Podcasts have become as common as email and everybody’s doing it, sometimes without proper structure should we say. First and foremost thing people have forgotten in their adventures is to listen to their stuff. Why? Just listen to many of those podcasts out there and you’ll know, they suck. People making them fail to even recognize the fact that it isn’t pleasurable to listen to at all.
In that sense, a return to the basics of a well made podcast may be in order which according to experts is comprised of Structure, Style, Technical elements and Content. Too elementary, well like any other form of media podcasts should be made in accordance to certain rules as with the text you are reading now with grammar and composition skills. Structure mostly follows the norm of the English language where you have an introductory line followed by the body of the podcast and then ending with a closing statement. Style is what many of us know and are good at for it’s what makes your work stand out. Technical elements, has to do with the credence of what you’re saying(which is nothing for most) and we end with content which is the complementary effect the various parts of your podcasts to come out with a thing of beauty or sound rather.
These things may sound too childish but take time and listen to your podcasts and see why you are losing your audience. The realm of the social internet is quite muddled and hazy for most for the advent of the combination of such elements as with what Mashable has done overloads the senses leaving us to think we are doing fine.

Everybody has talked about podcasting and everybody has their opinion on which is best and how to do it. Like blogging, pod casting has been around for quite sometime (since personal digital players became standard in the millions of pockets, purses and bags the world over) so similarly, it can be used to earn a few bucks. If you have a good following, then the data you have can show prospective sponsors that you are worth the investment. it gives them exposure for a minimal fee. Don’t get too tied up with all your work and try to give time to finding sponsors for your podcast to fuel your work. Yes, we know it’s getting harder to find them but some will surely bite.
You’ll be surprised at the willingness of some yet at the ignorance of others for such new media. You might even find people who are willing to go onto new media for the first time and get a good deal. Never think you have done enough for technology and your audience is always out for something new. May you be on Linux, Windows or OSX, you must evolve to survive in today’s wired world. Get cozy with your audience so you get feedback to improve and incorporate a free one from time to time so your sponsors don’t see you as a simple provider but a part of the family. Sponsors come and go though so do be prepared to get looking each and everyday. Who knows, you might just establish a wedge for yourself in pod casting history as one of the best. You don’t need all the fancy expensive stuff for a good podcast, you need to be in touch with the social net so you keep in touch with your audience and information is relevant.

Time for another ‘gear roundup post’. Or perhaps I should categorize this as a ‘getting started post’? Whatever you call it I thought it was time for another one of those. I’ve decided to split it up into two posts. This first one will as the name suggests deal with what you need to start out podcasting if you’re not looking to spend any larger amounts of money. The second part in this serious will deal with more ‘high-end podcasting’ if such a term exists.
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I found an article on podcasting with Linux this morning, and thought I’d share it with you. It’s old, but still worth a read. The core of the article deals with Audacity and recording interviews with Skype, which of course can be of interest to non-Linux users as well!

The article claims that you will need a second computer for recording both the voices from Skype. I definitely don’t see the need for this. I don’t know if Skype has the proper recording features now (as I said, the article is old), or if something like Audio Hijack isn’t available on Linux, in either way it could be solved with some creative routing with a proper audio interface.

Article from Linux.com

So you got your recording done, all is dandy, until you discover cracks, pops and hums all over the piece! What to do? Don’t fear, if there is in one advantage that digital has over analog, it’s in the cleanness field.
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Here’s a series of clips where I’m basically playing around with a couple of rhythm loops and a synth. They’re variations of the same theme.

solid6

Don’t have the time or interest to learn about proper mixing? Enter Levelator, a free application for Windows, Mac and Linux. From the Conversations Network website:

It’s not a compressor, normalizer or limiter although it contains all three. It’s much more than those tools, and it’s much simpler to use. The UI is dirt-simple: Drag-and-drop any WAV or AIFF file onto The Leveler’s application window, and a few moments later you’ll find a new version which just sounds better.

Personally I’m highly skeptical to shortcuts like these, but hey, might work for some.

Via Audio Geek Zine