Skateboarding Podcast help.

[giantsfan7791]

I wanted to start a podcast for a site called ramprage. It is going to be dedicated to skateboarding news, tips, review, interviews, etc. Me and some friends are planning on releasing the first episode in July. We wanted features like voicemails and live call-in shows. We would also like to be able to make the occasional videocast. We can't have one mic in a studio since we are pretty wide spread. Can someone give me the starting steps and some sites that help make them? If you can be more in-depth than just posting some sites i would appreciate it. We aren't very technilogically-saavy so those sites look like german to us.

[RobotsLove]

If I were you I'd go down to the book store or library and look up basic digital audio recording books. You'll need diagrams and examples for basic vocal recording as well as a decent understanding of the mp3 format and its tagging format ID3v2. A book on podcasting that also covers how feeds work will be advantageous.

For voicemail you can use a service like k7.net which can send you mp3's of the voicemail via email and currently the service is free.

For live call-in shows you'll need an understanding of streaming web radio, how IP and ports work, and you'll need a sit-down studio set up along with a Shoutcast or Icecast server on a broadband connection if you don't pay for a streaming service. You'll also need an audio adapter for your phone of some type to capture audio unless you pay for a computer based Skype number.

If you aren't tech savvy, get ready to be if you want to accomplish some of the bells-and-whistle type shows beyond just talking into a mic.

The question I'll leave you with is: what do you want to accomplish for your first show? That would help us be more specific and it would help you get to the meat of what you need to know to get this rolling.

Edit: I've been into audio recording since my first band in my freshman year of highschool, about 7 years ago. I've worked in a recording studio and I'm dabbling in broadcast at college so I'll be of some help I hope.

[giantsfan7791]

well, this is a VERY rough draft of what the first podcastcould look like. it's going to be for a site called ramprage.com so i'm currently waiting for the approval and changes of one administrator.

_______________________________
1. Opening
1. Comments by co-hosts on current state of Ramprage.com, the forums, podcast, etc. Also ask members/listeners for help on a theme song for the podcast.

2. News (quick overview)
1. Officer Joey Williams of the Hot Springs, Arkansas Police Department, uses excessive force during the false arrest of five teenage skateboarders. June 21, 2007 (Go Skate Day) video - www.youtube.com/v/EH6AYVn2yw4 (http://www.youtube.com/v/EH6AYVn2yw4)
2. Briefly start on calling into podcast and how to contribute. Also mention videocast.

3. Announcements
1. Introduction of co-hosts and podcast.
2. Mission statement for podcast
3. Talking about Ramprage.com and it's forums
4. Mention any upcoming Skateboarding events, competitions, etc.
5. Talk about goals and ideas for upcoming podcasts
6. Talk about possible interviews with skaters
7. Announce the member of the month over at ramprage.com/forums (just an idea)

4. News Discussion (more indepth)
1. Main Discussion - Police brutality, specifically "Officer" Joey Williams. Also talk about the public view of skaters and ways to improve that image. (idea to build on through podcast and forums)

5. Trick Help (voicemails)
1. Users call in and leave voicemails on very specific/uncommon problems and we shall do our best to help.

6. Stories (also from voicemails)
1. Listen to whatever interesting stories or ideas that skaters have encountered.

7. Chicken Soup (the sappy stuff, more voicemails)
1. Listen to how skateboarding has helped/changed somebody's life in a positive way. (everyone who skates has a story, this will be for the most touching ones.)

8. Closing/Contact Information
1. Contact info
2. Info on how to contribute to podcast
3. (insert here)

9. Ending Theme
1. Possibly a competition for listeners to submit songs for theme, play one every episode and vote on RR. (original content only, no copyrighted music)

EDIT: we will try to get voicemails for the second show or so once people get the contact info and the live call-ins won't be till much later. we also need a PO box to let people send letters and such. by the way, should we use skype or something to record/calling-in, if so can you explain the overview of it.

[WyethDigital]

You don't necessarily need to know how to stream on a server to have a live call in show. There are several sites that act as a bridge between you and you audience, and if you know the tricks (in other words, you're gonna have to get technical at some point), you can even make them sound pretty good.

One site you should look at is www.talkshoe.com

Eric

[RobotsLove]

Basically you need a few mics, a mixer, and a computer. You'll need a voicemail line (probably from k7) as well so you have a number to give out for the first show. Like I mentioned the voicemails can be forwarded via email as audio files which can be inserted into the show.

To record Skype you'll need to go into Windows Mixer > unmute line-in. Go into recording properties and select "mono mix" or "loopback". This will play what you say via mic through your headphones as well as the skype call. Setting record to mono mix or loopback will record anything being played on the output of your soundcard, basically anything playing from your speakers/headphones. You'll have to be good with setting levels since everything will be recorded on one track that can't be seperated but this is the most simple method without using a second sound card or sending the Skype call back out to your mixer.

[giantsfan7791]

isn't there a way to record everything seperatly? we don't really want every show to be one-take-and-that's-it. i mean, say i got a headset. we were recording the podcast together so i could listen to what they're saying. but, what i say and what they say are recorded on two seperate tracks so that we can edit each track individually and merge together later. since we are just starting, we want as much room for error as possible. if we mess up then we can correct that later and just keep going as though nothing has happened.

i know this may take some work but could you lay out the very first steps with links on how to get them. like

1. get equipment (bestbuy.com)
2. idk, get skype (skype.com)

these are bulshiited examples but you get what i mean. just simple steps and i can sort out the details later hopefully. i'm sorry i'm so new but i got a few books and online articles and i'm trying to learn everything quickly.