The Basics Patrick Chadd | IST Academic Enterprise Systems & Educational Technology | UMDNJ-SOM

What is a podcast? Where can I listen to a podcast? What do I need to listen to a podcast? What is an iPod? How do I subscribe to a podcast? What is iTunes? How do I create a podcast?

Podcast is the generic term for audio (and now video) content available for download from the internet. The word is made up of a combination of iPod and broadcast. For this presentation, we will be using a definition based on the more precise, original definition.

Very simply, a podcast is a form of audio broadcasting on the Internet.

Podcasts are audio or video files that are regularly produced can be automatically downloaded to a computer and a portable audio or video device. They are available for subscription. podcast

Yes. A video podcast (sometimes shortened to vidcast or vodcast) is a term used for the online delivery of a video on demand video clip. A podcast is audio only. A video podcast has video and audio.

Anywhere and anytime you want. The portability of podcasting allows the downloading of complete audio files to be heard at the listener’s convenience.

Podcasts usually contain talk back radio style content rather than music. (i.e., lectures, news, information, interviews, etc.,)

A computer, an iPod, almost any MP3 player or a Portable Media Device (PMD) that plays MP3 files. You do not need an iPod to get podcasts or to use iTunes. Apple iPod Microsoft Zune Creative Zen Sony PSP Rio Forge Teddy MP3

An iPod (or PMD) is a portable computer made specifically for the storing and playing of audio and video files.

A podcatcher is an application that automatically downloads your podcasts subscriptions to your computer as soon they are posted. A “podcatcher” Apple© iPods

This is anyone who creates a podcast.

Computer (or digital recorder) Audio Recording Software Microphone Script

Pre-production Recording Post Production/Editing Publishing

Consider your audience: What do you think they'll want to hear about in your podcast?

Jot down your ideas for the episode of your podcast— each idea should be centered around your main theme but should have its own focus.

Create an outline with a list of bulleted points that you plan to discuss. If you are planning to do an interview, it is a good idea to jot down the questions you plan to ask.

Practice the script you've written. Either do a read-through for a friend or family member to get his or her feedback, or record the script and play it back for yourself, then listen to and critique the recording.record Make any changes before recording the podcast.

One of the best things about podcasting is that it doesn’t cost a lot of money to get in and test the waters and the part-time podcaster can easily create professional sounding recordings. There are many audio recording and podcasting software options to choose from and many are free or relatively inexpensive.

Audacity is a free, open-source multi-track audio editor and recorder that is widely used by podcasters. It includes a number of useful features and plug-ins, and has an interface that is intuitive and easy to use. It’s available for Windows, Mac, and Linux at:

Record short portions of audio at a time. You have less chance of messing up what you intend to say. After editing, the listener won't realize that some things were recorded separately.

I suggest recording the introduction last for a couple of reasons. First, recording last allows you to introduce exactly what will be in the podcast because it has already been recorded. Second, if this is your first podcast, you’ll record a much better introduction after you get some experience behind the microphone, and after all, your podcast introduction should hook the listeners!

After recording, it's time to edit the audio. If you are not comfortable with using the audio software to edit your recording, then it is best to read the podcast from a prepared script and to try to get the podcast recorded into a single recording.

If you choose to edit your audio, you may not have recorded the audio tracks in order, so the first priority is to make sure all your audio is arranged properly. Audio clips can also be trimmed to delete any unnecessary pauses, silence or interruptions.

Music and sound effects can be added to your audio in postproduction. If you use music, be sure it is "podsafe“ or royalty- free. Podsafe music is the term for music that can be legally used in your podcast and freely distributed online for others to download.

Have a script of your podcast. Practice your script a few times. Record in a quiet place. Relax and Record.

When creating your own podcast, it is important to make sure all necessary rights and permissions are secured for the material included in your podcasts. This is relatively easy if you create all of the material that is included in your podcast but can become progressively more complex the more you include material created by other people.

The main legal issues that you will likely face that are unique to podcasters are related to copyright, publicity rights and trademark issues.

Copyright law protects musical and spoken compositions, or "works“; the performance of a work preserved in a sound recording; and the sound recording itself.

Now that you have your podcast “in the can”, you are ready to publish it to the internet for the whole world to hear.