This should be considered part 2.5 of a short series of Pointers that concern themselves with the finer points of podcasting (we sort-of started with a
Pointers about voice recording on the Mac generally, then went into the first requirements
specifically for a podcast). This week, the Wednesday Pointers will focus on defining your podcast, including which of three media types you want to go for; recording tips for local, field, and remote discussions; and then some focus on editing.
At this point, having read the previous two entries about quality microphones, developing an angle for your topic or topics that will help your podcast find an audience and stand out from the crowd, and (if needed) recruiting a small team to either help with the tech aspects or to liven up the discussion, you're nearly ready to begin. We can't help you with titles or your show-title artwork for iTunes (at least, not this week), but we'll next get you ready to record and produce your first audio or video package that will eventually become your very own podcast.
Podcast formats
There are, essentially, three types of podcasts: audio-only (by far the most common), enhanced audio (our personal favorite format, but less common, sadly) and video (or screencast) -- ideal for certain types of podcasts, particularly those oriented around instruction. Even before you begin, you should decide on what type of podcast you want to do, because this is going to have an impact on everything, from how much money you spend investing in it to how often you produce episodes.
Along with the format, we recommend that some thinking be done about the "level" you want to go for here: a simple, easy-to-make podcast about a given topic that can be done frequently at your own expense, or are you hoping to make a living doing podcasts (spoiler alert: nobody does, but a really good one might open some other career doors)? Or something in between that might be good enough to attract a sponsor at some point? Different approaches warrant different commitments, budgets, and work.
To give you an idea of what we mean, let's pick a simple topic: exercise. You want to help people exercise better, that's your goal. How do you accomplish this as an audio-only podcast? Well, with that limitation, you can describe certain techniques, or offer a motivational monologue designed to get the listener moving, but there's some definite limitations there. An enhanced podcast -- an audio file in MP4 format that includes chapter markers, photos, and bookmarking abilities not found with MP3 files -- allows you to illustrate what you're talking about without the listener having to have their eyes on the screen. That's very helpful. Of course, a full-blown video podcast could really teach the technique through demonstrations, but would probably have to be watched before or as the user is trying the exercise.
For audio-only, a mic and the ability to clearly explain or motivate the listener is about all that's needed. For an enhanced podcast, you'll need to take some good-quality pictures, so you'll need a camera and a good eye -- and may have to restructure how the lesson is presented. For a video podcast, you're gonna need a crew and a video camera (or camera that can take decent video in HD), this may start requiring a bit more time and money.
Capturing your presentation
Whether you just want to sit around with a few buddies entertainingly chatting about your favorite TV show, Skype interview someone connected with the show, or go on location with a video camera to offer location reports and spoilers to eager fans, you'll need equipment. We already talked about some of the mics we've found handy for our own podcast efforts, but there's often more to it than that: even for the most basic audio podcast or video voiceover, you'll need quiet and a way to prevent extraneous ambience that's not part of the show.
A lot of listening to or watching existing podcasts of different types -- from friends chatting to slick, pro efforts -- is a strongly-recommended tip. More than just listening, however, you will want to pay attention to how the show is put together as much as you do the content. Does it have reusable elements? How are they created? Is the show done mostly in one continuous chat, or made up of a series of shorter segments? Where did the music and graphics used come from? Most podcasters are happy to share their knowledge with those just starting out, so don't be afraid to ask, particularly if you are a regular listener.
For now, let's keep it simple: you have a mic, you have someone to talk to over Skype or FaceTime Audio, and this all plugs into your computer. On the Mac, a simple way to capture a single audio source such as a Skype call is a $19 program called Piezo from Rogue Amoeba, who also make the more powerful big brother to that program called Audio Hijack which may come in handy when things start getting really serious. Piezo can be directed to capture audio from a single app -- in this case Skype or facetime -- and will ignore other audio sources on your Mac, just as message alerts, and it is incredibly simple to use. There's a trial version available, give it a whirl.
Yes, you could make this work in more complicated ways and save a few bucks, but this takes focus away from the show itself, so just throw the Rogue Amoeba guys some money. Initiate the call, yell at your family to shut up for the next hour, hit the record button on Piezo, and chat. At the end of the chat, stop the call, turn off the Piezo capture, and tell your loved ones they can resume their endless racket once again.
A quick side tip: in order to make your voice sound the best it can, you may want to set up a tri-folder barrier between your mic and the wall, or the computer -- something like that screen a Dungeon Master hides behind during games of D&D -- lined with foam to help muffle any echoey effect. One of our staff lined an open box with foam padding, placed the microphone in it, and spoke into the box. Don't laugh -- it sounded much better than the gaming headset he had used previously.
