© 2018 - Create & Launch Your Podcast �1

01: EQUIPMENT

To start podcasting, you don’t need much. You could get started with just your phone and a recorder app. If you want to get all serious about it, and want to make your show sound amazing, you will have to invest a bit of cast into proper equipment.

The following is a selection of podcasting equipment, chiseled down to the best price / performance ratio pieces (based on wasting thousands and thousands of dollars on stuff that didn’t matter).

Recommended Microphones

• Audio Technica ATR2100 — $120• Audio Technica AT2005USB — $120

Either of these will give you amazing performance, and the ability to use them as a USB mic, or (if you decide to upgrade, or add hosts) an XLR mic. Amazing value, sound and build quality.

If you want to spend some cash, the following three microphones have been proven in thousands of top-level broadcast and podcast studios. Each of these would require an XLR / USB interface, or an XLR recorder.

• Heil PR40 — $460• Shure SM7b — $525• ElectroVoice RE320 — $350

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USB Interfaces

If you decide to upgrade your microphone to an XLR model, or if you wish to have two hosts recording at the same time, you will need an audio interface. The following few options allow for two microphone inputs.

• Scarlett 2i2 — $200• Presonous Audiobox 2x2 — $200• Yamaha AG06 — $250

These interfaces are some of the best in the industry. They will allow you to plug in an XLR microphone (dynamic or condenser), provide phantom power, and produce a very clean signal (even when fully cranked up).

Portable Audio Recorders

If you don’t want to record into your computer, if you want to have a backup of your recording, or if you plan on recording out of “studio”, a portable digital recorder is your best friend. These are great for on-location interviews, and the Zoom models also double as a USB interface.

• Zoom H4n Pro (2 inputs) — $280• Tascam DR60D Mk II (2 inputs) — $280• Tascam DR70D (4 inputs) — $400• Zoom H6 (up to 6 inputs) — $440

Each of these recorders will do an amazing job, with good clean sound. Select the one that best suits your needs in terms of inputs.

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Software

To edit and produce your podcast, you will need a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) software. Lucky for us, there are a number of free options as well as some amazing low-cost apps that will do everything you need to produce a killer sounding podcast.

• GarageBand (Mac Only) — FREE• Audacity (Mac or Windows) — FREE• Hindenburg Journalist (Mac or Windows) — $95 USD• Reaper — $60 USD• Adobe Audition — $20 / month USD

Lots of great podcasts started with some good content and a free DAW like Audacity. There are some prominent podcasters that still use that app to produce top ranking shows.

If you choose to upgrade, consider Hindenburg Journalist – it was built for radio production and has great automation tools, including volume levelling.

Headphones

Really, any headphones will work. Most “professionals” use the Sony MDR 7506 ($145 CAD), or Audio Technica ATH-M30X ($100 CAD).

Keep in mind studio headphones have a very flat frequency response, and can often appear to sound tinny.

One production trick is to listen to your final exported file on regular headphones (like the Apple Earpods), so you can hear exactly what it will sound like to your listeners.

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Equipment Sets

#1 – Solo Host (will also work for Skype interviews)

#2 – Travelling podcaster (up to 6 hosts)

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#3 – Holy grail (aka I have money to burn)

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02: RECORDING

Microphone Technique

Assuming you are recording with a dynamic mic, here are some key points to remember to make your voice sound professional:

• Make sure you have a pop filter in between your mouth and the microphone (either the foam ball type, or a pop-screen will work)

• Your mouth should be about 4” away from the front of the microphone for the most natural sound. Closer if you are a quiet talker.

• Speaking directly into the microphone can create pops and plosives. To avoid them, speak slightly off-axis to your microphone.

• If you want to have that boomy radio announcer voice, get closer to the microphone and use the proximity effect to sound authoritative.

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Recording Online Interviews

Interview podcasts are one of the most popular show formats. By using some of the following apps, you can bring guests from all over the world into your studio, and to your audience. The following are some options:

• Rogue Amoeba Audio Hijack (Mac Only)• Ecamm call recorder (Mac Only)• TalkHelper (PC Only)• zencastr.com (online cross-platform)• zoom.us (online cross-platform.)

Recording Environment

When recording, you want a quiet, “soft” environment. So, make sure to turn all unnecessary electronics off, get away from sources of sound (like windows, your furnace, or AC), and have as much padding in the room as possible.

We also want to eliminate as many reflections as possible – so get away from hard walls and surfaces.

You would be surprised how many amazing podcasts are recorded in a closet…Here are some ways to create a better recording environment:

• Turn off all electronic devices.• Move away from windows, furnaces, AC, fans, and other sources of noise.• Move away from hard and flat surfaces like walls or large paintings.

• Record in your closet. The clothes will soak up sound reflections.• Use couch cushions and pillows to create a recording booth.• Hang thick moving blankets on hard walls.• Build a portable vocal booth from a box and memory (or audio) foam.

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Vocal Exercises

There are lots of ways to warm up your voice and expand your dynamic range. Most podcasters make the mistake of recording while seated, which compresses your diaphragm and makes you sound nasal, high pitched, and out of breath.

Or if your show is scripted, you can come across as robotic and void of personality. The following simple exercise will make you sound WAY better in mere minutes.

1. Read in a normal voice (or use the one below)2. Read in a stage whisper3. Read as a character (Yosemite Sam, Seinfeld, Jack Sparrow…)4. Read in your normal voice again.

We plunge our fingers into our ears when a friend divulges details

about a TV series we have yet to finish. We avoid articles that discuss

important plot points of a movie we haven't gotten around to watching.

Sometimes, this 'no spoilers' mentality leaks in other parts of our lives.

We avoid getting an important medical test done, fearing bad results.

