In the New Media space, you may have heard the slogan “content is king.” I’m not going to argue that point, but I want to add an asterisk on to the end of that statement, because content may indeed be king… but presentation can still be very, very important in podcasting.
If a listener ever takes a few minutes to listen to your show, chances are, they are already interested in the topic, whatever it may be. Congratulations! They discovered you; you’ve already achieved what is probably the most difficult part, getting someone to actually “tune in” in the first place—but now you’ve got to hook them in, to seal the deal, and this is where I see all too many podcasts stumble.
First impressions are very important. If your podcast has audio that is distorted or muddy that makes it difficult to understand what is being said, or has inconsistent levels, where I’m constantly reaching for the volume control, because I have to turn it up because the voices are too low, and then when the music comes up I’m being blasted… well, you get the idea. These may be extreme examples, and maybe I’m jaded, but if your show doesn’t meet a certain level of technical production quality, people are simply going to tune out. The amazing thing about the Internet is that it gives people such an incredible variety of content they can consume, and can consume only the content they choose to… which can mean listening to or watching something else other than your podcast. The flip side of there being so much content out there is by having high quality audio (and video), you can distinguish yourself and get ahead of the pack.
With that said, just because a podcast has professional-level, high-quality production values, it does not make it a great podcast. So you’ve drawn people in, but you’re still going to have to deliver that content. But if your production sucks, they might not tune in long enough to find your content, no matter how brilliant it might be. When it becomes a chore to listen to (or watch), you’ve already lost them, and they’re probably never coming back. Will I listen to a podcast just for production quality? Heck no! But time is finite, and if it comes down to listening to one or the other, it’s going to be the better quality one. Life is just too short to suffer through poor quality production. If you as a producer don’t care or can’t be bothered to put forth some effort, why should I care enough to listen?
Now, I’m not necessarily advocating spending money to build a professional studio…God knows I’ve spent more than I probably should have, and it’s not a magic bullet. Getting high quality doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, if any at all (though judiciously spending a few bucks can go a long way). What kills me most of all is common problems that can be so easy to fix. Care enough to make an effort! Don’t make rookie mistakes; doing your due diligence as a producer, and performing some best practices can go a long way, and you don’t have to be an audio engineer or production guru to do so.
For goodness sake, enough with the plosives (popping “p”‘s, etc.), and use a good pop filter (not the same as a foam windscreen), or at least reposition the mic to talk across it, and not in to it; make sure your levels are consistent (use the Levelator), if one host is louder than the other, or the voices are quiet but when the music comes in I’m being blasted, you’re making my ears bleed; and don’t be afraid to do a little editing to tighten things up, removing painful pauses and long unnecessary tangents, because a little bit can go a long way toward professionalism—but, lay off the noise reduction, it’s noise reduction, not noise removal, and it’s not even close to a magic bullet… I could go on, but you probably get the idea.
This isn’t exclusive to podcasting, either. If you’re a blogger, for example, and your writing is filled with typos and spelling and grammatical errors, you greatly undermine your credibility.
What technical problems do you find most annoying?
As always, sound off in the comments, and if you’ve got any specific podcasting problems, let me know!
When I first got in to podcasting and launched Geek Cred back in January of 2007, I was using practically the simplest equipment setup possible: a $30 (give or take) USB headset which I already owned. Despite such humble beginnings, in the years since, as Geek Cred has grown, and as my interest in audio production has grown (to the point of becoming my chosen career), so has the technical complexity and sophistication of the equipment—not to mention the (gulp!) associated price tag.
