I'm Angela Kelly Roebuck, host of the Empowered Principal Podcast, a part of the Education Podcast Network, just like the show you're listening to now.Shows on the network are individually owned, and opinions expressed may not reflect others.
Find other education podcasts at edupodcastnetwork.com.
Coming up on episode number 251 of the House of Ed Tech podcast, we're diving into chapter four of I Like to Podcast and You Will Too, recording and editing your podcast.Strike up the band.
Welcome to the House of EdTech.My name is Chris Nessie.
The House of EdTech launched in 2014, giving me the opportunity to speak with teachers, leaders, and creators so you can more effectively integrate technology, strengthen your pedagogy, and have more confidence in your classroom and school so you can make an impact.
And get involved with the podcast by visiting my website, chrisnessy.com.Using technology isn't difficult, and this is where it begins.This is the House of Ed Tech.
Welcome back to another episode of the podcast.If you're a new listener, welcome for the first time.And of course, if you're a returning listener, welcome back.
I'm glad you're making House of Ed Tech a part of your anytime, anywhere professional development. Very excited to bring you today's episode as we get into the next chapter of the book.I like to podcast and you will too.
This is a book that I published in August of 2023, self-published through Amazon Kindle Direct. And in addition to talking about this chapter, I will also provide some additional commentary on the topic of podcasting.
I've also got some questions that I have woven into the text that are not in the book.So maybe that will spark some conversation and discussion after you listen to this.
If you'd like to pick up a copy of the book for yourself or someone else, you can go to chrisnessy.com slash iliketopodcast.The book is available physically and also for Kindles.
If you don't want to pick up a copy, that's okay, but if you get value and you want to show your appreciation, you can visit chrisnessy.com slash support.
I'd also like to invite you to join my Discord community, where we can discuss the book, technology, education.All you need to do is go to chrisnessy.com slash Discord.
And now, I present to you, I Like to Podcast and You Will Too, A House of Ed Tech Guide to Podcasting, Chapter 4, Recording and Editing Your Podcast. In this chapter, we're going to cover the basics of recording and editing your podcast.
We will discuss the necessary equipment and software for recording, as well as tips for achieving high quality audio.
We will also go over the basics of editing your podcast, including cutting and splicing audio, adding music and sound effects, and exporting your finished episode.
Whether you are a seasoned podcasting veteran or you're just starting out, this chapter will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to create a professional sounding podcast.
Now, before I go into the technical details, what equipment, if you're already podcasting, are you currently using for your podcast?How does this impact your audio quality?I want you to share your setup with me.
You can email me, feedback at chrisnessy.com, or take a picture, tag me on Instagram, at House of Ed Tech.And are you considering any upgrades?Are you addicted to gear?I want to know.Let's have that conversation.Alright, into the book.
Tips for recording a high-quality podcast.To record a high-quality podcast, you'll need to invest in good quality recording equipment. and find a quiet, distraction-free space to record in.
It's also important to use a pop filter to reduce plosives, and you need to wear headphones while recording to monitor your audio.
Also, you should test your equipment and recording space before you start, take breaks as needed, and consider editing your podcast before recording to remove any mistakes or background noise.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your podcast is recorded at the highest possible quality.Here are some tips to recording high quality podcasts.Number one, invest in a good microphone.
A good quality microphone will make all the difference and ensure that your audio is clear and free of background noise.I talked about some microphones in chapter three, like the Audio-Technica 2100X and also the Samsung Q2U.
Number two, choose a quiet, distraction-free recording space.This can help minimize background noise and ensure that you can focus on recording your podcast.Use a pop filter to reduce plosives.
These are the popping sounds that can occur when you say words with plosive consonants like P, or B. A pop filter can help improve the overall quality of your audio.
Before I go forward, let me do a little experiment where I'm going to show you what Ps and Bs sound like without a pop filter.Here we go.Peter Piper picked a pack of pickled peppers.I like peanut butter and jelly.
Now here are those same sentences with the pop filter on.Peter Piper picked a pack of pickled peppers, peanut butter and jelly.See the difference? Hear the difference?Alright, number four.
Use headphones while recording to monitor your audio and ensure that you are speaking at a consistent volume.This will also help you catch any mistakes or errors that can happen.
