How much work is needed

[dubeskin]

I've always wondered: how much work and money and time goes into making just 1 episode of a podcast? It seems like it would be pretty hard with planning and all, but at the same time easy by just talking into a microphone. Just wondering.

[Jay]

Well it really depends on what kind of setup you use. In my case i have a digital recording studio that i use to produce music. The podcast is something that i do, because i have a studio ready to go. And i love talking Lost.

So equipment is going to be your biggest investment. I use an Apple iMac which is pricey to begin with, but its worth it. that will set you back about $1,500 then i got a Recording interface (Mic inputs) which is about $600 then its Mic's which for a two person setup you can get away with paying $100 for two decent Mic's, but i have expensive ones because i use them for music. Then you need monitors (speakers) about $200 to assess the mix. Oh and Mic stands too. Last but not least is Software if you get a Mac it comes with garageband which is a great recording program, especially for podcast. The user interface is very simple. Since i have the studio for music i have Apple's Top of the line recording studio software, Logic Pro 7 which will set you back a $1,000. If i was just doing a podcast setup i wouldn't have bought that though.

So for Equipment that is the more expensive side going on about $3,400. But if you have a computer already it is going to be a lot cheaper.

Now for your hosting. I use Audioblog.com because its easy, and its relatively cheap. Its 5 bucks a month, but that is if you don't go past the bandwidth limit. Which is 5gb. If you do its a dollar for each additional gb. If you have a podcast that is somewhat popular like ours, you'll go past this limit quick. We used about 25gb last month with about 1500-2000 people downloading each podcast.

Now you need a home website like ours jaynadjack.blogspot.com. I used a free hosted website because its a heck of a lot cheaper, especially if you have to pay for all of that other stuff already mentioned.

OK so now you have all the tools.

Pick a topic to talk about. In our case "Lost" Jack and I watch the new episode, and do not talk to each other about it until we do the show the next day. I write out an outline of the events that unfolded in the new episode. I print out all of the emails get all of the calls ready in the correct audio file form.Then Get the the studio up and running. Then its time to record.

On a good day Jack and I can run through the whole show without any stopping, but nobody is perfect and sometimes we have to stop and start over, but since this is a high quality studio, we just start form were we messed up and edit it like no mistake happened. So the actual recording of the show will take from Short (Thirty minutes) to medium (usually 45 min.) to long (about an hour) Most of the time it takes about 40 to 45 min. to record the show.

Then there is the editing and mastering this takes me about 15-20 min. Its only vocals and a few software instruments( Lost Podcast Theme, and Jacks Drum roll) so It doesn't take me too long.

Then is the distribution of the show to you guys. For a thirty minute show it takes about 15-20 minutes to upload it to the server. Then I put the audio file to our Podcast Feed, and send the show to our site for you guys to stream.

And thats it. I know this seams like a lot, but once you get used to doing everything it's not as labor intensive.

So if you average all of the cost spread out between. The eight month period and say we do 35 podcast in that time. Its about 100 bucks an episode, thats averaging all of the equipment cost. With out that you just have the hosting fee.

Time wise it takes about about 3 hours an episode. This includes watching and analyzing the episode. Writing the outline, recording the show, mixing and editing, and uploading the show for you guys to listen to.

So this may seem like a lot, buts its not too bad. In my case i had a studio all ready. So i hope this answered your question.

[dubeskin]

Actually, it did. Thanks. It sounds like it takes a lot of work. I'm just glad you guys do it. I've missed a couple episodes, and I love this podcast because then I can know what happened or what other people think about the show. Once again, thanks for the answer, and keep up the good work!

[Sawyer]

So how did iTunes come about hosting your Podcast in the Music Store? And is there any money changing hands there? I would really like to do my own LOST Podcast because I'm really into the show and like to talk about it a lot...but I don't have that kind of money on me. I guess I'd be more inclined to learn about how difficult it is to get your cast hosted.

[Jay]

Well once you get your podcasts rss feed you can send it to the many podcast directories. Once I got the rss feed I sent the show to every podcast directory that i found. One of those was the iTunes directory, probably the most popular, and that is pretty much it.

Most if not all podcast are free to subscribe to. So we don't get any money.

If you want your voice heard on the podcast waves send us a call on our hotline
206-309-0311

Hope that answered your question

Jay

[Sawyer]

Yep nicely answered.

Listening to some more of your show right now

[Sawyer]

No rush, just when you get back from L.A.

If I want to do just a podcast, can you give me pretty cheap recommendations that a high school student could afford with minimal debt? I'm just looking for something really easy, not very professional or complex. I want to have a podcast for entertainment ratings. Video games, tv shows, movies, books, etc.

And Jay, if I work hard I may pass your post count by the time you get back. Shouldn't be too hard trying to outpost someone who isn't there....

[Jay]

once you get your blogspot up and running i have an idea, but you need to get your blogspot going dude.

[Sawyer]

So, got an economy way to do a Podcast?

[Jay]

well on blogger there is a way that you can phone in a post so it would be audio. Log into blogger and see if you can find it. As far as i know its free, so once you get that mp3 file you can put it in the rss tags to make a podcast. I dont now how high the quality would be though using your phone to record, but as an easy way to record goes that seems pretty easy to me.

[Cliff]

Jay,

That's pretty cool, thanks for the info. I've been considering getting some of my own stuff too, as I've been interested in doing a couple different podcasts myself.

I've got several Macs - about 10 or so, plus Garageband and Soundtrack and a few other things, so that part's already covered.

I was looking at the Digidesign Mbox, if you know what that is, as well as a JoeMeek J47 microphone. However they're both a bit pricey..so have any pointers for other mikes? Just curious.

[Jay]

Well any mic will do the trick I mean were not talking beautiful vocals on a rock record its just talk radio. There are a couple of mics on musicians friend that are under a hundred dollars that will sound fine. Especially t he sure mics sm57 or 58 are nice for anything vocals, instruments whatever. the Mbox is a good device, I use the presonus firepod which is a great and economical way of using more than two mics plus i would suggest getting something that connects to your mac using a firewire cable it is a lot more sufficient than usb. No matter what you pick though the super Mac will pick it up the second you plug it in, man i love macs.

[Cliff]

Me too, Jay - been using them since 1988 - professionally since 1989.



Thanks for the info!

[michael kirschner]

Nov 14, 2005 21:00:28 GMT -5 Sawyer said:

So how did iTunes come about hosting your Podcast in the Music Store? And is there any money changing hands there? I would really like to do my own LOST Podcast because I'm really into the show and like to talk about it a lot...but I don't have that kind of money on me. I guess I'd be more inclined to learn about how difficult it is to get your cast hosted.

remember back when podcasting was new and we didnt know that much now everyone does

[Jay]

Wow this is a blast from the past