Help New Podcaster

[averageguy]

Okay i want to do a local podcast talk for a local lacrosse team here in town. I never have done one before. What do i need to have equipment wise, software wise and what else do i need to get this moving. ANy help would be greatly appreciated.

[WyethDigital]

Okay i want to do a local podcast talk for a local lacrosse team here in town. I never have done one before. What do i need to have equipment wise, software wise and what else do i need to get this moving. ANy help would be greatly appreciated.

I'm assuming you're asking what you need in order to podcast and not what you need for your talk ;)

This is going to sound vague, but you only need what you want to put into it. If you want a slick, professional production, it's gonna cost ya.' If you don't care what it sounds like, you'll get off pretty cheap. Most people opt for somewhere in the middle.

First, you need a plan: What's your podcast about, how often is it coming out, do you have anyone helping out?

Second, you need a good hosting service. It should have either unmetered bandwidth, or bandwidth exceeding a Terabyte. Depending on release frequency, show length and possibly audience size you can expect to $7 to $15 per month.

Thirdly, you need a computer with recording software. Actually, there are services that don't even require you to have a computer... but I wouldn't recommend those entirely.

Fourth, if it's an audio podcast, you need a decent mic. Forget those $7.00 headset mics at Walmart. Decent mics can be had in the neighborhood of $30 to $60.

Optional equipment would be a mixer, a compressor, table-top mic stands, pop filters for the mics, a Skype account, etc.

To put together a decent one or two person podcast, you should realistically expect an outlay of about $200 - $300 to get started, including hosting, but not counting the cost of the computer.

Eric

[thebeatsuite]

I agree, you need to plan in great detail first about what equipment you may need and who you want to record and the location. I would research into this are first then you will have enough knowledge to produce one yourself.

[X Pat Radio]

Okay i want to do a local podcast talk for a local lacrosse team here in town. I never have done one before. What do i need to have equipment wise, software wise and what else do i need to get this moving. ANy help would be greatly appreciated.

You best bet would be to read the many other threads (some very recent) on here.

[mugatu]

Okay i want to do a local podcast talk for a local lacrosse team here in town. I never have done one before. What do i need to have equipment wise, software wise and what else do i need to get this moving. ANy help would be greatly appreciated.

I assume you're wanting to do an audio podcast, correct?

Hardware:

What to get with respect to hardware really all depends on what format your show is going to be in. For example, if you intend to do interviews (in other words have multiple people talking simultaneously) you're going to need different equipment than if you intend to just do a solo act.

If you're intending to have phone interviews, it's another ball of wax again.

So - I'm not really sure how to best direct you on the hardware. It really all depends on your needs...and the cost can run the gammut.

Software:

Most audio recording software will do you fine. Lots of people swear by audacity (however I like Mixcraft better, myself). On the mac - lots of people use GarageBand.

Make sure you get something that has multiple track capabilities for mixing, and the ability to export in MP3 format. Audio filters are nice, too.

Server:

You're going to need a place to house your media.

Feed:

You're going to need to make the RSS feed for your podcast. Check out apple's discussion forums for intructions on how to make the feed.

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That's about it.