Podcast Design & Production
Whether you’re a student, staff, or faculty member of the BMCC community, we have resources for you on how to begin your audio journey. Do you want to record a short snippet of audio, or embark on a podcast project? Or maybe you just want to gain some experience recording and editing? Here are some techniques for working with audio:
Audacity is a free resource available for download on both Windows and Mac. It is the tool that we most recommend for recording and editing audio due to its accessibility and versatility.
Recording with Audacity is simple, whether you’re at home or in the BMCC Library Podcast Booth. Just make sure that you have properly configured your audio input settings, so that you are recording with your preferred device. (In the Podcast Booth, that is the Vocaster Two audio interface.) Conducting a few test recordings is a must, especially if you are recording multiple speakers; you want the recording to be an appropriate volume and equal across the speakers.
Mastering your audio can be tricky, but a few steps are essential:
1. Normalization. Found under Effect > Volume and Compression, Normalizing your audio makes it as loud as it can be without sacrificing any audio quality. Note that if one or more sections of your recording is significantly louder than the rest, Normalization may not have much of an effect. In that case you will need to use the…
2. Limiter. Also found under Effect > Volume and Compression, Limiting gives your audio a “haircut,” by compressing the volume within a pre-specified volume band. For voice recordings, Limiting to -5.0 dB is typically good. This should even out the volume across your recording. After applying a Limiter, it is good to Normalize once more to maximize the volume.
3. Compressor. Found under Effect > Volume and Compression, Compression does something similar to Limiter plus Normalization, but in a single step. While you can get technical adjusting the compression parameters, the default Audacity settings are usually sufficient.
4. Noise Reduction. Found under Effect > Noise Removal and Repair, Noise Reduction allows you to select a portion of your audio that is just background noise, in order to capture a “Noise Profile.” Then, select your entire audio, return to the Noise Reduction effect and apply it to the whole recording. Be careful with this one, because if your recording is particularly noisy, it can actually cause significant audio quality loss, and is not worth the effort.
Once you’re content with the audio quality of your recording, it’s good practice to edit down your recordings by removing unwanted silences, “false starts,” coughs, etc., or just bits of audio you don’t feel to be absolutely necessary. Brevity is excellent! You can do this by selecting sections of audio and going to Edit > Delete.
Finally, Exporting your recording (File > Export Audio) is simple. We recommend exporting to an .mp3 file at 320 kbps (the highest audio quality), and emailing the exported file to yourself if you are using the Podcast Booth.
Be on the lookout for a YouTube tutorial demonstrating all of these techniques and more. In the meantime, feel free to contact Craig Nielsen for any technical questions related to Audacity or the Podcast Booth.
Podcasting is a powerful medium to share your voice, ideas, and stories with the world. In this section, we’ll explore the essential steps to make your finished work reach your target audience.
Step 1: Design Cover Art
The journey begins with crafting an eye-catching visual identity for your podcast. Use free graphic design tools like Canva to create compelling cover art. Choose a square format with dimensions of at least 1400 x 1400 pixels, incorporating your podcast title, relevant imagery, and a color scheme that aligns with your brand.
You can also create videos to promote your podcast on social media by producing audiograms. One easy tool to create them is Headliner.
Step 2: Host Your Podcast
Selecting the right hosting platform is crucial for reaching your audience. You can use tools such as Audio.com or Podcasters, by Spotify. These platforms not only store your audio files but also generate an RSS feed, a crucial component for podcast distribution.
Step 3: Generate RSS Feed
Once your episodes are uploaded to the hosting platform, an RSS feed is automatically generated. This feed acts as a dynamic directory, allowing podcast directories and apps to pull in your episodes for distribution. It’s the key to making your podcast accessible to a wider audience.
Step 4: Submit to Directories
Increase your podcast’s visibility by submitting it to popular directories like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Each platform has its submission process, so follow their guidelines to ensure your podcast gets listed. This step broadens your reach and makes your content easily discoverable by potential listeners.
Step 5: Promote, Engage, and Stay Consistent
Promotion is vital; leverage social media to share episodes, create a website or blog to showcase your podcast, and engage with your audience through comments and feedback. You can also explore free monetization options such as sponsorships or listener support. Optimize your content for SEO by using relevant keywords in titles and descriptions. Lastly, maintain a consistent publishing schedule to build and retain a loyal audience.
Embarking on a podcasting journey can be both exciting and rewarding. By following these steps, you’ll not only share your passion with the world but also create a meaningful connection with your audience. Remember, podcasting is about more than just broadcasting – it’s about building a community around your unique voice.
