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Record a Quality Podcast on the Cheap
Posted by Gina Trapani at 11:00 AM on February 3, 2008
MetaFilter founder Matt Haughey reveals his secret to recording the MeFi podcast between two Macs with simple software sans expensive hardware. Matt says:
I read a lot of podcast how-tos when I set out to do my own, and almost all of them are mired in technical details about microphone quality and USB vs. mixer board audio wankery. Most every tutorial about doing a podcast interview focuses way too much on studio-like sound quality achieved through your equipment instead of through software and a bit of clever thinking.Matt's trick is to record a Skype call on both ends separately, then combine the two audio tracks in Garageband to bypass any Skype sound quality problems. Genius! Hit the link to get the details.
Tags: garageband | how to | mac | mac os x | podcasts | skype
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
winston
Posted 2:39 PM 3/2/08
So what's the Windows substitute for Garageband in this setup?
winston
rawfan
Posted 2:39 PM 3/2/08
Wow. I thought that's how everybody does it ;) But seriously.. I don't know a single podcast (that takes itself at leat a little serious) doing it differently.
rawfan
stampsgal
Posted 4:38 PM 3/2/08
This is exactly how I and my podcast co-hosts record our podcast every week. We start a conference call in Skype, and everyone records their own audio using Audacity ([audacity.sourceforge.net]), and then when we're finished we send the audio files to the person who is going to do the final editing for what we just recorded. Editing is also done in Audacity. Easy! And free!
stampsgal
Dan
Posted 5:38 PM 3/2/08
Yep, this is how we do the MacUser podcast usually. Sometimes, though, it's still quicker and easier to record the folks on Skype, especially when you're dealing with someone who isn't a regular contributor.
Dan
Woodsyx
Posted 6:39 PM 3/2/08
I dont know if this could work also but Ventrilo allows users to set up 4 slot servers for free on their home computer, if you mute the sounds that play when you push to talk that might yield better sound.
Woodsyx
graham.reeds
Posted 9:39 PM 3/2/08
2 Macs != Cheap
graham.reeds
ctomasi
Posted 11:39 PM 3/2/08
I agree with the above comments. We've been doing Technorama that way for years. Yes, it's a bit more work, but the quality is worth it. This isn't really NEW news, but it's worth passing on for those who may not be aware of this technique.
Winston, a decent substitute for GarageBand on Windows is Audacity (audacity.sourceforge.net). It's also available for Linux.
--Chuck Tomasi - co-author of Podcasting for Dummies - 2nd ed. and co-host/producer of Technorama, Gmail Podcast, Radio Yesterday, and Freestyle at chuckchat.com
ctomasi
Strengthnation
Posted 1:38 AM 4/2/08
That's a great bit! I might try that for y next interview. Usually I just record off the phone and filter the sound in post. It never really sounds awesome, but it is functional.
@WINSTON I use Goldwave to edit sound, most people use Audacity, both are free for a time limit or feature limit.
Strengthnation
Cris
Posted 1:38 AM 4/2/08
I've been listening to a lot of podcasts lately to determine exactly what qualities separate professional-sounding podcasts from amateur, and hosts independently recording their own audio is definitely one of them. Another is ducking music behind voice tracks - I put together a screencast showing how to use ducking in Audacity here:
[www.noshrinkwrap.com]
While I use Audacity as well, I did run across a program that seems to be a pretty decent Windows-based GarageBand app, Mixcraft: [www.acoustica.com]
Has anyone here tried this app?
Cris
rawfan
Posted 2:39 AM 4/2/08
Here's another tip for sync'ing the tracks:
At the beginning, when all co-hosts are in the skype conference and started their recording, let the host and each of the co-hosts count to to four alternating. Like this:
host: ONE
co-host1: TWO
host: THREE
co-host1: FOUR
Repeat with the other co-hosts. No you can easily sync the tracks in your favourite multi-track editor (like Audition).
If you're going to edit the thing it is usually easier to not to work in a multi-track mode. A good idea is creating a single stereo-track, having the host/moderator on the left and all the co-hosts tracks merged together on the right.
rawfan
rawfan
Posted 4:38 AM 4/2/08
@Cris: Don't get me wrong.. I mix them together after the editing is done. This just makes editing alot easier. When I'm done I create one mono track mixing left and right channel with both 100%.
Talking about software.. I usually use Linux in erverydays works. But I found no substitude for Audition, yet. It is well worth the price. If you can get your hands on an old CoolEdit license it will do the job just as well.
rawfan
Cris
Posted 4:38 AM 4/2/08
Does anyone else use stereo channels to separate host from guests? I've never seen any sort of consensus on that issue. In my own experience, I prefer all voices to be panned center, but I do hear from time to time others preferring hosts panned to one channel and guests panned to the other. What are others' opinions on this?
Also, while I personally prefer Audacity, I'm always on the hunt for other software apps, particularly freeware. I don't particularly care for Wavosaur ([www.wavosaur.com]), but I do like Reaper ([www.reaper.fm]). Any others people like using?
Cris