Centrance MicPort Pro 2 for Podcasting

The new Centrance MicPort Pro 2 USB microphone preamp is something that all podcasters should consider. It will take the best broadcast condenser or dynamic microphones and make them instantly accessible to podcasters. In podcasting, no longer are you limited to using a USB microphone. This device effectively takes all microphones with an XLR output and converts them for use with a computer, tablet, or phone.

We’ve already discussed in this blog how to choose the best USB microphone for podcasting. But what if you want to go one step further and use a tried-and-true broadcast microphone for your podcast? The MicPort Pro 2 is the way to do that. Just plug your XLR microphone into the top of the unit, choose whether to add 48v of phantom power (if your mic requires it), and add the right amount of gain.

MicPort Pro 2 Features

It has a built-in, rechargeable battery that is purported to last longer than the competitors. It charges from any standard USB charger or a laptop.

This is an upgrade from the original MicPort Pro Classic that didn’t work with a phone. Centrance has added that feature to the MicPort Pro 2.

Per Centrance, the MicPort Pro 2 has been successfully tested with the following apps. But keep in mind that these apps are from third parties and may require their support.

• Audio Evolution (iOS/Android)
• Auria Pro (iOS)
• BandLab (iOS/Android)
• BeatMaker 3 (iOS)
• Cubasis (iOS)
• Field Recorder (Android)
• FL Studio Mobile (iOS)
• Garage Band (iOS)
• N-Track (iOS/Android)
• Twisted Wave (iOS)

The input to the MicPort Pro 2 is a Neutrik combo XLR jack and will accept mic, line or instrument sources. There is a headphone amp for monitoring.

Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac are all supported, and there is a high pass filter to cut wind noise or other low frequencies when recording.

Versions

Lastly, the Centrance MicPort Pro 2 comes in two versions. The upgraded version has a soft-knee limiter and clipping protection for an additional $30. For the non-pro and professional alike, I recommend springing for the upgrade as the extra features can save some time later during editing, and just might save an entire podcast from unwanted distortion and clipping.

The standard version is currently $249.99, while the upgraded version is $279.99. Go to the Centrance website for more info.

The post Centrance MicPort Pro 2 USB Microphone Preamp for Podcasting appeared first on AudioFile Solutions.

Podcast Tips to Make Your Podcast Sound More Professional

Podcasting is the new novel: everyone says they’re doing it, but few know how to do it right.

More than 4 in 10 Americans have listened to a podcast. That’s a testament to how widespread they’ve become. But like writing a novel, it’s not tough to separate the true professionals from the dabblers. If you want podcast success, you need a professional upgrade to impress your audience.

Below, we’ve put together some podcast tips to give you a professional makeover.

Tip #1: The Intro

Let’s start at the beginning. If you’ve listened to many podcasts or even followed enough Youtubers, you know the top guys use standardized intros. Even the most casual intro, like a simple “What’s up, guys and girls?” follows a standard format.

Codifying your intro is a strong path to a more professional sound. It’ll make the opening of your podcast clear and help ease listeners into the main content.

A strong intro also establishes your tone and your brand, whether that’s a casual shout-out to your fans or a more formal greeting.

Standardizing your intro also allows you to swap it out (if necessary) with ease. This is also a good place to put the latest news, updates, and instructions for liking and following your podcast.

Tip #2: Tune Up Your Sound

Nothing separates the best podcast shows from the little fish like audio quality.

Even a beloved podcast will receive a wave of negative comments if its audio quality is off, even for a single episode. For a new podcast starting out, poor audio can kill it before it ever gains traction.

You might have to spend extra at the outset to get the kind of audio quality a modern audience expects. This means investing in sound-proofing, quality condenser or dynamic microphones, and even the production knowhow to bring out the best mix possible.

Tip #3: Put in the Research

If you’re starting a podcast, you probably have something important to say. If you want listeners, what you say had better be worth their time.

Put in the hours it takes to understand your topic. A non-fiction podcast will attract more fans if it speaks with authority and delivers valuable content. Excessive and meaningless fluff will only cause listeners to tune out.

If you plan to deliver authoritative content, you might consider working with a fact-checker. Failing to do so could make you look less professional in the eyes (or ears) of your listeners.

