Podcasting Workshop
Workshop Summary
Today we will learn more about podcasting. We will learn how to create podcasts using Audacity, a free, cross-platform audio editing application.
I hope you enjoy today's workshop.
Luis.
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Documents
Presentations
You can download the Keynote presentation I am using for this workshop if you are using a Mac. For Windows users, I have converted it into this Powerpoint presentation or this PDF.
Files
Some files you can use for podcasting practice:
Example of an RSS feed file (.xml)
rss.xml
Just replace the text inside the tags with your own, then get rid of everything outside each tag, including the // (these are comments to help you by explaining what each tag does). This is a very simple RSS file with just a few of the tags supported by RSS. You can find out more about the RSS spec and all the tags it supports by visiting the websites listed in the Tutorials and RSS Documentation section at the bottom of this page.
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Steps (Movies)
There are four basic steps to creating a podcast if you are using your own web server and creating the RSS feed yourself by typing it into a text file (instead of using a service such as Podomatic or Odeo):
- Create your media file(s) using a program such as Audacity (cross-platform):
- Set Up Audacity Preferences for Podcasting
- Create a Short Recording for your Intro
- Noise Removal
- Adjusting Sound Levels: Amplifying and Normalizing
- Adjusting Sound Levels: Envelope Tool
- Adding Music
- Creating a Fade In/Fad Out Effect
- Exporting to MP3
- Upload your media file(s) (.swf, 1.3 MB) to your web server using an FTP or SSH program
- Create your RSS feed (.swf, 2.8 MB) file using Notepad (PC) or Text Edit (Mac) (you can use the sample RSS file above as a template)
- Upload the RSS feed (.swf, 1.2 MB) file to your web server using an FTP or SSH program (I like to place it in the same directory as my media file(s))
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Software
Here you will find links to the software we are using for this workshop, as well as additional software that may be helpful as you continue experimenting with podcasting:
- Audacity (cross-platform)
Audacity is a great audio editor that has a very clean, easy to learn interface at a great price (FREE!!). Even though it is a free application, it includes many features found in more costly commercial applications, including many that can be used to create audio for podcasts, such as: fade in and fade out effects, a noise removal filter, as well as amplification and normalization features (these help you even out the levels). Audacity does not export to MP3 directly, but instead relies on a plugin called the LAME Encoder (see below).
| Audio I/O, Channels |
1 Mono |
| Quality, Default Sample Rate |
44100 Hz |
| Quality, Default Sample Format |
16 Bit |
| File Formats, Uncompressed Export Format |
WAV Microsoft 16-bit or AIFF 16-bit |
| File Formats, Bit Rate |
64-96 |
LAME is a plugin that allows you to export your Audacity projects as MP3 files that can be used in podcasts.
Videora allows you to take a .wmv file created with Windows Movie Maker and convert it into the format supported by the iPod.
Garageband now includes a Podcast Studio that makes it very easy to create podcasts. The Podcast Studio allows you to create enhanced podcasts (with chapter markers) using either photos or video (not both). Other features include ducking (which automatically lowers the music when it detects your voice), the ability to record an interview using iChat, and more than 200 jingles to use for your intros.
This application allows you to create enhanced podcasts that use still images and include chapter markers so you can navigate to different sections. You can use this program if you want to create an enhanced podcast and do not have the latest version of Garageband (the Podcast Studio in Garageband 3 allows you to include still images and chapter markers). The chapters work in iTunes, Quicktime Pro, and the photo and video versions of the iPod. This is a very easy to use, drag and drop program. The sound file you want to use has to be in the AAC format used by Apple (MP3 is not supported).
This program allows you to create an RSS feed file using a graphical interface. The only problem that I found with the program is that you have to open the RSS file after it has been saved to the hard drive and change the title tag from "Channel 1" or whatever to a more descriptive title. RSS files are easy to navigate so finding this tag and changing it to the correct title is not a big deal. The Advanced Options (View, Advanced Options) tray allows you to include the tags supported by the iTunes Music Store.
This application does the same thing as VODCaster, but it is not drag and drop. It runs within a web browser. It does have a nice feature in that you can enter the URL of your media file on the web server and it will discover the MIME type and the size. ListGarden will save the RSS file to your hard drive, or you can use the FTP feature to upload it to a server once it is created.
You can use Quicktime Pro to record either audio or video for your podcasts. You can then use Audacity or Garageband to edit your recording and enhance it with music and other features. Quicktime Pro is only $29.99 and is available for download for both Windows and Mac on the Apple website.
iTunes can be used to subscribe to podcasts and to test your podcasts once they are online (Advanced, Subscribe to Podcast). iTunes is also a good choice for converting files to different formats. You can use it to compress your podcast using either AAC (Apple) or MP3 (more standard) compression.
This free program from Microsoft can be used to create a slideshow with background music and narration. The slideshow allows you to include Ken Burns zoom and pan effects as well, but it does not support chapter markers.
For uploading files to the server. Can use FTP or secure connection.
A free FTP program for Windows that can be used to upload files to a web server.
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Websites
Browser Recording Tools
This free website allows you to record your podcast without having to download and install any software (all you need is the Flash plugin for your browser). Podomatic also allows you add intro/outro music to your podcast right on the site, and it can import recordings made with other programs such as Audacity or Garageband. Podomatic creates a webpage to present all of your podcasts to the rest of the world, and it also has a Podmail feature you can use to let other people know when new podcasts are available.
Odeo is very similar to Podomatic, but it does not allow you to add music on the site. A neat feature of Odeo is that you can record a podcast using your cellphone and a number that's assigned to you when get a free account.
Very similar to both Podomatic and Odeo, but it uses Java instead of Flash. This may cause some problems for some people.
RSS Feed Generators and Validators
Blogger is owned by Google and is one of the most popular blogging sites. Blogger allows you to create and host a blog for free. It does not support RSS, but instead uses a competing standard called Atom. We can convert the Blogger feed into an RSS feed using Feedburner (see below).
Creates a feed with iTunes tags for you (you must already have a URL for an RSS file or a blog that supports RSS before you can use Feedburner). You can also use Feedburner to convert an Atom feed into an RSS feed (Blogger uses this format for their feeds).
An online tool for generating an RSS feed file. After you type in the informatioin into the provided fields, the script will provide you with the code you need to copy and paste into a text file to create your RSS feed (it must be saved as an .xml file).
Allows you to check the syntax of your RSS feed to make sure it's up to spec.
Podcast Directories
Where to find podcasts:
Created by David Warlick to bring together the best educational podcasts in one location.
Along with the Podcast Directory built into iTunes, one of the best known directories for podcasts.
Music
Freeplaymusic.com
Royalty-free instrumental/electronic music that is great to use for your intros and outros.
Images
Morguefile
A great collection of royalty-free stock photography that can be used for enhanced podcasts.
Tutorials, RSS Documentation
A tutorial I am putting together for the students in the USF College of Education Laptop Initiative. I have completed the videos for Garageband, but not for Audacity. I hope to have Audacity videos up soon. The tutorial walks you through the four steps to creating a podcasting.
A great page at Harvard Law that includes everything you need to know about the RSS 2.0 specification.
This webpage covers all the iTunes supported tags that can be included in an RSS feed.
A PDF document from Apple covering the basics of Garageband.
A list of tutorials that show you the basics of using Audacity.
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Contact
If you have any comments or suggestion about this workshop, please feel free to contact me.
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