling the walls. Maybe hanging some carpet/thick curtains will do it.
I have found your site links to be invaluable. May I put a link here to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_audio_workstation which has a helpful explanation of a DAW and a wealth of great links to freebie software, other articles etc.
I am hoping to move from England to Spain in 2007, hating the cold, dark winters here and seeking a change. Podcasting offers a great transportable occupation; it has so much creative potential, and can be entered without a lottery win.
Btw, I enjoyed your Reel Review crit of Glengarry Glen Ross and straight away ordered the DVD. I used to have the video but it walked to someone else’s house! As you imply, Jack Lemmon stole that show hands down. The opening’s angst, in that phone booth, is a master class as a monologue that appears to be convincing dialogue. What timing!
Michael, I have been researching that other box in your hardware train, the Aphex 204 Exciter, and reading http://hometheaterhifi.com/volume_11_3/aphex-204-big-bottom-7-2004.html, (of which the first half is in need of a damn good edit, but the Test Drive segment is enlightening).
I have hardware on the way, as described, and can experiment with it, but in case I meanwhile see an Aphex going for a song — you are my guru here — does the Aphex subjectively seem to be prime-bang-for-the-buck to you, in a speech-predominant application? I understand the need to enhance bass drums, to lift a soloist out of a mix or to pipe down a shrill instrument up close to the mic. So, for piece-to-mic output I guess I’m asking, do you find it delivers significant benefit? Your voice has a rather higher natural pitch than mine. My voice is naturally more towards Morgan Freeman! I know how subjective all this is, so this is just me thinking into your ear.
Trevor,
I found the Aphex 204 helpful in the beginning but dropped it from my audio chain over a year ago. Long story, but many others have done the same. It is a relatively inexpensive piece of gear and might be interesting to experiment with, but I would only consider it once you have everything else nailed down.
Michael,
I don’t do a lot of monologue type podcasts. Usually I am interviewing someone and I am a big fan of Skype. Right now I use my desktop to record the show using Goldwave. Then I have an additional laptop that is running Skype…I run a plug from the headset jack to my mixer and then plug in my Shure PG58 to record my voice. It has made a big difference in the sound from the way I used to do it.
I see that you moved the recording to a external source like that Marantz md670 deal. How do you set that up to record with the set up I have. Still run everything in to the mixer and then???
Also, do you think the external source in necessary?
I have made upgrades as I can afford them, but is there one piece of equipment you would absolutely recommend? I have an Alesis 8 Mixer and a PG58 mic (which I am looking at upgrading).
Thanks for the help and great podcast!!
Greg