Speaking of sounding good, obviously while recording you'll want to avoid saying "uh" as much as possible (because you'll just have to edit these out later), watch your language (we're not prudes or anything, but going at least reasonably "clean" really helps most podcasts with reaching an audience), gather your thoughts before speaking, moderate the discussion so that it keeps moving along, and be witty, sharp, wise, articulate, and generally entertaining. Nobody is going to sit through your drone-zone, off-the-cuff, monotone rambling -- except perhaps as a sleep aid.
Likewise, with photos for enhanced podcasts or videos, you're competing against professional media for a listener's attention, so the more professionalism you can put into it, the better. Don't water down your passion or your humor or your viewpoint, but invest in good sound, good lighting (if needed), good photos/graphics, and good communication skills to put yourself on a more level playing field against the pros. The world doesn't need any more sucky podcasts, we're full up on those.
Now the hard part begins: editing and packaging
We'll talk more about how an audio file or video file becomes a true podcast next Wednesday, but suffice to say it's more than just creating an audio file. For now, however, bask in the glow of the first step: you've captured a conversation or performance that, with a little polish, can be ready for the world to hear. Now you need an audio editor to take out those little flubs, cross talk, accidental coughs, or long pauses while the speaker prepares to make a brilliant point. Let's make this completely clear: unless you and your guests are exceptionally good speakers, or reading from a script, don't throw unedited audio out on the Intertubes. You may not need to trim much, but there's always a little polishing that should be done.
Furthermore, I encourage you to be ruthless in editing: someone's rambling? Cut it. Is it you? Check your ego and cut it. A segment on a given topic strays off the subject or gets boring? Cut it. Hilarious but inappropriate joke made in the course of conversation? Cut it. All the podcasts I'm associated with record up to 50 percent more material than the target time would allow for, and then trim the fat, the fluff, and the fubar moments. The golden rule of podcasts is that short and sharp beats long and flat, so focused moderation during recording and additional tightening during the edit will give you a better shot at keeping an audience. Their available listening time is precious, so don't abuse it.
What can you use to edit with? On the Mac there are a wealth of options. The free Audacity can get you started, and will do the job (can also help with capture if you want it to). If your initial recording was captured as a compressed audio file, or doesn't need much in the way of bells and whistles beyond cuts and fades, you will want to at least try out Fission 2 ($29, or in a bundle with Audio Hijack 3 for $60), also from Rogue Amoeba. Easy, gorgeous, and stable -- everything Audacity isn't -- and most importantly lossless audio editing without recompressing a compressed format like MP3 (though ideally you should record and edit in a lossless format like AIFF). I use it when I have a good audio file that just needs a few cuts and fade-in/fade-out, like most interview segments.
Beyond that, you can get as fancy and expensive as you like with audio editing. I've settled on Amadeus Pro ($60) from Hairersoft, mostly because of its extra power and strong support. This is a multi-track, plug-in-supporting, cross-fading digital audio workstation (DAW) that is still fairly easy to learn and aimed more at prosumers and hobbyists than it is at being the be-all, end-all DAW. Podcasts are not terribly complex as audio projects go, but you might need a way to paste an extra voice over another conversation, blend in music, keep multiple audio tracks separate, and do some EQ sweetening, loudness de-clipping, volume normalizing and even stereo synthesizing to make your recordings sound their best. Felt Tip's Sound Studio 4 is another option with similar capabilities for a little less money.
There's no getting around this: sometimes, editing can be incredibly tedious. This is where you will quickly find out if you have the endurance to make a real commitment to podcasting, or if you just wanted to spread some more blather on the Internet to stroke your ego. I once compiled an interview with the man who wrote a well-known sci-fi novel, but at the time of the interview was suffering from emphysema. He spoke slowly and breathed heavily every few words, as he was constantly short of breath.
To make him listenable (because what he had to say was well worth it) I spent an entire day taking out every pause and wheeze and connecting it all back up to restore the original rhythm of his voice across a 30-minute interview. It was torturous, but the end result was worth it both at the time of airing, and historically after he passed away. With any luck, the most you'll need to do is take out some "uh's" and interruptions, which won't take long once you get practiced at doing it.
Next week, we will take that edited audio file and enhance it with music cues, sound effects, or even photos/graphics, and find a home for it on the web where iTunes or other podcast repositories can find it. Here comes the "techie" part of the whole process!
-- Charles Martin (
[email protected])
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