There is nothing more disappointing to me than listening to someone’s audio or video production and finding they could have done better, “IF…

“IF what”, you say?

Well, yeah, “IF”… If they would have just paid closer attention to some small details that could have made their production much better. I have to say, there’s several things that really bother me when people don’t pay close attention to those little details, but I’ll try to be brief. Today, I’ll just list three… Next week we’ll start taking them one at a time and discuss them more fully, (and add some others as we progress over the weeks ahead.)

• Production is of too low a quality:

There is nothing more disappointing to me that to try and listen to a podcast, a downloadable mp3 or some other type of audio file and find that it sounds like someone tried to bounce it off of Jupiter. A friend of mine described poor quality mp3’s as sounding like someone threw a bunch of marbles in a metal bowl and rolled them around while they were recording. I have to agree; In this day and age, if you can’t make your files big enough to allow the end result to be clear and pleasing to your listener, please; don’t bother even making it!

• Poor or no edits — Abrupt ins and outs

I know it is hard to believe for many of you, but, I have come across productions more than once that whomever the person was that posted it didn’t even take the time to clean it up a little. Their ins and outs throughout the recording are abrupt and some don’t even take the time to edit out the noise at the beginning while they were waiting for someone to start talking. I’m sorry to be so harsh, but honestly, that stinks. Taking the time to properly edit the production isn’t only necessary, but it is a must. No one I know wants to listen to something that sounds like it was done on a little recorder with the ‘vox’ feature turned on. The quality may be there but it sounds choppy. Editing the beginning and the end and adding a fade in or out makes a world of difference to you listener. Once again I offer my opinion… If you don’t have the time and/or the ability to do the even the slightest bit of editing of your production to make it more listenable, maybe you should let someone else do it for you. (Or, maybe you should think about finding something else to do…)

• Your production sounds like you’re in a large echo-chamber

(This is one of my pet peeves and it can often drive people away from your production even if it is worth listening to.) Now, understand, I’m not talking about doing a live recording out in some room like the capitol building in Washington DC. I am talking about making your recording in your temporary (or maybe even permanent) studio area and it sounds like your making it in a public bathroom. There are several ways to control that ambient (echo-chamber like) sound and some are expensive while others aren’t. One of the simplest little things to do is find a room that doesn’t have such hard walls and floors. Carpeted floors are better than hard tile or linoleum and can help reduce the ambient sound problems. I know many of the rooms in a house are either dry wall or paneling, but, there are little ways to manage them, too. Oh, by the way, if you are making your production in your bathroom, maybe you should think about moving to another room (unless you just like hearing yourself over and over again.)

To be honest, the time has come for all who are involved or want to be involved in podcasting or making audio or video productions of all types to start thinking about paying attention to some small details that will make a big difference in the end results of their productions. The days of over-all sloppiness are gone and people expect good quality productions and downloadable files. That doesn’t mean everything has to be perfect but it does mean every effort should be made to strive for excellence.

The era of just throwing something together without concern for quality and consideration for those that will be listening or watching is over. Software and hardware have become much to sophisticated and affordable to not make the best productions you can with what you have to work with. (Imagine… all this and ease of use, too.)

Don’t forget, you can still turn out very good stuff without having to spend a fortune and by paying attention to some little things that can make your productions “as good as any and better than many…”

See ya next time… Rusty

All views expressed are strictly the opinion of the writer

© June 10, 2010 – all rights reserved

Rusty Norman and Podcasting Resources

(All audio productions by www.podcastnorm.com and PCNProductions.com)

HAVE FUN WATCHING THIS SHORT VIDEO. IT WAS MADE USING TWO BUCK THEMES AND SOFTWARE I GOT FROM MIKE STEWART. (YES, SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO LET PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT SOME GOOD STUFF.)
$1 Dollar Trial Membership CLICK HERE TO TRY THIS MUSIC FOR A BUCK!! ($1.00)

$1 Dollar Trial Membership CLICK HERE TO TRY THIS MUSIC FOR A BUCK!! ($1.00)

There is no better way to try Mike Stewart’s Two Buck Themes. How can you go wrong with paying a single dollar ($1.00) to try something that can make your audio and video productions legal (as far as the music you use for them) and also add a professional dimension to them. We all know that music makes things better and using Two Buck Themes gives you Royalty Free Music to use in any and all your audio and video productions, with no worries about someone being upset with you about using their music. Generally, Two Buck Themes is available to use for $2.00-bucks-a-theme — 5-themes-at-a-time. Check it out and you will find Mike over-delivers when it comes to anything he does and I think you will find his music and tutorials a useful tool for making your audio and video productions better.

$1 Dollar Trial Membership MAKE THIS MUSIC MINE!!
Oh, and one other thing; I am an affiliate of Mike’s and should you use this link, I may make a little on what you purchase from him, but remember, you can become an affiliate of his also and you can help spread the word about TWO BUCK THEMES
$1 Dollar Trial Membership – MAKE THIS MUSIC MINE!!!