This might be less relevant to a fictional podcast, but similar advice still applies. Put in the time to create a well-crafted package that delivers on fan expectations. You need to show you’re putting in the work if you want to build a fan base.

Tip #4: Schedule Your Success

Podcasting is still young enough that the template to success isn’t quite set.

But we can look at a part of Internet history to see how to build something which lasts. For instance, take a look at webcomics. Like podcasts, there was a time when everyone seemed to be starting a webcomic.

The webcomic genre experienced a decline; many died off and left fans disappointed. The ones that have endured to become institutions, like gaming comic Penny Arcade, achieved it through the power of scheduling—regularly delivering its content.

Recurrent scheduling keeps your audience invested. Just like a newspaper or TV show would lose its audience if it kept jumping around the calendar, a podcast needs a regular schedule that its fans can count on. This can be daily, weekly or monthly, whatever makes sense for you and your audience.

Tip #5: A Matter of Length

The benefits of consistency also apply to the length of each podcast episode.

Sticking to a consistent broadcast length lets your listeners know what to expect when they queue your show up for listening. A sudden change in length can mess with those expectations, leading to a frustrating experience for your fans.

Setting a runtime for your podcast also helps you manage segment length, like how long an interview should run. This will prevent segments from running too long or too short. Utilizing a podcast script can help maintain some control.

There’s no definitive authority on how long a podcast should run. The “correct” length will vary by genre and audience. The key is to hit that length on a consistent basis.

Tip #6: Watch Your Mouth

In an age dominated by social media, a slip of the tongue could ruin your reputation overnight.

It’s vital to control the tone of your podcast, which means controlling both yourself and your guests. Even if you want your podcast to be an open forum, you should still take care to set the ground rules for acceptable content.

Stay away from controversial subjects unless you’re tackling them head-on. Don’t turn your podcast into a soapbox for your personal views. Likewise, keep your guests on-topic when possible, and discuss the questions you plan to ask in advance.

You’ll need to consider your target audience to set your standards of tone. Bad language can be a dealbreaker for some. It may also make it harder to find sponsors and advertisers, so it’s worth considering your monetization plans when you set your standards.

Tip #7: Closing the Deal

Your sign off is as important as your intro, so a professional podcast should take the time, and make the investment, to get this right.

If you didn’t feature them in the opening, now is the time to feature any ads. It’s also a good spot to acknowledge the hard work of contributors. Failing to give credit where it’s due won’t do you any favors when trying to get people involved.

Consider slipping a little hook into your outro to keep your listeners engaged. It’s tempting for a listener to switch off when the bulk of the podcast finishes, so go the Marvel route and drop some post-credits content. Welcome To Night Vale’s end-credit “proverb” is a fantastic example of this in action.

Podcast Tips for the True Professional

These podcast tips will help you establish your podcast as a professional production. In a world saturated with amateur acts, even a small bump in your professionalism can translate to a huge bump in your audience.

Need help making your podcast more professional? We’d love to help. Check out our production services.

The post Podcast Like a Pro: How to Make Your Podcast More Professional appeared first on AudioFile Solutions.

However, starting a podcast does require some work, especially on the front end. Between purchasing your gear and setting it up at home, understanding how hosting works, and uploading your first show, there’s a lot to learn. It can be a lot, especially if you feel like you are ready to just start recording episodes!

In this guide, we’ll break down 7 things you need to know before starting a podcast. If you find yourself asking questions, you can contact us here anytime.

Let’s dive in!

1. Know Your Podcast – Inside And Out

The truth is, the podcasting medium is not for everyone. At the very least, it may not be for every project. If your goal is simply to occasionally get your message out to new people, you could start your podcast on YouTube instead. YouTube is free, but isn’t really a podcast platform.

This isn’t to deter you from podcasting; in fact, the opposite is true. The first step is to get very clear about why you want to podcast and what your show will be specifically about. Here are some brainstorming ideas to get started:

• How will your podcast relate to you, your business or brand (or is this just for fun)?
• What could the first 7 episodes of your podcast be about?
• What will the title of your podcast be?

If you find yourself struggling to detail 7 separate episodes right off the bat, this may be a sign that there’s a better medium for you. Think these things through before you start. It will save you time and money. Good old pen and paper are your friends for this first step.

If you decide podcasting is the way to go, keep reading!

