Podcasting+Tips

What is Podcasting?
Podcasting is a term describing the process of recording, uploading, and distributing digital audio files (some people also include videos in a series under the definition of podcasting). It's fast, efficient, and cheap, making it perfect for not-for-profit organizations.

Why does this matter to librarians and information professionals?
1. You can record lectures to share them later with patrons or colleagues. 2. You can record interviews with special guests and share them easily. 3. You can create a radio show. 4. Copyright permitting, you can get volunteers to record their readings of the daily paper or other resources for visually-impaired patrons. 5. You can help students who struggle with writing to dictate their work for later transcription. 6. You can record book trailers, public service announcements, or advertisements for upcoming library programs. With high-quality recording equipment, these can be shared with local radio stations. 7. You can do all of this for free -- or almost free -- which makes it a very efficient way to share information.

What do you need?
1. **A microphone** - this can be a mic on a stand or (my preference) a headset that plugs into the USB or microphone jack of your computer. Alternatively, you can use your computer's built-in microphone, which is fine for this class but which also captures more distracting background noise. For a cheap way to do interviews, you can join two headsets together using [|this device]. Fancier podcasting systems include mixers that let you have multiple inputs.

2. **A computer**

3. **Podcasting software or Web site.** There are many software products, both online and desktop-based, that can help you podcast (create digital audio files, digital music, digital voice recordings, etc). Here are three popular ones:

Audacity
The default software we'll use in class because it is free (good for budget-strapped libraries and information centers), available for Mac or PC, and relatively easy and robust to use. [|Download Audacity AND the LAME encoder](Audacity records the audio, but you need LAME to convert it to the ubiquitous mp3 format). [|Go here for Audacity use tips].

GarageBand
This software ships free on Mac computers. If you've already used GarageBand and feel fluent with it, feel free to use it in lieu of Audacity (admittedly, I'm a bit rusty on this tool and can be less helpful than you might hope -- if you're uncertain, use Audacity).

Aviary.com
I love this newish site that has many robust photo, online, and audio editors. Myna makes professional-sounding podcasts. You can record your own voice and use their built-in audio loops to dress up the recording. Some of you used this in SI 624. Warning: if you use this tool for our first-day class project, be aware that you have a two-minute limit for each voice file you record. You can record a series of two-minute clips as a workaround. [|Demo video]

Your smartphone's Audio Recorder
Feel free to use your phone as long as you know how to transfer the file - in .mpeg or .mp3 form - to the Web.