Resources
Supplementary class materials
“Spread Your Message with Podcasts”
This web page provides additional information and resources for students of the "Spread Your Message with Podcasts" class, offered through the Arlington Adult Education program. This page gives you some starting points, but is not intended to provide exhaustive listings. Note that I haven't tried all the software listed.
Listening Software
- To subscribe to podcasts, you need a media aggregator. Here are a few possibilities:
- iTunes (free from Apple, runs on MacOS and Windows)
- Ziepod (both free and "plus" versions available)
- Juice (free open-source)
- PodNova — no software install needed
- gPodder (free open-source, runs on Windows, MacOS, and Linux)
Recording Software
- Download and install software to do audio recording on your computer. Most of this software is for Windows. If you have a reasonably new Macintosh, it almost certainly came with Garage Band, which is a great choice.
- Audacity (free open source, multi-platform, very popular) (be sure to download and install the LAME MP3 encoder at the same time)
- GoldWave (my favorite — easy to use and inexpensive)
- Roxio Easy Media Creator (a suite of programs for creating CDs and DVDs, including an audio editor)
- Nero (another suite)
- Free Audio Editor (that's its name, and it is free)
- CallGraph Skype Recorder — free software for Windows, records both sides of a Skype conversation
- Podcast Software Review — compares ten software packages (including Audacity) which can be used to create podcasts
- Smart Voice Recorder — free software for Android phone/tablet
- Hokusai Audio Editor — free software for iPhone/iPad/iPod touch
Additional Software
- If you expect to distribute your podcast through your own website, you need to create an RSS feed file to allow people to subscribe. Use this software to do it.
- RSS Builder — a free, easy-to-use tool to create feeds
- Feed Burner — now part of Google, provides a variety of tools and services for distributing and managing podcasts and blogs
Audio Hardware
- Need a microphone or interface? Yes, there are many bargains to be had by shopping on-line. But if you're not sure about what you're buying, it's probably worth paying a little more to deal with somebody face-to-face. Here are two local suppliers I've worked with.
- Washington Professional Systems — located in Wheaton
- Guitar Center — several locations in the area
- Dynametric phone patch — if you want to record telephone interviews, a device like this one can connect your telephone to your computer soundcard. The same site lists several other devices which might be more suitable, depending upon your specific requirements.
- The How-To Geek Guide to Computer Microphones
- Microphone University — articles about microphone technology
Podcasting (from a Listener's Perspective)
Here are just a few sites providing podcasts. Most media sites (such as WashingtonPost.com and CSMonitor.com) provide podcasts. And the iTunes program provides easy access to a very large number, through the iTunes store. (Look at iTunes U for educational materials.)
Podcast Hosting
- You can actually get a podcast hosted for free, although there may be limitations on disc storage (i.e., how much of your content can be hosted) and bandwidth (i.e., how much downloading users can do). It may be a good way to start.
- PodBean — has basic (free) and pro levels of service
- Spreaker.com — free on-line service for creating and hosting podcasts (I haven't tested it)
- Google — plenty of other options; let Google help you find them!
- Get a free blog at Blogger.com and park your audio files at the Internet Archive. (But make sure you understand the implications of the Creative Commons license — see below.)
Want Background Music?
- Keep it legal! If you didn't create the music yourself, using it could constitute illegal copyright infringement.
- CreativeCommons.org — learn how Creative Commons works and how you might benefit, both as a content user and content provider
- Podcasting Legal Guide — more of what you need to know as a content provider
- Opuzz — they sell royalty-free music clips; register to get some for free
- Partners in Rhyme — more royalty-free music, some of which is free
- Free Music Archive — free music!
- SoundJay — free sound effects
- FreeAudioClips.com — free music and sound effects
- Flash Kit — free music loops and sound effects
- AudioNautix — free music (donations appreciated)
- Photo Story 3 — free from Microsoft, this is really designed for creating slide shows, but can be used to create original background music
- The Freesound Project — no, not music, but free sound effects
Tutorials
- Video: Podcasting in Plain English
- How to Create a Podcast — a 4-minute video provides a whirlwind tutorial
- How to Podcast
- Small Business Podcasting Kit
- Free Podcast Course
- Podcasts for Dummies — a free series of podcasts about podcasting, from the authors of Podcasting for Dummies
- Creating Video Podcasts on Windows — tips from Apple, using QuickTime Pro
- Making a Podcast — includes guidance on how to submit your podcast to the iTunes store
- The How-To Geek Guide to Audio Editing: The Basics
- The How-To Geek Guide to Audio Editing: Basic Noise Removal
- The How-To Geek Guide to Audio Editing: Cutting, Trimming & Arranging
- Youtube Audacity tutorials
Books & Magazines
- Blogger and Podcaster Magazine (online edition is free)
-
Podcasting
for Dummies
— good coverage of all aspects
-
Podcasting Bible
— covers all aspects, including good detail of audio editing
- Podcasting with Audacity: Creating a Podcast With Free Audio Software — a downloadable e-book you can buy (or read it on-line if you have a Safari Books Online subscription)
-
Getting Started with Audacity 1.3
-
Find more books
about podcasting