2. Find The Right Equipment

When it comes to how to set up a podcast, you’ll want good equipment. People don’t want to listen to bad sound on a podcast, and it will make you sound unprofessional. Thankfully, affordable USB microphones that sound good do exist.

With the boom of home podcasting, two low-cost options have really emerged as the best.

The two most popular home podcasting microphones that won’t break the bank are the Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB and the Rode Podcaster. This stereo mic might also be a good option for your show if you are recording remotely and need an iPad or iPhone solution.

For a new show, you only need a good USB microphone to start. Later, you can worry about mixers and all the additional pieces.

3. Pay For Good Artwork/Intro

Sure, you could design your podcast cover art on a website like Canva for free, but unless you have an eye for graphic design, it’s probably not a good idea.

Your podcast’s cover art and introduction music are the first things people will see and hear when listening to your show. If you want to give them a good impression, it’s important to invest a good amount here.

If you’re on a budget, you can get artwork done with Fiverr or Upwork. For something a little more comprehensive (but pricey), 99Designs can give you some great artwork, too.

For your intro, we provide royalty-free music and customized voiceovers to make your show shine right out of the box. Our voiceover artists are experienced in podcasting, professional radio, news reporting, multimedia production, video narration, church podcasting and more. It’s not a good idea to cut corners here, and we’ve been doing this for almost two decades!

4. Pick A Good Hosting Service

People asking, “what do you need to start a podcast?” would do well to find the right hosting service. You don’t want to upload audio directly to your website, as most website hosting servers aren’t designed for this and will slow down over time. Therefore, you should either find a free hosting solution or invest a small amount of money each month to let 3rd-party sites host your podcast episodes for you.

Websites like Soundcloud offer free hosting, while Libsyn starts at just $5/month.

5. Get Familiar With iTunes

Pat Flynn, one of the best resources available for building a podcast or online business, talks about iTunes as one giant search engine. iTunes is where most podcasts are, so it’s a spot you need to be.

Here’s how to start a podcast on iTunes.

6. How Will You Record?

What do you need to start a podcast? Something to record your episodes, of course. If you use Apple products, GarageBand is a free solution that many home podcasters use with a lot of success. You can even practice editing your show in the software too.

There are plenty of good free or low-cost recording options available, so don’t feel like you need expensive software for this.

Another option is to let us record your guests over the telephone like professional radio stations do. We pioneered this process for podcasting, and it starts for as little as $50/episode.

7. Write An Outline For Your First Show!

After setting up all of your equipment, choosing a hosting service, and getting your show in order, it’s time to start working on the first episode! At the very start, it will help to follow a rough outline. Don’t feel like you have to read off a script–don’t, in fact, because your listeners will know you are–but it will help you be comfortable and cover your key points.

In time, you may not need the outline anymore. But it’s a good resource to have initially, and will help you stick to the ideas you identified as important when you brainstormed during step 1.

Some podcasters, however, always follow an outline. The key to doing well with this medium is finding what works for you and sticking with it–refining your process over time.

How To Start A Podcast – Wrap-Up

Starting a podcast requires some work on the front end for sure, but it will be worth it if your goal is to connect with a new audience or build your brand. Even if you’re just doing it to have fun, a podcast is a good way to get your name out there and gain experience with speaking and having new tech skills under your belt.

Some things to do when you start: know what your show will be about, get a good USB mic, get nice artwork and intro audio done, pick a good hosting service, understand iTunes, pick the right recording software (or let us do it), and write a good outline for your first few episodes.

In addition, we are always here to help. Check out our podcast production services to learn more. Happy podcasting!

The post 7 Things You Need to Know About How to Start a Podcast appeared first on AudioFile Solutions.

Apple Podcasts have topped the 50 billion download mark, and that’s only one platform. Podcasting is everywhere these days and the numbers prove it.

If you’re thinking about jumping on the podcast bandwagon, you’re making the right choice. But it’s not as simple as talking about the weather for 30 minutes a week.

A successful podcast, one that has sustainability and listenership, takes a lot of work and it all starts with the podcast production itself.

If you’re getting worried, don’t be! We’re going to fill you in on everything you need to know to make sure your podcast production is smooth and successful.

Let’s dive into The Beginner’s Guide to Podcast Production!