Maybe it’s the geek in me, but much like the kid who would read the catalogs to see all the coolest toys, I love looking at gear online. “Wouldn’t it just be awesome if I had that microphone or that mixer?” While it may originate innocently enough, so-called “gear acquisition syndrome” can be a dangerous trap to fall in to, and I admit I’ve found myself thinking that way a few times. “If only I had that, I would sound awesome, get a huge audience, and get rich and famous.” Okay, maybe that last bit was just a little bit of an exaggeration, but not as much as you might think. With that said, it is important to remember that the equipment is just that—a tool, and instrument. You might want that gear, but you don’t technically need anything more than the most rudimentary setup, because no matter what your topic may be, the essential ingredient in your show is you. “Content is king” may have become something of a catch phrase, but that doesn’t make it any less true. No amount of technology can change that; there is no equipment that will “automagically” turn your show into “must-listen” content or sonic gold. (Sorry, if you don’t have a naturally deep bassy voice, that microphone will not somehow magically give you the Voice of God™.)
It’s just as important—if not more so—to learn how to actually use the gear you’ve got, and to make the most out of it. With a little effort and ingenuity, someone with more inexpensive gear, but who has taken the time to learn and knows what they are doing, is probably likely to produce a better result than someone with very expensive high-end gear, but has not become adept at getting the most out of it. While an expensive microphone can sound great in the right hands, it can also sound just as bad as a terrible $20 microphone if you’re not careful. I admit, the world of media production is full of intimidating jargon, and can be a bit daunting for the uninitiated, but no matter how tech-savvy you are, a little learning of the essentials can go a long way.
Some might be perfectly content to go on using whatever they’ve already got, and if you’re one of them, you might be better than me. I admit, for the geek in me, there’s something incredibly satisfying about buying that shiny new piece of gear, waiting for it to be delivered to my door, and when it finally is, opening it up for the first time, and setting it up. When that shiny new piece of kit arrives, I’m like a little kid on Christmas. But in the end, it’s important to remember that it’s just a tool. My intention is not to scare any podcaster away from investing a little money on some high-quality gear to improve their sound, because I think having good production quality is important. But before you go reaching for the credit card to buy that piece of would-be “killer” gear—whether it be a microphone, mixer, what have you—take a moment to take a long, hard look at yourself, and your motivations. Is this something I really need? How much will it really improve the production? Will it make it easier or quicker, Because it’s you that makes the podcast—not the gear you use to make it.
Sound off and let me know what you think in the comments!
After having been producing Geek Cred for over three years (at the time of this writing), people come to me for advice and recommendations for podcasting equipment on a budget, whether they’re just getting started, or are looking to improve their sound. Now I’m a college student. When I started podcasting Geek Cred, I used a very modest setup: just a $30 USB headset microphone that I already owned, and my computer—and it got the job done just fine. There should be no shame for using “just” a headset. Now, over the years, I have accumulated a (compared to most podcasters) relatively high-end setup. I admit, if three years ago you had even suggested that I would have spent nearly as much as I have on equipment, I probably would have insisted you were out of your mind—I can totally understand and identify if budget is a concern.
And you know what? If you’re just looking to get started, even if you are somehow made of money, I wouldn’t recommend spending hundreds of dollars on the latest and greatest equipment. Many can start off with a gung-ho, full steam ahead attitude, but after a few episodes, the honeymoon wears off, leaving behind the reality of late nights and often grueling work. Podcasting sure isn’t for sissies! The harsh reality is the majority of would-be podcasters never make it beyond Episode #5.
With that said, let’s say you’ve made your decision, and you’re ready to upgrade from that cheap headset you picked up at your local big box store; you’re ready to make your first foray in to the wild world of professional audio equipment. Even as an audio production guy, it can be easy to get lost in the multitude of available options, and some people might have a tough time getting over the initial sticker shock of some items. There are plenty of great options that you really can’t go wrong with on the high end, but most people aren’t made of money, and don’t have hundreds of dollars (or even thousands of dollars) to spend to outfit their home podcast studio to challenge a professional radio station’s. Thankfully, in recent years, the market has exploded with countless affordable low-end options, but when it comes to microphones, I have found it difficult to give a definitive recommendation for those on a tight budget.
Enter the GLS Audio ES-58 Dynamic Microphone.
