Podcasting: The Next Big Thing - So You Want to Be in Showbiz?

Creating a podcast radio show is much easier (and far less expensive) than trying to run a conventional radio station. It is still more difficult than putting together a blog, however. You will need a computer and a microphone. You will also need to be familiar with audio recording and mixing software, since you will be using it to help you put your podcast together. And of course, you will need to set up an RSS 2.0 feed for your listeners and subscribers.

Many podcasters like an Apple G4 Powerbook as the computer of choice for their shows. In addition to the software, computer, and a microphone, you might find a pair of headphones handy so you can hear what your show will sound like to your listeners. It will also let any sound effects created from using your recording and mixing software be played through the headphones so that they’re not recorded as part of your show. For quality control purposes, or just knowing exactly what your listeners will hear when they “tune in,” it also helps to have some kind of digital music player.

Be prepared to do a certain amount of testing first. Especially if you are not familiar with the software, patience is important. While new podcast listeners will probably only need to learn how to use an aggregator application, creators of podcast shows need to know a bit more. A typical setup will include:

• A program or system extension that allows applications to pass audio to other applications.
  
  
• An application that allows a user to send audio through another device to monitor audio output. (This is particularly important, since most of your listeners will hear your show this way).
  
  
• An application that lets you play sound coming in through a microphone or any other device plugged into your Sound In port.

There are a number of tips available on the Internet that explain how to set up your own podcasting studio.

Next: Whither Podcasting? >>
 

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