Podcast Production Starts with Content

The best podcasts are the ones that have a clear-cut message or fit a niche. You might not find success if you’re going with the “anything goes” podcast mentality. The shows that do work, work because they’re hosted by a comedian or celebrity and that’s their niche. Or, if you’re producing a b2b business podcast, you are talking about a subject that your customers want, or need to hear about.

Once you figure out what you’re podcast is going to be about, you have to decide how long it will be. There isn’t a fixed formula for this. Some shows do well at 30 minutes, while others rank well at an hour. It depends on your content, your guest, and your execution.

Always have an outline for every episode denoting ad breaks, as well as questions for your guest and info about them. Take the time to think about intriguing questions that people will want to tune in to hear the answers.

Podcasting Equipment Makes a Difference

Having the best podcast equipment makes all the difference when it comes to quality and execution. If you can’t afford studio time, you can still get good sound quality by building your own studio. It’s not as difficult as you might think.

The recording space might be the most important part. You don’t have to soundproof entire rooms, but you should record in a room that’s carpeted to prevent echoes. And move computers, fans or anything else that makes a lot of noise into another room. At the very least move them far away from the microphone so your recording isn’t plagued by background noise.

You’ll also need a few items to get started:

Laptop/Computer

This will be the brains of your home studio. It needs to store audio files, podcast programs, and editing software, so make sure it’s got enough space and a good processor to run them all.

Microphone

A good quality USB microphone is more than sufficient for most podcasters. If the budget allows, upgrade to a professional mic with XLR connectors (you’ll need to study-up to connect one to your mixer; most podcasters should stick with the USB option for simplicity). If possible, get a pop filter for it. This eliminates the hard plosive sounds “p’s” and “b’s” make.

Headphones

Many headphones also include a USB mic built-in. While this option doesn’t usually sound as good as a stand-alone mic with separate headphones, it makes things even simpler and can be a good choice for those with limited technical knowledge. These combination USB headsets can be purchased at Best Buy, Amazon or other well-known stores. Make sure to read the reviews and find one that others have said “sound good” or “are especially good for podcasts”.

Mixer

A mixer is a separate piece of equipment that does a variety of important tasks. It controls levels, inputs, outputs, mix-minus, and other functions. Be aware, mixers are a professional piece of equipment and can require a lot of study time to understand how they work.

The best mixer for a podcast has at least four channels: one for you, one for your co-host, a third for your guest, and a fourth for a connection to an iPod or another device.

If you are using a USB headset/mic combination, it is likely that you will be recording your guests remotely. If so, you can bypass the mixer entirely and use a third party cloud service to record and “mix” your interview.

Research and Book Guests

Unless you come from a radio or another media background, booking guests can be a challenge. If you have a large network, start there first. It’s always easier when you know the person who’s on your podcast.

If you have to cold call, reach out via email. If you don’t know their email address, ask them for it on social media.

Be friendly and complimentary of their work. Ask them how they’d like to be introduced (their title, job description, publication, etc.) and if they’re okay with you mentioning them in a few tweets promoting the podcast.

Research more than your guests’ Twitter handles. Look around and find audio of their past interviews. If you can access them, take the time to listen to them.

Do they have a crutch word or phrase? This means, do they say “definitely” or “absolutely” before they answer every question? Do they pause a lot with “umm’s” and “uhh’s?” Knowing what to expect from your guest before they’re on your podcast makes a big difference in how the interview with go. You can prepare for their quirks and their personality.

When You Hit “Record”

A podcast is a fluid conversation, or at least it should be. Yes, preparing an outline is great, but if your guest goes on a tangent that’s interesting or intriguing, go with the natural flow.

In other words, don’t sacrifice a good conversational flow for the sake of following your outline to a tee. You’ll only end up sounding robotic and that never makes for good content.

Be aware of your own crutch words. Most beginners, and even some pros, struggle with “umm’s” and “uhh’s.”

Don’t chew gum or food while you’re recording. And if you need to take a drink, move the mic away from your mouth.

Coughing and sneezing happen, but hit the mute button (if you have one) to keep the recording clean.

Remember, if any of these occur, many can be edited/removed in post-production which we will talk about next.

Podcast Editing Is Everything

Post-production is where beginners get stuck. It’s also what separates ordinary podcasts from great ones.

