Starting a PodCast - Need Help

[KingModem]

Can someone tell me an inexpensive way to podcast doing two or three microphones and a way for listeners to call in via Skype?

[jonyrotn]

Nope.

[disneyspy]

www.tinychat.com

[disneyspy]

anthony uses ustream but it kinda sucks with all the commercials

[KingModem]

I just have to find a decent, inexpensive mixer that I can put two mics and a computer into.

[Tenbatsuzen]

I just have to find a decent, inexpensive mixer that I can put two mics and a computer into.

What's your budget? I can help.

[disneyspy]

What's your budget? I can help.

send me 10 dollars less and i can hook you up with a free site

[SatCam]

the mixer will run you around $80, plus a few cheap cables. things will be a lot easier if you have one computer for recording and one for skype

Behringer XENYX 802 Mixer $65
http://cachepe.zzounds.com/media/fit,400by400/quality,85/brand,zzounds/802_big_done-64dfa80e5072b8f3e353773255831642.jpg

i bought the old model about 8 years ago and it still works the same today as the day i bought it. behringers rotary dials hold up well but i cant say the same for their faders

[KingModem]

the mixer will run you around $80, plus a few cheap cables. things will be a lot easier if you have one computer for recording and one for skype

Behringer XENYX 802 Mixer $65
http://cachepe.zzounds.com/media/fit,400by400/quality,85/brand,zzounds/802_big_done-64dfa80e5072b8f3e353773255831642.jpg

i bought the old model about 8 years ago and it still works the same today as the day i bought it. behringers rotary dials hold up well but i cant say the same for their faders

How many mic inputs on this one? Does this connect via USB directly to the broadcasting computer?

[SatCam]

How many mic inputs on this one? Does this connect via USB directly to the broadcasting computer?

2mic input, 2stereo input, cd in/out (pretty useless), fx bus that could be used for skype mix-minus, headphone&control room out, main stereo out.

output is analog but you can buy a usb converter. you could also just use the line input on your soundcard. some behringer mixers do come with the usb converter in the box

[paulisded]

Here's what I use:

http://www.belkin.com/images/product/F8Z109/STD1_F8Z109.jpg

http://www.belkin.com/tunestudio/

With this, you don't need that 2nd recording computer, as it records a .wav file directly onto an ipod. It also has a USB connection for that Skype connection. I also use Shure PG58's as my mics. If you need more than 2, however, the additional ones will need a small preamp to give them enough power.

[Snacks]

this seems cheap.

http://www.meijer.com/s/technical-pro-72pm21-podcaster-kit-complete-podcasting/_/R-166333

[KingModem]

this seems cheap.

http://www.meijer.com/s/technical-pro-72pm21-podcaster-kit-complete-podcasting/_/R-166333

I was actually seriously looking at that one, but the reviews online for it are terrible.

[disneyspy]

I was actually seriously looking at that one, but the reviews online for it are terrible.

whats your podcast going to be about?

i hope its unique

[Melk]

I was actually seriously looking at that one, but the reviews online for it are terrible.
http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-PODCASTUDIO-FIREWIRE-PodcasStudio-Firewire/dp/B000NJ0PK8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1297218404&sr=8-2

Includes the Xenyx 802, a single decent microphone and some software.

What OS are you running?

[Snacks]

I was actually seriously looking at that one, but the reviews online for it are terrible.

here is the one with 2 headphones and mics. the reviews actually seem pretty good especially for a start up podcast.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/650650-REG/Technical_Pro_PM_22_PM_22_Podcast_Mixer_Kit.html

[Snacks]

The funny thing is that they actually sell all these different kits and they are all reasonably priced. That tells me there are 10s of thousands of people out there who spend money and try to start a podcast. But how many really make it? Kind of discouraging! But I say its still worth a shot and you never know! Even if its just for fun and something to do with your friends!

[spoon]

The funny thing is that they actually sell all these different kits and they are all reasonably priced. That tells me there are 10s of thousands of people out there who spend money and try to start a podcast. But how many really make it? Kind of discouraging! But I say its still worth a shot and you never know! Even if its just for fun and something to do with your friends!

I can see it now, "The Justice Snacks Show"! :devil2:

[Snacks]

I can see it now, "The Justice Snacks Show"! :devil2:

I should do a show with me, you and snoogans. It would be non stop fighting!

[paulisded]

The funny thing is that they actually sell all these different kits and they are all reasonably priced. That tells me there are 10s of thousands of people out there who spend money and try to start a podcast. But how many really make it? Kind of discouraging! But I say its still worth a shot and you never know! Even if its just for fun and something to do with your friends!

