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

I don’t know what your situation is or what your plans are for the future, but if you are planning on starting a video or audio podcast, or, audio or video productions to get your point across (or sell your products), then what I have to tell you could help you get started with your plans.

Now, you may say, Rusty, I do want to get started with video or audio productions of some sort but I just don’t have the best equipment or software at the moment and can’t really afford to go out and purchase what I really need or want.

Well, I’m here to tell you that you can use what you have until you can afford what you need or want…

When I started podcasting over four years ago, I didn’t have a lot of special equipment and I decided that I could get started with what I had until I could get what I wanted.  That’s also when I kinda decided to start sharing what I was learning about a new thing called “podcasting” and that it could be done “On The Cheap.”

Podcasting has sure come a long way since the days that it started and there is new equipment and software arriving on the scene all the time… some of it is free but some of it costs from a little to a lot if you want to invest in it.

I experimented with several things to get started because I really didn’t have any money to invest in new equipment or special equipment to get the job done.  I did have some older style analog equipment and knew there was free software available that I could use to edit with while I experimented and learned more about podcasting until I could get something else. Now, I won’t say that I used everything I tried but I did use what I had laying around and didn’t have to invest any money to get started.

The first thing I tried was an old hand-held, full-sized cassette recorder just to see if it would work. (Some of you probably don’t even know what those are…)  It did work but I found I had some other things that worked a just little better.

You have to remember, I didn’t even have a decent microphone for recording directly to my computer at the time and that was my first challenge; how to get my recordings entered into my computer so I could edit them and upload them so that people could access them from the internet.

I remembered in the past I had bought some little hand-held digital recorders for taking verbal notes from customers as I answered their phone calls while driving down the road in my service business.  I decided to give them a try with varying degrees of success.  The first two hand reasonably small memories built-in and they only sounded good if used in the high quality mode.  That in itself was a challenge but was easily overcome by not rambling on for extended periods of time.  Of course they were real time and to enter them into the computer had to play them back in real time plugged into my line input jack, (or mic jack) via an 1/8” mini plug.  That made the process work but was quite a bit more time consuming.

Next I had a hand-held little digital recorder that had a USB connection and could plug it directly into my USB ports on my computer after I had recorded my script or talk for my podcast.  This worked really well except that I didn’t like the voice quality of the recordings.  I did put up with it for a while though and looked forward to the day I would be able to get the type of equipment that I really wanted.

Actually, it was the same when it came to making my video productions.  I had a Kodak DX6490 still camera that could also do reasonably good quality video and stored the information on SD media cards.  That worked OK, but although the camera takes great still pictures, the video quality does leave something to be desired. To be honest, I still use that today when I do a video simply because I haven’t been able to see a reason to purchase a camera yet, (although I do look forward to the day that I can have the camera that I really want.) For right now I’m using what I have until I can afford what I need (or want).

You see, I spent my money on Sony Vegas Movie Studio software so that I could more easily edit my video, (or audio), files and do it more quickly.  I also invested in Sony Sound Forge Audio Studio simply because it works easily with movie studio when you need to edit audio on the fly.  When I first started, I used the open source program named, “Audacity” which worked quite well and I still use it some today but I graduated to the Sony programs quickly.

I know this is a bit long winded article but I also know that if you can’t afford what you want or need right now, you can probably use what you have and turn out a pretty darn good production.  I like the software that I use, but I also keep my eyes and ears open to possible new software or equipment to make the job even easier and possibly quicker.  Some things come with free trials but have certain limitations while other things don’t have limitations but may have files inserted that keep it from being used other than a demo.

So what am I actually saying here?  I think it is important, especially for beginners, to know that you don’t have to spend a lot of money turn out video or audio productions at least in a reasonable quality to get started.  You probably have something laying around that you can use to accomplish your desired goals until you can afford to get what you need or want.

Yes, it is true, the quality may not be as good as some have, but, you can get started and turn out a pretty darn good production by just paying attention to some small details that can make your not so good equipment look and sound better than it really does; (which we talk more about right here at, Podcasting Resources…)

Well, we’ll talk more about “Podcasting On The Cheap”, next time… right here on Podcasting Resources…

See ya next time… Rusty

All views expressed are strictly the opinion of the writer

© April 9, 2010 – all rights reserved

Rusty Norman and Podcastnorm.com

You’ve heard me say many times, you can get started podcasting very inexpensively and still turn out a great audio or video podcast. You have also heard me say you can spend a little more money and … still turn out a great audio or video podcast.

In reality, it isn’t the amount of money you have invested in equipment and software that makes a great podcast. It is the attention you pay to small details and the quality of the content that can ultimately make your podcast, or other type of production, as good as any and better than many, and you can still do it “On The Cheap.”

Spending a lot of money doesn’t guarantee a great podcast

You see, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get started with podcasting.  Just throwing money at equipment and software for podcasting doesn’t guarantee anything about the final product you turn out. In fact, it doesn’t even guarantee that you will turn out a great podcast. Of course, you do need to have equipment and software that simplifies the job of producing it and you need to know enough about certain production techniques to make your podcast sound good enough to make it easy and pleasing to listen to.

Let me be blatantly bold and say, “You definitely need what it takes to present your information in a way that is appealing to your listeners.” (Yes, I was trying to be dramatic and pause for effect… (chuckle) In reality, I admit that wasn’t really so blatant and also not so bold, but, it is important all the same.)

Always keep in mind that you can spend a little money, or a lot of money, and still turn out a podcast or production that is terrible and will, in no way, appeal to anyone, (except maybe you).

So, why do I continue to offer the thought that you can make podcasts, “On the Cheap”, and why should you care?

Well…the answer is pretty easy and straight forward…it is because you can!

Now, I can hear those rumblings out there from those of you that say, “So Who Cares?!?” and I understand where you’re coming from, but, I also understand that your audience does care how, why and what you do to make your podcast a pleasurable experience and why it is important to consider what they think.

No matter what you think, there are several things to consider about quality…

Any conversation about quality will ultimately open wide ranging opinions and arguments. I know why there is concern for speedy delivery and I also know what I like. Most times, the two are not even in the same ball park.

I have a very good friend that owns a recording studio. He will be the first to tell you that he is “old school” and how disappointed he is with much of digital technology, (a viewpoint I understand but don’t totally agree with, although I do know what parts in particular he doesn’t like.). He was the first person to give me this description of low resolution mp3 files. He said, “It sounds like someone threw marbles into a metal bowl and they’re rolling around while their trying to talk, play or sing.” He has received some demo mp3’s in a very small file formats and has understandably been disappointed in what he heard and totally unimpressed by what could have been presented in a slightly larger file size and it would have made a more positive impact or first impression.

Generally, I know I don’t think like some and I know I have higher expectations of quality that many because I just don’t like listening to junk. I guess I have been spoiled by being around well produced material for most of my life. I’ve been involved in doing many types of media productions (both audio and video) and there are just some things I don’t like about the internet as yet, (although things are changing for the better all the time.)

I don’t like the fact that available bandwidth controls so much of what many say is ‘acceptable’. It has to load fast and be in small perspective for maximum effectiveness; otherwise, no one will stay around long enough to watch or listen. Fortunately, audio is easier to deliver and load speedily than video, but, some are so interested in making the file so small for extremely fast delivery and small file storage space that the quality suffers greatly.

Here are some things you need to consider for the near future…

This is where I see the greatest change coming for the future and what I have, and will be talking about more and more in the near future. Storage space costs and the speed and quality of delivery are becoming more and more important and it is important to consider these aspects as you pursue your journey (or adventure) in podcasting, whether it be audio or video.

For those that may be new to Podcasting Resources, I have some interesting news. If you  would like to know more about a great, inexpensive storage service and some great new software to easily use it, take a look at this previous post (> link to S3 media post<) I made several months ago. It will give you some great information that could very possibly make your adventure in podcasting much easier than it used to be.

For you regular visitors, we will be talking more about the ‘small details’ that can make noticeable differences in your audio and video productions and the way they are received and/or perceived by your listeners.

See ya next time…
Rusty
(all views expressed are strictly the opinion of the writer)
© October 14, 2009 – all rights reserved
PCN Productions and Rusty Norman

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