When you finish recording your podcast, the last thing you want to do is listen to it all over again. But you’re not only the host, you’re the producer, and that means your work isn’t done when you stop recording.

Editing is one of the most important aspects of podcasting, yet it gets overlooked far more often than it should. Podcasts that you hear on the big networks go through extensive editing. And those hosts are professionals!

So what content needs to be edited? The obvious expletives and any extended pauses. Fluff that doesn’t add to the conversation and awkward parts of the interview.

Of course, get rid of those pesky “umm’s and “uhh’s”. Now, you can’t edit them all out, but if a guest gets tripped up for a few seconds and says “uhh” over and over, without question, edit it out.

If you’re adding music, don’t use music or audio you don’t have a license for. There are music services available that do have the proper licensing that charge per use or have a subscription service.

Again, do not use copyrighted music or any audio that is not your original work. There’s no “30-second rule” or “10 seconds are fair use.” They’re not, so don’t attempt it.

Podcast Editing is one of the biggest benefits to using a podcast production company or service. They will handle all or a good part of this. They won’t get you sued by an artist and they’ll know the ins and outs of editing.

Publishing and Marketing

Once you’ve finished editing, you’re ready to publish! There are many podcast hosting platforms out there that will fit your needs. Do your research and read user reviews. If cost is prohibitive, consider YouTube to host your podcast. It’s free!

Make sure you add your podcast to your blog or website, then promote it. Social media is great for marketing podcasts, as you have the option of tagging guests or brands. You’re also able to use hashtags to widen your audience.

Podcast Production Made Easy

Having a great podcast is more than grabbing a mic and recording. In most cases, reaching out to a professional podcast production company is your best option for the highest quality podcast.

We hope you enjoyed this Beginners Guide to Podcast Production. At AudioFile Solutions, all you have to do is provide the content and we’ll handle the rest. We offer easy production services tailor-made to fit your needs. Contact us today and let us take your podcast to the next level.

The post The Beginner’s Guide to Podcast Production appeared first on AudioFile Solutions.

So how do you start a business podcast on YouTube?

Many people think that starting a business podcast is difficult and expensive.  But with the free services that are available today, cost can be whittled down substantially.  After the podcast production itself, using these services to host and distribute your company’s content can be absolutely free, assuming you don’t mind 3rd party branding and/or a little extra work on your part.  One caveat, this method produces a non-downloadable, non-syndicated podcast which many argue is not technically a “podcast” at all (but let’s not get picky).  An example from our friends at Omega ATC is shown above.  I will be referring to it as we go along.

Let’s start with the part that is not free, but is the most important aspect of any business podcast.

Use a Conference Call or Webinar for Content

The production can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be.  You can go crazy and produce a full-fledged video talk show, or you can re-purpose existing content—like a conference call or webinar—and call it a day.  While we at AudioFile Solutions always suggest you put your best foot forward and produce a completely professional event, many businesses find that extending the life of content that has already been produced can also yield marketing fruit.  For the rest of this article, we’ll assume that you already have an event—like a webinar recording—that you want to use to start your podcast (in this case, a video podcast).  Our conference call recording service and high definition web conference recording service can both be used for this application.

After the webinar has been recorded, you’ll need a 3rd party to host the video file.

How to Start a Business Podcast on YouTube

Many small businesses do not want to host the podcast files themselves because of the cost involved in storing large audio or video files on their server.  In our example, a typical webinar can yield a 30-80MB video file.  Add up several months or years of recordings, and your storage requirements will be substantial.

To start a podcast on YouTube—and let them host your video for free—open an account and click “Upload”.  It’s that easy.  For a webinar recording, it is important to use a high definition video as your source to keep the text and images crystal clear.  Using a low resolution video file means that large text will be blurry and small text will be unreadable.

After uploading, YouTube will create several different versions of the video.  You can access them individually by clicking the three digit number followed by the letter “p” in the lower right-hand corner of the player.  Choose “720p” or “1080p” to view the high definition file.  Immediately to the right are four arrows arranged in a square.  Click this to make the video full screen.  Using a high-def video from AudioFile Solutions as your source, you should have no trouble clearly seeing all the text on a typical webinar.

Note: View the embedded video above at 30:00 to see a good example of small text.  In full screen mode, at 360p, the text is extremely blurry.  Toggle the video to 720p to see the sharpest text.

