Last time we discussed how to record the original material of the podcast. This month we'll show you how to edit it, add background music, and output completed MP3 files for your internet or internal website.
If you followed my instructions last time, you should have a .WAV or .MP3 file. If your VCR is Olympus, it may be in .WMA format. If so, we need to convert it to .WAV for further development.
This is not too difficult - there is a converter package online. One is the Switch, which can be used on both Mac and PC.
When you connect, you also need to download the audio editor. You can spend a little money on these, but I recommend it for free. It is called Audacity and is open source. Don't laugh - it's easy to be as good as the paid option.
So Google Audacity and download it. You can also download the LAME encoding software when you are on the Audacity website. It's also free and allows you to export MP3 files from Audacity.
Once you have installed two, you are ready.
If you now use Audacity to open the previously recorded audio, you will see the waveform on the screen. Pressing Play will let you view the audio and you will see the progress bar moving through the waveform.
You can zoom in to learn more. In fact, I suggest you do this. Now, to edit any "umms and aahs", just click and drag the audio you want to delete and press Delete. As Meerkat said: "Simple!".
If you have recorded a separate introduction for the interview, you can now highlight it, copy and paste it into the front of the interview audio. It's all very intuitive.
How is the music? You can't just steal any music you like because you will violate copyright. However, there are a lot of podcasts ready for music, you can buy and even use pod security music for free.
Two sites worthy of attention are Podsafeaudio and MusicAlley.
If you want to record background music with your speech, you can also do it. Create a new track and paste your music into it. You can use the pinch tool to adjust the volume of the music. The tool looks like two small triangles with a tape in the middle. Now, if you play a track, you will hear your voice and music.
Once your audio is edited, you are almost there. Save the project and output the completed audio using the File >> Export to WAV option. I know we need an MP3 file, but please be patient.
The trouble with mixing the various audios is that you end up with different audio levels. This can be difficult to fix manually, but there is an easy way to do it.
Google Levelator - Mac and PC come in a variety of variations. Now drag and drop your output WAV file to the Levelator and let it play its magical role. It will give you another WAV file with a perfectly corrected audio level.
Open this file again with Audacity and you are nearby. First we need to set the MP3 quality level. Go to the Audacity preferences, select "File Format" and set the MP3 bitrate to 64kbps. This is good enough for the presentation and is usually very enjoyable to play online without stuttering or procrastinating. Now use the "File>> Export to MP3" option.
You have it - you finish editing the MP3 file.
Next time we will learn how to play it on your website or internal website and integrate it with iTunes.
Orignal From: Low-key about podcasts - Part 2
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