We turn off the news when the headlines make us upset, even though

the information is pertinent to us. According to economist Joshua

Tasoff, this behavior is irrational.

Source: https://www.npr.org/2017/09/18/551901221/we-shouldn-t-stick-our-heads-in-the-sand-but-we-do-it-anyway

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03: PRODUCTION

Podcast Editing Shortcuts (GarageBand / Mac)

Play / Pause SpacebarSplit Region Command-TJoin Regions Command-JDelete Section DeleteRecord Start / Stop R

Podcast Editing Shortcuts (Audacity / Windows)

Play / Pause SpacebarSplit Region CTRL-IJoin Regions CTRL-JDelete Section CTRL-XRecord Start / Stop R Pause / Continue P

Where to get free music:

• http://freemusicarchive.org/• https://www.freestockmusic.com/• http://incompetech.com/• http://dig.ccmixter.org/free• http://audionautix.com/

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Voice Processing

It doesn’t take much to make your voice sound amazing. In fact, the better you get the less processing you will need. Here is a simple 4 step processing sequence:

• HP (high pass / low cut) Filter (to eliminate most pops, humming, and bassy sounds). You can use the Parametric Equalizer with the following settings:

• Frequency: 80Hz to 100Hz• Slope: -24bD / Oct to 36dB / Oct

• Compression (to even out the signal, making quiet sounds louder, and loud sounds quieter). Suggested settings to start with:

• Treshold: -17dB• Ratio: 3:1• Attack: 5ms• Gain: 2dB

• Vocal EQ (review the attached EQ sheet, and keep adjustments to less than 6dB +/-)

• Noise Gate (to eliminate hiss and other noises). Good starting point is between -50dB and -60dB.

Vocal EQ Cheat Sheet

EQ-ing is a magic art form that can make your voice sound like an authoritative radio announcer, or a nasal chipmunk. Rob Williams is a producer who developed a fantastic resource if you want to learn how to EQ for voice. Check out the full video and cheat sheet here: http://ultimatevocalformula.com/ vocal-eq-cheat-sheet/

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Export settings

When exporting your final recording, you have a couple of options:

1. If you are going to process the the final version using Auphonic, export your show as a WAV file (uncompressed).

2. If you want to skip Auphonic, use the following settings for best sound quality at the lowest file size:

• Garageband > MP3 Medium Quality (128Kbps)• Audacity > MP3 / 96 Kpbs / Joint Stereo (Mono)

Auphonic Settings

Auphonic is a magical piece of software that does some magical things to make your final export sound amazing. It eliminates noise and levels all audio signals. It’s free to use up to 2 hours of processing per month.

Here are the export settings to start with:

• Output Format: MP3• Sample Rate: 44100 Hz• Mono Mixdown: Yes• Bitrate: 96 Kpbs

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04: PUBLISHING

Hosting options

• libsyn.com (starts at $5 / month)• PodBean.com (starts at $3 / month)• fireside.fm ($19 / month)• spreaker.com (starts at $6 / month)• blubrry.com (starts at $12 / month)• pinecast.com (starts at $5 / month)

Required Podcast Assets

• Podcast name• Description• Cover image (3000px x 3000px)

SEO Tips

• Consider adding key phrases to your titles (for example “home renos”)• Create a separate description for each episode.• Don’t bury the lede. Don’t use “Podcast #30 – Interview with James Spear “.

Instead, start with the benefit “How to start dating in your 30s – interview with Jimmy Fallon”

• Use phrases you wish to be found for in your titles, and episode descriptions.

Submitting to iTunes

Once you upload your first episode, the hosting platform will create an iTunes RSS feed. All you have to do then is submit that link to: https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/ and your show will be live within a few days.

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Other places to submit your podcast

• http://www.pocketcasts.com/submit• https://overcast.fm/• https://www.stitcher.com/content-providers• https://player.fm/add• https://play.google.com/music/podcasts/publish• https://help.tunein.com/customer/portal/emails/new?

ticket[labels_new]=podcast&t=641867

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05: PODCASTING CHECKLIST

SHOW PREP

☐ Prepare your show notes & review your talking points.☐ Move away from hard walls and other reflective surfaces.☐ Turn off your furnace, AC, fans, and move away from sources of noise.☐ Put your phone on silent.☐ Bring a glass or bottle of water (for yourself and guests).

EQUIPMENT CHECK

☐ Check batteries in your recorder and/or microphone.☐ If using a DAW, consider restarting your computer, and turning off all

unnecessary apps and programs.☐ Connect all devices and do a level check on the recorder / DAW.☐ Plug in your monitoring headphones, and do a level check.☐ Make sure to leave “headroom” while testing levels (-12dB to 0dB)☐ If using Skype, call the Sound Test Service.☐ Record a test recording & have a listen.

RECORDING

☐ Do a vocal warmup exercise.☐ Make sure the pop filter is in place.☐ Check your microphone position (off-axis to your mouth).☐ Record 20s - 30s of room sound (silence).☐ Hit record!☐ Back up your recordings.

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EDITING

☐ Import all recorded audio files.☐ Import music and sound effects.☐ Cut and trim audio files as necessary.☐ Run VO effects chain (HP filter > Compression > Vocal EQ > Noise Gate)☐ Duck music under the vocal track (using the volume / fade control)☐ Listen to the edit before exporting.☐ Export audio in WAV file.☐ Import audio into Auphonic and run levelling (Target level: -19LUFS)☐ Output to MP3 / 96 Kbps / 44.1 kHz / Mono☐ Listen to final export.

PUBLISHING

☐ Upload MP3 file to podcast host as a new episode.☐ Create a catchy title (remember to think about SEO)☐ Collect your notes, and write a 50 - 150 word description.☐ Publish!

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