Visually, the ES-58 bears a striking resemblance to a certain similar microphone you probably see all the time. Essentially, it is a much more affordably priced knock-off of the industry standard workhorse Shure SM-58, which has been used the world over for the better part of the past three decades, especially for live performances. If you’ve ever been to a rock concert, chances are that you were hearing the singer’s voice through an SM-58. However, the downside of the SM-58—at least for us cheapskates—is its street price of $99, which can be a tough pill to swallow. So when I came across this little gem a while back almost entirely by accident, I knew I had to get my hands on my own and try it for myself. Many less-expensive microphones have attempted to take on the legendary SM-58, with varying success.
Upon first listen, with a price tag of just $30, it was easy to understand why the ES-58 has garnered such an underground following among home recording enthusiasts. Rather than trying to write here what it sounds like, take a listen to this test recording, and hear for yourself:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
(Pure unedited, unaltered audio, with no post-processing applied.)
Unfortunately, at the time of this writing, I do not have an SM-58 to do a proper A/B comparison with. Does it sound exactly like an SM-58? Maybe, though probably not quite. But does it sound very good? Absolutely! Will it replace a high-priced professional broadcasting microphone? Of course not—but it’s not supposed to.
The ES-58 is professional XLR microphone, and will require a preamp, such as a mixer and/or audio interface. (This is not a USB “plug ‘n’ play” microphone.) It has a relatively high output, so it does not require a lot of gain from the preamp (in my test, I had it set at around only 12 o’clock on my mixer). It does also have some handling noise, which is something to be aware of you’re planning on using it more as an “on the street” interview microphone, but if you’re going to be using it at home, on a stand, that issue becomes moot. Finally, as a dynamic microphone, it is not as sensitive as condenser microphones, and as such is not as prone to picking up unwanted background noise. (Indeed, when I recorded the above clip, the TV was blasting in the next room…)
If you’re on a tight budget, at $30 for a single microphone—or $80 for a three-pack—you probably can’t go wrong with the ES-58. You really can get a quality sound without spending a lot of money.
The GLS Audio ES-58 Dynamic Microphone is available with or without an off switch, and (as of this writing) exclusively available from Orange County Speaker, and can be purchased from them directly, or through Amazon.com. Combined with something like a Behringer Xenyx 502 mixer and Behringer UCA-202 USB interface, you get some pretty darn good quality for as little as about a hundred bucks.
Happy podcasting!
Note: This is my unbiased optinion, not a paid endorsement. I did not receive a review unit; I purchased this microphone with my own money.
In my previous post, to kick off this new blog, I listed my three “non-New Year’s Resolutions” goals for this year: more podcasting, more blogging, and more writing. If you noticed both writing and blogging, and thought something along the lines of, “Aren’t those part of the same thing?” you might be right. But while blogging is—and continues to be—a goal, when I wrote “writing,” I wasn’t necessarily referring to writing for this blog—though as I compose this post, I am indeed “writing.” But in that context, I was referring to writing—fiction writing.
When I describe myself, you will see me list terms that list my interests, such as “podcaster,” “techie,” “gamer,” “science fiction fan,” “audio production nerd”—needless to say, I’m definitely a geek. But in a bold step, I recently added another label in to the mix: “wannabe writer.” While there are far too many to list here, I am incredibly lucky to have some amazingly creative friends, both writers and non-writers, who encourage and inspire me, especially on the Internet in the podcasting and new media space. In recent years, there have been points where I have expressed my admiration for my creative friends, and idly lamenting my lack of talent in this area, and insisted to myself (and others) “…but I’m not a writer.” I have had many creative ideas for stories to tell—”but oh, well, I’m not really a writer…” Well then, why the heck not? You are what you make yourself—so what if I haven’t been writing for years, so what if I didn’t want to be a writer back when I was a kid? No more “but.” I call shenanigans on my mind’s own insecure, self-doubting nonsense—because disbelief is the enemy.