Podcasting Resources is changing what it covers to include not only podcasting and resources for beginner and advanced podcasters, but recording and editing for internet presentations of all types.

We have been covering basically podcasting and podcasting resources, in particular for beginners and also advanced users, for several years. Now, we are determined to become and even better place for you to come for information, reviews on equipment and software, shortcuts to getting started and generally, anything we think will help you get started in recording, editing and podcasting or just about anything you want to produce for the internet in audio and video. (Yes, we will also be talking about live streaming audio and video, too.)

Don’t forget, we still think you can get started turning out some very good “stuff” even if you don’t have a lot of money. We are still firm believers that, “You don’t have to spend more than you need to, but at least as much as you should.”

We don’t claim to know all the answers, but we are probably affiliated with someone or know someone that can answer just about any question that comes up. Together, we can all learn and do what we do (and what we want to do)  BETTER.

Check back soon and see how we’re changing and be sure to let us know what you think…

See ya next time… Rusty

Can I be extremely blunt with you? I do hope you answered yes because I’m going to be anyway.

This may not be the first time you’ve heard this, but, if you’re not using music — legal music — in your productions, you’re already making two mistakes that could cost you in a large way when it comes to getting people to listen to your podcasts or other audio/video productions.

Go ahead, check out just about any audio or video production, whether it be a commercial or an interview or even a documentary of someone or something. Chances are it uses music in some way. There are several reasons for that and all of them relate to how people respond to what they are seeing or listening to and it has to do with the music used.

The music, in many instances, sets the mood the producer wants to set with what is being presented. Whether it be pictures of a vacation or presenting a situation that needs to be addressed in some way, the music can make or break the way it is received.

So, you ask, “What’s the big deal about using ‘LEGAL MUSIC’? Can’t I use what I like? Why do I have to pay someone to use their music?”

All of those are good questions, but there is only one answer. Because the people that made the music own the rights to it and if you use it without their permission, you could be sued for a large amount of money.

That’s why you need to use, legal, royalty free music for your purposes. It makes you not have to be looking over your shoulder waiting for someone to call you up or serve you with legal papers telling you that you’re being sued for using someone’s music without permission. Believe me, the laws are on their side, not yours if you choose to use anything copyrighted by someone else. They own the rights to it and it is their property.

There are many sources for legally obtaining the rights to use music out there. Some are very expensive and some are reasonably expensive, (sometimes depending on the popularity of the song, or songs you want to use.)

We will talk about some of those other sources in the coming weeks, but for today, I would like to mention Mike Stewart one more time. The reason I use Mike Stewart’s Two Buck Themes is because it is affordable and he gives me so much more for my money. Not only does he give me music for a minimal cost, but he gives me good tutorials and ideas for using the music (and software and equipment he also sells) in different ways.

If you to have to pay for it anyway, why not get the best bang for your buck? (Yes, I am making a recommendation here.) Mike Stewart is someone you can depend on to give you your money’s worth.

But you don’t have to take my word for it, check him out for yourself and see if you don’t agree. It costs nothing to check it out by clicking on this link, Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10

After that, the rest is up to you… While you’re there, you may want to check on some of the specials on equipment he has available:USB Mic Special – Domestic Shipping

See ya next time… Rusty

© August 28, 2009 – all rights reserved

Podcastnorm.com and Rusty Norman

Watch the video below and then click on the link to try:

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»INSTANT ACCESS!! » MAKE THIS MUSIC MINE!

click link above

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How can you go wrong with paying $1.00 to try something that usually would cost you $4.00 for the two songs. Mike Stewart’s “Two Buck Themes” are just that — two bucks apiece — and he is making this special offer to try his Two Buck Theme membership site for
$ one dollar $ (yes you are reading it right)

That’s right! One Buck for 2 – two buck themes. That’s a savings of three dollars just to give it a try.So go ahead –
CLICK THIS LINK for a $1 Dollar Trial Membership

There’s no better time than right now to try the S3 Media Player from Mike Stewart. Hey everybody… this is Russ once again and I’d like to welcome you to Podcasting Resources. I have some really great news for you and I promise you, I will be brief.

I’ve been talking to you about the S3 Media Player from Mike Stewart for a while now and I have to tell you, there has never been a better time for you to try it out.

If you’ve been wondering how it works, you are watching it in action right now. Even better, Mike is offering a FREE demo version for you to try, right now, and it is an opportunity too good to pass up.

You now have the opportunity to try Amazon S3 and the functional, but limited use, F-R-E-E demo of the S3 Media Player. If you like it you can upgrade to the full version.

If you would like to take Mike up on his offer, just click on the link just below this video and you will be taken to the place that can help you easily place video and/or audio on your website(s).

See ya next time …

Rusty

CLICK LINK BELOW TO
Try S3 Media Player Demo For FREE!
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