For Podcasts and Other Media

Agenda Understand what a podcast is and it’s hardware and software requirements, Learn the Audacity interface to record and modify audio, Edit/effect sounds and export projects to a variety of file formats, Appreciate other Audacity features like converting tape and vinyl into digital sound files, Discover best practices for recording/editing audio.

What do you need? 1. Soundcard 2. Speakers 3. Microphone 4. Audio recording/editing software 5. Internet connection 6. Place to store media files 7. Webpage/blog with an RSS feed 8. Something to say!

What is a podcast? = MP3 + a digital media file (e.g., MP3), or a series of files, that are distributed over the Internet using syndication feeds (e.g., RSS) for playback on portable media players (phones now) and personal computers. (Source: Wikipedia) You can download the media file[s] and listen to them on your device. You can subscribe to a feed and have updated content come to you – like a multimedia magazine delivered to your home once a new issue is published. Some podcasts have a corresponding web page or a blog for show notes and other applicable information. In 2005, the New Oxford American Dictionary rated ‘podcast’ the Word of the Year! They are still popular.

Why listen to and/or create a podcast? Why listen to and/or create anything? Learn something. Teach something. Make lectures/discussions more portable. Promote events, connect with your community, and reach out to people with similar interests. Provide reviews/recommendations for books, music, films, and other podcasts etc. Record events and share with people who were unable to attend it. Accomplish almost anything you want.

Step-by-Step Guide to Podcasting 1. Decide what you want to say. 2. Write an outline and practice it. 3. Record in an audio editor/recorder. 4. Export to MP3 or other compatible format. 5. Upload file[s] to a server. 6. Create a post or a web page linking to the media file[s]. 7. Create and send RSS feed address to podcast directories. Directories and distribution: https://bit.ly/2IAi9zr Podcast hosting: https://bit.ly/2Luok9c

What do you want to say? Who is your audience? What is your mission (i.e., institution, course goals etc.)? A promotional or educational tool? Will it be a series? How often will each episode be published? Will you include a corresponding web page for show notes? What do you want to say?

Use an outline and practice

Podcast examples thelibrarypros.com lostinthestacks.org/ bookriot.com Other examples: https://bit.ly/2mbqvHo

Download at www.audacityteam.org/download

Verify File Signature CertUtil -hashfile C:\Users\Mairn.Chad\Downloads\audacity-win-2.3.2.exe MD5

https://wiki.audacityteam.org

Roll up your sleeves; it’s time to play!

Source: https://bit.ly/2kYsjTV

Installed Audacity Explored Interface Inputs/outputs Check levels for recording Added multiple tracks Learned keyboard shortcuts Experimented with effects Imported an audio file (.wav preferably) Extract audio from video Export to MP3 or other formats.

Sampling Vinyl in the SPC Listening Lab! SPC music student sampling tracks from a jazz record. Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB Turntable (USB and RCA outputs) How to: https://bit.ly/2kSjOdn

Some Best Practices to Consider Spoken word without music: 22,050Hz (Sample rate) + Mono = smaller file size. With music: 44,100 Hz + Stereo = larger file, but better quality. A 2:41 program recorded at 44,100Hz, 128 kbps, Stereo = 2.46MB. Copyright vs. Creative Commons license Use podsafe (royalty-free ) music or write your own. Use closed captioning or create a link to show notes/transcript. Create descriptive ID3 tag (metadata) [add an image to the tag]. Test RSS feed via http://www.feedvalidator.org/ and also with a podcasting client (e.g., iTunes, Zencast).

http://www.slideshare.net/chadmairn @cmairn

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