How To Podcast From Your Mac (Equipment and Software)
Feb 1st, 2010 | By James Lewin | Category: How to Podcast, Podcasting Hardware, Podcasting Software
This set of videos, via Steinar Knutsen, demonstrates how to podcast with a Mac.
In addition to covering how to podcast with Mac software, Knutsen touches on these topics:
- MacBook Pro
- Snow Leopard
- Samson CO1U USB Studio Condenser Microphone
- Logitech USB Headphone and Microphone Set
- Apple iPhone 3G
- Voice Memos iPhone App
- AudioBoo iPhone App
- Apple GarageBand
- Apple iWeb
- WordPress.org
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9Es1o9eQpA
http://vimeo.com/9147331
This episode looks at the steps of setting up an iWeb website for your podcast and using MobileMe to host your site and publish to iTunes.
Note: This is just one approach to creating a podcast on a Mac – what works best for you will depend on what type of podcast you want to make.
If you’ve got other suggestion for making a podcast on Macs, leave a comment or a link!
How would you handle e.g. skype? Or recording audio from e.g. youtube into your podcast?
The method I’m using is inspired by Cliff Ravenscraft (podcastanswerman.com) where he recommends using an external mixer and XLR mic’s and recording to an external recorder. I’m still working out the kinks in the methodology but with his recommended method you can bring a number of audio sources (to the limit of your mixer) together, directly interact with telephone or skype participants, and the mixer takes care of it. I don’t know of a way to do that inside the computer.
Take the example of recording youtube audio into your podcast. I’ve done this and using an external mixer makes it easy. How would you do that with Garageband?
Another approach is to use AudioHijack Pro – which lets you record from pretty much anything. It’s a little confusing to set up the first time you use it though.
I cover recording Skype calls in Part III – How to Podcast from your Mac http://bit.ly/c87bqJ
To capture internal audio, I use Screenflow. Screenflow is my main screencasting tool of choice, but it also captures audio nicely, which I can export to QuickTime or Garageband and re-purpose. There may be better options but I haven’t tried any other approach.
‘m downloading AudioHijack Pro now to check it out.
Quick question on the Samson CO1U USB Studio Condenser Microphone.
I got one a year or so ago, but when I record with it the volume comes in really low – a lot lower than if i just used the built in mic.
Any idea/tips of the settings/drivers I can tweak to improve that ?
Thanks,
Pete
Experiment with various positions (for the mic). Built in mics are designed for video conferencing, so their optimized for people a couple of feet away.
The Samson is going to do better if you’re very close to the mic. Also, are you using Samsom SoftPre? I think it lets you adjust input levels.
You should install the Samson Softpre which allows you to tweak and improve overall volume performance. There are Mac and Windows versions. Here’s the link to the Softpre applet: http://www.samsontech.com/main/misc.cfm?pageID=45
Very nicely done tutorials, Steinar. Looking forward to the rest!
You need to go into the sound settings for the PC/Mac. There you should be able to adjust the input sensitivity for the C01U.
Awesome Information, just what the doctor ordered! keep up the excellent work. Looking forward to see what you have in the up coming videos. Just added your blog to my Google Reader Feed.
Thanks Bunch
Kevin
These videos are just two in a series – I’ll be adding new videos that cover publishing with iWeb and WordPress, plus submitting to iTunes or setting up a private feed for members only. Thanks Kevin for your email re: Mac covers as well!
Thanks Jim and thanks everyone for your comments. The latest video in this series is available:
Part IV: How to publish your podcast on iTunes using iWeb and MobileMe http://bit.ly/coKuT5
I like the video. Covers a lot of podcast recording equipment. In a recent post, we’ve covered some podcast recording equipment that is relatively new in June 2010. People may like to check it out. Top 4 Equipment Choices to Improve Your Podcast Recordings
That is really useful … thank you …. has saved me some serious head scatching …. Heaven knows, I cant afford to lose any more hair.
I have Ubercaster, which has built-in Skype api so you don’t need to run the actual Skype app. I haven’t started yet so can’t say how well it works, but Google around and you’ll see some good reviews.
Scott