So because I'm listening to myself while I record this very piece of audio, I can hear myself and the volume I'm talking at.
I also have what I call good mic technique, where the microphone is not too far away from my mouth, and I know that I am speaking into the microphone.Not directly, so I avoid plosives.I've got the pop filter.
I speak across my microphone, but if I turn my head too far, and I'm speaking away from the microphone, you'll probably still be able to hear me, but I'm not talking directly into the microphone.
Or if I go like this, and I'm talking over here, or I get too far away from the microphone, it might not sound as good. so I want to make sure that I can hear myself while I'm recording so I know I'm recording at a good volume.
Number five, test your equipment and your recording space before you start recording.This will give you a chance to make any necessary adjustments and ensure that everything is working properly.
I've been there where I've gone to record and the mic wasn't unmuted or my levels were off in the software that I record into, so just check all your knobs, switches, and dials before you press record.Also, don't forget to hit record. 6.Take breaks as needed, and don't be afraid to stop and redo a section if you need to.
It's better to take the time to get it right than to rush and end up with a subpar recording.
One of my biggest tips for recording a podcast is if you make a mistake, whether you're working from a script, or you are speaking from an outline, or off the top of your head, if you've made a mistake while speaking, shut up.
Be quiet for about 10 seconds and then restart somewhere in what you wanted to say and continue on with your recording.When you go to edit, you'll see a 10 second gap in your recording and you'll know that that's where you made a mistake.
Another strategy you can do is if you make a mistake, you can clap three times rapidly. or you can make a big, loud noise because that will show up in your recording software in the waveform and you'll know, oh, the audio spiked there.
There's gotta be something going on.You know where you can go in and you can listen.Another thing you can do, and by the way, these are all tips that are not in the book.I'm just going off the top of my head here.
If you write down things while you record, if you have some sort of a time counter while you're recording, you can write down the time that you made a mistake at. Now, here's another bonus tip.
When you go to edit your podcast, don't edit it from the beginning of the recording to the end of the recording if you are writing down timestamps where you made a mistake.
Because once you edit that first mistake, all the other timestamps are going to be a little bit off.So if you do the timestamp editing method, start at the end of your podcast and work your way back to the beginning.
And then your times will still be accurate. Also, this idea of taking breaks.I used to take a lot of breaks when I recorded the podcast early on, but now I can sit down and I can do this in basically one take and one sitting.
The only time it takes me more than one sitting is if I pre-record a conversation that I'm going to include in the episode.Then I would count that as two sittings.
One to have the conversation and another to sit down and record the rest of the episode. Number seven, consider editing your podcast after recording to remove any mistakes or background noise.Strike that.Let's not say consider.
You need to edit your podcast after you record it because you just need to.Even if you sit down and you record something perfect, you're going to do some type of post-processing on your audio.You don't want to just record it and run.
So I recommend that you definitely edit your podcast before you publish it.This can help to improve the overall quality of your podcast and make it more enjoyable for your listeners.
Nothing aggravates me more than listening to a podcast and somebody does something and they say, well, I'm not going to edit that out.I'm just going to leave it in there. just take the time to edit it out.
Unless the format of your podcast is, you know, you're out in nature or that's a part of the ambiance of your podcast.Take out the stuff that doesn't need to be there.Take a little pride in your content.Here's another question.Okay.
So where do you record your podcast?If you have one, do you have a dedicated space or do you improvise where you record? I'd love to hear how you record and what your workflow is, and how do you think that impacts your audio quality?
Again, feedback at chrisnessy.com or DM me at houseofedtech on Instagram.All right, next section here.Where should I record my podcast?
There are many great places to record a podcast, and the best location will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
Some factors to consider when choosing a location to record your podcast include the acoustics of the space, the availability of recording equipment, and the accessibility of the location.Here are some great places to record a podcast.
A dedicated recording studio. If you have the budget, renting a dedicated recording studio can be an excellent option.
Recording studios are designed specifically for recording audio, so they often have great acoustics and are equipped with high quality recording equipment. Also consider a quiet room in your home.
