As I mentioned in last week’s podcast you have sent me a few questions on podcasting. I have saved these up and will answer those right here in this blog. I include the senders name (when available) with each question. Before we get started I want to thank you for sending these in. If you have question simply head to main web site at RASpodcast.com, click the contact tab and fill out the form. Now, Lets get started.
Question 1 from John Millsap (California): Most podcasts use a service to produce their show like BlogTalk. Do you do this and if not why?
Answer: No, I have never used a service like BlogTalk. For one reason when I got started they did not exist. Secondly depending on the the level contract you have them they have the right to insert adds into your shows. That is something that I wanted to avoid like the plague. The third and most important reason is that I like to produce my own show and have total control over it. In this way I can make sure it sounds, flows and reflects me. I have, of course, looked at them. I do believe them to be a safe way to do a podcast, but it just is not for me.
Question 2 from Mark Johnson (Seattle WA.): What sound editing software do you use. How do you get your voice to be so clear?
Answer: Free is always better. I use a battery of utilities to do the podcast, but only one sound editor, Audacity. It is free software, developed by a group of volunteers and distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL). It does everything that Audition, Sound Forge and Final Cut do and more. It is supported by the best of the best in the music/podcast world. And again is FREE! How I get my voice so clear? That is simplest answer yet. Be a spendthrift on everything, but your microphone. I use a mid-level mic by Blue Microphones.
Question 3 from Sally Freedman (Chicago): What is the best advice you can give a new podcaster like myself? If you had it to-do all over again what would you change?
Answer: Change? Not a thing. I loved the time spent learning my my craft. All of the mistakes I have made, problems encountered and painful decisions have all made me me a good podcaster. The best advice I can offer is this: Make sure that your podcast content represents you and is something you’re passionate about. If you don’t do that you are doomed and you will lose interest like so many others have.
Question 4 from unknown: At what bitrate and type do you output your podcast at?
Answer: That is a fairly technical question, but hey, I will answer it. The podcast that goes out on the internet is set at a constant bitrate of 80 kbps and 44100 Hz sample rate. Of course the radio version is a totally different animal and is at a much higher quality. One piece of advice I will offer here is to never save your podcast using a variable bit rate. You will lose compatibility with some providers and can cause other issues.
Question 4 from @bjohn302 on twitter: I just published my first book and I want to do your show to promote it.
Answer: I don’t take guest requests from Twitter. I can’t make a qualified decision if your work fits my listenership. If you want to promote your book on the show please head to main website at RASpodcast.com, click on the contact tab and fill out the form. With the 140-character limit on twitter there is no way to tell me about yourself, your work and alike.
That’s is all the questions I have from you about the podcast. I hope that you found it interesting and fun to read. If you have questions for me on any subject, I am open to it and would love to hear from you.
-Ron
This Week’s Podcast:
On this Thursday’s episode of Ron’s Amazing Stories, we will have two great westerns for your enjoyment. The theme will be scandals and cheats. The first is called Bag ‘o rocks from Gunsmoke and we follow that up with one from the Challenge of the Yukon. If that was not enough Jim Richards from Atlanta shares his story of lost time at remote airport in Texas.
You can listen to the podcast right here at Ron’s Amazing Stories, download it from iTunes, stream it on TuneIn Radio or listen on your radio Friday night at 8pm Eastern time. Check your local listing or find the station closest to you at this link.
The Calendar:
August 06: Suspense Classic – The Last Letter of Dr. Bronson
August 13: Gunsmoke Tale – Box ‘O Rocks
August 20: An interview with Patty Wiseman author of the Unlikely Beginning series.
August 27: A new story from the Blue Beetle introduced by our friend Jacob Edwards!
September 03: We will have a horrific old time radio gem.
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