Equiptment checklist?

[dhp]

Hey all -

Sans computer (getting that in a few weeks) here is what I have. Anyone recomend something that i missed? A small amplifier from radio shack maybe?

Thanks!

Tascam M106 Mixingboard, Electrovision RE16 Dynamic cardiod Mic, some cheap mics and booms from musicians friend. Anything else?

DHP

[dcolanduno]

Try looking at the stock packages on http://www.podcastrigs.com/

I just posted that link to someone a second ago as well, it has stock setup ideas, from high to lower priced. All seem solid, it might give you an idea of something you missed, or something you might want to take a look at.

D.

[yaz]

without the big gay irish guy, i couldn't do my show...

[mental-escher]

Just curious if anyone does this- using a sampler to trigger sound clips (intros, outros, news lead-in, and background music, etc.?)? Currently I use an old 4-track tape deck (Tascam 424) that I use as a mixer, a sure SM58 mic, and record to adobe Audition (multitrack digirecording software). I guess it would be nice to have physical controls as opposed to using the mouse in iTunes to trigger music and sounds 9also itunes can only plasy one clip at a time).

defwheezer

http://mental-escher.net/

[jawbone]

I use a digital cart machine to run my intro, outro, clips, etc. I don't want to give the name of it out since it's been kind of a pain to use and I'm not all that happy with the results on-air.

I also use QuickTime to play clips, but my only complaint about that is when you click on another open QT file, it mutes the playing clip. So you have to be careful when clicking around your desktop.

I am totally open if anyone else has any other ideas for playing "carts".

[Lifespring!]

Check out this software: http://www.jazler.com/products/JazlerShow.asp

This is a freeware cart playing appy. Works pretty well. Be careful when you're selecting your download. The free software is Jazler Show v. 1.5.1

[bigee]

Anyone here using a compressor/gate on their show? Are you noticing a difference?

[Craig]

I also use QuickTime to play clips, but my only complaint about that is when you click on another open QT file, it mutes the playing clip.
Hah...you're about to love me then. You can change this behavior in the QT preferences. There's an option under "Player Preferences" called "Play sound in frontmost player only." Turn it off. Make sure the "Play sound when application is in background" option is on and you should be all set.

Craig

[jawbone]

Craig, I loved you when I first joined. But now I am "in love" with you. ;)

BTW, thanks for the tip.

[jeffoest]

Anyone here using a compressor/gate on their show? Are you noticing a difference?

Yes -on the compressor ... No - on the gate. Compression is a subtle 'effect' when used properly. I like the sound of it - the compressor I use is actually three chained compressors (the RNC) so it's not quite so abrupt - perfect for voice. I also do a bit of overall limiting and multiband compression on the final mix (just 'cause).

[Craig]

Craig, I loved you when I first joined. But now I am "in love" with you. ;)
Aw shucks! :oops:

Anyone here using a compressor/gate on their show? Are you noticing a difference?
I use both (part of the dbx 286a) and notice both. With compression on I can go from a whisper to almost shouting with only a slight gain in volume in the recording levels. With the gate there is complete silence between words, despite computer noise in the background.

Craig

[yaz]

this has a weird non-hippy love vibe goin on...

[mental-escher]

Check out this software: http://www.jazler.com/products/JazlerShow.asp

This is a freeware cart playing appy. Works pretty well. Be careful when you're selecting your download. The free software is Jazler Show v. 1.5.1

That looks like a program that will do just what I needed- thanks for the tip!

defwheezer

[bigee]

Anyone here using a compressor/gate on their show? Are you noticing a difference?
I use both (part of the dbx 286a) and notice both. With compression on I can go from a whisper to almost shouting with only a slight gain in volume in the recording levels. With the gate there is complete silence between words, despite computer noise in the background.

Craig[/quote]

OK. I am (.....will be) using a dbx 266xl. Any recommendations on the gate settings? I have significant background noise due to both computer, and office fridge.

Thanks!

[Craig]

First, do what you can to reduce the background noise. Unplug the fridge while you're recording if possible, move the computer to the floor, etc. If you can get it to the point where the noise is coming from behind the mic, and the mic is on a stand, you might look into picking up a set of these:

http://www.truesoundcontrol.com/products/XPANDER.html

I just got them and they definitely help. In any case, the more noise you can get rid of before you depend on the gate, the better.

As for the 266XL settings, set the ratio to 2:1 to start and then turn the threshhold up until the green light goes on then turn it back down slowly until the red stays on. Now test it by talking. You may need to tweak it slightly up or down but you shouldn't hear anything between words and your voice should come in naturally when you start talking. If your voice sounds clipped then turn the threshhold down slightly or the ratio down slightly. If you hear noise then turn the threshhold up slightly. Play around until you get something you're comfortable with and then jot down the settings for future reference.

Craig

[yaz]

unplugging vegetables gets some annoying sounds to go away...

[bigee]

W :shock: W

[indiekid]

lol i feel really backwards with my setup now...i just use Audio Hijack Pro to record my clips and then piece everything together in Logic Express and it works well. Then again, I really need some sort of noise filter cuz i really hate background noise that is just basically fuzz...Any suggestions? Is there a Logic plugin that will work?

[Craig]

Nah...you're the one that's ahead. (Financially if nothing else.) And I'm pretty sure there's a gate for Audio Hijack Pro.

Craig

[indiekid]

well thank you craig, that's a great comment...but here's my goal in setup:

MXL990 + iPod + Powerbook (for Skype and soundclips) --> Behringer Mixer --> iMac G5 -> Audio Hijack Pro -> Logic Express

But then again, I'm still trying to decide if doing a "Live" podcast will be of any boon, or rather maybe just continue to do the "piecing" that i do already...

[Chip]

For those of you that run music on your podcast, then check out www.DRS2006.com

They have a 70.00 version of their software and for an extra 40.00 you can get the pro DSP software...

I use the radio DJ software in there with the pro DSP... Keeps all music at the same level and I also use the Virtual Cart software that is included with the DSP for sweepers, commercials, and sound clips... Very nice for the price.... There is a DSP included with the basic 70.00 package, just not as nice as the other...

Just a thought....

Chip

[Whistler]

Sorry for asking such a noob question. I should probably go check it somewhere, but its late and I'm tired, so bare with me.

Would someone be so kind to explain GATE to me. I see it all the time in GarageBand, but I'm not sure what it is.

Thanks. I'm really trying hard to improve the quality of my show. I have 9 under my belt and I feel that each one is getting better. I am trying to create a studio for some formal shows but I still like my iRiver 799 when I'm in the mood to let my ADD run wild.

Thanks in advance. You guys are awesome.

[Craig]

A noise gate allows you to specify a threshold level such that if your recording level drops below this threshold then the level of the output will be set to zero. The effect for a podcast is that when you're not talking you don't hear a thing. No background noise, no computer fan, nothing. There are usually several settings for the gate along with the threshold that allow you to fine-tune how quickly the gate kicks in and out. These settings are essential to getting it to sound natural.

Some people mistakenly think that a gate will also remove the background noise while you're talking. This isn't true.

Craig

[boneheadz]

So I have a question for Craig.

I really enjoyed you BTS on gorrilla podcasting because I like the idea if keeping it simple. (could be becasue I am a little simple myself) Currently, I just turn on the ibook, plug in the imic and a headset/mic combo and load garageband and I record. I add intros, exits and sound bytes etc as I go.

So my question is this, I will probably want to add skype calls, and manage sound a little better, is there a way to do this without getting too complicated. I like the idea of PodProducer but it is pc. Any tips would be great.

bone

[cpjolicoeur]

for those looking for "cart" software for the mac, I found this website.

I'm downloading the demo now and going to try it later today.

http://www.blackcatsystems.com/software/soundbyte.html

ok, i just tried out the software, and so far it seems to work great for me. could use a little more features, but for a simple sound rack with hot-keys and fading this is pretty good. comes w/ 75 slots in the rack at the demo setup.