Please help me improve my show

[JustyUeki]

I'm the host of the RDF Underground Podcast, a fandom podcast for the 1980s animated series "ROBOTECH".
I'm posting this, asking for your help, as fellow podcasters.
I'm constantly trying to improve my show.
Improving the audio quality, improving the quality of the content, making it more accessible to non-Robotech fans, etc.
I was wondering if some of you could please take a listen to a few of my shows, and give me some kind of constructive critisism (or just plain rip me a new one), that would be much appreciated.
You can download or listen to most of my shows @ http://www.rdfunderground.com , and thanks for your feedback.

-Justy

[RobotsLove]

Could you elaborate on the setup and software you're using? At the least you need a new mic or some tweaking with your mixer to avoid the distortion. You need to lower the mic trim or use a de-noise plugin if you have audacity or something similar.

[JustyUeki]

Current mic is an MXL V63M (not really expensive, but better than the headset mic I was using prior) and it's plugged straight in to an M-Audio Mobile Pre-USB preamp (simple 2 channel USB powered preamp, again, the best my budget can afford at the moment).
The preamp is plugged into my G4 Mac Mini, and I record with Audio Hijack Pro directly into AIFF, run the file through Levelator, and then convert it to USB using iTunes.
I'll try to adjust the gain on my mic, and see if I can lower the the distortion.
Thanks.

-Justy

[RobotsLove]

Without being there to walk you through setting up from scratch, it sounds like you have your mic gain/trim set too high. This isn't the same knob as the volume. You basically want to adjust the trim to the point where you have the least amount of signal noise and ambient noise and the maximum amount of signal when you speak. I can tell this is probably the problem because I threw it into Adobe Audition and your noise level is around -35db.

For instance lets say that the ambient noise registers -55db and you when you talk you get a peak signal of -5 on your voice. Thats a decent signal to noise ratio for novice level equipment and can be totally acceptable with a noise gate or a de-noise plugin with recording software.

I hope that makes a little sense, it's kind if a truncated explination.

[WyethDigital]

I would also listen to your show before you use Levelator. You may not need it. I've heard just as many people say they hate it as love it. Podcasters that hate it say it was either a distraction, a crutch, or made made more work for them in the end.

The fact is, before you use any filter, you should have the cleanest, most balanced sound you can get coming into your computer. If it needs a little post processing, then don't be afraid to use it; but be sure you're not using it just because it's there, or because someone told you that's what they use. Podcasters very rarely have the use of a professionally designed studio and have to use a variety of set-ups in a variety of environments. You need to hear yours and record to it's personality.

Eric

[Jerk Off Radio]

i would make one of your hosts dress as a school girl, which is what we're doing for sunday.

[suncrafter]

i would make one of your hosts dress as a school girl, which is what we're doing for sunday.

Good idea.

Cat-girl costume works too.

[Hittman]

Just make sure it's the Julie Newmeyer Catgirl, not the Hallie Berry Catgirl.