Podcasting Hacks

Set Up a Home Studio

Use a combination of quality hardware and software to produce high-quality shows suitable for both podcast and broadcast.

Podcasting makes for a great entry point into the wider world of audio production. That can include more complex podcasts, or producing music or stories for radio. You can upgrade your audio production in two ways. First, you can buy better audio hardware and software, and second, you can improve the dynamics of the space you record in. Of course, you can do both at the same time.

Better Hardware and Software

This section deals with improving your hardware and software setup so that you get a cleaner sound, as well as more flexibility in terms of the sound you can produce.

Build a Digital Audio Workstation.

Whereas before you got by with some basic recording and editing software, now you will need studio automation software. These systems control the mixer during playback and allow you to route and record audio from multiple sources and destinations. The result is what is called a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW).

Digidesign’s Pro Tools [Hack #50] software and hardware combinations is one of the industry leaders in DAWs. Its current line, starting with the Mbox, and moving up to the 001 and 002, provide flexible and affordable solutions for home studios. In terms of price, these systems start in the low hundreds and go well into the thousands. Other software options include Mark of the Unicorn’s (MOTU) Digital Performer, Apple’s Logic, and Steinberg’s ...