Podcast Equipment Reviews

All About Podcasts

Remember those public service programs you would hear on your favorite local radio station at 6am on Sunday morning? The FCC still requires stations to produce “local” programming and report the subjects and issues a radio station covered in these programs. As an Operations Manager, I was the one who had to create those annual reports. I used to produce them at several stations where I served I as a Public Service Director. (A funny story all radio guys and gals can relate too) It was a fairly simple studio recording and editing process on reel to reel tape. It was fun and satisfying work, mostly because not just anyone could do it. Equipment was expensive and only in the realm of a radio station or recording studio. So if you had a job at station, you had access.

It’s what podcasting is. Mixing various sources either live or in post, only in the digital realm, with streaming access to the Internet, allowing producing it within reach of anyone with a computer and a mic.

Its the total democratization of what was essentially broadcasting. The same goes for Video and YouTube. I remember the articles I was reading in 1999 about how engineers were working on a way to make video streaming at high resolution possible. We can all see how that breakthrough literally changed our world and the course of history. Because of these technologies, we now have access to anyone who wants to watch or listen.

With that ability comes great responsibility. Yeah anyone can do it, but how many will do it well? I mean making it cohesive, entertaining, relevant, and pleasant to listen to. Nothing is more annoying than distracting background noise, over modulated or under modulated voices, poor editing and the inability to put two sentences together without saying “uhhhhh.”

There are tons of videos out there showing you how to do it. Tons of articles and webpages on what equipment to buy. All this can be a bit intimidating to those not familiar with the recording and podcasting process.

It doesn’t have to be. We’re here to help.

What makes a podcast successful?

Turning your Podcast into a success requires hard work, good technology, excellent content, a dynamic personality and many other important details. Our podcast experts have put together a library of resources for podcasters to learn what they can do to create success.

If you would like to contribute to our efforts, please connect with us via the contact page and share your expertise with the larger podcasting community.