How To Create Your Own Podcast

[area51drone]

Well, I think this thread is LONG overdue, and MV, go read my post in the people we miss thread - this thread is for you if you agree with me.   I would like to see any of you who have succeeded in creating podcasts describe and discuss software, hardware/equipment, methods and self promotion.    What makes a podcast hard to do?   How exactly are you getting your voice into the computer and out there to the masses?   What technical challenges have you faced?   Where have you posted your content besides here?

[Juan]

I think this thread is a good idea.  Jim Harold had a free webinar this past week on podcasting.  He gave away a little information, but mostly it was plugging his podcast course for $99.

I don't do podcasts, but I spent decades in broadcasting and the music business.  You can get by with a soundcard, but a USB audio interface would be better.  There's a $50 Behringer mixer that doubles as a USB interface that would probably be good.  Get a good microphone.  A Shure SM57 or SM58 run about $100 at Guitar Center, Sam Ash, etc.  Buy a mic stand and boom ($30-50) and a pop filter.  Get a good cable to run from the mic to the interface - and here's where the interface far outshines a sound card.  You can run a 3-wire balanced cable from the mic to the interface.  This helps reduce hum and other electrical noise.  If you use a sound card, you're stuck with finding a cable with one of those tiny 1/8 plugs.  As for software, a lot of people use Audacity, which is free.

You should be able to get good equipment for $300 or so - provided you already have a modern computer.

[Bart Ell]

First is deciding if you are doing a live podcast or pre-recording everything.

Second, are you taking calls or talking to guests via Skype?

Once you have decided on those 2 points then you can begin considering equipment and software.

If you are a novice with sound equipment I would suggest you go with a USB mic, something like the Blue Yeti. It is about $100 and comes with the desktop stand and sounds pretty good for podcasting. Stay away from the Blue Snowball, it may cost less but the sound difference is staggering. If money is an issue you can make your own pop screen for a few bucks (pantyhose and a wire clothes hanger) and even make a mini sound booth out of some foam and a storage tote.

Audacity is good and free. Adobe Audition offers a little more but is not free. If you are doing a pre-recorded podcast then you can use the various plug-ins for noise reduction and compression. There are many videos on youtube and articles on the web that can help you with using the software. Most prefer the youtube video as you are getting to see what the person is doing with the software as opposed to just reading about it. It is all pretty simple and you should not fear experimenting with plugins and editing.


Live podcasting requires different hardware and software. I would say the live avenue is not for everyone and require much more prep. As a start I would say the adventurous could download a trial of Sam Broadcaster and get used to all the moving parts needed to do a live show.


As far as self promotion goes - get the word out but don't be an idiot about it. Don't act like the typical Noory guest and tell people to "listen to my podcast for the rest of the story".

[area51drone]

Okay, well I am planning on doing a live interview and call in show with a good friend of mine (who is not a bellgabber).   Based on MV's cryptic and short emails that he sent me in the past, I purchased a DBX 286S compressor.   I already have a couple decent mics from back in the day when I used to use them for a company I worked for that did audio work.  They laid me off and I had the stuff at my house - they didn't ask for it back.   I also picked up an Alesis USB mixer, and I happened to have a popper screen.   I recently bought an adjustable desk mounted mic arm that is coming from China, which might prove to be my weak link when it comes to extraneous noises, that along with my farting chair.   Other than that, my biggest sound concern is my kids running in while I'm doing the show, but it will probably be well after they go to bed.   Most likely a 9pm-ish pacific time broadcast.

I'll release more details as my friend and I get the kinks worked out, but I think we have some good ideas for a halfway decent show.   I'm most concerned about how to do the interviews and callers, and getting my buddy set up with his audio equipment.   Obviously everyone seems to be using skype, but I haven't even installed it yet so that's something I will have to check out next.  I will checkout Sam Broadcaster, thank you for the tip.

[area51drone]

I forgot to ask, I recall there being places where you can hire voice over talent, but I can't remember any of them.   Do you guys have any recommendations?  Would be interested in hiring someone to do the show intro and bumper stuff.

[eddie dean]

I forgot to ask, I recall there being places where you can hire voice over talent, but I can't remember any of them.   Do you guys have any recommendations?  Would be interested in hiring someone to do the show intro and bumper stuff.

You might look into this site. http://www.simplevoiceovers.com/index.html

I have not used their services, so I cannot personaly vouch for them. I've seen other sites who offer voice-over services too.
You might consider asking a friend to do them first, before spending money on outside services. This way you can control and adjust variables on the fly, such as mood & delivery subtleties.
Hope this helps. good luck with the podcast. I look forward to it.

