After completing this module, you should be able to:
visualize all the steps in the podcast planning process.
recall and apply basic audio concepts and audio media file formats.
create/record audio narrated tracks and import music and other clips.
edit and export audio productions.
Podcasting - so easy a 6 year old can do it.
Introduction In this module, you will learn about the planning stages for podcast production. Then you will learn some basic audio principles and the basic skills to record and edit audio podcasts using popular software programs.
Primer on Audio and Sound
I will do a short lecture on basic audio concepts in class on June 1st and then post the PowerPoint show here:
. One of the key points to take away from this lesson, according to Farkas and others, is that you should use the following sound quality settings for your podcasts: 16 bit depth, 44.1 kHz sampling rate, Stereo channel.
It helps to see the whole process before you can plan anything. Follow the 8 step tutorial on CNET to understand the podcast design process. Then, start by developing a plan (use
Read Farkas, Ch 3, pp.87-95 to learn more about the "preproduction process for a podcast". What I like about this section is the idea that you need to think and plan your podcast before recording. What kind of content do I want to deliver? You find the recording process easy to learn, but delivering content that people want to listen to week after week takes some thought.
Podcast Recipe -- free, three-part Apple seminar "takes you behind the scenes to see what it takes to perform a great-sounding podcast, produce a professional show, and promote a podcast to reach as many people as possible." Click Register to view the seminar movies on-demand (use your Apple account login to access or create an account). Start by just viewing the Perform show for this module and save the other ones for later modules. Also, look through the links to Learn more about Podcasting.
Read Farkas, Ch 4, pp. 78-185 if you would like to learn about planning a Video Podcast.
Build Activity
Read through the descriptions of various podcast production software. Choose the one that best matches your design. Use the following tutorials to learn how to use the podcast creation tools. Then begin to create the first episode of your podcast. Be sure to consult the podcast requirement guidelines and grading rubric before you begin. Be sure to trim out "uhms", pops "Ps", ambient noise, and any dead space, particularly at the beginning and end.
Audacity is a free audio recording and editing tool. It is available on most platforms and powerful enough for most uses. Learn this tool if you have a Windows computer and are designing an audio-only podcast.
iMovie is an Apple video editing tool. Learn this tool if you have a Mac computer and are designing a video podcast. You will need a camcorder, but a digital camera that records movies will also work in some cases.
Windows MovieMaker is a free video editing tool. Only recommended for advanced techies. I offer it only as a Windows alternative to iMovie. In typical Microsoft fashion, this tool is complicated to setup. Learn this tool if you have a Windows computer and are designing a video podcast for a Windows-only audience. You will need a camcorder, but a digital camera that records movies will also work in some cases.
Camtasia is a screen capture recording tool that I can support. Learn this tool if you have a Windows computer and are designing a video podcast for teaching how to use software or PowerPoint lectures. NOTE: despite rumors that I started, the 30 day trial will work fine.
Summary - Once you have sketched out a plan and picked an audio or video editing software to build your podcasts, you're ready to start recording and mixing music clips to arrive at your final product. Next, upload your mp3, m4a, or m4v file to the Episode 1 Drop Box tab in our iTunes Ucourse space (if you don't see the Episode tabs, you need to login at podcasts.gmu.edu). If you encounter problems uploading, please let me know. Finally, to complete the circle and see how it works for your users, subscribe to the Episode 1 tab (right-click on it to copy URL) via iTunes or other RSS reader.
Read pp. 140-141. Review these pages where Farkas provides some links to free music jingles for intros or transitions. Apple's Garageband has free music jingles available. You can use the Creative Commons web site to find sharable music. See my del.icio.us links for additional resources.
If you have any questions about these topics, I encourage you to post them to Bb Discussions.
Module 3: Visualize, Predict, & Build
Table of Contents
After completing this module, you should be able to:
Introduction
In this module, you will learn about the planning stages for podcast production. Then you will learn some basic audio principles and the basic skills to record and edit audio podcasts using popular software programs.
Primer on Audio and Sound
I will do a short lecture on basic audio concepts in class on June 1st and then post the PowerPoint show here:Visualize/Predict -- Plan
It helps to see the whole process before you can plan anything. Follow the 8 step tutorial on CNET to understand the podcast design process. Then, start by developing a plan (useBuild Activity
Read through the descriptions of various podcast production software. Choose the one that best matches your design. Use the following tutorials to learn how to use the podcast creation tools. Then begin to create the first episode of your podcast. Be sure to consult the podcast requirement guidelines and grading rubric before you begin. Be sure to trim out "uhms", pops "Ps", ambient noise, and any dead space, particularly at the beginning and end.Audacity is a free audio recording and editing tool. It is available on most platforms and powerful enough for most uses. Learn this tool if you have a Windows computer and are designing an audio-only podcast.
Garageband is a basic podcasting recording. Learn this tool if you have a Macintosh computer and are designing an audio or enhanced podcast.
iMovie is an Apple video editing tool. Learn this tool if you have a Mac computer and are designing a video podcast. You will need a camcorder, but a digital camera that records movies will also work in some cases.
Windows MovieMaker is a free video editing tool. Only recommended for advanced techies. I offer it only as a Windows alternative to iMovie. In typical Microsoft fashion, this tool is complicated to setup. Learn this tool if you have a Windows computer and are designing a video podcast for a Windows-only audience. You will need a camcorder, but a digital camera that records movies will also work in some cases.
Camtasia is a screen capture recording tool that I can support. Learn this tool if you have a Windows computer and are designing a video podcast for teaching how to use software or PowerPoint lectures. NOTE: despite rumors that I started, the 30 day trial will work fine.
Summary - Once you have sketched out a plan and picked an audio or video editing software to build your podcasts, you're ready to start recording and mixing music clips to arrive at your final product. Next, upload your mp3, m4a, or m4v file to the Episode 1 Drop Box tab in our iTunes Ucourse space (if you don't see the Episode tabs, you need to login at podcasts.gmu.edu). If you encounter problems uploading, please let me know. Finally, to complete the circle and see how it works for your users, subscribe to the Episode 1 tab (right-click on it to copy URL) via iTunes or other RSS reader.
Acquiring Audio Assets for Podcasts
Podcast Safe Music and Sound
If you have any questions about these topics, I encourage you to post them to Bb Discussions.
Assignments
You're done with this module if you: