If you’ve ever wondered what normalisation and compression mean take a look at this screencast I did on Audacity in Jing - great tool, Jing.

If you want to participate in discussions around podcasting check out the Podcasting Unleashed Google Group.

Here’s my first post in audioboo - recorded straight from my iPhone then embedded here…

The ethical bribe has been an established Internet marketing model for quite a while now. Create a valuable resource such as an ebook, and make it freely available in exchange for a name and email address.

I’ve just been listening to episode 220 of The Engaging Brand podcast. Anna Farmery’s guest, Jay Berkowitz of 10 Golden Rules mentioned the David Meerman Scott stair stepping technique.

David gives away his ebooks completely free - no email, no name required.

This has resulted in over 200,000 downloads, and 200,000 exposures to his valuable products. I really hope this technique becomes more common. You have great pond before you, you’ve been casting food upon the waters and now you have a school of carp feeding. Instead of pulling the takers out, why not let them feed for free, and let them jump into your hand when they’re ready - I like the approach.

Here is a recording of a talk I did for the Brighton Chamber of Commerce last night about podcasting and video casting. The main areas covered are:

• Definitions of podcast and videocast
• Podcast and videocast success stories
• A few facts and figures about podcasts
• Why & how to consume podcasts/videocasts?
• Why produce a podcast/videocast?
• Some success stories in podcasting
• Dos and Don’ts in podcasting
• Some podcasting ideas
• Podcasting tools of the trade

Download a zipped version of the introduction to podcasts and videocasts visuals.

 

 An Introduction to Podcasts and Videocasts [30:38m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

When it comes to recording Skype calls, there are software options, such as Pamela, or Total Recorder, which run on the computer. I prefer using an external recorder though, because the PC already has enough to do, and recording is a demanding, real time process.

I have used the Zoom H4 for recording Skype calls with great success. The Zoom has two additional inputs that can be selected instead of the built-in mics. My method involves taking the output of the PC and feeding it into one of the inputs of the Zoom, and a standard mic with an XLR lead into the other. I use a Sure SM58 for this, although it could be any mic.

I still use a separate mic plugged straight into the computer so the other person can hear me - this can be a cheap mike if you wish, because it does not participate in the recording, but merely conveys your voice to the other party.

You’ll need the right lead to connect the computer audio output to the Zoom’s input. The computer has a 3.5mm jack socket, and the Zoom’s hybrid inputs will accept, as well as an XLR plug, a 1/4 inch jack. Suitable leads are available from music equipment stores such as GAK.

So to recap, the Zoom has a mic and a lead from the computer plugged into it, and the computer has another, cheaper mike plugged into it. Both mics are placed together, to pick up your voice.

One last thing to be aware of. The two inputs on the Zoom have gain controls to alter the input sensitivity. These are labeled L/M/H for low, medium and high. I find that the input from the computer needs to have it’s gain set to low (L) and the input from the mic needs to have it’s gain set to high (H).

The result is that you get a recording with you on one track and the other party on the other - making post production nice and easy.

Best of luck with your Skype recording!

Yes, I know it looks like a tazer, but the Zoom H4 is a very cool digital audio recorder. I love it and want it’s children. So, here are some tips for getting the best out the Zoom:

• Always use the black, foam rubber wind guard, even when indoors. The built-in microphones, as good as they are, are very sensitive to air movement. One person I know had to re-record a session recorded without the wind guard, because the air movement caused by the ceiling fan, some 2 meters above them, had rendered the recording useless.
• Observe the level on the display when recording. They should, on average, be at around the half way point and occasionally hitting the max position to the right. There is a sensitivity switch on the right hand side labeled ‘MIC’, with low (L), medium (M) and high (H) settings to control the microphone sensitivity. The M setting usually works best.
• When interviewing, hold the device about 10 inches from the interviewee’s mouth, but off axis, i.e. not directly in line with the blast of air that comes out of their mouth with every B or P.
• Always remember press that REC button TWICE, before you start the interview. The first press puts the device in ‘monitor’ mode. It’s hearing through it’s microphone but not recording and the REC button is flashing. The second press puts it into ‘record’ mode and the REC button is steady red. Don’t get caught out by this. The results of some of my early interviews were a 3 second recording of me saying “Pooh! It was on standby!”
• Always monitor as you record. Plug a pair of headphones into the PHONES socket on the left hand side and listen as you record. This way you can hear if anything is going wrong such as bad background noise, excessive popping (wind noise from Ps and Bs) or if the batteries suddenly fail.

Grown from a seed I purchased in Tenerife in 1985, this Bird of Paradise plant has produced a flower at last - I’m such a proud dad.

Here’s a great video of Vint Cerf, often called the father of the Internet talking about the future of the Internet - great stuff. Of particular interest is Vint’s vision of the way we’ll use video and audio on the net.

…on Runescape that is. Having become a fully fledged member, he will now not be seen for several days while he checks out all the features he was denied as a free subscriber.

Some overheard conversation snippets:

Bailey’s friend (new to Runescape), to Bailey - “I’m being chased by a group of chairs - what shall I do?”

Bailey, to his sister - “Come and watch me farm”

I love my work at Wire World Media. Especially when I get to interview famous people like Jason Leonard OBE, the record-capped English rugby union prop. Super guy, super interview. I’ve included the longer version here that includes more about his life story. Jason also talks about his involvement with ballz.com, a site well worth checking out if you’re at all into sport, and it’s availability to all.

 

 Interview with Jason Leonard OBE [23:48m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download