Well, if anybody that's not a celebrity starts a podcast to "make it" they deserve to be disappointed. You start one to have fun and hope that others enjoy what you do. My show averages about 300 downloads per episode, but I wouldn't give a shit if it was 10% of that or ten times more. I like doing it, and those that are regular listeners seem to also enjoy it.

[KingModem]

We are doing it because of our personality and friend base. We both enjoy telling stories, making plans and following through, entertaining people, etc. Nobody in our friend base has experimented with this type of media, and we want to be the pioneers.

Also, our wives are extremely un-supportive, so we are that much more motivated to do it, if anything, to prove to our wives that we do not suck.:laugh:

[disneyspy]

Well, if anybody that's not a celebrity starts a podcast to "make it" they deserve to be disappointed. You start one to have fun and hope that others enjoy what you do. My show averages about 300 downloads per episode, but I wouldn't give a shit if it was 10% of that or ten times more. I like doing it, and those that are regular listeners seem to also enjoy it.

i had no idea you did one,whats the name of your podcast?

[paulisded]

i had no idea you did one,whats the name of your podcast?

The Ledge...it's a music podcast.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DP1GyHTA9Cs/TL9v7t4jmGI/AAAAAAAAHR4/JlsrwObTZGk/s200/ledge-4-final+%2528Large%2529.jpg

http://theledge.mevio.com


I have another one that I do with a buddy of mine that's devoted to local politics.

[disneyspy]

The Ledge...it's a music podcast.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DP1GyHTA9Cs/TL9v7t4jmGI/AAAAAAAAHR4/JlsrwObTZGk/s200/ledge-4-final+%2528Large%2529.jpg

http://theledge.mevio.com


I have another one that I do with a buddy of mine that's devoted to local politics.

thats cool,i think the more unique,the better
i look forward to checking out your podcast when i start working again and download alot of stuff

[paulisded]

thats cool,i think the more unique,the better
i look forward to checking out your podcast when i start working again and download alot of stuff

Cool, I appreciate it.

[KingModem]

Having trouble connecting an audio source PC to the mixer. We hope to use one computer for audio, and one for the broadcasting.

We did headphone jack to RCA conversion to 1/4 inch and had this looming feedback. Any ideas how to combat that.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Having trouble connecting an audio source PC to the mixer. We hope to use one computer for audio, and one for the broadcasting.

We did headphone jack to RCA conversion to 1/4 inch and had this looming feedback. Any ideas how to combat that.

Adjust your levels.

I will show you the setup I do for my show, can't do it tomorrow, but on Wednesday. I run two comps, one with skype, the other to run recording/streaming.

[SatCam]

You need one of these
http://images.guitarcenter.com/products/optionRegular/LiveWire/415832.jpg

what mixer did you end up buying?

[KingModem]

Adjust your levels.

I will show you the setup I do for my show, can't do it tomorrow, but on Wednesday. I run two comps, one with skype, the other to run recording/streaming.

Here is the mixer I am using.

http://www.lachlach.pl/grafika/behringer/x802/802a.jpg

I did a headphone to RCA to 1/4 and tried to connect to Line 3/4. Background noise was terrible.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Here is the mixer I am using.

http://www.lachlach.pl/grafika/behringer/x802/802a.jpg

I did a headphone to RCA to 1/4 and tried to connect to Line 3/4. Background noise was terrible.

I have a different mixer but here's what I do in a nutshell...

The headphone output from the computer feed out into a mic input on the bpard, and an board output feeds into the mic input on the computer. It's basically reversing the polarity going into the machine. It's jerry-rigged but effective.

[SatCam]

If you don't hear the noise when you plug your headphones into your computer, and you don't hear the noise from your mixer when the computer isnt plugged into it, it's most likely the cables. I would definitely recommend buying the cable I posted above. It'll cost you $5-$7 but its worth it.

[SatCam]

I have a different mixer but here's what I do in a nutshell...

The headphone output from the computer feed out into a mic input on the bpard, and an board output feeds into the mic input on the computer. It's basically reversing the polarity going into the machine. It's jerry-rigged but effective.

I dont understand why you would do that. Does your mixer or computer not have line level inputs?

[KingModem]

If you don't hear the noise when you plug your headphones into your computer, and you don't hear the noise from your mixer when the computer isnt plugged into it, it's most likely the cables. I would definitely recommend buying the cable I posted above. It'll cost you $5-$7 but its worth it.

You know what was causing the sound? It was my power cable to the laptop. After unplugging the laptop, I was able to erase the background noise. Must have been the ground, so I am thinking that I could use a cheater (3 prong to 2 prong) if I need power.

[CountryBob]

so can you make a podcast and just put it on ITunes? Or where do people advertise their podcast?

[KingModem]

We are starting next week, live on U-Stream. We will be archiving the shows as well. Thanks everyone for the help, you were very influential in my rookie education.

