Producing your own Podcast

[SeeGeeWhy]

Long story, but I think I'll be experimenting with creating a podcast in 2017.

Tim Ferriss has put out some really amazing content on how he built his audio empire, so I am definitely looking to his advice, but I'm also wondering if there are any CP members that have gone down this road before. Any war stories?

[Slava]

You should get in touch with Da Chief. He has a good podcast and can definitely give you some advice.

[J pold]

What's it going to be about?

[dsavillian]

Assuming you aren't the only voice on your podcast, I suggest using zencastr.com to record.

Recording over Skype usually ends up with one side of the audio being awful. Zencastr instead records each participant locally and then uploads the tracks as individual (but synced) files. Then you load them into your editor and merge them into one track. You can use built in VOIP or use Skype to hear the other participants - either way, the output is the same.


I use Audacity for editing, pretty easy usually.


Aside from that, make sure your mic is good. I suggest a Blue Snowball or Yeti, but I have a Nessie and like it quite a bit.

[troutman]

Volunteer at CJSW and get all kinds of training on audio production.

[Iceman90]

Originally Posted by dsavillian

Assuming you aren't the only voice on your podcast, I suggest using zencastr.com to record.

Recording over Skype usually ends up with one side of the audio being awful. Zencastr instead records each participant locally and then uploads the tracks as individual (but synced) files. Then you load them into your editor and merge them into one track. You can use built in VOIP or use Skype to hear the other participants - either way, the output is the same.


I use Audacity for editing, pretty easy usually.


Aside from that, make sure your mic is good. I suggest a Blue Snowball or Yeti, but I have a Nessie and like it quite a bit.

You can easily do the same by just recording locally in Audacity, while talking to your co-host/guest in Skype. That's what we do.

I'd be happy to help you get going. PM me and lets chat.

[SeeGeeWhy]

Originally Posted by J pold

What's it going to be about?

For the first few that I do, I'd like to get my feet wet first. So I plan on playing around with the format and technology a while under a pseudonym or in a group of friends and fellow entrepreneurs to share stories to get the hang of it.

Ultimately though, I'd like to create a meaty channel that is tied to a larger initiative.

I'd like to elevate the conversation around eradicating energy poverty... but specifically bring to light the unique position Canadians are in (for SO many reasons) to make a meaningful contribution towards this goal.

If I am successful, I will have educated, given voice to, and mobilized a large swath of centrist, rational thinkers around energy policies and actions. I want to thrust a knife in the heart of the extremism that has completely hijacked public discourse on this issue, which has completely paralyzed meaningful progress for humanity in the process.

We are living in Generation No, I'd like to give voice to Generation Yes.

Originally Posted by dsavillian

Assuming you aren't the only voice on your podcast, I suggest using zencastr.com to record.

Recording over Skype usually ends up with one side of the audio being awful. Zencastr instead records each participant locally and then uploads the tracks as individual (but synced) files. Then you load them into your editor and merge them into one track. You can use built in VOIP or use Skype to hear the other participants - either way, the output is the same.


I use Audacity for editing, pretty easy usually.


Aside from that, make sure your mic is good. I suggest a Blue Snowball or Yeti, but I have a Nessie and like it quite a bit.

Awesome tips. Side question - what makes a "good mic"? Should I ever rock one with the pantyhose?

Originally Posted by troutman

Volunteer at CJSW and get all kinds of training on audio production.

Thats... an awesome idea! I'd love to.

Originally Posted by Iceman90

You can easily do the same by just recording locally in Audacity, while talking to your co-host/guest in Skype. That's what we do.

Troutman, I'd be happy to help you get going. PM me and lets chat.

Iceman, hopefully you don't mind a PM?

Thanks all!

[nickerjones]

I'm also available if you need any help. I have been doing my podcast for 18 months. I have went from a single person podcast with USB mic, to a double person system with 2 uSB mics, to a 4 person set up with XLR Mics & Mixers, to now streaming the podcasts on Youtube live.

I'd be happy to help for sure

[SeeGeeWhy]

You guys should post to your casts... would love to hear them! I'm absolutely addicted to the things.

[nickerjones]

Originally Posted by SeeGeeWhy

You guys should post to your casts... would love to hear them! I'm absolutely addicted to the things.

Not sure if you use iTunes or not so
beerleaguetalk.libsyn.com is the direct link.

If you want to see how the video one plays out:
https://youtu.be/N3748dSDp30

[KevanGuy]

Use a good microphone. And spend time learning how to edit seamlessly. It can take forever (to learn and to do) but the end product will sound noticeably more professional.

[Iceman90]

Originally Posted by SeeGeeWhy

You guys should post to your casts... would love to hear them! I'm absolutely addicted to the things.

I am the host of the Flames podcast Fireside Chat, and am open to a PM from anyone who wants help with podcasting.

[Caged Great]

The mics are the most important thing. I used a Blue Yeti mic, which is great to start with, but I ended up upgrading thanks to winning the CP hockey pool a while ago, which allowed me to get a significantly better mic. Pop filters are a must with any quality recording. It is noticeable if you don't have one.

[dsavillian]

I can't tell you exactly what makes a good microphone - just that you'll know it when you hear it. Avoid built in mics (built in to your laptop or webcam I mean) and follow the online reviews.

Blue makes high quality products for beginners and the price point on the Snowball or Yeti is really good.



I am one half of the recently rebooted Men From MODO podcast on manadeprived.com

http://manadeprived.com/podcasts/men-from-modo/

It's a podcast about the TCG Magic The Gathering. We focus primarily on the online version.

I went in with pretty much zero knowledge about audio editing and recording. Since I'm the techy one out of the group, I was tasked with handling all of the editing. I've come a long way in just 3 episodes

[northcrunk]

It's better to use a condensor mic plugged into an usb external sound card/interface to your PC than plugging a usb mic into your pc direct. You will always have line noise with a usb mic from the power. For a really good condenser mic that wont break the bank and sounds amazing get a Blu Spark ($200).