| Podcasting presents a great opportunity for | | | | file into an MP3. The LAME MP3 encoder is |
| both large and small companies to get more | | | | popular and iTunes for Mac and PC can convert |
| exposure. A recent report by eMarketer said | | | | recordings into MP3 for free. Using these |
| that the podcast audience in the United | | | | resources will get you going without spending |
| States will reach 10 million in 2006 and | | | | much money. |
| increase to 50 million by 2010. With this | | | | |
| kind of growth you just can't afford to | | | | Now if you're looking to get the highest |
| ignore podcasting as a marketing avenue. | | | | quality equipment for podcasting there are |
| | | | more choices. I would suggest using a |
| But the question is "just exactly how do you | | | | Sennheiser e845 supercardioid microphone, |
| create a podcast?" | | | | connected through an M-Audio FireWire Solo |
| | | | Mobile Audio Interface, using Sony Sound |
| There are literally hundreds of ways to | | | | Forge for the software. |
| create a podcast and with so many choices it | | | | |
| can be confusing. | | | | Now if you need to record telephone |
| | | | interviews and make it into a podcast there |
| For beginners the easiest way to create a | | | | are a few options. The first option is a mix |
| podcast is to join either or Both sites give | | | | and mash solution with Skype to initiate the |
| you the ability to create a podcast and make | | | | call and Audio Hijack Pro to record the |
| them available to a web community. Of course | | | | session. Another option is to use JK Audio |
| for greater control and distribution for your | | | | Inline Patch to record the interview directly |
| podcast, its better to create your podcast | | | | to your computer, use a Plantronic DSP |
| with your own equipment. | | | | microphone headset to record your voice, |
| | | | using Audacity to process the audio files, |
| The first piece of hardware you need is a | | | | and then Audio Acrobat for the listen lines. |
| microphone. It's important not to go cheap | | | | |
| with this. A poor quality microphone will | | | | Clearly there a many ways to create a |
| produce an inferior sound and make you sound | | | | podcast. Make sure to use one of the options |
| unprofessional. You can find high quality | | | | that I covered and you will be set to go in |
| headsets with microphones for only 20 or 30 | | | | no time. |
| bucks at your local Radio Shack or Circuit | | | | |
| City. | | | | You will also find that a great deal of |
| | | | practice is important. Once you have your |
| Next you need software. Audacity is a free | | | | podcast sound smooth and professional, you |
| software program for recording that is hands | | | | will create content that others will like |
| down the most popular and the most used for | | | | well enough to pass it along to friends and |
| the do-it-yourself podcaster. You will also | | | | family. |
| need an MP3 encoder to convert your audio | | | | |