Behind the Scenes is currently on hold as I go through the process of setting up a new server and transferring GodCast.org to it. Of all the podcasts I'm producing at the moment I've decided to let Behind the Scenes suffer the most from this process since it requires the most production time and, frankly, receives minimal feedback from listeners. (Except for Just Pete from Illinoise, the show's biggest and most appreciated fan!)
Topics currently up for grabs when the show returns include more trials and tribulations of the search for a web host, how to plan a successful podcast before you make a wrong turn, sound editing applications for Windows to make live mixing easier, and two software tools to make the publishing process simpler. Also, what's the first thing that needs to be done to make podcasting easier for listeners? Hint: This will be a review.
The quest for a 20-minute show continues and fails. 40-minutes once again, this time on the RIAA and why a legal podcast with RIAA music is currently not viable, alternatives to the RIAA, more on OPML, tips on MP3 size and volume, some cool software tools, and a great podcast resource. Shout outs this week go to our caller Charlie, Bret Fausett from LexText, and Paul Figgiani from The Point.
Also, help solve/eliminate the mystery...why does Behind the Scenes have over ten times more listeners than votes at Podcast Alley? If you enjoy the show, vote now using the voting form in the blue box on the right!
No contest this week but still no winner for last week's contest...the prize is still waiting.
My link disclaimer: While I can guarantee all content on godcast.org to be family-safe I can make no such guarantees for content linked to outside the site. The initial page that I'm linking you to should be fine but other than that, as always on the web, proceed with caution!
This number does not include those under the age of 18, those who listen to MP3s on their computers but don't own an MP3 player, or those outside the USA.
In other words, the potential audience for podcasts is much, much larger than is currently being tapped into. Our job, therefore, is to determine how to better reach it.
If all goes well the next edition of Behind the Scenes will be up later tonight and will be devoted mostly to tying up loose ends from the previous show, including lots of additional information on the legalities of podcasts and music (apparently I'm late to this party). Also, more on OPML, some sources for RIAA-free music, how to control the size of your MP3s, how to control the volume of your MP3s, and a few nifty software toys.
Also, Behind the Scenes has hit the Podcast Alley Top 50! Thanks to those of you who have voted, however there are a lot more listeners than there are votes currently, and you can also vote once a day. So, if you're reading this, stop right now and use the handy voting form on the right to help push Behind the Scenes into the Top 10! Thank you for your support.
FeedBurner has published some interesting statistics about the growth of the podcasts it has been hosting feeds for over the past three months. You can find these statistics here:
If you're looking for the most portable way to plug a quality dynamic mic into your laptop then you'll definitely want to check out the new MicPlug from DVForge. This tiny, no-latency adapter has a female XLR adapter on one end and a male USB connector on the other. Plug your mic cable into one end, plug the other into your laptop, and you're set to go. The analog to digital conversion is 16-bit, 48KHz for professional quality sound. Suggested list price is $49.99. For more information check out the MicPlug page at DVForge:
Unbelievable...another forty-minute show, packed once again with great info including a stealth mic demo, what to look for in a web host, whether or not you need OPML, connecting Skype to phones, the legality of music in podcasts, an interview with Matthew Bischoff from ESC Radio, and more! Shout outs for this week's show go to Rick Wezowicz from ICM Raw, Christiaan Stoudt from Home Network Help, and Charlie Eastman.
And yes, another "spot the mistake" contest: At the beginning of the show I give a list of topics that will be covered in the show and this week one of them isn't covered. First person to identify the missing topic in a comment to this post wins a custom, professionally-produced sweeper for their podcast (or personal ego). Also, if you downloaded the show prior to 2/13 you can earn bonus points (but no prize) if you identify the most blatant error of all in this edition. (Hint: it comes very early on.)
My link disclaimer: While I can guarantee all content on godcast.org to be family-safe I can make no such guarantees for content linked to outside the site. The initial page that I'm linking you to should be fine but other than that, as always on the web, proceed with caution!
Back on January 26th I told you about Glenn Fleishman's article on recording Skype calls on the Mac using free software. You can also use Glenn's article to record voice-only podcasts. Since then Andy J. W. Affleck has posted another article expanding on Glenn's that shows you how to mix in audio from other applications as well:
Tim and Emile Bourquin, the organizers of the upcoming Podcast and Portable Media Expo in November and hosts of the Podcast Brothers podcast, have launched a new resource site for podcasters at PodcastExpert.com. This is an excellent site that provides links to a wide variety of resources on the web that will be of interest to podcasters and podcast listeners.
Tim and Emile have provide a rich assortment of links to get the site started, and you can submit new links to help the site grow. The links are categorized for easy access and can also be rated.
Look for a full review in the next edition of Behind the Scenes.
Finally, here it is! As promised this is a double-length show and it is almost literally overflowing with great stuff just waiting to be listened to. Topics covered include adding comment lines, recording phone calls, homemade pop filters, online how-to-podcast tutorials, portable recording rigs, and more. A major shout out goes to Pete from Illinoise and a minor one to Wendy Wallace from Near-Life Experience.
Congratulations to Michael Geoghagen from Reel Reviews for being the first one to identify the editing mistake in this show (see the comments for this entry)...he wins a custom sweeper/bumper for his podcast.
My link disclaimer: While I can guarantee all content on godcast.org to be family-safe I can make no such guarantees for content linked to outside the site. The initial page that I'm linking you to should be fine but other than that, as always on the web, proceed with caution!
