Thread: How To Make Podcast/Audio files from your writing

This is the bugaboo for a lot of writers, because making an mp3 gets into a different aspect of presenting writing not found in other eMedium "genres".

It's got more to it, technologically and creatively, than just writing down words, but it's not rocket science, either.

I'm hoping experience podders like Jason can help out here, but for openers I'd say anybody interested should immediately download Audacity, a free cross-platform sound editing program. It's simple, intuitive and you can use it for anything from trimming annoying applause off the end of your concert mp3's to recording podcasts or soundtracks for videos.
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/


Another free program I haven't used, but podcasters swear by is Levelator, which is used to set levels for the audio files.
http://the-levelator.en.softonic.com/

And, of course, you need a microphone. You can buy a mike for like $20 at RadioShack and make a "recording booth" out of a box lined with foam and the mike suspended inside it.

I'm sure others can expand on this, but wanted to get it started.

Indeed. One can also refer to this post, which has additional information about podcasting software. This would be a better place to continue the discussion, I agree.

I'd suggest that you investigate the selection of microphones at something like Musician's Friend instead of buying one from Radio Shack, but the principle remains the same. A good dynamic mic specifically created for vocal frequencies can be had for a pittance. A weighted desktop stand is also recommended, and they're in the 5-10 dollar range.

I have Audacity and it's a wonderful little program Never used it for podcasting, but it seems like to would do pretty well.

It's pretty good. I've recorded entire pieces of music using its multitracking capabilities. And I'm a big fan of freeware.
Here are a few more free apps for podcasters/musicians:freeware multitrackers

I like Audacity, but I strongly recommend staying away from levelator. Basically all it is a sound gate that mutes the spaces between sentences. you don't want to do that. It's very jarring to the listener.

So levelator operates like a normalizer, hence the name. That makes sense.

Actually, no. A normalizer simply increases the volume across the board. Levelator is a compressor. It increases lower volume sounds while decreasing higher volume sounds. It's an audio sledgehammer for those too lazy to figure out how to make their audio sound good.

Let's put it this way: you will never find levelator in a production quality audiobook studio, only in amateur podcasting. Which one are you aspiring to be?

I'm actually a professional musician and producer. Your distaste for the software is evident. We will all of course bow to your superior wisdom in this matter.

Was that sarcasm? Sorry, the intent of the written word is not always clear.

It might have been. I'm just trying to revive this area and get some information out there. There don't seem to be a lot of people on this forum who are interested in podcasting, or they haven't been interested previously.
What, in your experience, would be attractive about podcasting for a writer? Does it involve a new skillset? How can those skills be acquired? Why would one want to do so in the first place? See where I'm going with this?

I'd reply, but I'm sure it will only be met with sarcasm disparaging my qualifications.

Originally Posted by Jeffrey Kafer

I'd reply, but I'm sure it will only be met with sarcasm disparaging my qualifications.

Hardly. No one has yet disparaged your qualifications. You are the party who accused your readership of amateurism and are apparently spoiling for a fight, viz:

Originally Posted by Jeffrey Kafer

Let's put it this way: you will never find levelator in a production quality audiobook studio, only in amateur podcasting. Which one are you aspiring to be?

Given your credentials, I'm sure the potential audience would be happy for you to educate them.

If you want to podcast your novel, you should ask yourself why. Is it to increase your readership? Encourage your brand? Or is it simply an ego thing: "I'm now in audiobook format!" (No, you're not). The last goal should be to make money. True, you can get donations from places like Podiobooks.com, but they are few and far between. No one makes much money from donations, save for a handful of the popular authors.

If you think podcasting your novel will lead to a big publishing contract or sales of your ebook to fly at Amazon, you're going to be disappointed. Only a few people have had success in this regard on podiobooks. The vast majority of the books sit there idle.

So what good is it? It can be a part of your marketing campaign, if done right! Done wrong, and it can actually hurt your brand, much like having a subpar cover or a book riddled with typos doesn't do you any favors. You need to put out a quality product. Grabbing a $20 Radio shack mic and doing it yourself is not going to feature your product in the best light. No matter how good the written word, creating a mediocre audiobook will hurt you and screams "Amateur"!

Also, most authors are unprepared for the gruelling work involved. Expect a 4:1 ratio of finished product to work. So if you have a 90k audiobook, expect it to take you about 40 hours to make it. Is this the best use if your time on promoting your book?

The big thing authors need to make an audiobook is strong acting chops. Forget radio. Forget TV. Audiobook narration is hardcore acting. Bronson Pinchot says that audiobook narration is 20 times harder than any other acting he's done. That's absolutely true.

If anyone is serious about getting their books in audio, they might want to check out ACX.com. If they are accepted as a rights holder (It's difficult right now), they can get their book produced at no upfront cost and split the royalty with a professional narrator. This is not my site, this is Audible, which means iTunes and Amazon distribution. The big dogs.

Thanks for that, seriously. Good advice...and there are other uses for podcasts and podtech than simply promoting a book, or committing books to audio. New media is all about that.
Thanks again for taking the time to inform the readers, Jeffrey.