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TPS083: Setting Up a Mix-Minus and Hosting Pitfalls

April 9, 2014 by Ray Ortega 4 Comments

If you want to record Skype using a mixer you’re going to need how to setup a mix-minus. The video below will show you how to go about setting that up and the linked post below will describe the entire process as well as show you detailed photographs of how to setup a mix-minus for recording Skype interviews.

A mix-minus allows you to send all the audio going into your mixer (voice, sound fx, music, etc) back to your caller on Skype without them getting their own voice back which would cause a feedback loop where they would hear their own voice. [Read more…] about TPS083: Setting Up a Mix-Minus and Hosting Pitfalls

TPS 079: An Alternative to Skype

December 9, 2013 by Ray Ortega 4 Comments

Ever have an issue with Skype? Choppy connection, hiss in your audio, disconnected from your interviewee or co-host? These are just a few of the issues some podcasters are experiencing when using Skype. However, Skype, in many cases still remains one of the better ways to connect with remote interviewees and co-hosts. But what if there was a reliable substitute? Enter Google Plus Hangouts and Hangouts On-Air.

If Skype is working great for your recordings, keep doing what you’re doing. But if you’re having any number of issues that Skype often has, consider trying Google Plus Hangouts. [Read more…] about TPS 079: An Alternative to Skype

PQT – Audio File Size vs Quality

June 10, 2013 by Ray Ortega 2 Comments

When you compress/export your final edited version of your podcast into an .mp3 audio file you have a couple decisions to make. How big or small do you want the file to be versus how good do you want it to sound?

There are many factors that can lead to a final decision regarding your podcast file. Here are a few factors that I take into consideration when compressing my .mp3 for release into the RSS feed. [Read more…] about PQT – Audio File Size vs Quality

TPS Ep. 060 – Starting Your First Podcast: A First Time Podcaster’s Experience

July 29, 2012 by Ray Ortega 3 Comments

From blogger to podcaster, Jeff Yin shares his experience of starting his very first podcast.

Jeff attended Blogworld NYC 2012 as a blogger and quickly learned he’d make a great podcaster after attending several of the podcasting track sessions including Podcasting 101 which I was a part of. One month later, Jeff had taken some basic gear he already owned and started his first podcast, Entrepreneurs with Day Jobs.

Find out the process he took to starting his new show and how a small budget, a little advice and some informed choices led to the start of a great sounding podcast. [Read more…] about TPS Ep. 060 – Starting Your First Podcast: A First Time Podcaster’s Experience

How to Check the Size of Your RSS Feed

August 13, 2011 by Ray Ortega 10 Comments

If your RSS feed stops updating and you are using Feedburner, it’s likely that your feed size has become too large. Feedburner stops updating feeds when the size of your original feed is larger than 512 KB.

This video shows you how to check the size of your Feedburner feed so that you can avoid having your feed interrupted. Once your feed size goes back to being less than 512 KB’s, Feedburner will continue to update and deliver your RSS feed to your subscribers.

You can also reduce the amount of items in your feed to help prevent feed interruptions.

Check your feed’s size at Web-sniffer.net.

TPS Ep. 047 – Recording a Double-Ender Podcast

May 24, 2011 by Ray Ortega 7 Comments

When you want the absolute best quality recording from your remotely co-hosted podcast, you record a double-ender.

A double-ender is a type of recording where everyone on the podcast episode records their own audio. This allows for the cleanest sound possible, removing the unwanted noise problems you might get from such things as Skype or the telephone.

While this method does create more work for the editor (e.g. lining up clips, transferring files) you do end up with the best recording possible because everyone has recorded their microphones directly into their own software or recording device.

The basic workflow is as follows:
1. Everyone records their own audio (into Audacity or any other recording software or their own digital audio recorder).
2. Each person uploads their audio to a server so that the person doing the post production can gather all the audio files.
3. The editor lines up the audio tracks in an audio editor and does the normal post production (leveling, sweetening, etc.)
4. Export and finish the same way you would any other podcast episode (ID tags, show notes, etc).

In this episode I team up with Steve from Waves of Tech to record a double-ender podcast about recording double-ender podcasts. Listen as we describe the steps in detail and pay attention to the great sound quality we get from the process. It’s like we’re sitting in the same studio even though in reality I was on the East Coast and he is on the West.

Links mentioned in this episode
MicToob.com – A YouTube like site (user generated) dedicated to microphones (reviews, unboxings, demos, etc.)

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