Podcasting Gear 101: A Beginners Guide to Podcasting Technology
Does podcasting technology make podcasting look hard? Face your podcasting gear fears head-on with a meetup designed to show you what you need to buy to get started, how to set all of it up before your first recording session, and how to make everything work for your new podcast.
What will you learn?
Learn what you need for a basic podcast recording step-up
Understand what makes a good microphone versus a bad microphone
Understand when you need and don't need a mixer
Understand what software you need to create a recording
Learn the audio recording process and basic sound and recording techniques
Learn how to edit your audio files, add music, and publish a final MP3
Learn how to record a podcast without having to use a computer
The Gagglepod Advantage
Coming to a Gagglepod Meetup comes with the added advantage of being able to ask any question you have about podcasting! Even if you're already podcasting, Gagglepod is all about building a community of podcasters. Come for the talks, stay for the Q&A!
About Gagglepod
Gagglepod is designed to teach you the art and technology behind building better podcasts. Each monthly talk gives you the chance to hear from new and experienced podcasters as they share their experiences in creating, producing, and marketing their own shows. Join the growing community of Fredericksburg Podcasters dedicated to helping you build your own successful podcast.
To learn more, please visit Gagglepod.com.
Where to find Gagglepod Meetups
Germanna Community College
10000 Germanna Point Drive
Workforce Building Room 126
Fredericksburg, VA
Podcasting Gear 101: A Beginners Guide to Podcasting Technology
1. Podcast Gear 101
Kyle Bondo
kyle@trenchbucket.com
meetup.com/gagglepod
gagglepod.com
PODCAST GEAR 101
Gagglepod
A Beginners Guide to Podcasting Technology
2. Tonight's Goals:
Gagglepod Process
Starting Tools
Advanced Tools
Mobile Recording Tools
PODCAST SHOW DEVELOPMENT
Alt Recording Tools
Recording Environment
Recording Principles
Putting It All Together
4. GAGGLEPOD PROCESS
EXPERTISE IDEA
BUILD
MICTOOLS LAUNCH
The Gagglepod Process
DEV
1. Something you’re good at
2. Have an idea
3. Develop your show
4. Get some tools
5. Use a good microphone
6. Launch it
7. Build an Audience
5. GAGGLEPOD PROCESS
EXPERTISE IDEA
BUILD
MICTOOLS LAUNCH
The Gagglepod Process
DEV
1. Something you’re good at
2. Have an idea
3. Develop your show
4. Get some tools
5. Use a good microphone
6. Launch it
7. Build an Audience
6. GAGGLEPOD PROCESS
TOOLS MIC
The Gagglepod Show Development Process
WHAT DO YOU NEED
TO RECORD?
WHAT DO YOU NEED
TO SOUND GOOD?
7. “It’s not about the microphone.”
– Dave Jackson, School of Podcasting
STARTING TOOLS
Starting Tools
What do you need to record a podcast?
9. Bad Podcasting Microphones
• Condenser Microphones
• Great for Musicians/Singers
• Take in too much sound
• Difficult to edit out sounds
STARTING TOOLS – SIMPLE RECORDING SETUP
– Blue Snowball – Blue Yeti
10. Good Podcasting Microphones
• Dynamic/Cardioid Mics
• Made for Radio/Podcasting
• Audio Technica ATR2100 ($65)
• Heil PR-40 ($330)
– Audio Technica
ATR2100 USB
– Heil PR-40
STARTING TOOLS – SIMPLE RECORDING SETUP
12. Record your voice
• Recording Software
• Adobe Audition ($49/mo.)
• Hindenburg ($95/copy)
• Audacity (Free)
• Garage Band ($5)
STARTING TOOLS – SIMPLE RECORDING SETUP
13. How much does this gear cost?
• Computer – Laptop ($$$)
Internet Connection
• Cardioid/Dynamic Microphone ($)
• Audio Recording Software
Adobe Audition ($$)
Hindenburg ($)
Audacity (Free)
STARTING TOOLS – SIMPLE RECORDING SETUP
14. DEMO #1
Simple Setup
*Using an Audio Technica ATR2100
USB Microphone
STARTING TOOLS – SIMPLE RECORDING SETUP
15. “Let me ‘splain… No, there is too much.
Let me sum up..”
– Inigo Montoya, The Princess Bride
ADVANCED TOOLS
Advanced Tools
What can you use to improve your podcast?
