I could go into a long winded dissertation on the reasons for using Royalty Free Music for your productions but I’ve already done that several times here at Podcasting Resources. If you don’t use Royalty Free Music in your productions of all types for public consumption, YOU COULD GET INTO A LOT OF TROUBLE!

I love Two Buck Themes and use it all the time in my productions! But don’t take my word for it… click on the video below and let Mike Stewart tell you the best reasons,  himself…

Try Two Buck Themes FOR JUST $1 Dollar-(Trial Membership)

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!!!

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

The First Thing:

Over the last couple of months, I’ve been trying some new software and I’ve come across something that could very well be an advantage for you.  I’ve tried it and like it, but haven’t purchased it yet. I’m continuing to try it before I make the final decision to purchase it, but so far, I am very pleased with it.

First of all, let me say right up front that I am not associated with this company in any way.  I am not an affiliate nor are they compensating me in any way to say what I say. You see, I stumbled on this piece of software quite accidentally. I was actually looking for something else when I came across this program called, “Propaganda” by MixMeister.

At first I said, “No, this is not what I’m looking for,” but then I noticed that it had a free trial. (Now, who can pass up a free trial?  Certainly not me…  I guess I’m just a sucker for free stuff like so many others.) Yes, you guessed it, I decided t give it a try.

It turns out that this was better than I expected it would be and the learning curve was relatively quick.  I’m not sure why, but maybe it’s because I’m familiar with other programs like it or maybe it’s because it’s just that easy to use. Or, (more likely) it could be the short tutorial they have to help users get started more quickly.

Whatever the case, my experience with it so far has been quite pleasing, except, when I stumbled upon it, I was more interested in looking for something that was free as opposed to just a free trial. Just remember one of the things I harp on all the time; sometimes you have to spend a little to turn out a great podcast.  This may very well be one of those times.

The Second Thing:

Yes I know you’ve heard me talk about TwoBuckThemes(Get 5 new themes, video tutorials each month for $10) in the past and, as I’ve told you before, I am an affiliate of Mike Stewart and should you click on one of his links here, it is very possible that I could make a dollar or two because of that affiliation.  Don’t let that deter you because if you like what he says and offers as software and equipment, you can become his affiliate also and do the very same thing.

So what is so important about royalty free music for podcasts and other productions?

First, I would point you to a previous article written in this blog called, “Podcasting Resources” called, “Why you should be using royalty free music in your productions.” (That article will tell much more about the subject than I want to mention here today.) Second, it is important to remember the legal issues surrounding the use of copyrighted materials.  In case you don’t know, you can get into all lot of trouble by using someone else’s music or articles without their permission and it could be quite expensive for you.

The reason I use TwoBuckThemes is because the music is good and very affordable. I’m here to tell you that I have been using TwoBuckThemes for quite a while now and it just keeps getting better.  Mike Stewart continues to put together some of the best royalty free music available at the outrageous price of two bucks a theme, five themes at a time.  And that isn’t all he does.  He offers software, equipment and tutorials for more things than I want to talk about here today. (although I’m certain I’ll talk about more of them soon.)  Believe me when I tell you, Mike is a great source of information surrounding the subject of recording and editing audio and video of all kinds along with great techniques for making it simpler and better. (I assure you, Mike is no amateur.)

The Royalty Free music from Mike Stewart’s Two Buck Themes just keeps getting better all the time.  It doesn’t cost anything to check out his websites, but I think you will find he is a great source of information and he won’t lead you astray, but that decision is up to you. You’ll never know for sure unless you check it out for yourself.

Thing Three:

Thing three is another thing I am not affiliated with but use all the time. If you have a lot of audio files or video files that people can access at all hours of the day, then you already know the storing of those files can take up a lot of space on a server.  Why not store them someplace that is very affordable? I won’t go into great detail here, but, Amazon S 3 storage is about the most affordable storage space you can find.  What does S3 stand for?  Simple Storage Service… (That wasn’t so hard, was it?)

I’m not sure exactly what I pay for it right now, but I do think it is somewhere around 8 or 9 cents a gig. The only thing about using it is that it works with Firefox and it has a tool made just for Amazon S 3.If you’re not using Amazon S 3, perhaps it would be worth your while to check it out.

Oh, and one other thing, Mike Stewart also has a tutorial about S 3 for people that are members of two buck themes and also something that simplifies the process of using Amazon S 3  called the S 3 Media player (which you can also read about right here in “Podcasting Resources”. Just click here.)

Believe me when I tell you, since I started using Amazon S 3 for storage, I have put a lot of my audio and video files on their servers and the expense has been minimal.  What can be wrong with that? Nothing as far as I’m concerned…

See ya next time…  Rusty

© March 29, 2010 – all rights reserved

Rusty Norman and Podcastnorm.com

all views expressed are strictly the opinion of the writer

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