A successful podcast needs to be well planned and recorded at high quality. Narration should be clear and target media, i.e. mobile devices, considered. To record a really professional quality podcast contact Plymouth University TV & Broadcast Services. The only charge is for materials such as video tapes and DVDs. However, if you want to go it alone, here are some tips…

Planning/Setting up

• good preparation is vital – write a script making sure it’s conversational and easy to read. Practice it a few times beforehand and avoid ad-libbing so that the recording is easier to edit afterwards. Each show in a series should follow the same format and be roughly the same length
• use the same place and equipment to record for continuity and ease (you don’t have to keep setting up environment)
• use a desktop unidirectional mic (recording sound from one direction) and place it 6 – 12 inches away from the narrator and also away from your computer
• separate cords from each other to reduce hiss
• use USB microphones and avoid plugging in the mic into the mic input at the front of computer as this picks up computer noise
• record a demo and listen to the audio playback through headphones to identify any problems

Recording

• eat an apple to relieve ‘sticky mouth’
• good posture (standing is recommended) will help to maintain a steady volume
• when you’re speaking use a lower tone than usual, speak slower and smile – this brightens the tone, makes you sound crisper and more friendly. Imagine you’re talking to a friend across a table.
• use voice inflections to show emotion and emphasise points and opinions – this can add character and humour
• ‘p’ and ‘b’ pronunciation can be softened by smiling when speaking or by placing your finger/ hand between you and the mic or speak across or under the mic
• if you stumble, stop and then repeat that small bit and carry on
• record in short chunks and leave a few seconds silence in between each ‘track’

Creating Vodcasts (video podcasts)

• use a digital video camera
• start with planning a good concept
• bear in mind your target media – ipod or other mobile device: small screen (standard mode) = close up shots; no fast movement, high contrast or small text
• short segments (think bandwidth and battery power)
• compress and convert the video file
  • mac: iMovie to H.264
  • PC: Handbrake (free to download) to mp4  (Tutorial)

For further details see http://www.podcastblaster.com/video-podcasting.html and http://www.podcasting-tools.com/video-podcast-tips.htm

Post-production

• Audacity (free download) has a function to remove ambient noise (Tutorial)
• use transitional music in between segments
• use keywords to describe and/ or tag your podcast so that it can be found easily
• add an image and background music to make your podcast stand out – will help distinguish from other competing podcasts in the directory

Interviews

• do your research about the person you are interviewing to help you predict their responses to your questions
• prepare questions beforehand and contemplate followup questions based on expected answers. Avoid ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers. Create notes as well so you can steer the conversation.
• confirm the pronounciation of names before you start
• chat with your interviewee beforehand to relax them
• explain the scope and format of the interview beforehand so that the person you are interviewing knows what to expect
• test your equipment beforehand – sound quality and volume levels
• stay in control of the conversation – provide time warnings and use phrases such as ‘one more question’. ‘let’s wrap this up, can you quickly tell me..’
• thank your guest both on and off air

For further details see http://www.podcasting-tools.com/effective-podcast-interviews.htm

The tips above were sourced from:

• http://www.articulate.com/rapid-elearning/4-simple-tips-for-recording-high-quality-audio
• http://www.articulate.com/rapid-elearning/13-more-tips-to-help-you-record-narration-like-the-pros/
• http://retrogrrl.blogspot.com/2008/06/audio-recording-tips.html
• http://www.feedforall.com/top-podcasting-great-sound.htm

See also http://www.apple.com/itunes/podcasts/specs.html for specific instructions re. preparing podcasts for iTunesU