|
Podcasting with OSX
Tutorial © 2007 TCN
If you have a Mac, the good news for you is that professional-sounding podcasts are not only possible, but pretty easy to construct. First, we will take a look at your system to help you choose which step to take next.
Did you recently purchase your Mac new? You may already have everything you need installed. Take a minute and search your hard drive for the following programs.
- Garageband
- iTunes
- System Preferences - Check to see if you have access
- Web Browser
Since you are reading this, it is safe to say that you have a web browser installed. Before you go any further, make sure you have access to System Preferences. This will allow you to edit your microphone input volume, and is very helpful if you decide on using the built-in mic. If you do not have iTunes, don't worry, you can easily download it from Apple's website free of charge. This leaves us with the big question -"Is Garageband installed?." We sure hope so! Garageband will help you transform your mediocre "talk show" into a dynamic and professional podcast. If your Mac did not come with Garageband, we strongly suggest you purchase a copy before proceeding. The good news though, is if you don't want to spend the extra cash there is an alternative - and yes, it is free.
Before we continue, you will want to make sure you have a microphone of some sort. Obviously for better quality, you may start reaching into your retirement funds. For a decent mic, we recommend the Samson GM1U G-Track USB Mic from SameDayMusic.com. In addition to being a great USB mic, it also has it's own mixer built into itself as well as an addition stereo input for future expansion. (instrument, additional microphone, etc.) If you have a Mac laptop (iBook, Powerbook, Macbook, etc.) you may just want to use the built-in microphone, however, due to the high fan speed volume on iMacs, you will most definately need to purchase an external mic. Sorry!
Now to begin...
First things first - fire up System Preferences and go into your "Sound" preferences. Click the "Input" button, and increase the microphone "Input Volume" bar enough so that talking in a normal tone of voice makes the indicator fill nearly the entire span. Close out of System Preferences, and open Garageband. (if you don't have Garageband click here)
When you open GarageBand, it will prompt you to create a new song. Simply fill out the title with your first podcast's title, and leave the other settings alone. In Garageband, the first thing you will need to do is get rid of the keyboard, as well as the "Grand Piano" instrument. Do this by selecting the piano and simultaneously pressing Command+Delete. You should now see an empty Garageband session. Add an instrument by selecting the "+" in the lower-left button panel, and choose the "Real Instrument" button. Click "Vocals" and select an effect of your choice. We found that "Live" and "Male Rock" works best on the built-in microphone.
Now you are ready to record. This is one of those things that you will eventually get used to the more you podcast, however for starters - just press "Record" and start talking. If you make mistakes, don't stop and start over - just keep going. You can cut and paste your recording as easily as cropping a photo. Once you are finished recording, experiment with the many instrument loops and effects that are included with Garageband. At this point there is no "Correct" way to podcast. Anything you do that is listen-able will pass for your first episode, this is what makes podcasting unique and entertaining.
When your podcast is complete, it's time to get it published so others can download and enjoy what you spent so much time and hard work on. To prep your podcast for the web, you will need to Export your podcast to iTunes. Select File > Export to iTunes, and wait for Garageband to create a Mixdown of your current podcast. Once this process has completed, you should be redirected to your iTunes Library where your new podcast should appear. Now that you see your podcast in iTunes, you should convert your podcast to .mp3 format. Do this by selecting Advanced > Convert Selection to mp3.
Note: Newer versions of iTunes may not have an option to convert the selected to .mp3. The easiest way to convert your Podcast to .mp3, without having to spend additional cash on converters, is to burn your Podcast onto a CD and import it back into iTunes. In the "Preferences Panel" you have an option under the "Advanced" button to import CDs in .mp3 format. Be sure to select this before importing.
All you have to do now is upload your podcast to your technochild.net Profile Page, and we'll take it from there. After a few clicks, your podcast will be available for the entire world to listen to.
No Garageband?
You can still dive into podcasting even if you do not want to purchase Garageband just yet. Audacity is an audio recorder/editor that will do the job. Just download the latest version for your operating system, and open it up to begin.
As with Garageband, we recommend for you to just record everything you wish to record - then go back and edit the podcast. Unlike Garageband, Audacity does not have any effects or sound samplings and you will need to download and import any additional sounds you wish to add to your podcast.
Finding sound effects, and editing them for use in Audacity is a time-consuming, and for most cases a pretty costly process. We have yet to find a website that offers a decent sound effect library for free, so if you happen to stumble across one be sure to comment.
Exporting
To export your podcast with Audacity, simply select File > Export and be sure to choose .MP3 for the file type. Note: To export .mp3 files, you may need to install a copy of LameLib. This is also a free download.
(Last Modified: 06/01/07 10:16 EST)
Comments/Ideas (Moderated)==Closed== |
|
|
| :: | Site Status | :: | Affiliate Info | :: | Quick Upload | :: | Submit Content | :: | Press Room | :: | Contact |