1. Podcasting with GarageBand
Instructor: Rhiannon Myers

2. What is a Podcast?
“A podcast is like a radio or TV show that you can download over the Internet. People who want to listen to (or watch) a podcast can download an individual podcast episode or subscribe to a podcast series. You can create podcast episodes in GarageBand, and then upload them to the Internet using iWeb or another application.” (GarageBand 2011)

3. Podcasting: Script Writing Basics
Provide an overview of your topic, then offer specifics
Write tight
Keep it conversational
Avoid jargon
Use easy, conversational language
Stay succinct
Use active, positive and present tense
Make it personal
Podcasting as creating a one-to-one relationship between you and the listener

4. Podcasting and Information Professionals:
If used effectively, podcasting can significantly increase access to library, archive and museum content. Potential uses includes:
Self-guided audio tours
Royal Ontario Museum
Education material
Interviews
Highlighting collections content
Bata Shoe Museum

5. Navigating GarageBand: The Interface for Podcasting
Tracks Display
Allows you to select a track, adjust audio levels and edit portions of a track throughout the podcast
Media Browser
Displays audio files and image files that can be added to your podcast. Selected files can be inserted into the podcast by selecting a chosen file and dragging it to the workspace
Track Editor Section
Allows you to adjust volume, cut and trim audio files. The display shows volume levels and timing information for the track being edited
Main Tool Bar
Contains the controls for playing audio, adjusting audio levels for the entire project. This feature allows you to access the track editor, add new tracks, and access the media browser, loop browser and track information

6. Get Started with GarageBand: Equipment
Mac Computer
Camera (optional)
External USB microphone
Used to capture better sound quality
Example: Blue Snowball Microphone
Internet connection (optional)
Headphones
Purpose
Script

7. Creating a new podcast project
To start, create a new podcast project:
In the Project Chooser, click New Project, then select the Podcast icon

8. Creating a new Podcast project
You will be directed to a default setup where you will be asked to name your project. Enter a file name for your project and click Create.
Use the default settings for tempo, signature and key, unless directed otherwise

9. The GarageBand Interface: Features
Tracks Display
This features allows you to select a track, adjust audio levels and edit portions of a track
Media Browser
This browser displays audio files, movie and image files on your computer that can be added to podcasts. To insert media your podcast, simply select a chosen file and drag it to the workspace
Track Editor Section
This features allows you adjust volume, cut and trim audio files. The display shows volume levels and timing information concerning the track being worked on.
Main Tool Bar
This is where controls for playing audio and adjusting audio levels for the entire project are located.

10. Adding Voice Tracks: Select voice track “Male” or “Female”
Prior to recording the voice track:
Select Control > Turn off Metronome
Choose the “solo track control” headphones icon to select the track you’ll be recording to. The icon will turn yellow when activated.

11. Adding Voice Tracks:
Click the red “record” button on the main control panel to begin:
To listen to your recording, click the “play” button, as indicated by the large, right-facing triangle.
Your audio track(s) will appear in the track editing workspace. Repeat, as needed to record different voices (i.e. in an Interview).

12. Add jingles, stingers, and sound effects
GarageBand offers users three types of “loops” or prerecorded sounds to use when podcasting: jingles, stingers, and sound effects.
Jingles: Complete background music tracks to use behind dialogue, as an introduction, or between segments.
Stingers: Brief sounds used in radio as transitions or “punctuation” between sections or speakers to help the listener “follow” the story
Sound effects: Recordings of animals, people, room ambience or sounds specific to certain events (i.e. sporting events) which can be added to give depth to your story. Particularly useful in recreating scenes or settings in historical sites or museum exhibits (i.e. Audio tours).

13. Add jingles, stingers, and sound effects
Click on the “Jingles Track’ in your track display
Select the “loop” icon in the “Main Toolbar” to view jingles, stingers, and sound effects
Follow the arrows in the browser window to select a jingle
Double click the file to play. Once you’ve selected files to insert into your podcast, drag the file(s) to the “Jingles Track Area”

14. Add jingles, stingers, and sound effects:
The jingle you selected will appear in your track editing workspace.
From here you can click and drag the audio file to place it where you want (i.e. to coincide with your introduction).
You can also use the splitting techniques discussed next to shorten or delete portions of the track

15. Splitting or Editing Audio Tracks:
Be selective: Include only what content is useful. Delete content that is unnecessary or poor quality (NOTE: If podcasting for a library, museum or archive, be sure to verify whether they have policy for archiving raw audio recordings)
Select and highlight the audio track you want to “split”
Place the “play head” (red line) where you want to split the audio

16. Splitting or Editing Audio Tracks:
Select Edit > Split
Two audio files will be created. You can choose to keep both or delete one. You can also continue to split tracks and delete unwanted segments.

17. Adjusting Audio Levels:
The following is a list of the tools used to adjust audio levels in GarageBand:
This tool will adjust the volume for the entire track
To adjust volume for part of a track:
Locate the drop down arrow for the track volume and select (will turn “yellow”)
Locate the volume lines
Drag the audio “dots” to change audio levels (i.e. gradually getting louder at introduction)
The “dots” are created when you click on the volume line.

18. Adding Images to your Podcast:
Select the “Podcast Track” in the Tracks Display area
Select the “Media Browser” icon in the bottom right hand corner to display audio, images, and movies available on your computer
Locate images or artwork to include in your podcast
Click and drag selected images to the Podcast Track
The selected image file will appear in the Track Editor Section
These images can function as “Podcast Markers” to denote chapters
In the bottom half of the Track Editor Section, you can select “Marks a Chapter” and enter a Chapter title

19. Sharing your Podcast:
To share your podcast, either to iTunes or for export to a CD:
Select Share >Send Song to iTunes or/
Share > Export Song to Disk

20. Sharing your Podcast: Continued
If exporting to iTunes, the following dialog box will appear. Enter relevant details regarding the context, the creator, etc.

21. Sharing your Podcast: Continued
If exporting your podcast to a CD, DVD, or other storage device:
Select Share > Export Song to Disk
Select:
File Format – MP3
Quality: High Quality
In the “Save” window that displays
Name the file
Determine a location to save

22. Thank you for attending!
Remember: Have fun! The best way to become familiar with podcasting is to play.
Get familiar with podcasting. If you’re an iTunes user, consider subscribing to some podcasts to get a sense for best practices:
TED Podcasts (audio, video, HD video)
Royal Ontario Museum
Bata Shoe Museum
CBC podcasts (various)
For more help, see the GarageBand Help Manual for Step-by- Step Instructions (and more!)
Questions?