Podcast Studio Guide

Getting Started: First Steps to Starting a Podcast

As you consider what type of podcast you wish to create, there are several considerations you will need to prepare for:

1. Research the Equipment: You can find information about the library's podcast studio equipment as well as associated user manuals on the Podcast Studio Location & Technology tab. We have the hardware available for you to use, but you will still need to familiarize yourself with the equipment. Keep that practice time in mind!
2. Audio Editing Software: This guide offers a few suggestions for audio editing software, but you may wish to do your own research over other programs available for free or commercially. Take a closer look at what your favorite podcasts are using and search around for an option that fits your needs. UNA's campus does have the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, including Adobe's Audition, which can edit audio, in certain computer labs, including Collier Library's.
3. Hosts & Guests: You will want to consider how many hosts and guests you might have on the podcast at one time - this will affect your equipment and have considerable impacts for your audio editing. 
4. Platforms for Publishing: Consider what platforms you may wish to publish your podcast on. A few examples you may want to check out include Buzzsprout, Captivate, SimpleCast, Podbean, and more. These sites can provide a syndicated link to popular sites that distribute or sell podcasts, like Soundcloud and Itunes.

Getting Started: How Many Hosts?

So you've picked a topic for your podcast, now what? Well it is important to figure out how many voices will be heard by the audience. This will impact the way that the audience hears the podcast as well as gives the opportunity for more viewpoints on the cast. Some options are:

• Single Host: A single host would give you full control over the information that you say. If you are the only person speaking you don't need to worry about other people talking over you, giving you clear audio. The downsides to a single host is that it limits viewpoints and if the host stumbles no one would be there to pick up the slack. This can be fixed in editing, but it is important to keep in mind the downsides of having a single host.
• Two Hosts: This can be done in many ways. It could be done as a conversation, an interview, or even two hosts taking turns reading from a script. It is also possible to have one host do most of the talking and the other can be there to provide commentary at various points. Having two hosts gives the audience different viewpoints to hear as well as changes in voices which can keep them engaged.
• Multiple Hosts: This provides the most viewpoints on the podcast, but also has the greatest chance for people talking over each other. It may take some time for a podcast with multiple hosts to get the hang of speaking into the microphone without interrupting each other. It is also important to note that the more hosts there are, the more that the volume and cadence of the hosts matter.

Getting Started: Outside Resources

These resources can provide helpful information for people looking to start a podcast:

NPR: Three Tips for Training Your Voice: This video can help you train your voice before starting your first episode.

How to Start a Podcast 2020: Podcasting for Beginners: This video gives an overview of the steps and technology that you need to start a podcast. This information is good if you are hoping to do work on the podcast outside of the podcast lab in Collier Library.

How to Start a Podcast: This guide gives a more detailed overview of important steps to take to start a podcast.