how to create & deliver audio podcasts
The
following steps explain how to make a basic podcast of your voice.
More information about creating video and graphics-enhanced podcasts
will be available soon.
- Plan what you will say
Although you may not need a verbatim script, it is helpful to have
an outline of what you'll be saying.
- Record audio
A good audio recording has both a low background noise
and a clearly audible, easily distinguishable recording of the
subject.
Basic tips:
- Choose a quiet location where you won't be interrupted.
- Although the sound cards on many desktop computers allow
you to make acceptable voice recordings, this is generally
not true of laptops.
- The built–in microphones of many computers, desktop
and laptop, generally do not give good results.
- Select hardware and software that meet your needs and are
easy to use. For podcasts with spoken voice only, the quality
does not need to be that high for effective podcasts
Equipment
The equipment you select depends on how much sound quality
matters and whether you need to record in a location away
from your computer. Below are some suggested combinations
of recording equipment. We offer some recommendations which
depend on your recording scenario.
HARDWARE
| RECORD
AT YOUR COMPUTER: |
Simple |
Enhanced |
Your desktop
computer's soundcard and a low-cost microphone
|
A professional
microphone that plugs into your computer's USB port
|
|
|
| RECORD
ANYWHERE: |
Simple |
Professional |
An iPod
with a 16-bit recorder attachment
|
A professional
quality portable recorder and microphone
|
| |
|
SOFTWARE
Audacity (download)
This free, open source, cross-platform audio recording and
editing software is easy to use and is versatile enough for
most situations. Be sure to also download the LAME
mp3 encoder that is listed as an optional download on this
site so you can save your audio files in .mp3 format.
Resources for using Audacity:
Other software for recording and editing (available from the DoIT
Tech Store) include Adobe Audition, Sony SoundForge, and
Apple GarageBand.
- Publish your podcast
iTunes U is available for UW-Madison instructors who want to
deliver podcasts as part of their courses. iTunesU is a service
offered through Apple that provides hosting of educational
content through podcasts at no cost. Instructors can
get an
iTunes U account by clicking on the link below and completing the request
form.
Get an iTunes U account
Campus Resources for Podcasting
These groups on campus may be able to loan equipment, offer
facilities, or provide help you may need for recording, editing, and
publishing your podcast:
