PodCraft | How to Podcast & Craft a Fantastic Show

In this episode, Colin and Matthew engage in a friendly debate about the role of gear in podcasting. While gear and equipment are often seen as important aspects of podcasting success, the hosts question whether they truly make a significant difference. They explore the mindset of successful podcasters and how their focus lies more on content creation, strategy, and promotion rather than the tools they use. The conversation also delves into the dangers of getting too caught up in equipment and workflows, which can lead to wasted time and distractions. Ultimately, they emphasize the importance of finding the right balance and avoiding the pressure to conform to popular gear choices, but rather focusing on what works best for your individual podcast. Thanks to Alitu's AI for writing these shownotes! Also mentioned: 2024 Podcaster Gear Survey Podcast Equipment Guide

As the RSS feed approaches its 25th birthday, so does the word "podcasting" its 20th. But 2024 also sees the tenth anniversary of UKPOD14. On this episode of Podcraft, we're joined by the organisers of this important event, Mike and Izabela. We wanted to catch up on the past decade, talking about what has changed in the medium (as well as what hasn't!). We also touch on what the future might hold, and why simpler is often better when it comes to your recording setup and workflow. 

Here, I dive into 14 powerful, unique collaboration strategies designed to exponentially grow your podcast audience and increase revenue. Whether you're a budding podcaster or a seasoned pro, these tips can fuel your approach to collaborations. Get ready to discover unique methods for teaming up with fellow podcasters, creating compelling content, and even boosting your income through strategic partnerships. Highlights: Explore how episode swapping can bring new listeners to your podcast. Uncover the potential of social media and newsletter collaborations.  Learn how to create engaging live stream events with fellow podcasters. Discover how affiliate marketing can turn collaborations into revenue streams. 🔗 Resources mentioned: Full Guide to Podcast Marketing & growth: https://www.thepodcasthost.com/stage/grow-monetise/  King Sumo: https://kingsumo.com/ How to prepare for your best podcast interview ever: https://www.thepodcasthost.com/podcast-interviews/how-to-prepare-for-a-podcast-interview/  How to create and earn from premium content: https://www.thepodcasthost.com/monetisation/how-premium-podcast-content/  Alitu, the Podcast Maker app: https://alitu.com 

Adding a video or live broadcasting element can work well for some podcasters. In this episode, we dig into the tools you'll need if you want to run a successful video series.  Resources Mentioned Ultimate Video Podcasting Guide Best Video Editing Software How to turn live broadcasts into podcasts that don’t suck Why Video can't and won't replace audio in podcasting Alitu – The Podcast Maker Rode Rodecaster II Zoom PodTrak P4 Rode Wireless Pro

In this episode we're looking at Audio production software, commonly know as 'Digital Audio Workstations' in the audio production industry. We'll look at the most common options out there to give you an idea of which one might suit you. Of course, podcast recording and editing software is more than just DAWs these days. There are a lot of great call recorders and podcast making apps too. On this episode of Podcraft, we'll talk you through a range of options, as well as discuss our own personal favourites.  Resources Mentioned Alitu: The Podcast Maker App Audacity Hindenburg Journalist Adobe Audition Reaper The Complete Podcast Software Guide Best Podcast Editing Software Best Podcast Making Apps The Minimum Effective Editing Approach Best Tools for Recording a Podcast Online Best Text-Based Editing Options Editing Your Podcast With a Stream Deck Editing Your Podcast With a Video Game Controller

The term “home podcast studio” can mean different things to different people. For some, it means soundproofed walls, a large, sleek, padded table, and multiple mics running onto a mixer. For others, it means a USB mic sitting in a cat bed. The bottom line is that creating a pro-sounding home podcast studio is possible, no matter how small your budget or house space. Key Resources How to Create a Silent Podcast Studio Why Record Your Podcast Outdoors What is Reverb? (& How to Fix it!)

