I’m not an engineer, so creating my DVD, “Depression What You Must Know,” and my Podcast, “Psychiatric Secrets Revealed with Dr. Mike” involved a lot a research and learning.  The information listed below is a compilation of that work.  I hope you find it helpful.  Mike Kuna

How to record a perfect Podcast

When I decided to start the Podcast, “Psychiatric Secrets Revealed with Dr. Mike,” I was faced with many challenges.  How should I record my program? What equipment should I use?  What software was the best for my needs?  Many helpful individuals have posted their opinions on various websites but unfortunately I found that the information sometimes was incomplete. At other times, one site would contradict another.  

To gain a better understanding of recording Podcasts I not only searched web sites but I also read books and wrote professionals. The information listed below is a compilation of all of that research.  I hope you find it helpful in your Podcasting endeavors.

The most amazing part about computers is that they are so versatile and this fact also applies to recording audio.  Most standard PCs are capable of recording audio right out of the box.  Let’s look at the very simple (and free) components that are already available on you home PC.  You only need three things to record audio:

1. A simple computer microphone (supplied with your computer or purchased for a few dollars at your local computer or office supply store).

2. An interface between your analog based microphone and you digital based computer.  In Most cases this is your sound card.

3. Software to tie it all together, for instance the “sound recorder” applet supplied with Windows.

With this simple set up you can record your spoken voice.  Since all of this is already supplied with many computers right out of the box, you may wonder why so many web pages are devoted to other equipment, such as expensive studio mics or hardware add ons.  In fact some Podcasters have set up Podcasting studios that rival radio stations with sound conditioned rooms, high-end microphones and professional mixers.  Is it necessary to spend many thousands of dollars to produce a decent Podcast?  Of course not!  After all, the most important part of a Podcast show is the content.  A perfectly recorded program entitled “Why I Like Toast” is unlikely to attract an audience where a program called “The Best Movie Reviews” is likely to, even if the audio is less than CD quality.  With that said, a well recorded program adds a feeling of professionalism and authority to your program.  In addition, a program that is easy on the ears is much less fatiguing and fatiguing programs tend to cause the listener to tune out (and not return).  How much should you spend on your Podcast studio?   

Just remember “Kuna’s Primary Rule”

A moderate investment will yield a major improvement in your recording quality.  Making a major investment past that point will only result in an additional moderate change.

Since there are only three basic components to record audio, let’s take a detailed look at them.  Once you understand them you can make decisions that will give you the most bang for your buck.

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