h4n

Recording Skype with No Mixer or Software

February 12, 2014 by Ray Ortega 43 Comments

Recording a Skype interview can be a tricky process. There are “easy” ways to do this with software like Audio Hijack Pro for Mac and Pamela for Windows but they can still be hard to setup and of course anytime you’re using software you are at risk of it crashing and losing the entire interview. My other complaint about using software is that it’s not as easy to monitor the audio that you are recording to ensure that everything sounds right throughout the recording.

Here’s a very specific setup that while it uses a particular piece gear (ATR2100 or AT2005)* it gives you lots of flexibility with the final audio file(s) as well as a more reliable system for capturing your Skype interviews and achieving latency free monitoring.

In the video I say that you have to have an ATR2100 style microphone. For this exact setup that is true however you can achieve a Skype recording with your audio recorder with any XLR connected microphone (see section below).

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TPS 076: Random Thoughts on Recording Audio

August 3, 2013 by Ray Ortega 11 Comments

I try a new way of recording my podcast (mic to Fethead to H4n, no mixer) and have a totally off-the-cuff episode filled with other thoughts about recording audio. In other words… I go off “script.”

I also talk about SD vs HD video hosting and production. In my opinion, there is no reason to produce video in anything other than HD. You can always fall back to SD if you need it but you can never go from SD to HD. Future proof your productions by shooting in HD and then compress that file into whatever size you need. [Read more…] about TPS 076: Random Thoughts on Recording Audio

TPS 070 – Show intros, Zoom H4n and the Top Podcast Directories

February 26, 2013 by Ray Ortega 8 Comments

I recently spoke on the topic of podcasting at Social Media Week D.C. (#SMWDC) and it presented some great opportunities to use gear that I don’t always use and speak to people face to face instead of from behind the mic. This of course led to some insights that are perfect for podcasters.

Public speaking introduces an added element of excitement, nervousness and adrenaline that you might also experience the first few times you sit down to a microphone to record your podcast. In each scenario it’s a good idea to remind yourself to slow down. Even after recording hundreds of podcasts episodes, I still find myself having to slow down when speaking in public. [Read more…] about TPS 070 – Show intros, Zoom H4n and the Top Podcast Directories

TPS Ep. 065 – Pro Mics into an H4n, Reducing Hiss, Hardware Processing, and Media Hosting

November 4, 2012 by Ray Ortega 5 Comments

First order of business is Zune. It appears that links to my podcast and everyone else for that matter, are broken. That’s because Zune.net is gone. This means that when you click your old link to Zune (if you had one on your site) you are now taken to xbox.com.

Zune is gone and so is your podcast listing on the web. Apparently the name Zune is no longer in play either. It’s podcast on Windows Mobile or something typically Microsoft (unfriendly). [Read more…] about TPS Ep. 065 – Pro Mics into an H4n, Reducing Hiss, Hardware Processing, and Media Hosting

PQT – Recording with the Zoom H4n

May 10, 2012 by Ray Ortega 2 Comments

Looking around my studio, I counted almost ten different ways to record a podcast. Over the next few episode of Podcast Quick Tips, I’m going to be using each of these methods to demonstrate how you can produce a quality sounding podcast many different ways.

Recording Using Zoom H4n OnBoard Mics — Recording with the H4n on-board mics about 7-10 inches from my mouth

First up is the Zoom H4n. This digital audio recorder is an amazing little piece of technology and really the only thing you need to record a podcast. You’ll hear how I use the on-board condenser microphones of the H4n to record this episode.

Coupled together with some post production, you can create some fantastic sounding audio. A little compression, a limiter, some EQ and a touch of noise removal can really improve the audio that comes off the Zoom. However, this device is powerful enough to produce a show without using any post production. It can even compress your raw audio file into the mp3 format for you.

I also talk about BlogWorld NYC 2012. I’ll be speaking on two different panels and co-teaching a two part class titled “Podcasting 101” along with Daniel from The Audacity to Podcast, Dave from The School of Podcasting’s Morning Announcements and Dan from Podcast Like a Radio DJ.

If you’re considering attending this year’s BlogWorld, which will have an incredible podcasting track, make sure to use my promo code: PodRay10 on checkout to save 10% off the price of your ticket. And, if you purchase by May 15, 2012 you’ll save an additional $100 off the price of a ticket.

If you’re going, make sure you let me know so we can meet in person!

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TPS Ep. 049 – Noisy Headphones, Free Graphics Editor, and Creating Supplemental Video

July 16, 2011 by Ray Ortega 2 Comments

On this episode I talk about the effect that bad headphones can have on your podcast’s audio. Headphones that don’t fit properly, are not well built or are simply turned up too loud can affect that amount of feedback that your mic hears. If the audio going into your headphones leaks out and into your mic

you could hear some weird results in your final audio or be unable to properly edit your audio in post production. I talk about how to make sure you headphones are not the cause for problems with your final audio.

Creating great looking graphics for your podcast can be a challenge if you can’t afford to

purchase quality image editing software programs. Now there is an incredible, free option available via your browser called Sumo Paint. This free web service works and looks much the same as Photoshop Elements which I enjoy using for creating my own podcast graphics. Give it a shot and enjoy the power of free, quality graphics creation.

If you have an audio podcast you can benefit greatly by adding video. Creating a YouTube channel to supplement your audio content can attract many new listeners that you would have otherwise never reached. Can you think of some quick, valuable content that is related to your show and would benefit by being seen as well as heard? I recommend creating your own channel and try adding video to your multimedia arsenal. You might be surprised by the results and feedback.

Links mentioned in this episode:
Sumo Paint – Free browser based graphics editor
Phandroid Podcast Video – Hosts talk about Google Plus Hangouts
Zoom H4N audio recorder
Struggling Entrepreneur Podcast – I was interviewed for the Struggling Entrepreneur podcast.

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