podcasting for a newbie

[jeffbing]

Hey all, I want to create a podcast studio, to record excellent sound for my online website language business...can you provide essential equipment i would need---- brand?, model #(microphone, sound edit program, headphones, etc.???..)anything else? it needn't be expensive or pro...also i have a small extra room, with a closet in there(echo chamber?), would using eggshell crates on the walls provide enough sound insulation?

thanks, jeff

[EndGamePR]

Hey all, I want to create a podcast studio, to record excellent sound for my online website language business...can you provide essential equipment i would need---- brand?, model #(microphone, sound edit program, headphones, etc.???..)anything else? it needn't be expensive or pro...also i have a small extra room, with a closet in there(echo chamber?), would using eggshell crates on the walls provide enough sound insulation?

thanks, jeff
I don't have too many suggestions about the equipment, but a closet is an excellent place to record audio. If some clothes are hanging in there, they work as well as the egg crates for echo reduction. There isn't likely to be much of an echo anyhow.

[Yotto]

On a budget, I suggest afghans on the walls. They worked wonders for me. Because of my setup (4 people, 4 mics) I can't really cram it in a closet and eggshelling the entire room would have cost a frickin' bundle.

[WyethDigital]

On a budget, I suggest afghans on the walls. They worked wonders for me. Because of my setup (4 people, 4 mics) I can't really cram it in a closet and eggshelling the entire room would have cost a frickin' bundle.

Not if you used real egg shells, it wouldn't ;)

About the equipment, Jeff: You say you want "excellent sound," but the equipment "doesn't have to be pro or expensive." That's a bit of a contradictory statement. It's true that you don't have to spend like a pro on equipment to get great sound, but I don't think you'll avoid expensive.

The best way to figure out what you'll need is to envision being able to do everything you want to do with your podcast now and in the future. Forget about whether or not you're capable of doing it this instant. This is a long term exercise. Are you just planning on the show being you in a closet? Are yo going to take voicemail questions or phone calls? Do you ever plan on having someone come in and help you with a language demo?

If you can afford it, it's best to buy for the future. Aside from having more capabilities right off the bat, you'll have time to learn with the new toys before you need them, instead of at the eleventh hour.

Eric

[X Pat Radio]

Hey all, I want to create a podcast studio, to record excellent sound for my online website language business...can you provide essential equipment i would need---- brand?, model #(microphone, sound edit program, headphones, etc.???..)anything else? it needn't be expensive or pro...also i have a small extra room, with a closet in there(echo chamber?), would using eggshell crates on the walls provide enough sound insulation?

thanks, jeff

Equipment: Mackie Onyx (in whatever size you need) + the matching firewire interface or Behringer FCA202 firewire interface. Microphone: The best out there for podcasting is the Hiel PR-40. There are more expensive microphones, but they are generaly used for instruments in a sound controlled enviroment. Headphones need to be closed back and cover your ears. Sound editing sofware depends on your OS, for Windows the best is Adobe Audition. I would also suggest a pop/blast filter for the micrphone, a microphone boom (Hiel makes one). Use the best quality XLR cables you can.

[EndGamePR]

Not if you used real egg shells, it wouldn't ;)

Are you kiddin' me? Eggs are expensive these days!