Cables, stands, jacks, plugs, pop filters – the less glamorous but still utterly essential part of the podcasting equipment pantheon. It’s common for podcasters to spend three-figure sums on both their mic and their recording device, then link the two together with a cable they’ll spend $5 on. On this episode, we look to better understand all these different ‘Bits & Bobs’ by running through what they are, what they look like, and what they do. Types of Audio Cable & Connection XLR Cables XLR cables and inputs. XLR cables are commonly known as microphone cables. They have a male end and a female end and are used to connect microphones to equipment or to create a link between two pieces of equipment (like a mixer to a recorder). Quarter Inch (1/4”) The 1/4″ (6.35mm) plug looks like a bigger version of the 3.5mm plug. They’re commonly used to connect microphones and other gear to recording equipment such as mixers or preamps. Most mixers and recorders will allow you to connect either an XLR cable or a 1/4″ jack to the same port. These are known as ‘Combo Ports’. The Standard Headphone Jack The 3.5mm plug/connection is most commonly found on headphones and earbuds. They’re also found on some smaller microphones too, like ‘lavalier' clip-on mics, and headsets. TS, TRS, & TRRS Plugs Audio plugs (like the 3.5mm plug) have markings on them to determine exactly how they work. These markings come in the form of little black bands that run around the shaft of each plug. These bands separate each different function of the plug in question. A plug with one band is known as a tip sleeve or TS jack. That's because the single band separates the tip from the sleeve. A plug with two bands is known as a tip ring sleeve, or TRS jack, because the bands have separated a ring in the middle, between the tip and the sleeve. A plug with two bands is known as a tip ring ring sleeve, or TRRS jack, because that has two rings separated in the middle. So what's the purpose of all these tips and rings, and how do they work differently? TS plugs are traditionally known as mono plugs, because the tip is feeding all the audio to the source in one dose. TRS plugs are traditionally known as stereo plugs because the tip is now being used to feed the left channel of your audio to the source, whilst the ring is feeding the right channel. In recent years, a third option was added to this setup – the TRRS plug. The extra ring was brought in to accommodate a microphone or video option. The most common use of TRRS plugs is talking through a headset on your PC, or making a hands free call on your phone. RCA RCA connectors are also known as phone cables or AV jacks. Mixers have RCA ports on them, and these enable you to connect and play media through them. RCA cables are usually Y shaped, with the white and red stereo audio plugs at one end, and a single plug on the other end, such as a 3.5mm or 1/4″ connection. We also cover microphone stands and pop filters. Resources Mentioned The Best Boom Arm for Podcasting Studio Cable Management for Podcasters Finding the Best Audio Cables: The (Not So) Fascinating Truth Best Podcast Microphones on the market Alitu - Our Podcast Maker App

Podcast listening isn't exclusive to podcast listeners. Podcasters need to listen to their own audio, too - both whilst it's being recorded and whilst it's being edited. We call this type of creator listening "monitoring", and that's what we'll discuss in this episode of PodCraft. Key Considerations Listen through headphones (even a cheap pair of earbuds) while recording audio to catch any real-time issues. Use headphones or speakers with a flat frequency response. Don't use gear that'll add extra bass that doesn't exist in your source material, for example. Use a headphone splitter to give guests their own headphones whilst recording.  When choosing headphones, consider things like comfort, isolation, sound leakage, as well as cable length and type.  Headphones are great for mixing voice, but switch to speakers to mix in your music if you have that option in your setup.  Gear Mentioned Audio-Technica ATH-M20X Studio Headphones  Sony MDR-7506 Studio Headphones Beyerdynamic DT770 PRO Studio Headphones KRK Rokit 5 G3 Studio Monitors M-Audio AV40 Studio Monitors Mackie MR5 mk3 Studio Monitors HosaTech YMM-261 Stereo Splitter

You most likely already carry an expensive recording device around with you everywhere you go. We're talking, of course, about your smartphone. In this episode of PodCraft, we take a look at the different gear and options available for turning your phone or tablet into a fully functioning podcast studio. Gear & Resources Are built-in mics any good? Rode AI Micro Rode SmartLav + and SC6 Splitter Shure MV88 Rode Wireless Go Zoom iQ6 Recording apps for iOS Recording apps for Android Recording podcasts with Facebook Messenger Launch Essentials Course  

Mixers and audio interfaces have much in common with the podcast recorders mentioned on our last episode. One crucial difference is that these are less likely to work as standalone devices, and will need other gear to make them work (typically, mics and a computer).  A mixer or audio interface is an excellent tool if you prefer to use podcast recording software.  Our favourite interfaces are the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 and the PreSonus Audiobox USB 96. On the mixer front, Dev was highly impressed by the Boss Gigcaster 5 and 8 recently, too.  Also Mentioned in This Episode How to set up a Mix-Minus (blast from the past!) Podcast Growth Essentials Course