How do you get audio from your phone (iPhone, Android, etc.) into your mixer? The simple answer is you plug it in. You can use a basic stereo cable (I prefer this “Y” cable*), plug one end into your phone’s headphone output 
and place the other end into an available channel on your mixer and now you can take audio from the phone into your recordings. But what if you want to also send all the audio from the mixer (your mic, your co-host, sound FX, etc.) back to the person on the phone without them hearing themselves? That’s called a mix-minus and you can use a couple different devices to achieve this setup. [Read more…] about TPS093: Get a Mix-minus into a Smartphone and overview of the Mackie 402VLZ4
interview
TPS088: Compression for Podcasts with Randy Coppinger
Ever wonder when, how or why to use compression when post-processing your podcast? If the answer is yes then this is your episode. Randy Coppinger, professional audio engineer, talks with me about using compression for your spoken word podcast and just as importantly, when not to.
We talk about what compression can do for your audio, how it can damage it and all the factors that go into the results you’ll get from a compressor including your microphone.
After that we dive into how you might want to set up a compressor or at least where to start. If you feel lost when you look at a compressor, don’t worry, we all were at some point.
The key element is practice. You just need to start turning the knobs. This episode will help you understand what to listen for when using compression and how to improve your post processing techniques for your podcast.
[Read more…] about TPS088: Compression for Podcasts with Randy Coppinger
How to Set up a Mix Minus for Recording Skype
If you need to setup a mix-minus to record Skype for your podcast, this tutorial will show you the gear* you’ll need and how to connect it all together.
The basic concept of a mix-minus is to input multiple sources of audio into an audio mixer (your microphone, sound cart, phone messages, Skype, etc.) then send that audio back out to Skype, minus (without) the Skype caller’s voice.
This setup is achieved by using an auxiliary output to selectively send certain audio out of the mixer. If you send all the audio that is in the mixer, back to Skype, then the person on the other side will hear a feedback loop of their own voice. So we need to exclude (minus) Skype’s audio (the person’s voice) from going back into Skype.
Depending on your mixer’s manufacture, the auxiliary output may be labeled Aux, FX or Mon Send. They’ll all work as auxiliary outputs in this setup.
[Read more…] about How to Set up a Mix Minus for Recording Skype
Recording Skype with No Mixer or Software
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).
TPS 079: An Alternative to Skype
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
Appearance on BlogWorld TV
Here’s my (video) appearance on BlogWorld TV with Jeffrey Powers aka Geekazine, in a segment called “5 Questions.” I’ll be speaking at BlogWorld NY June 5- 7th. Use promo code: PodRay10 to save 10% off a ticket.
[Read more…] about Appearance on BlogWorld TV