21. External Devices into Mixer
• Connect Smartphone,
Tablet, or player
• Skype call directly into
mixer
• Live show and sound
effects
ADVANCED TOOLS – ADVANCED RECORDING SETUP
22. DEMO #4
Mobile Device Demo
*Using a Mobile Device
Connected to the Mixer
STARTING TOOLS – SIMPLE RECORDING SETUP
23. OTHER AUDIO TOOLS
Other Audio Setups
• Compressor/Limiter/Gate ($$$)
Optimize your workflow
• Studio Monitor Speakers
Listen without Headphones
• Axillary Recorders
Backup Recording
24. “Learning is not done to you.
Learning is something you choose to do.”
– Seth Godin
ALTERNATIVE RECORDING TOOLS
Mobile Recording Tools
What can you record a podcast on the road?
25. Mobile as Recorders
• Mobile Phone ($$$)
Onboard Microphone
• Extending Mobile Phones
Add-on Mics
• Sound Quality
• Background Sounds
MOBILE RECORDING TOOLS
26. Field Recorders
• Hand-held recorders ($$-$$$)
Portable Mini-Studios
• Creates multitrack files
Downloadable WAV/MP3
• Complex Setup
Configuration and Use
MOBILE RECORDING TOOLS
28. Recording on the Road
• No computer needed
• Mixed audio results
• Raw Audio Files
• Background noise
• Minimal Editing
MOBILE RECORDING TOOLS
29. “Learning is not done to you.
Learning is something you choose to do.”
– Seth Godin
ALTERNATIVE RECORDING TOOLS
Alternative Recording Tools
What are other podcasting options?
30. Audio Editing Software
• Sound Effects Apps
Bossjock Studio
Soundboard
Soundpad
• Online Audio Tools
Auphonic
• Audio Services
Podcast Fast Track
ALT RECORDING TOOLS
31. Recording Online
• Audio Connections
• Call Recorders
• Double-Header Setups
• 3rd Party Services
ALT RECORDING TOOLS
32. Recording Live
• Audio and/or Video Connections
• Output as Podcast Audio
• 3rd Party Services
• Combine with Chat Rooms
• Take Calls or Add Hosts
ALT RECORDING TOOLS
33. “Learning is not done to you.
Learning is something you choose to do.”
– Seth Godin
RECORDING ENVIRONMENT
Recording Environment
How do I prepare my space for recording?
35. Professional Spaces
• Professional Studio Setups
($$-$$$)
• Remove Wall Vibrations
Insulation/Sheetblock
• Damping/Acoustic Panels
• Decoupling/Filling Air Gaps
RECORDING ENVIRONMENT
36. “It’s not about the microphone.”
– Dave Jackson, School of Podcasting
RECORDING PRINCIPLES
Recording Principles
How do I sound good?
37. #1 – Have a process
• Planning your content
• Preparing your space
• Preparing your gear
• Warming up your voice
• Rehearsal time
RECORDING PRINCIPLES
38. #2 – Practice your Voice Skills
• Practice, practice, practice!
• Speak slow and deliberate
• Learn your habits
• Simplify your editing
• Good enough over Perfect
RECORDING PRINCIPLES
39. #3 – Stick to the Script
• Remember your format
• Have an outline
• Stay on script to a point
• Use natural voice
RECORDING PRINCIPLES
40. #4 – Create your episode in parts
• Record in small batches
• Focus on content first
• Think about Intro/Outro after
• Add Music last
• Review your drafts
RECORDING PRINCIPLES
41. “It’s not about the microphone.”
– Dave Jackson, School of Podcasting
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Putting it All Together
How do I edit my audio files?
42. Putting it all together
• Edit as you go
• Multitrack setup
• Export *.mp3 file
• Review your final draft
• Ready to publish
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
43. DEMO #1
Audio File Editing
*Using Adobe Audition
CC 2017
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
44. HELP – WHERE CAN I GET HELP?
Help
Where can I get help?
“The two best times to start a podcast:
In 2006… and NOW!”
– Dave Jackson, School of Podcasting
45. HELP – WHERE CAN I GET HELP?
Podcasts about Podcasting
• School of Podcasting – schoolofpodcasting.com
• Ask the Podcast Coach – askthepodcastcoach.com
• Audacity to Podcast – audacitytopodcast.com
• The Podcasters Studio – thepodcastersstudio.com
• Podcasters’ Roundtable – podcastersroundtable.com
• Podcast Answerman – podcastanswerman.com
46. Local Connections
Merchants of Dirt
@MerchantsofDirt
merchantsofdirt.com
reckoneer.com
Gagglepod
Podcasters Meetup
gagglepod.com
meetup.com/gagglepod
Get Lost Racing
@MerchantsofDirt
getlostracing.com
reckoneer.com
HELP – WHERE CAN I GET HELP?