If you don't want to rent a studio or that's not in the budget, you can create a studio-like environment in a quiet room in your home.Make sure the room has good acoustics and isn't near a busy street or other noisy areas.That's the route that I go.
I've got an extra bedroom here in my home, so it is the House of EdTech studio.I'll post some pictures on my Instagram, at House of EdTech, where you can see the desk.I've got sound panels that I DIY'd a couple of years ago.
that hang in front of my desk and behind me in the room that I record in.At school, I have a dedicated studio space that has some very basic audio treatments, so it can be done at home.If you don't have an extra bedroom, you can use your closet.
If you've got clothes hanging up, those will do a great job to deaden the sound and the echo. You can record a podcast by going under the blanket of your bed.That's going to be a little warmer in the summertime, but it can be done.
And you could also record a podcast in your car.But again, don't podcast while you're driving. I do not recommend that.Don't do it.Bad idea.You could also consider some type of co-working space or a library.
Co-working spaces and libraries are often quiet and have good acoustics, making them a great place to record a podcast.Some co-working spaces even
have recording equipment that you can use, and your community library might also have podcasting equipment.You could also consider recording at a coffee shop or a cafe.
A coffee shop or a cafe might also be a good place to record a podcast, if you don't mind a little background noise.The ambient noise can add some character to your podcast, but make sure it's not too loud.Next, basic podcast editing techniques.
It's important to edit your podcast because it can help to improve the overall quality and clarity of your audio.
Editing allows you to remove any mistakes, background noise, or other unwanted elements from your recording, which can make your podcast more enjoyable for your listeners.
Also, editing can help you fine-tune the overall structure and flow of your podcast. and make it more engaging and cohesive.
By taking time to edit your podcast, you can ensure it is professional and polished, and that it effectively conveys your message to the audience.Here are some basic podcast editing techniques.Number one, trimming.
This involves cutting out any unnecessary or unwanted sections of audio from your recording.This can include things like long pauses, stuttering, or any mistakes in your speech.Number two, Splitting.
This involves dividing your audio into separate segments or tracks, which can make it easier to edit and mix your podcast.Fading.This involves gradually increasing or decreasing the volume of your audio over a set period of time.
This can be used to smooth transitions between segments or add emphasis to a particular part of your podcast. 4. Normalization.This involves adjusting the overall volume of your audio to ensure it is a consistent volume throughout your podcast.
This can help make your podcast more pleasant to listen to and avoid any sudden loud or quiet moments.Number 5.Equalization or EQ.This involves adjusting the balance of different audio frequencies in your voice or in music
to improve the overall sound quality.This can help make your podcast more clear and intelligible.Real quick, let me jump in here.These are the things that I talk about when I talk about post-processing, okay?Number six, compression.
This involves reducing the dynamic range of your audio, which can help make the quieter sounds louder and the louder sounds quieter.This will help make your podcast more consistent and easy to listen to.
I'm going to include a link in the show notes to my Audacity secret sauce.This is a macro that I use in Audacity that does a series of effects to the audio that I use on spoken word audio, whether it's my speaking or if I have a guest.
And this shapes the audio from normalizing to EQ, to compression, to taking out silences.And I've also put in a noise gate that basically lets sound in and keeps lower sounds out of the recording.
So I will include a link to that in the show notes out at chrisnessy.com slash 251.And then you'll have Mr. Nessie's secret sauce for audacity.
There's also a video I have on YouTube where I talk about this, and you can apply a lot of the same concepts in another audio editing program, because a lot of things like fading, normalization, EQ and compression, noise gates, limiters, things like that, those are all common terms across many audio editing programs.
But overall, using these editing techniques, you will improve the overall quality of your podcast. Now, I'm curious if you are a podcaster, what challenges have you faced while editing your podcast?
Is there a particular technique from this section that you're excited to try out?Maybe trimming out long pauses or normalizing the volume.Tell me a little bit more about how you edit your podcast if you do have one.
And if you start one because of this, let me know what you're doing to edit your podcast.And if you need any help, Let me know.I'm happy to help.Feedback at chrisnessy.com.Alright, let's talk about music in your podcast.