Now that your video is live on YouTube, you can embed the video directly on your blog (as we did at the top of this article) by going to the YouTube page containing the video.  From there, click “share” and copy & paste the embed code directly to your blog.  If you don’t already have a blog, there are many free blogs to choose from.  WordPress.com, Blogspot.com and WordPress.org are all good places to start.  Or see Mashable’s article 40+ Free Blog Hosts.

Note: Keep in mind that YouTube can change this process at any time, so you may have to use some common sense when using future versions of YouTube.

With the video now embedded on your blog, and because your blog is syndicated (check with your blog host if it is not), you now have a low-cost non-downloadable podcast.

A final thought, but no less important, don’t forget to have your new YouTube podcast transcribed.  This will allow you to place the entire text of the podcast on the same page as the audio or video.  Not only is this great news for the hearing impaired, it is a necessity to receive SEO (Search Engine Optimization) credit.  SEO is beyond the scope of this article, but suffice it to say, search engines like Google must have on-page text in order to index your blog post, and a word-for-word transcript is the best way to do this.  Our transcribers are all native English-speakers, and our transcripts are done by hand using no automation, ever!

Ready to get started podcasting on YouTube? Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you.

Happy podcasting!

The post How to Start a Business Podcast on YouTube appeared first on AudioFile Solutions.

Rode has introduced the new iXY Stereo Mic for iPad and iPhone with a 30-pin connector that allows high quality recording at sampling rates up to 24-bit/96kHz.  It will be available soon, somewhere between January and March of 2013 at B&H by clicking here.

Podcasting does not always mean recording your own voice on a special mic in your home studio.  Sometimes, you may want to record an interview in the field, capture some ambience at a soccer game, or record your children singing in the bathroom.  This is where the Rode iXY will be best suited.

The “XY” in iXY means a coincident pair of directional microphones typically placed at a 90 degree angle to one another.  This technique records stereo sources nicely and generally means less hassle for the podcaster.  I won’t go into the other methods of recording stereo here, so you’ll have to trust me on this one.

A foam windscreen is provided for reducing wind in outdoor recordings, as well as a zip pocket for transport.

From the Rode website:

“I’m more excited about iXY than any other product in RØDE’s twenty year history,” commented Peter Freedman, RØDE’s Founder and President. “The audio quality of the iXY is breathtaking and really affirms RØDE’s commitment to providing the very best audio products available at a price that’s accessible to the general public.”

Released in conjunction with the iXY is RØDE Rec, an app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch designed to be the ultimate companion to RØDE’s new microphone. When used together the iXY and RØDE Rec transform an iOS device into a fully featured field recorder.

RØDE Rec allows for complete control of the iXY’s continuously adjustable input levels for recording in loud and quiet environments, as well as the high pass filter to cut out low frequency rumbling such as air conditioning or outdoor traffic noises.

The RØDE Rec App is available for purchase from the App Store on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore. The app provides a full suite of features including multiple sampling rates up to 96kHz, equalization effects (compressor/expander, high-pass filter, low pass filter, parametric EQ), non-linear editing, geo and photo tagging, and one-touch publishing to SoundCloud, Dropbox, email, FTP and iTunes.

The post Podcasting Equipment: Rode iXY Stereo Mic for iPad & iPhone appeared first on AudioFile Solutions.

Centrance MicPort Pro Review:

Listen to the best quality podcast recordings today and you will find that they are usually programs produced by established radio personalities—Glenn Beck, Imus, etc.  One reason that their audio quality is so good is that they are using the microphone that is best for their voice.  Producers spend hours testing multiple microphones with their talent/host and their equipment (mic pres, compressors, limiters, EQ, etc.).  The final microphone choice is determined by sound quality, not cost or connectivity.

All to often, amateur podcasters resort to using the mics that are designed for easy connectivity, such as a USB connection to their PC or MAC.  It makes sense, why spend the time, effort and expense in creating a more professional set-up when the equipment manufacturers have made it so easy.  Ultimately, it comes down to sound quality.  There are so many more choices when you open yourself up to the world of XLR connectivity, not just USB.  The solution, a XLR to USB converter.