[area51drone]

You might look into this site. http://www.simplevoiceovers.com/index.html

I have not used their services, so I cannot personaly vouch for them. I've seen other sites who offer voice-over services too.
You might consider asking a friend to do them first, before spending money on outside services. This way you can control and adjust variables on the fly, such as mood & delivery subtleties.
Hope this helps. good luck with the podcast. I look forward to it.

I took a voice over class a few years ago, as I was going to do some commercial stuff for my business, but never ended up getting around to it because we went a different direction.  I think the one the teacher spoke about was Voice123.com, so I might go that route.  I do have an acquaintance who does commercials, maybe I will contact him first and see what he might charge me.   Simple voiceovers is definitely cheap, but I don't like any of them. 

BTW, I have a shit radio voice, so be prepared to gag.  I'm hoping the content will make up for the lack of smoothness.

[Juan]

I have a friend who does voice overs professionally.  He charges, so don't think free. He's very professional and dependable. His website has some samples.
http://terrycaseyvoiceworks.com/

[area51drone]

I have a friend who does voice overs professionally.  He charges, so don't think free. He's very professional and dependable. His website has some samples.
http://terrycaseyvoiceworks.com/

Not bad..  he's definitely on the list of potentials.   I emailed the guy I know.  I checked out his demo reel and his voice is a bit deeper than Terry's, so if he's not too expensive I might go with him.    I realize this is going to cost me something.

[MV/Liberace!]

Other than that, my biggest sound concern is my kids running in while I'm doing the show, but it will probably be well after they go to bed.

the DBX will largely take care of the background noise.  i've been known in the summer to host the spec sheet two feet away from a window AC unit.  you'd never know it when listening.

[JimHarold]

I saw a note above mentioning I was "plugging" my podcast course.  Absolutely true, I'm guilty!  I think 9 years of hard earned knowledge is worth the price of filling up your tank twice

The class is focused on creating a podcast that sounds good for as little money as possible.  If anyone is interested, here is the link: http://podcastwithjim.com/create-your-own-brand-with-the-power-of-podcasting/

Thanks & Happy Podcasting!

[Tarbaby]

A51d, be sure to let us know when you get your podcast going, I'll give it a listen for sure! and regarding the voice quality, often the unusual voice is the more interesting. Or memorable.

[area51drone]

A51d, be sure to let us know when you get your podcast going, I'll give it a listen for sure! and regarding the voice quality, often the unusual voice is the more interesting. Or memorable.

Oh I will, you can count on that.  Where else would I get such a rabid audience?   And when show #1 is ready, prepare to be disappointed, disgusted and ready to slit my throat!

[Mind Flayer Monk]

Oh I will, you can count on that.  Where else would I get such a rabid audience?   And when show #1 is ready, prepare to be disappointed, disgusted and ready to slit my throat!

What will your podcast be about?

[wr250]

What will your podcast be about?

either falkie or midget porn. possibly both.

[area51drone]

either falkie or midget porn. possibly both.

LOL...  you know me too well!   Actually, I *was* thinking of asking Falkie to be a guest expert to have on every once in a while.  I'm hoping he'll say yes but I haven't emailed him yet about it.   As some of you may have read, I wanted Casio to be my first guest, but he promptly refused and told me to fuck off.

I just got done setting my audio equipment up and just about blew out my ear drums testing all the settings on the dbx and the mixer.   I've been picking bumper music too, and I have some broadcasting software setup but I haven't gone so far as to actually broadcast anything, and I'm not sure if I will at least at first.  Based on the number of call ins to the gabcast and the spec sheet, I am pretty sure no one would call in for at least the first 50 episodes, so I might have to leave that part for later.   So I guess is all I really need is an easy way to play the bumpers, interact with a guest and my radio partner over skype and then upload it to my website.    And I still need to make the intro and outro music.   It's all a long road for me, as I don't have a ton of time to learn this shit.  Fortunately it isn't rocket science, MV just makes it out to look that way.

As for the actual content of the show, I have a ton of topics that my buddy and I want to cover.  I'm going to try to line up a guest per episode, and then other than that it will just be talking with him about whatever floats our boat that day.   We're both in tech (well at least he is), so that will come up, but also just things that interest us, a little politics here and there, news, etc.   Kind of like spec sheet, but shittier, with a topic for the night, and we will not be offering free hard drives nor technical advice.  I'd list a few topics from the library of them that we've created, but I'd like to keep it a surprise.   I guess it's not a secret that I would want to do an episode on Casio, but without his participation it will have to be about him with guest expert onan (if he'd break his non-compete with the gabcast).

