Today’s program is the latest show from JustAFansView.com and talks about NASCAR from just a NASCAR fan’s point of view. It can also be found at NascarFansView.com It is another regular production of PodCastNorm dot Com. In it, Rusty gives his opinion of the drivers, races and racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
These article/podcasts are generally weekly podcasts during the NASCAR season. Rusty is a former hometown Stock Car driver and owner and his passion and love for the sport is evident as he shares his take and opinion of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as the Season progresses from the season beginning at Daytona in February and ending with the Championship at Phoenix in November.
This episode is the latest from NascarFansView.com and JustAFansView.com and is a production of PodCastNorm dot Com with host Rusty Norman. It gives Rusty’s opinion of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series races throughout the 2023 Season. As with any NASCAR Cup Series Season, there are always plenty of surprises from beginning to end and there is plenty of intensity and drama expected this year also.
Today Rusty talks about the stuff he uses to make his podcasts and other productions
Today, I thought I would take a little time to mention some of the software and hardware I use to turn out my podcasts and other productions. Some of it I have used for a while but I still use it even though there are newer items coming out quite often and I find my older stuff still serves me well, at least for the present. Some hardware and software has come along to make things faster, better and simpler and I have never been afraid to try new things but I have never been one to use something simply because it is new if it doesn’t make my job faster, better or easier.
Some things may have looked good early on but their usefulness quickly faded as other items came along and far surpassed the abilities of those former items. It has been a learning experience ever since day one and I don’t claim to know all I need to know even after several years of doing these different things. One thing I do know; everything has, or is, getting easier simply because of the advancements in technology and software and that is a very good thing. As long as quality isn’t sacrificed along the way, I’m very happy about that.
Since I started in podcasting quite awhile ago a lot of things have changed and some things have stayed the same. When I go back and listen to some of my early podcasts, I am amazed at the quality of them compared to now and how much easier it is to make and post them than it was at that time. I’m even surprised at what I was able to turn out even though I didn’t know a lot about podcasting or streaming and didn’t have a lot of money to invest in equipment either new or old. In fact, I wasn’t even sure I would continue with it so I didn’t want to make any major investments and tried to find ways to turn out decent recordings with limited resources and equipment until I was sure I wasn’t throwing my money away. Besides, at that time, it was a much more expensive and complicated process than it is now.
As I’ve said before, I’ve been working with audio for a long time and, even though I liked the “old days” of recording and editing and producing the final products, I absolutely love the “new days” that are upon us.
If you’re new or just getting started in this thing called podcasting, recording, editing and getting the product out to the listeners or viewers (whether you are talking about audio or video) has never been easier than it is right now. The technology has really come of age and working in the digital arena makes so many things easier than it used to be. You don’t have to believe me when I tell you that but, if you’ve been around any type of producing and recording or editing audio and video even over the last seven to ten years or so; you know what I’m talking about. The changes to audio and video technology in just the last few years have been absolutely astounding.
Over 38 plus years, I’ve worked with many different types of equipment from reel-to-reel to the latest digital capture devices. I try out different software and hardware and still find that I like some of the more simple-to-use things I come across. The podcasts (or blogcasts as I like to call these) are done on very affordable and easy-to-use equipment and software programs and, although I have tried and like to use the pro versions of some of the software I use, I still turn out many of my productions using the “consumer end” programs that are less expensive to purchase and do everything I need them to do. Those other things have their place but for turning out very good general productions I find the simpler items fill my needs quite well for the time being.
Yes, I know the pro versions have many more capabilities, but I have found I don’t use all of the bells and whistles that might be offered with some of the more sophisticated ones so I use the lesser versions to their full extent. So far, I think things have turned out pretty well but I do admit there are times I could save time “IF” I had the Pro versions of the software.
Just for your information, I presently still use either Audacity or Sony Sound Forge Audio Studio to capture and edit the audio portions of my productions and I use Sony Vegas Movie Studio as a simple multi-track audio mixer to do the final mix down simply because it is a little faster than using Audacity. That isn’t a knock against Audacity, I just find Sony Vegas Movie Studio a little less clunky and therefore faster. My favorite microphone is my Blue Yeti USB mic and I store my downloadable print and audio files on Amazon S3. Needless to say, I know there are advantages to having more expensive and possibly better equipment, but, I choose to continue working “On the Cheap” but do not want to sacrifice quality for price.
Why would anyone want to listen to a poor sounding, poorly produced presentation of any kind? I know I wouldn’t want to so I have chosen to pay attention to the smaller details and turn out productions that sound better than some I have heard produced with some of the big ticket items. Is it coincidence that I have somehow done something well with the lesser equipment or is it because I pay attention to some small details for the quality of program I turn out and save money at the same time? Personally, I don’t think so. I think paying attention to some small details can make some of the biggest differences in any production.
