Avoid The Cheap Route
Experimenting with recording your podcast can be done with your existing computer, some free software and online tools. Experimental is the key word here, as you do get what you pay for. Bear in mind that this set-up won’t give you or your audience a good indication of your vocal quality and may reflect poorly on your business.
Yikes! For this reason, I’d strongly recommend investing a modest amount ( less than $500.00 ) in some basic recording equipment, specifically a microphone and a book about audio recording.
Doing It Right
One of the biggest trends in recent audio production involves merging digital recording with computer technology. The recording of audio onto a computers’ hard drive allows you to edit and manipulate your sound files. This data can be stored as a sound file such as .wav or .aiff. There are multiple advantages to recording and editing your voice-overs using your personal computer.
•The ability to record long and uninterrupted narration.
•Digital editing. Quickly and easily remove unwanted background noise or embellish the audio track with music and sound effects.
•Digital Processing. Add effects to your voice, such as reverb, or echo, and master your entire demo for sonic clarity.
Minimum Voice-over Requirements for PC
According to Gartner Research, Windows-based PC’s account for 90% of all computers world- wide. If you have purchased your personal computer in the last three years and you’re running Windows XP, your system should be more than adequate to record an audio file with a micro- phone, and then save the recording as an MP3 file.
•Personal Computer
•Intel Pentium 4 or equivalent Processor
•Windows 2000 / Windows XP
•iTunes for PC
•1 GB of available disk space
•512 MB of RAM
•Audio Line In and Audio Line Out
Minimum Voice-over Requirements for Mac
Recently with the launch of Apple’s iTunes, it shows that Apple is committed to the digital revo- lution. Since most iPod owners are also Mac owners there is also a lot of great software avail- able for the Mac platform. The misconception that the Mac is simply too expensive or that they are only for students and artists is quickly being proven wrong. Apple has also offers the Mac Mini, a scaled down ver- sion of the Mac that allows previous PC owners to make the switch but still keep their monitor, keyboard and mouse – all for just $499.
•Mac G3 or better
•Mac OS X
•iTunes for Mac
•1 GB of available disk space
•512 MB of RAM
•Audio Line In and Audio Line Out
Microphones – Amplify Your Voice
Whether you are using a Mac or PC, you will need a microphone to record your voice into your computer. One option is to purchase a microphone ( or you may already have one ) with a 1/ 8th inch jack. This is the size of the jack or audio line in port on your personal computer. The other option is to purchase a USB microphone, which have made significant advancements in their quality over the past few years.