When looking to add music to a podcast, there are a few things to consider.First, you should make sure you have the appropriate rights and licenses to the music in your podcast.I'd also like to say that everything I'm about to say
I'm not a lawyer, and I hope you'd never have to consult one because of your podcast.This may involve obtaining permission from the composer, artist, or music publisher, and paying any necessary fees.
Second, you should consider the overall tone and style of the music. and how it will fit with your podcast.The music, if you choose to put it in there, should complement your content and not distract from it.
Finally, you should think about the placement of the music within your podcast and how it will affect the pacing and flow of your content.By carefully considering these factors, you can effectively use music to enhance your podcast.
And now here are some do's and don'ts. when it comes to adding music to a podcast.Here are some things you should do.Make sure you have the appropriate rights and licenses to use the music in your podcast.
Choose music that fits the tone and style of your podcast.Use the music to enhance your content, not distract from it. and consider the placement of your music in the podcast and how it will affect the pacing and flow.
Don't use copyrighted music without permission.Don't choose music that is too loud or overbearing.Don't use music to cover up poor audio quality. or other mistakes in your recording.
Don't let the music dominate your podcast and drown out your voice or other important audio elements.Let's talk about PodSafe Audio.What is PodSafe Audio?PodSafe Audio refers to audio that is specifically licensed for use in podcasts.
This means that the creator of the audio has given permission for it to be used in podcasts and that any necessary fees or royalties have been paid.
PodSafe Audio is often created specifically for podcasts and may be available for free or for a fee from online repositories or websites that specialize in PodSafe Audio.
By using PodSafe Audio, podcasters can ensure that they are using music, sound effects, and other audio elements legally and without infringing on anyone's rights.
There are several sources of royalty-free and Creative Commons licensed music that are popular among podcasters.Some of the best options include the Free Music Archive.
FMA is a website that offers a wide variety of royalty-free music that you can use in your podcast as long as you give credit to the artist. The music on FMA is curated by a team of experts, so you can be sure that you're getting high-quality tracks.
Next is Incompetech.Incompetech is another website that offers a large selection of royalty-free music.The music on this website is composed by Kevin MacLeod, and it covers a wide range of genres and moods.Number three, Gemendo.
Gemendo is a website that offers a large selection of Creative Commons-licensed music.
The music on this website is licensed under various Creative Commons licenses, so you'll need to check the terms of the license for each track to see how you can use it.
I also get music from the YouTube Audio Music Library, so if you go into your YouTube Studio, you can go into the Music Library, and certain tracks, really a lot of them, can be used in podcasts as well as in YouTube videos.
Now, have you experimented with adding music to your podcast?If so, what kind of music do you feel complements your show's tone?I want to know.
DM me at houseofedtech on Instagram or at Mr. Nessie on Twitter or send me an email feedback at chrisnessie.com.I've had my music and my audio branding since day one. I couldn't be happier.
There have honestly been times where I've thought about changing the music and I tried to find similar things, but I don't know.I just kind of like that band and everything that it offers. All right, let's wrap up chapter four.
Recording and editing your podcast are crucial steps in creating a high quality and engaging audio experience for your listeners.
By investing in good quality recording equipment, finding a quiet and distraction free space to record in, and using techniques such as trimming and normalizing and equalization and compression, you can ensure that your podcast is polished and professional.
Also, By considering factors such as music rights and placement, you can effectively use music and other audio elements to enhance your podcast.
By following these steps, you can create a podcast that is engaging, well-structured, and enjoyable for your audience.Now that we've covered both recording and editing, how do you balance your time between these tasks if you're creating this content?
Do you have any time-saving tips or tools that you swear by to streamline the process.One thing I'll throw in, and this is more difficult when you first start out, editing audio can take a long time.
When you're editing your audio, look for the low-hanging fruit.If you have an easy um, like, you know, any of those crutch words, if they're kind of out there by themselves, take them out.
But if you're running into a recording and it's right in there, you're not going to go in and slice out that um, it's just going to be there.Take out the easy stuff.And remember, sometimes just good enough is just good enough. So do your best.
That's all your listeners are going to ask for.If you have any other thoughts on this chapter, you can email me feedback at chrisnessy.com or you could also, let's go over to the discord chrisnessy.com slash discord.
