Credit for tutorial—Jared Clemons from Seasonal Anime Checkup

It’s time to create a podcast! Before we get to talking and recording, there are some programs that need to be downloaded and installed firstly.

First: Download Audacity. Find which version you need, whether it is for Windows or Mac and follow the installation instructions. For Audacity, you will need two plugins in order to import certain files and to export as .mp3 files. Click here and scroll down until you find the two headings of “How do I download and install the LAME MP3 encoder?” and “How do I download and install the FFmpeg Import/Export Library?”.You will need BOTH of these plugins. For both, click on the LAME Installation Section link and the FFmpeg Installation Section link and make sure you check if it is the Windows or Mac version. After clicking each link, click on Step 1’s link which will take you to another page to download the extension. These are .exe files or .zip depending on what you prefer, but are perfectly safe for download. Once both of those are downloaded along with Audacity, Audacity is ready for editing after you record your podcast!

*The next step is dependant on whether or not you are able to meet with your group in person or will have to do the podcast over the internet. We will go with instructions for over the internet first followed by in person second.*

Second (Internet): Download Skype. Follow the instructions for what you are using if that is Windows, Mac, or a mobile device. You will need an account, but if you have a Microsoft account such as a Hotmail, MSN, Xbox Live, or former Skype account, you can use that. Once that is installed and you can sign in to Skype, get the usernames from  the others in your group and add them. Also, make sure to go to Tools > Options > Audio Settings (On Mac Skype > Preferences > Audio/Video) and configure your microphone and speakers for how you want to hear and be heard. It would also be beneficial to use the Echo/Sound Test Service (Skype Test Call) to see how your volume is for your microphone and speakers.

Third (Internet) [For Windows Users]: Download OBS Studio. Click the download button on the page and it will prompt you for Windows. (IF YOU ARE ON MAC PLEASE FOLLOW SEPARATE INSTRUCTIONS DOWN BELOW) You will need this program to record your podcast if you are doing it online. Though, only one person needs to download it, which we will designate as your recorder. Hello recorder, your job is an important one as you need to make sure everyone can be heard as well as yourself during the podcast recording.

Go to File > Settings > Output in OBS and use these template settings. Make sure you have a path for the recording to go to. A good place to have it save to is your Desktop. Now we need to set up what you’re going to record. File >Settings > Audio make sure the first Mic/Auxiliary Audio Device is the same as what is on Skype.

The recorder’s audio should be all set for them. Now, we need to make sure OBS can receive what everyone else is saying. In order to do that, on the main program of OBS, you’re going to find two boxes next to each other called Scenes and Sources near the bottom. Create a new scene by clicking the + button under the Scenes box, name it if you’d like and hit OK. Now, create a new source by clicking the + button under Sources. A new set of options will pop up and you will want to hit “Audio Output Capture” and hit OK. Now, OBS will want to know what Output it needs to capture and you will want to go back to your Skype audio settings and pick the one you are using for speakers as that will allow you to record what everyone else is saying.

To adjust the volume coming from Skype in OBS, go to the Mixer which is right next to your Scenes box and turn down your Audio Output to around -5 dBs. You should also make a test recording to make sure your audio sounds good as that is the key to a podcast. To do that, hit the “Start Recording” button on the lower right side and have everyone say something including yourself. Adjust any audio levels you need in the Mixer and if it sounds good, you are ready to record by hitting “Start Recording” and doing the podcast for real! Once you are finished, and hit “Stop Recording” the file will be waiting wherever you decided to have it saved and be ready for editing.

Third (Internet) [For those on Mac]: Quicktime. You will need to download a plug in from the following website and follow the instructions in order to record audio on a Mac. You do not have to follow the instructions on how to utilize it with OBS since you will not need to download OBS. After setting up iShowU, open Quicktime. Go to File > New Audio Recording and hit the record button. You will likely want to do a test recording first just to make sure everyone’s audio is good. If the recorder thinks their mic is too loud, go to System Preferences > Sound >  Input > Input Volume. You can also check Ambient Noise Reduction.

 

*Now for those who are doing the podcast in person*

Second (In Person): Record on a phone. If someone in your group has an iPhone, designate them to record, as long as they have enough space on their phone. Go to Voice Memos and place your phone on a table and make sure you are in an area with little background noise and hit the record button. Once you are finished, name your recording and tap on the name and hit the share button to the left of Edit. From there you can email the recording to yourself or someone in the group for editing purposes.

Final Step: Editing in Audacity. With the short length that these podcasts will be, editing will not take much time and for the most part you will not have to do any intense editing. First, open Audacity. Next, go to File > Import > Audio. From there, find where your recording was saved and import it into Audacity. Click the Zoom In within the toolbar (it’s a magnifying glass) button to find a way for you to more comfortably edit. After that, you will use the “Selection Tool” (it is usually defaulted to what your cursor is in Audacity) to highlight things that need editing, most notably for this will probably be any dead air at the beginning and end, and anything with longer than 4 seconds in between speaking. You will have to relisten while editing the podcast. This is also a place where if anyone said something they didn’t want to or you want to make everyone sound better, you can! For anything that needs deleted, which will be what your editing will entail, highlight both audio tracks (if you have two) and then hit Delete/Backspace/Cut or whatever you use to delete something. IF YOU DO HAVE TWO AUDIO TRACKS AND YOU DO NOT HIGHLIGHT BOTH, YOU WILL GET AUDIO DESYNC. Once you are finished editing, go to Edit > Select > All. Next, go to Tracks > Mix and Render. This will combine if you have two audio tracks into a single audio track. Once that is completed, go to File > Export Audio and find a good place to save your podcast. Click Save and hit OK on the next pop up asking to Edit Metadata (you do not need to edit anything here). Once you have done that, Audacity will export the recording to the place you told it to save it to and it will be ready to be uploaded on your website.

Congratulations you have recorded a podcast!