Multimedia Video Journalism: 2012

Tools you will need to create a quality podcast.

1. A decent microphone ( usually not the mic on your laptop)

2. A computer with audio recording software
3. Creative Commons or purchased stock background music and sound effects.

4. A web host for your audio/video

Suggested Software

1. Audacity

2. Garage Band
3. Adobe Audition

Steps to Creating a Quality Podcast

1. Write quality and conversational script (not a rambling unrehearsed discourse or a script read in your best "reading-scriptures-in-Sunday-School" voice). Here are examples of radio commercials and properly formatted radio scripts.

2. Find some good intro or background music for which you have the rights.

dig.ccmixter is devoted to helping you find that great music, all of which is liberally licensed under a Creative Commons license so you already have permission to use this music in your video, podcast, school project, personal music player, or where ever… there are several thousand tracks that already have permission to use in commercial projects for free.http://dig.ccmixter.org/)

3.Record your voice track. This is not live so re-record as needed to make it sound just like you want. There is no excuse for stumbles or misreads. The voice track should average between -12 and -6db.

4.Add your intro or background music. Adjust the levels so it is easy to hear the voice track over the music. Don't forget to fade in and out if needed. Abrupt beginnings and endings don't sound professional.

5.Save your finished podcast as an mp3 or .wav file.

6.Upload your audio to a web host.

7.Email, tweet, and Facebook update everyone you know with a link to your outstanding podcast!

Audio Podcast Resources

Audio Editing Software:

Audacity® is free, open source, cross-platform software for recording and editing sounds:
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/