And let's keep talking about the best ways to edit and record your podcast. All right, here are the key takeaways from this chapter.Invest in quality equipment, especially a microphone and headphones.
Number two, edit your episodes thoughtfully to remove mistakes, ensure consistent audio levels, and to add seamless transitions.That's why I use a little bit of music during the episodes.
And number three, incorporate any music or sound effects legally and thoughtfully.That will elevate and enhance the experience without overpowering your voice.This is really valuable chapter in the book.
Now, the reason I don't talk specifically about how to edit and really get into it is because I don't know what editing program you're gonna be using.
But a lot of these concepts will certainly apply to any audio editing program, whether it's Audacity or Adobe Premiere Pro or GarageBand.There are just some real easy programs out there to learn.
And if you like a certain program, you don't necessarily need to switch.But if you don't know of a particular program, pick one and start, and you'll pretty much stay with the one that you learn.
I had some familiarity with Audacity, so that's why I've been editing podcasts for the last 10 years using Audacity.Okay, what are the action steps that we can do as a result of this episode? Number one, assess your recording equipment.
Evaluate your current podcasting setup if you have one.Do you need to upgrade your microphone, your headphones, your audio interface?Consider making small, cost-effective improvements for better audio quality. Number two, set up your recording space.
Choose a quiet, distraction-free environment to record your podcast in.Test the acoustics.Make the necessary adjustments.For example, use soft materials to reduce echo.Number three, get some editing software.
If you haven't already, go download some audio editing tools like Audacity or GarageBand. and practice basic editing techniques like trimming, fading, normalization.Go out and grab the link to the secret sauce, which you can use in Audacity.
Happy to share that with you.And if you want to learn even more about how to use it, if you find it difficult, just reach out to me.I'm happy to help.Number four, edit a previous episode.
Maybe revisit a previous episode of your podcast if you have one, and apply the editing tips shared in this episode.
You could also, if you want to learn how to edit some audio, go download somebody else's podcast and go get some audio, or record some random audio, and practice editing.And number five, experiment with adding music.
Go out and find some royalty-free music.Incorporate it into your podcast intro, or into the transitions between segments. and make sure it enhances the content and doesn't overpower your voice.
And that's gonna do it for this episode, number 251 of the House of Ed Tech.Let's close it out. Thank you for listening to this episode of the House of Ed Tech podcast.
Please subscribe or follow the podcast where you're listening right now and continue to make it a part of your anytime, anywhere professional development.Links and resources can be found on my website.For this episode, go to chrisnessy.com slash 251.
That link is a swipe or a tap away where you're listening right now. I also want to hear from you, and I value your feedback and your perspective.
Don't hesitate to reach out if you have thoughts or questions about today's episode, or this chapter, or the other chapters of the book.You can email me, feedback at chrisnessy.com, or this is a podcast.Consider leaving me a voicemail.
Go to chrisnessy.com slash voicemail.I can't wait to connect with you and talk about this stuff. I also want to encourage you to share this podcast and this episode with another educator who would get value.
Spread the word and help me reach as many educators and people as possible.Thank you in advance. And finally, I invite you to become an awesome supporter if you're getting value from my content.
I'm incredibly grateful for the ongoing support from the following people.Leo Kalbush, Brian Carpenter, Aaron Cummings, Jeff Herb, Peggy George, and Matt Miller.If you're getting value like these folks are, become an awesome supporter today.
Go to chrisnessy.com slash awesome. The next episode of the podcast is going to be episode number 252, and that's going to be chapter 5, hosting, promoting, and distributing your podcast.And that's going to come your way on October 27th, 2024.
As I continue to wrap up this episode, I hope you're enjoying this experience.This was, and has been, and will be till I'm done, this is an experiment.Right?
This entire podcast, you know, both of our careers as educators, whatever we're doing, we're just moving from one experiment to the next. And this is different for me.I'm creating these episodes on a weekly basis.
I don't know that I'll ever make the podcast on a regular weekly basis.I do kind of like the every two week thing.This has just been convenient because I've got all the chapters in the book and can sit down and record it.
I hope you are inspired to start your podcast if you haven't already, and again, I want to help you.Just let me know, and we'll do that.All right, until next time, thank you for learning with me, and remember, using technology isn't difficult.
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