Like I said above, I use the software and equipment listed here to accomplish everything you see and/or listen to here … but… then again I fully intend to tell you more about the products and procedures I follow in the very near future. In fact, next time I will tell you about a couple of products I am trying and quite happy with. Who knows? They just might work quite well for you, too.
Hello every one. I am very excited about the plans for near future right here at Podcastnorm.com. I have several things I want to tell you about and I couldn’t wait another minute.
Today is just a little tidbit of what I am excited to tell you about. Watch this short little video and it will tell you more about what is to come and give you an example of what will make putting audio and video on your websites(s) as easy as anything you have ever experienced.
Later on this week come back for the first of a three part intro to Royalty free music for your presentations or commercials and podcasts, S3 storage, and the amazingly simple to use S3 media player…
Just double click on the play button below for a message from me, Rusty Norman.
Hey everybody, this is podcastnorm, maybe better known to you as Russ and I just wanted to tell you about a presently little known fact. I’ve been busy working on my twice-a-week podcast I like to call, “Just A Fan’s View” and that is exactly what it is. It is about Nascar from “Just A Fan’s View” and I have to admit it is something I am really having a lot of fun making. It gives me a chance to have a little fun amongst all of the stresses of life. In fact, I’m having so much fun I just had to let you know about it and what better way than right here on Podcasting Resources.
I can tell you from personal experience that making a podcast can be a lot of work, but it can be a lot of fun if you can make a podcast about something you really like and then it doesn’t seem so much like work. That is why I am telling you about this now. As beginner podcasters, I’ve been telling you a lot of important information about getting started right and how to make your podcasts a cut above the rest, but there comes the time when you just have to take your idea and make it happen.
You see, I enjoy Nascar racing and I’ve been a fan for a long, long time. I just decided I would like to make a podcast about Nascar from a fan’s view so that is what I did. I’ve found out what I already knew and that is what this is all about. That you can:
take your idea,
think about what you want to accomplish with it,
consider whether it is worth the effort
do a little short range planning
at least consider some long range planning
be sure you have the equipment and software you need
and then make it as good as you can with what you have
Now, you can find “Just A Fan’s View” where it temporarily resides at:
I definitely want you to check it out. It is on my main blog site and the blog is called “Rusty’s View”. That’s where I can talk about any subject I want that affects and interests me. It’s my view … It’s the way I see things. (But that’s another story for another time…)
“Just A Fan’s View” will soon be on its own site at, “www.justafansview.com” and I can’t wait until it is. Now don’t go looking for it because it’s not quite there yet, but trust me, I intend for it to be up and running all on its own on or before December 2nd. In the mean time, (and I know I’m being a little repetitive here), you can listen or read “Just A Fan’s View” at my other site :
Wouldn’t it be great if there were just three “magic” questions you could ask yourself and then immediately progress to producing your first podcast?
Well … yes … in a way that would be nice, but, it seems as though there are many questions on getting started and then you work through to the normal nuts and bolts questions so you can make your podcast as good as it can be technically.
Why can’t you just sit down and start talking into your microphone or recording device?
Well … the truth is … you can, but, I personally believe, if you are really serious about being a podcaster and turning out a podcast with regularity, you need to consider several things before you jump in with both feet. You need to fully consider what I call ‘the broader picture’ in this adventure called podcasting. Before you go to the all the trouble and possible expense, why not think about your full, long range, plan and intentions.
Does that mean you can’t have any fun and that everything has to be set in stone, serious and perfect from the beginning?? Of course not, it merely means that you should think further down the road than next week, (unless one more week is all you intend your podcast to be around for.)
A couple of weeks ago, I presented you with three questions you needed to ask yourself before starting a podcast. Now that you’ve had a chance to think about your real reasons for producing a podcast, here are the next three questions that would be good to consider before you actually invest your time and hard earned cash in equipment or software to make it happen.
Question one – Uniqueness
What makes your podcast unique? Just what is it that separates yours from others and what is it that will keep you and your listeners coming back over and over again?Is it your personality? Is it the subject matter? or is it just because it is so much fun?
Question two – Niche Knowledge
How well do you know your chosen niche subject or subjects? This goes back to the question of, “just because you know a lot doesn’t mean you know it all.” If you are an expert in your field and have lots of shortcuts, tips and general, as well as specific, knowledge then you can probably be the authority on the chosen subject. If not, you may want to consider …
Question three -Type of format
What type of format will your podcast be? Will it be an interview type? Or possibly a monologue type? Perhaps you will just depend on your ability to express yourself with your gift of gab. Maybe you will choose a disc-jockey style with all the bells and whistles as well as with playlists. May be you will simply talk about your subject with mood setting musical underlays or adding commercials and any number of technical complexities.