There are several XLR to USB converters on the market today; Use Google to search “XLR to USB Microphone Converter” for the most up-to-date list.  The CEntrance MicPort Pro is one of them and a review from The Gamer Access is below.  Also see RecordingHacks.com review of four XLR to USB converters here.

Begin Review
—————

Whether you are recording a podcast, conducting an interview, or recording vocals for an upcoming audio track, a quality microphone is the most essential tool in order to produce a quality experience for the listener. With that said, most professional and studio microphones do not use your standard 3.5mm or USB connector, but instead utilize XLR making it somewhat of a challenge for those who record to a computer. That’s at least what I thought until I had the opportunity to check out CEntrance’s MicPort Pro. Read more to discover how to utilize your professional or studio microphone on any device supporting audio through a USB input!

As the only portable microphone preamp supporting 24bit/96kHz, the MicPort Pro delivers true studio sound from your XLR microphone to any device with a USB input in lossless quality. Simply connect your microphone’s XLR connector to the female XLR input on the MicPort Pro and connect the included USB cable from the MicPort Pro to your USB device, and you are all ready to go! Not to be confused for a simple XLR to USB converter, the MicPort Pro contains its very own preamp for high quality audio recordings using not only basic dynamic microphones, but those who require phantom power. If you are unaware, what phantom power is, it is the method in which DC electric power is transmitted through microphones that require active electronic circuitry. Phantom power is required for a majority of the professional and studio microphones used today.  … continue reading the full article here: A Must-Have Professional Audio Device: CEntrance MicPort Pro (Review) . (Editors note: this legacy link is no longer active)

The post Podcasting Equipment Review: Podcast Recording with the CEntrance MicPort Pro appeared first on AudioFile Solutions.

1. All podcast participants should be dialed-in on a landline phone.
2. Non-speaking participants should be muted.
3. A phone handset or headset should be used, not a speakerphone.
4. Call waiting should be disabled.

All podcast participants should use standard landline phones.

But, don’t fall into the trap of pressing the speakerphone button—that is the quickest way to ruin your high-quality phone call recording.  Also, do not use a cell phone, a VOIP service, or even a wireless phone connected to a landline.  All of these technologies degrade the telephone audio in some way and should be avoided.  VOIP is getting better every day, but you should be very careful if you are going to break this rule as some VOIP phones sound just as bad as cell phones.

Non-speaking participants should be muted.

Any participant who is not speaking should press their own mute button well before the podcast recording begins.  Some conference call services allow for muting by pressing *6 or some other combination of keys.  Do yourself a favor and use this functionality.

A phone handset or headset should be the tool of choice.

A bit earlier we talked about not using a speakerphone on a podcast recording.  Instead, use a wired headset.  Most headsets these days have very good audio quality and will allow you to talk with your hands free.  Although, once in awhile, even a good quality headset can act-up.  At those times, pick up your old reliable handset; you’ll be amazed how good it sounds.

Disable the Call Waiting feature on your phone.

Most phone companies allow you to disable this feature temporarily.  Before
connecting to your call recording service, press your phone company’s magic combination of buttons to disable this function—usually restored when you hang up.  *70 seems to be the ticket with CenturyLink, but be sure to check with your local telephone company in case they have a different method.

Troubleshooting Steps:

1. Ask the person to move to a quiet location.
2. Ask them if they are really dialed-in on a landline phone.
3. Ask them if they are on a headset; if so, pick up the handset.
4. If the noisy/poor quality audio persists, ask them to dial-in again to re-establish the connection.

Tip: Poor quality audio can most often be tracked to a non-landline phone.  So, whatever you do, do not break this one rule.  Ignore all the others before you omit this one.

1. Make every effort to keep the phone still while recording.  Phone handsets are notorious for popping and clicking when played with or squeezed too tightly.
2. Keep the handset mouthpiece at the same distance from the mouth as when the audio quality tests were underway.  Moving the mouthpiece around will cause a fluctuation in volume that will drive your podcast editor crazy and increase your editing bill exponentially.
3. Refrain from breathing directly into the handset when you are not speaking.  Not only is this distracting to the listeners, it’s a little creepy.
4. Try your best not to talk over another participant.  Phone calls are not a wide frequency bandwidth medium.  This means that it is more difficult for the ear to distinguish between voices.  When two or more voices are talking at the same time, the ear loses track of who is speaking and the brain becomes confused.  Confusion leads to anger, and anger always tells the listener’s finger to click the “off” button—always!

