How We Create the Podcast

While the concept of creating an independent audio show is nothing new, the specifics of podcasting is a recent development. It took both of us some time to hammer out exactly how to create the Digital Strips show and it still isn’t quite perfect since there is not the perfect all around software that does all the things needed.

If you are looking to start your own podcast, for whatever reason, or you’re just interested in how we do it here is the hardware, the software, and the step by step process we go through to put Digital Strips on the web using either a Mac or a PC.

Mac Tools

• Apple iBook G4 - This is my computer. It all starts here. Of course, any computer with a decent sound card and internet capabilities will work.
• Logitech? Internet Chat Headset - This is hands down the best headset I have found. Good noise-canceling microphone with in-line control although the best feature is the flexible line for the mic.
• Griffin iMic - This one will be pretty specific to my setup. The model of iBook I have didn’t come with an “audio in” jack. This USB audio plug adapter solves that issue.
• Skype - Attentive listeners of our show know that Daku and I are separated by several states. We use Skype to talk to each other, for free, over our computers. It works just like any other instant messenger, like iChat or MSN Instant Messenger. The reliability of Skype is not always perfect, it isn’t uncommon to have our connections dropped at least once during a show, but it is still the best at what it does. Did I mention that it’s free?
• Audio Hijack Pro - I use this program to capture the audio of our conversation to MP3 files. The options for creating MP3 formatted files is bar none, however getting it to include both sides of the conversation can be tricky. More on that in the Step By Step section …
• GarageBand - While this software is designed to help musicians and composers create their music it also had some great audio editing tools. That best part is how simple it is to use. I just drag in the audio files, cut it up and adjust the volume, then output it to iTunes where I convert the final show to an MP3 file.

PC Tools

Here’s were using a PC is different:

• Generic PC - So it’s not exactly generic using an alienware but I’m always one for overkill. Technically 90% of all the shows produced on a PC have been on this bad boy.
• Logitech? Premium Stereo Headset - Since Zampzon conveniently forgot to give back my prize headset I went and bought this piece of crap. It works though so basically any headset/mic combo is good enough.
• Gizmo - Skype may be what we use now but it’s problems are killing me. Gizmo is one ofthe more recent VoIP applications out there and I have heard good things about it. We may just switch if Skype continues to give us headaches.
• Hot Recorder - Thanks to those quick people at Skype it’s been exceedingly difficult to record conversations while using Skype. This addon is a dream come true as it attaches itself to a VoIP application and records both ends. You can then output to WAV or MP3.
• Audacity - This is hands down the most brilliant and easy to use tool I’ve come across for audio editing. Being a newb I truely appriciate just how easy this makes it to apply effects and mix in multiple tracks.

Step By Step …

• Connect the hardware - Plug in your headset or whatever listening and recording devices you have.
• Log into Skype - Jump on Skype and start a conversation (crossing your fingers may actually help the connection to Skype remain constant).Mac Users:
• Using Audio Hijack Pro - On the Input tab select the Skype application for hijacking, under the Recording tab select the format (MP3 High) and set the tag information. The tag details show up on MP3 player device screens.
• Take note: In the Effects tab add the effect ‘VoiceOver’. By adding this effect you record both the audio coming from Skype AND your voice going into the mic at the same time.
• On the VoiceOver effect open the editor window and slide the crossfade bar to the center. This makes the Skype audio and the mic input the same volume. Clicking start will pass the mic audio right through the headphones, so there may be an echo.PC Users:
• Using Hot Recorder - No settings to deal with here. It starts with Skype and is always running, probably it’s biggest problem.
• Hit record and talk about comics.
• Afterwards drag the recorded audio into either GarageBand or Audacity. Edit out any Skype drops that may have happened and add in music. Garage band users export to iTunes.
• Encode the show file to MP3, MP3 CBR 40 kbps Stereo. The lower rate isn’t great for listening to music, but it’s just fine for talk audio and it keeps the size of the file down to a reasonable size for download.
• Upload the completed show file to the web and update the RSS feed and our web site with the new link. Show time!