Those who follow me on Twitter or hang out with me on IRC, you may have seen me mention my “super secret” projects. At least two of these projects—yes, I have a few secret projects, and no, I won’t say exactly how many—are, and have been, writing projects, fiction projects. Part of this “coming out” and declaring “I’m a writer!” is to give myself, through you, some measure of accountability. Today, a lot of people—some very talented, but unfortunately also many hacks—seem to like to claim to be a “writer” (fiction or non-fiction) if they can put a few sentences together. You almost can’t help roll your eyes at some people who claim to have been “writing” their “Great American Novel”—no matter how brilliant it might be—for years with little to show for it. I have the ideas, but maybe this year, I will have something to show for it. Wait, no, that’s not right. There is no “maybe”. I will, or I will not; “maybe” is a self-defeating excuse.
What I write might not be worthy of the bytes it takes up on my hard drive—and probably won’t be, at least at first. But if I don’t try, I might as well pack up all my toys, and go home, because I have already failed—and have nobody to blame but myself. To succeed, you have to first be willing to fail.
It’s time—no, past time—to come out of the creative “closet.” I am no longer simply a podcaster, techie, science fiction fan, gamer, audio production nerd. I, am Steve Riekeberg, and I am a writer.
When I first started blogging—or at least made my initial attempt at something resembling blogging—it was “way” back in 2004. (Hey, in “Internet time”, 6 years ago is practically ancient history.) As fast as technology and innovation continues to march forward, the online world was a bit different back then. Blogging in general was experiencing explosive growth during that period. This was a forerunner to the new “Web 2.0″ generation of social media, when the now ubiquitous Facebook was in its infancy, and Internet darling Twitter was, at best, merely an idea. Today, the “social” Internet has become a part of the daily lives of millions worldwide, yet more traditional long-form blogging continues to grow and evolve, and is here to stay, in some form.
My previous forays into blogging were on again, off again, from about 2004 to 2008. People seemed to like reading what I had to say—sometimes to my surprise—but updates were sporadic, and there were frequently large gaps between posts. Looking back, I’m not sure what the problem was. While blogging had become a very popular thing at the time—and many sites from that period have long since disappeared—I wasn’t doing it for any sort of recognition. I had plenty of things to write about, but just didn’t get it done. Whatever the reason, after about a year passed since that final post in 2008, with the site fallow, I finally decided to retire it, though the site remained online, until recently. People grow and evolve throughout their lives, and I believed I had grown out of it, and it didn’t quite properly reflect who I am.
I podcast with Geek Cred, I post idle amusements, frustrations, and what have you on Twitter, I rant and interact with like-minded geeks on IRC—and love to, and will continue to do so—but life isn’t limited to 140 characters, or to plain text—I’ve been itching to return to such a rich-text, long-form format, but this time, giving blogging more attention as it deserves, and I have something to say more than ever.
I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions. In my mind—and, admittedly, based on some personal experience—such resolutions will all but certainly eventually be broken. While I can understand the sentiment behind them, if you’re really serious about changing a habit, or doing something new, you certainly don’t (and shouldn’t) wait until the beginning of another year. So I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions. But if I did, they would probably include three simple points: More podcasting, more blogging, and more writing. You could even further boil this down to a single point: be more creative. And if anything’s worth doing, it’s worth doing now, so there’s no time like the present to get started.
Many know the slogan “a mind is a terrible thing to waste.” As far as I’m concerned, that applies just as much (and possibly even more so!) to creativity. I have already and will most surely continue to lose sleep due to late nights, and in the end, I may end up failing miserably. Some months down the road, this web site might face a similar fate as it’s predecessor, gathering virtual dust on a hard drive inside some server, but sometimes you have to stop worrying about failure, about what might happen, and just do it.
“Disbelief is the enemy.”
—J.C. Hutchins, Author of 7th Son & Personal Effects: Dark Art
Here’s to new beginnings. Here’s to creativity. Because it’s not about having a voice, it’s about using that voice—and that is worth doing, and worth believing in!
Let the journey begin…