Guide to Podcasting: All the basics explained, learn how they are produced and what tools you need to create a podcast.
There are many who are fond of listening to audios than reading. And if there’s useful stuff available in the form of audio files that can be downloaded and can be listened to later, while driving or in spare time, then it’s definitely welcome.
And that is the reason this medium became popular, as it allowed distribution of audio files for download to digital music players, such as the iPod.
And if you’re an educator, talk show or an entertainer who hosts his/her own radio show, or a composer, disc jockey, who want make his/her songs heard by a large audience, you can take advantage of this technology.
It’s more like blogging with the only difference being you use audio files instead of text.
What is Podcasting?
Here are the salient features and how it works:
It’s also easy to make your own podcast, you just need some basic equipment as mentioned below.
Reason For Its Popularity
This concept is similar to blogging, in that you can share your thoughts and anyone can subscribe to them. But because it uses audio and video, big media players such as ABC, ESPN, and NPR (to name a few) have taken to this technology big time and now have their own podcasts.
Many bloggers also use podcasts, so that people can subscribe to audio as well as text.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) does not govern podcast content, so diverse opinions and views can be expressed that previously had no place in traditional broadcasting media.
Copyrights can be an issue, but there’s “podsafe” music that musicians give podcasters permission to use, sometimes with certain conditions.
Another advantage is that, since these can be produced fairly cheaply and space is not really a constraint, podcasts are able to target specialized niche audiences that are impractical for mass media, due to their relatively small numbers.
These combined factors allow a tremendous variety of content. For instance, you can find:
How to Subscribe
Anyone can make a podcast about anything, and anyone can listen to a podcast anytime (as long as they have the necessary gear).
To find podcasts, checkout one of the following directories:
You’ll need a software package (podcatcher) such as iTunes to download the podcasts.
There are a number of applications available for different operating systems. Simply type “podcatcher” into a search engine to find them.
How are Podcasts Produced?
If you’re thinking about producing your own podcast, the following five steps will help get you ready:
- Decide on a topic you’re passionate about
- Find a place to produce your podcast, ideally one with little to no background noise (watch out for air conditioners, fluorescent lights, and other noisy appliances)
- Decide how often you want to release a podcast (your listeners will appreciate a regularly scheduled show, whether it’s daily, weekly, or monthly)
- Decide how long each podcast should be (after carefully considering how long you want to spend on pre- and post-production and the amount of bandwidth you have available)
- Design a format you will mould each show around
Most pod-casts are usually recorded in your spare time and are produced in one session, usually with minimal post-production editing. If you have a job or make podcasts in your spare time, doing it right the first time is important.
Podcasters typically design their show around their format, doing any necessary research and cueing any background music before pushing record. They adjust their levels and so on, imagining they are going live on the air.
A script is usually unnecessary, but some cards outlining the topics to cover are helpful in keeping you on the right track.
A typical team might plug two studio mics and a keyboard into a FireWire mixer, where they can tweak and balance the sources then route the signal into their computer. Then they can record and edit their podcast with software such as Cakewalk Pyro or Bias Le.
After the show is recorded, post-production editing should be minimal; a little tweaking and adjusting can go a long way. One of the things people enjoy about podcasts is their highly personable and idiosyncratic feel versus the white-bread quality of broadcast radio voices. Podcasters need to be careful to maintain their personal voice and style.
Next the podcast’s audio file needs to be compressed. Standard encoding is 128kbps (stereo), which is probably needed for a music podcast, but a primarily spoken-word podcast would be fine at 64 or 32kbps (mono). The higher the encoding rate, the better the sound quality. But it will take more bandwidth on a server, take longer to download, and use more space on listeners’ audio players, so try to find a good balance.
Publishing a podcast involves generating an RSS feed. Here’s more on RSS and what you need to do:
Promoting the Podcasts
You should ideally also promote your show so that more people can find about it! Here are some of the things that you could do:
If you spend time doing these tasks, soon the word will spread and you’ll have a size-able following of subscribers!
Tools Required to Produce a Podcast?
The gear used to record and edit these recordings can vary greatly, but the list below will give you a general idea of what you’ll need. Remember that the more professional your gear, the more professional your podcast will sound, and the more enjoyable it’ll be for your listeners.
A broadcast microphone: A large-diaphragm cardioid condenser mic, or Heil’s renowned dynamic studio mics, will give you the best sound quality. If you’ll be doing field work, you’ll want a more rugged hand-held mic, but you should still get a condenser for high-quality sound when you’re in the studio.
Pop filter: A pop filter will minimize unwanted plosive noises and is a must-have in any studio.
Desktop microphone stand: A stand keeps your hands free and prevents thumps caused by handling noise.
Headphones: Quality studio headphones will let you monitor your podcast. Talking while monitoring your voice can be disorienting, so practice until you get used to it before you record for real.
USB mixer or interface or a FireWire mixer or interface: An interface will get the signal into your computer and may include mixing software for tweaking and balancing sources, while a mixer is a dedicated unit for doing this and will give you multiple channels and analog control. Make sure your mixer has phantom power if you plan on using condenser microphones.
Computer: You’ll need a computer to record and produce your podcast. Though the word “podcast” is closely associated with Apple Computers, you can record and listen to podcasts on PCs as well.
Recording and editing software: Be sure to get software that supports multiple tracks and supports multi-effects and signal processing plug-ins. Make sure the software lets you save tracks in a digital audio format (MP3, AAC, Ogg, WMA, etc.). Many of these software programs also come with royalty-free audio loops, which are very handy for bumper music (the short clips of music between segments).
Signal processors: Signal processors such as enhancers and exciters can do a lot for your sound. Enhancers like the BBE Sonic Maximizer give your sound more presence by delaying the low frequencies relative to the higher ones, while exciters like the Aphex Aural Exciter improve your system’s sound by re-creating and restoring missing harmonics to a signal.
Soundcard: A good soundcard will provide you with the ability to playback and monitor your podcast, if your interface is not equipped with this ability.
Digital multitrack recorder: A professional recorder will give you very high-quality sound, battery operation (with some portable models), effects, and the ability to record and play back multiple tracks. Most professional digital recorders record in WAV format, so you’ll need to compress your audio on your computer with audio editing software.
Portable digital recorders/MP3 players: MP3 players with recording capabilities are handy when you need to record on the go. The recording quality can vary, but can get as good as stereo MP3 at 320Mbps.
An FTP program: You need this software to upload your files from your computer to the file directory on your web host server, where the public can access it. One example for PC or Mac is Podifier, a software program that automates the creation of your RSS feed with one or more enclosures and the FTP application to upload them to your server.
A telephone recording tool: Programs for recording telephone interviews for podcasts are constantly being invented and improved upon. A few examples are Skype, which offers computer-to-computer and computer-to-phone calls using your mic and headphones that you can hook up to an audio recorder on your computer (type SkypeCasting into a search engine for details); Odeo, which lets you record and post audio over the phone; and iChat, which lets you make conference calls on your Mac with audio and video.
With the proper equipment, your podcast will sound great and if your content is interesting and you do a good job publicizing your creations, you’ll soon generate a base of loyal listeners.
Here’s a nice video that explains this concept, and how you can easily use them to stay up to date with your favorite information sources.
To Conclude
There are always a lot of people who are online at any given point of time, and content producers know how important it’s to engage them using new and a user-friendly distribution channel. No wonder that bloggers, musicians and even media organizations have taken to podcasting as well.
KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.
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