#14: From a career in insurance to full time podcaster – an interview with Cliff Ravenscraft

In today’s show I chat with Cliff Ravenscraft, of PodcastAnswerMan.com.

Cliff shares his story of how he took a leap of faith and went from a career in insurance to a full time podcaster and then podcasting coach. A great interview and some terrific tips from Cliff.

Also:

Listener Joe Dale pointed me to the Audacity to Podcast show with Daniel Lewis, and The Podcasting Emporium with James Williams and Dave Gray.

Submitting podcasts to the new Blackberry Podcast Catalogue – here is where to go – http://rimpodcast.quickplay.ca/rimpodcasting – you’ll need to sign up first (pretty painless).

 

 #14: From a career in insurance to full time podcaster - an interview with Cliff Ravenscraft [36:46m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

#13: Adding music to your podcast

Today I delve into the whole area of tracks in audio podcast production and where to find music.

Some places to find music for your podcast:

• Magnatune http://www.magnatune.com
• Music Alley http://www.musicalley.com
• Music Bakery http://musicbakery.com
• Opuzz http://www.opuzz.com
• Ioda Promonet http://www.iodapromonet.com

 

 #13: Adding music to your podcast [26:26m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

#12: Audio editing

Today I cover the essence of audio editing, what it is and how it’s best done.

In other news, RIM announce the new Blackberry Podcast Catalogue and Podcast app that allow the user to subscribe to and download show on the move! Thanks to Cliff Ravenscraft of Podcast Answer Man for bringing this to my attention.

Here’s the URL to go to to submit your podcasts to the Blackberry Podcast Catalogue:

http://rimpodcast.quickplay.ca/rimpodcasting

 

 #12: Audio editing [18:24m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

#11: Where art meets engineering – Interview with Skipper Wise of Blue Microphones

In this week’s episode I talk with Skipper Wise of Blue Microphones.

We talk about:

• The Snowball
• The Yeti
• The Mikey and the Blue Fire iPod Touch/iPhone app

It was a fascinating chat and I really got an insight to the ethos of Blue. Skipper loves the combination of art and engineering. I asked him first about his musical beginnings and how Blue got started…

Photo: timlewisnm

 

 11: Where art meets engineering - Interview with Skipper Wise of Blue Microphones [26:12m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

#10: Portable recording

In today’s show I talk about a few portable audio recorders I’m familiar with. I was introduced to a new web based podcasting platform yesterday - ipadio.com. Only had a quick look but it looks very interesting and I’ll cover it in a later show.

There’s a question from Paul who’s band is Jimmy Yucca and his amazing band, about recording on the iPhone.

iTalk Lite – a nice recording app for the iPhone - http://www.italksync.com

Blue Mikey – an external stereo microphone for the iPhone and iPods - nice review here – http://applereviews.com/blue-mikey-review

iPhone App – Blue FiRe that goes with the Mikey – http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/blue-fire/id336713577

The Zoom H4n – what you get these days in place of the H4.

A nice page about the new Zoom H1 – http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=2053

Thanks to Julia Armstrong for the amusing interview about the Edirol R-09 – she’s at http://www.juliaarmstrong.com

 

 #10: Portable recording [30:14m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

#9: RSS is like popcorn – interview with Dave Jackson of the School of Podcasting

I was delighted to spend some time yesterday morning talking with Dave Jackson of the School of Podcasting. Dave gave some interesting stories and insights into podcasting:

• A simple way of explaining what a podcast is;
• How podcasting can help you get a job;
• How podcasting doesn’t have to be about making money;
• How to evaluate the best content for a podcast;
• What made Dave start podcasting;
• A simple explanation of RSS using a popcorn analogy;
• The steps forward for those hesitating with podcasting;
• Top tips when starting a podcast.

Equipment and software mentioned:

• Shure Sm58 microphone
• Audio Technica 3035 condenser microphone
• Behringer Eurorack UB802 mixer (no longer available – closest is the Xenyx 802)
• DBX 286a pre amp/noise gate
• Acid Xpress from ACIDplanet as a recording program.
• Zoom H4 (now the Zoom H4n)

 

 #9: RSS is like popcorn - interview with Dave Jackson of the School of Podcasting [37:22m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

#8: Recording with Audacity

Audacity is a free, open source program that allows you to record, edit, process and mix audio. In today’s show I go over the basics of what it is, how to install the LAME MP3 encoder, how to record, and how to save and export an MP3 file.

• Get Audacity from http://audacity.sourceforge.net
• Page with instructions and links to the various LAME MP3 encoders - http://audacity.sourceforge.net/help/faq?s=install&i=lame-mp3

 

 #8: Recording with Audacity [15:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

#7: Skype recording software

After a rough, sleepless, windy night, followed by an afternoon power nap, I discuss the oft-asked topic of recording conversations from Skype. We start the show with a voice question from Kathryn Colas of Simply Hormones – she’s starting the Simply Hormones Podcast.

Software mentioned:

• Audio Hijack Pro
• Pamela
• Pretty May

 

 #7: Skype recording software [21:05m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

#6: Popping

How to stop that annoying popping sound on your spoken audio.

Links to YouTube videos where I review some mics:

• Shure SM58 (you can see the pop filter in front of the mic)
• Samson C01U condenser mic

You can get pop filters at many electronics and music outlets – for online options look at Dolphin Music (UK), Amazon.com (USA). This pop filter by Rode from Dolphin Music (UK) has a small clamp which should be well suited to the Blue Snowball <— AFFILIATE LINKS

Photo by respres – respects!

 

 #6: Popping [8:56m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

#5: How to talk from the heart

Podcasting is all about honesty and authenticity. it’s important to be able to speak from the heart. But this is not always as easy as it sounds. Here are 5 easy tips to get you on your way to speaking with conviction, authenticity and passion.

Thanks to e-strategyblog.com for the excellent photo of Mr Luther King.

 

 #5: How to talk from the heart [7:40m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download