Session 2: Podcasting Mechanics
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SHOW NOTES: Test... Test.... This is a test.
I thought it would be fun to use the test mp3 assignment as an opportunity to polish some old skills in audio insert editing for voice, background and sound effects.
My first intent was to use Sound Forge software. I quickly realized it was overkill for this assignment. So I used a nifty piece of software called Podcast Station that allows the user to record, edit, mix and publish audio files.
Even with proficient software like Podcast Station I soon realized that this software still wasn’t a one stop production suite. Most of my mp3 audio files (Licensed, free music and sound effects) needed to be converted into WAV files. In turn, these lengthy WAV files needed to be shortened in order to be more manageable for production. I used Audacity to convert audio files and the Microsoft Sound Recorder for WAV editing, minor effects and volume control.
The intro to my test mp3 has 7 audio overlays edited with the MS Sound Recorder. This intro was then edited to an audio soundbed. The 22 sound effects were insert-edited into the voiceover audio track. The pitch and tempo change which occur in the voiceover track was accomplished in Podcast Station by using a rate change effect. I segmented the portion of the voice track that I wanted to change into incremental assigned rate changes. For instance, every 3-5 seconds the rate would increase the pitch and tempo by using a 5.5 setting. Then I took the entire audio section and increased the rate by 10.5. The intro-sound bed was then crossfaded to the voiceover audio, leaving a 10-20% portion of audio as a background soundbed. Prerecorded audio level mixes were recorded at different levels and needed to be adjusted by tweaking the individual audio files and then the overall master volume using a -30 and +30 db volume controller.
The microphone I’m using for this assignment is the original headset mic that came with a 10 year old copy of Dragon Naturally Speaking voice recognition software. For this class I’ve decided to use what a teacher might find in the classroom or media center.
I’m certainly not a happy camper with anything outside of low impedance audio equipment. That means broadcasting grade which is very expensive. But there is decent broadband equipment designed with the podcaster in mind. It’s not broadcast quality but darn close. The price is reasonable, too. Here is a podcast about podcasting equipment that I found useful. It is located at: http://reelreviewsradio.com/archives/2004/12/27/podcast-about-the-podcast/ .
Maybe these highend items should go on the wish list for Santa Claus... ###
posted by DiscoverEDU at 2:17 PM
3 Comments:
You lost me at "The intro to my test mp3 has 7 audio overlays..." boy you sure know your stuff.
I am excited to listen to your podcast, it is in the process of downloading now (Dialup).
I will post again with my thoughts.
I am very impressed with your test podcast :-) I bet you will be vry helpful for us newbies in this class. I am gld you went in to teaching, the setudents can benifit from your experince.
Say...Lisa, Bigjoe, Dale, and all:
Thanks for the compliments!
YES, if you have questions, I will do my best without hesitation.
First and foremost, don't give up, persistance and a striving for perfection, eventually returns quality.
Remember, perfection is never a standard but always an ongoing goal. It is a process.
That's where all of are in this class. We're learning and practicing.
Don't be discouraged over your first few podcasts. Everyone's learning. There are equipment issues, software issues that all of us have to deal with. That includes me!
With that said, I'm looking forward in learning something new from each of you.
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