Oh, and the show is going to be called "The Brain Fart"

[area51drone]

the DBX will largely take care of the background noise.  i've been known in the summer to host the spec sheet two feet away from a window AC unit.  you'd never know it when listening.

MV, I'm hearing a radio station, 102.9, faintly through my headphone jack on the mixer.   Anything you can suggest to fix that?    Obviously I'm not playing any radios nearby, but the wiring must be acting as an antenna.

[area51drone]

My Sam Broadcaster trial is up.  I'm considering just getting an account at cheapeststream.com to get the Lite version for free.   MV, gabcast guys, what are you using?

[Mind Flayer Monk]

Are you going to integrate some pinball sounds into your podcast?
http://www.pinsound.org/

[area51drone]

Are you going to integrate some pinball sounds into your podcast?
http://www.pinsound.org/

Probably not, although I've thought about having an episode on pinball.  I just would have to find a way to make it interesting to the average person.  I could talk about pinball all day but I think it would be boring to talk about this game or that game because most people don't know much about it.   Maybe talking to an operator, or someone who owns or has owned an arcade.   Or, perhaps interviewing some of the really crazy people in pinball who collect hundreds of machines, or those who are big players in the history of it.     There has to be some spin on it to make it about the human aspect, it just can't be about pinball itself.

[MV/Liberace!]

MV, I'm hearing a radio station, 102.9, faintly through my headphone jack on the mixer.   Anything you can suggest to fix that?    Obviously I'm not playing any radios nearby, but the wiring must be acting as an antenna.

you probably need better cables throughout the processing chain.  that's definitely where i'd start.  sounds like what you're currently using isn't shielded very well.

edit:  you might also try lifting the ground pin where your audio equipment is plugged in using one of these:

[MV/Liberace!]

oh, and i forgot to answer your question.  for playing liners/music/etc. during the show, i use this.

[area51drone]

Thanks for the help.  For recording the show, do you just use any old mp3 recorder?   What software are you using to broadcast the show live?

[MV/Liberace!]

Thanks for the help.  For recording the show, do you just use any old mp3 recorder?   What software are you using to broadcast the show live?

To encode (broadcast) the stream, I use EdCast.  You'll also need to get an account with a shoutcast hosting company.  I use ExpresHostingCenter.  To record the show, I use MP3DirectCut.

[MV/Liberace!]

Fortunately it isn't rocket science, MV just makes it out to look that way.

and i almost forgot to say...   tha phukk?

[area51drone]

and i almost forgot to say...   tha phukk?

LOL, I kid, I kid!  Thanks for all the software links.

[MV/Liberace!]

LOL, I kid, I kid!  Thanks for all the software links.

no prob mang.  let me know if u have other questions.

[Tarbaby]

Year after year for recording MP3s I hear people recommend audacity. But I have found that MP3 directCcut  is much better, much more simple, more powerful. And they're both free. This is actually the first time I've heard someone recommend MP3 direct cut besides me. And I'm talking the last dozen years. Laporte is still recommending audacity but I don't know why.

[ponyboysunset]

I do my own show. I don't plug it here because it is not of the paranormal variety. I spent tops 100 bucks, and that was mainly for the mixer I bought eons ago. I have been doing podcasting since 2006ish on and off. I use audacity to record. A radio shack mixer if I want to spin vinyl, and archive.org to house it for free. It's so easy, and seriously anyone can and should do it! I have been doing mine since November 2013.

You can do a facebook page for promotion, and I am lucky enough that someone in real radio has decided to support my show and plug it. That tripled my numbers. I have about 600 listeners. Not bad for an unknown!

There is a lot of free information out there on how to do it. The hardest thing I think is fielding emails afterwards. As MV said at one point people either love you or they really hate you! I have gotten some crazy, nasty emails, so just a heads up if you are super sensitive this might not be for you!

Oh and I use a Shure brand microphone that is like 50 bucks and I bought a mic stand for 20. You can make a pop filter(helps with S's and F sounds) out of a pair of tights and an embroidery loop. Again all of this can be done on the cheap. I'm broke and I do a show damn near every week.

[Corona Kitty]

I have a podcast, just did my first live show, which makes me feel superior.


Anywho, if you really are serious about this, I say buy the expensive equipment, I've heard plenty of shows, "podcasts".... They either sound terrible, or extremely boring. However the boring part comes from the host or guest. Back to my point, I started off and bought a cheap mixer that was 60$ now I'm using a mixer that cost a lot more than that. Also buy a nice dynamic microphone, trust me I should have done that from the start. I like you listened to those, who said "buy cheap", remember sir, you get what you paid for.