Look, I’m not trying to hold you back by asking a bunch of senseless questions or beat the preparation thing into the ground. I just want to see you turn out the best podcast you can. These questions don’t in any way cramp your creativity. If anything, they will enhance your ability to accomplish your end results.
You see, I want you to accomplish your goals and not be disillusioned by the pressing demands over the long run by your continued involvement in this exciting way of communicating. I hope it is your intention to always be learning and striving for excellence with your production while at the same time having a great time and thoroughly enjoying creatively expressing yourself or your subject.
You can have a lot of fun podcasting and you can teach or inform others about your subject and also learn and hone your craft at the same time. The sky really is the limit and the only thing that can hold you back is lack of preparation and planning. Sure, there will be times when it is difficult and there will be times you may be disappointed, but, if you “take the time it takes to think it through” before you run across those times, you will succeed beyond your wildest dreams.
Before I answer with the obvious, let me slightly re-state the question? What do you ultimately hope to accomplish with, or by, podcasting?
Is it just something that you like to do or is it a burning passion from within you to communicate your thoughts, knowledge or view of your chosen subject or subjects? Could it be that you do what you do to accommodate people that can’t read your written words because they are visually impaired? Perhaps it is because you know they want, or need, to hear what you have to say? Maybe you just like to talk and think you have something to say that others want to hear? These are all good reasons for spending the time that takes to make a podcast, but, what is YOUR ultimate purpose? What is it that will make yours ultimately unique and will set you apart from the rest?
Think about it for a moment. What is your purpose for making a podcast or being a podcaster? It is important that you answer that question before you get too far into your podcasting experience. I can tell you that without a clear direction and a love for what you are doing, you won’t last long.
Because of personal reasons, I haven’t been blogging or podcasting for a while and, honestly, I hope I was missed but I don’t think anyone much noticed. The only fortunate thing I have going in my favor when I took the extended leave is that I have almost two years of content out there. Some of it is pretty good (even if I do say so myself) and some of it … well … it’s even better. That’s because, though I do get sidetracked at times, I have a lot of interest in this thing called podcasting and the recording and editing of audio and video. You do know that this thing most often called podcasting has really only been going on in its present form for a little over four years.
Just in case you haven’t had time to notice, a lot is going on in this communication field and it is becoming more and more popular all the time. More people than ever before are finding audio and video podcasting as a means of getting their message across to the masses.
I am not so sure that every podcast that’s popular sounds like just another radio program though. It seems more and more are discovering that the message is more important than the fancy “radio-type” production. In fact, it seems that the ones that provide the most pertinent information to their audience are the ones that are growing in popularity.
That’s why I think it is important for you, the beginner podcaster, to think about what drives you to be a podcaster. Just what is it that you desire to accomplish with it? What is so important or interesting about it that makes you and your audience keep coming back for more?
I would like to be really transparent and tell you that my biggest problem more often than not is deciding what to focus on. Some people ask me what equipment to use and others ask me to try out different and diverse software. Some, by their questions, have even forced me to become more familiar with some of the technical aspects of podcasting software and equipment that I used to just take for granted or think that most people somehow just understood. Now I admit, I do have an interesting time with some of the equipment and software but honestly, I’ve discovered that some of it is just a total waste of time and energy. More often than not, whatever you choose, simple is better.
The redeeming value to all of it is that I have the opportunity to learn something new all the time. When I learn something of particular interest, (or something that really surprises me with how well it works or how easy it makes a task) I share it with you as quickly as I can. In future articles, I have some interesting things to share with you. In fact, I have a bunch of ideas in my “article oven” right now. Soon you will able to tap into what I think is some really interesting stuff right here on “Podcasting Resources” at podcastnorm.com.
For right now though, I just want to talk to you beginners about what you want to accomplish with this form of communication called podcasting. If you haven’t started yet, now is a good time to take some time and think through your plans for the future. Try to visualize yourself a year from now. Does your chosen direction still look appealing? Do you look forward to each new podcast with the same excitement you used to.
If you’ve already started with your podcasting adventure, take a little time to evaluate where you are and how far you’ve come. Does this “podcast thing” still hold you in its grip with anticipation for every new show or do you dread even the thought of having to turn your next one out?
In the mean time, take a look at why you want to be a podcaster and what you want to accomplish with your podcast and be on the lookout for the next article, “Three Questions You Need To Ask Yourself Before Making The Committment To Be A Podcaster.”