Record phone calls for podcast interviews.

Follow these rules and recording phone calls for podcast interviews will become easy-cheesy. Be sure to use our services to ensure the best quality podcast recordings; your listeners will thank you and your audience will grow.

We’ve been recording podcasts via phone calls for over 20 years—before they were even called podcasts! We’d love to help you too. Contact us for more details.

The post How to Record Phone Calls for Podcast Interviews appeared first on AudioFile Solutions.

What is the best USB Microphone for podcasting?

Is the best USB microphone for podcasting a condenser or dynamic Mic? Is there one that sounds better than another, or do they all sound the same?

There is a disturbing trend in podcast production that I feel the need to address.  Podcasters have been sold a bill of goods that says, “record with a condenser mic, it sounds superior”.  Without knowing any better, and because 90% of USB microphones on the market are condensers, they wind up purchasing a condenser instead of the “inferior” dynamic mic.

Well, the problem is, condensers—as a general rule—pick up a lot of unwanted lip smacks, saliva and other noise from the human speaking voice.  While they tend to sound great on the singing voice, the speaking voice is a whole ‘nother matter.  Hearing the saliva roll around in someone’s mouth during a podcast is not pretty and may just encourage the listener to turn it—YOU—off.

Very few of us get to try out a microphone before buying it, but it is the only way to tell if a particular mic sounds good on YOUR voice.  Yes, for some people a condenser will sound better than a dynamic, but I would wager that the opposite is more likely.

There are two routes you can go here. Spend a little extra time and find the USB dynamic mics that are hiding among all the condensers out there. A few of the best are the Studio Projects LSM and the Audio-Technica AT2005USB.

Or, if you have a bigger budget and want to get the very best, get a dedicated broadcast dynamic microphone; they have been used for years in radio and voiceover production.

Try out the Beyerdynamic M99, Electro-Voice RE-320 or a Heil PR 40—all dynamics.  If these are good enough for NPR, Rush Limbaugh and Leo Laporte, they are good enough for you too.  They may be a bit more expensive than you originally wanted to pay, but the expense will be worth it.  Or, use eBay to find a used one at a more reasonable price.

A USB converter such as the Blue ICICLE or Centrance Micport Pro 2 can connect these broadcast mics to your computer if you don’t already have a recording interface. I know, it’s yet another piece of equipment to add to your buy-list.  But it is the one piece that connects you to the listener, so make your decision wisely.

So what is the best USB microphone for podcasting?

Well, as we discussed, it’s not that simple. Until you’ve tried one or the other on YOUR voice, the question is still open.

The post Best USB Microphone for Podcasting appeared first on AudioFile Solutions.

Looking for a way to use your iPod to cheaply record a podcast, record your company conference call, or transcribe an interview or lecture?  Recording with an iPod is easier than you might think.  In all cases, these audio files can be used for podcasting, archiving or uploading to a transcribing company.

Here are the top 4 articles we’ve found that will help you use your iPod for recording.

1. Recording a Podcast Using an iPod and a Micromemo
Author: academictechnology

In this YouTube video, Jason discusses using a standard iPod to record lectures or interviews with the Micromemo.  He demonstrates how to plug-in the device and how easy it is to record directly to the iPod Nano.

2. Recording Lectures with an iPod Touch
Author: Heather M. Whitney

This post on The Chronicle of Higher Education site is geared towards those wanting to use the second-and third-generation iPod Touch for recording audio.  This method can be used to record lectures, interviews or any other live source via the iPod Touch.

3. Recording Phone Calls with an iPod
Author: Jake Ludington

Conference call recording is typically best left to experts like, well … us.  Jake Ludington says as much in the introduction to this post.  But if you find yourself with no other choice, recording your next phone call using the iPod—while not perfect—is doable.

4. Using Your iPod to Record Audio and Podcasts
Author: Michael Miller

With the right equipment and accessories, you can use your iPod to record conversations and interviews, and even to record and mix podcasts for broadcasting over the Internet.  Read this article to learn more.

photo by Jay Riddle

The post Top 4 Articles on Recording Podcasts, Conference Calls, Interviews & Lectures with an iPod appeared first on AudioFile Solutions.