[Tenbatsuzen]

I dont understand why you would do that. Does your mixer or computer not have line level inputs?

computer doesn't have them. Both are laptops.

[paulisded]

so can you make a podcast and just put it on ITunes? Or where do people advertise their podcast?

Yep, you can put it up on iTunes. Generally, you need to have a couple out there before you submit to them. There's plenty of places you can archive them, such as mevio (which is what I use). Then you provide iTunes with the RSS feed and some other info, and within a couple of days they'll inform you if you're accepted.

[JustJon]

iTunes has become the primary way to distribute a podcast. The secondary market is the Zune market, but it is far, far fewer subscriptions.

[KingModem]

Well, after doing a couple practice podcasts, we did our first real one last night. It went great, had great interactions with our listeners, set up a Google Voice number to forward to my Droid cell phone, then patched them in through the mixing board.

One problem I noticed when listening to the recording on UStream, although the sound was pristine I was hearing from the mixer during the broadcast was perfect, the recording levels sound like they were constantly clipping the threshold and making for some very unpleasant listening.

I guess I have to turn the mixer down, even though the level lights on the mixer never indicated overkill.

[KingModem]

Oh! Another question: Does anyone know of good soundboard software, so I can shortcut sound bytes and other sounds?

[Tenbatsuzen]

Oh! Another question: Does anyone know of good soundboard software, so I can shortcut sound bytes and other sounds?

Yeah, I use a really old piece of software that's super effective... it's about as close to a software InstantReplay you can get

JazlerShow! (http://www.jazler.com/downloads/JazlerShow151Free.exe) (Direct Link to Download)

[midwestjeff]

I guess I have to turn the mixer down, even though the level lights on the mixer never indicated overkill.

Not sure exactly what setup you went with but maybe try turning
the input level to the recording computer way down
and then the output of your mixer to near clipping level at max (talking) volume.
That way, your volume control lies mainly in your mixer.

Depending on what software you're using to mix the audio to mp3 files
you should be able to increase the final volume in post 3db at a time, if necessary.

[paulisded]

Well, after doing a couple practice podcasts, we did our first real one last night. It went great, had great interactions with our listeners, set up a Google Voice number to forward to my Droid cell phone, then patched them in through the mixing board.

One problem I noticed when listening to the recording on UStream, although the sound was pristine I was hearing from the mixer during the broadcast was perfect, the recording levels sound like they were constantly clipping the threshold and making for some very unpleasant listening.

I guess I have to turn the mixer down, even though the level lights on the mixer never indicated overkill.

It's probably not the mixer that needs to be turned down...it's probably the input (or "recording") level set on your PC. Open your audio properties and experiment with the level.

[paulisded]

Not sure exactly what setup you went with but maybe try turning
the input level to the recording computer way down
and then the output of your mixer to near clipping level at max (talking) volume.
That way, your volume control lies mainly in your mixer.

Depending on what software you're using to mix the audio to mp3 files
you should be able to increase the final volume in post 3db at a time, if necessary.

Ah, didn't see this. :)

[KingModem]

Not sure exactly what setup you went with but maybe try turning
the input level to the recording computer way down
and then the output of your mixer to near clipping level at max (talking) volume.
That way, your volume control lies mainly in your mixer.

Depending on what software you're using to mix the audio to mp3 files
you should be able to increase the final volume in post 3db at a time, if necessary.

It is a Behringer set up. This gets routed through a Behringer USB converter. There is a volume level on the USB Converter, but I thought that was for the headphone jack on the USB converter.

I think we are going to try to mess with some stuff tomorrow night before our second podcast.

[Tenbatsuzen]

It is a Behringer set up. This gets routed through a Behringer USB converter. There is a volume level on the USB Converter, but I thought that was for the headphone jack on the USB converter.

I think we are going to try to mess with some stuff tomorrow night before our second podcast.

Lemme know how Jazlershow works for you. some olive gardeners couldn't get it to work.

[KingModem]

Lemme know how Jazlershow works for you. some olive gardeners couldn't get it to work.

Thanks for the suggestion, it will have to suffice. I used to in-house DJ basketball games for the Sioux Falls Skyforce in my collegiate years, and I cant for the life of me remember what program we used back then, as I was really comfortable with that one and would prefer it (alcohol induced crummy memory!)

[paulisded]

Lemme know how Jazlershow works for you. some olive gardeners couldn't get it to work.

Oh Matty.

[paulisded]

Thanks for the suggestion, it will have to suffice. I used to in-house DJ basketball games for the Sioux Falls Skyforce in my collegiate years, and I cant for the life of me remember what program we used back then, as I was really comfortable with that one and would prefer it (alcohol induced crummy memory!)

Really? My parents have had season tickets since their inception (corner court seats right next to visiting bench), and I used to go all the time.