Creating Audio for Podcasts Using Audacity
Itinerary for Podcasting Series II Learning Lab
- Overview of recording tools for the Mac, PC and web: (Garageband, Audacity)
- Developing a plan for the podcast
- Equipment needed (hardware)
- Locate and Import Podsafe Audio into Audacity
- Record voice using Audacity
- Edit and Save audio using Audacity
- Export as Mp3 file
CreatingAudio2pg.pdf
Overview of Recording Software

The best way to record music on a Mac is now the best way to record podcasts. GarageBand 3 puts you in the control room of your own full-featured radio station. And new iWeb integration gets your voice on the Internet in minutes.
Audacity 
Audacity is free, open source software for recording and editing sounds. It is available for Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, GNU/Linux, and other operating systems.

Developing a Plan
First Things First: The Plan
From Beginner’s Guide to Podcast Creation By Kirk McElhearn
Amazingly enough, this first step is the one many podcasters skip: develop a plan. Before you start recording, think about what you want to say, and organize your show accordingly. Make notes, prepare your interviews (if any), and try to improvise as little as possible. While a completely spontaneous show can sound good if you’ve got the knack, the best podcasters prepare their shows in advance and work hard to provide interesting content. (See Kirk's Eight Rules of Effective Podcasting) for some tips on creating good podcasts that people will come back to listen to.) There are thousands of podcasts available today, but it’s easy to pass most of them up because they don’t stand out - figure out your angle, and run with it!
- Choose theme music
- Design a standard introduction (Your name, show name, date, etc.)
- Outline your show notes
- Design a conclusion
- Outro music
Equipment Needed for Podcasting
Headsets
Please try to bring your own headset or earphones/mic with your for the workshop. We have only a limited supply.
Cheap Coby headsets at Target for $10. Or go with a USB headset for better quality. I use the Logitech Premium USB 350. It goes for about $50 at BestBuy.
We'll talk more about microphone and headset options in the learning lab.
Inexpensive Podcasting Kits if you want more.
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Hands on Section
Record intro music
Edit music file
Record voice directly into Audacity
- Edit audio using tools in Audacity
Export as mp3 file
Additional Information
File Formats
Wav File-44,100 Hz, 16-Bit files.
A440 (3 sec, mono, 258 KB) Guitar (28s, mono, 2.35 MB)
MP3 file - 256 kbps, 44 KHz sampling rate
A440 (94 KB) Guitar (876 KB)
192 kbps, 44 KHz sampling rate
A440 (70.5 KB) Guitar (657 KB)
128 kbps, 44 KHz
A440 (47 KB) Guitar (438 KB)
96 kbps, 44 KHz
A440 (35.3 KB) Guitar (328 KB)
64 kbps, 22 KHz
A440 (23.5 KB) Guitar (219 KB)
32 kbps, 22 KHz
A440 (11.8 KB) Guitar (109 KB)
16 kbps, 16 KHz
A440 (5.96 KB) Guitar (54.8 KB)
Sample conversion:
30 minute WAV file = 141MB file
30 minute Mp3 file = 26MB file at 128 kbps, 44 KHz (Most common)
OR
30 minute Mp3 file = 3MB file at 16 kbps, 16 KHz
Links
- Podcast Spot is the best place to get conversational with podcasting! Create a podcast and share it with your friends, family, or even the world. Just send us your media file and we'll do the rest.
Survey
Evaluation:http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=JNUxILFPkvVy9nLfLZclKg_3d_3d
Assessment: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=F2q2onY8VgNR2L1CEoApYg_3d_3d
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