Podcast Academy

The new and improved Levelator™ is available for immediate download. This is a stand alone processor designed to help correct variations in levels in your audio files.

Besides a brand new look, the processing algorithm has been improved. This includes improved handeling of background noise and a reduction in ‘breathing’ and ‘pumping’ artifacts in the processed files. This is a must have tool for producers. Best of all … it’s free.

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I have an interesting idea that I think a handful of producers may find useful. It is possible that the concept is already in existence …This morning I decided to implement a ‘playlist’ stream for The.Point. Not too difficult and surely not that big of a deal. Personally, I appreciate when a program producer provides a streaming option form their site. In this case there is no need to access the audio from my web browser and I am not forced to download the audio file. In case you are wondering, since I spend most of my time here in front of my workstation … I rarely transfer media to my iPod.

I put some thought into this and I realized that it is possible to create a proprietary application or player that serves a single purpose: Launch and Stream - specifically the most current program living on a server. Nothing more.

Here is the breakdown: An .m3u playlist file is actually embedded within the application itself. By the way an .m3u file is simply a text document with a url that points to a specific file on a server. In order to provide access to the media file via the player, the producer must include a snippet of code in the .htaccess file that lives on the same host web server. If an .htaccess file does not exist, this too is just a text document with a few lines of code. The key is that anyone who has interest in listening simply launches the proprietary application and the file streams. No downloading, no web pages. When the audio is completed, close out the player and you are done. Keep in mind that in order to take advantage of this, you must have the player installed on your system.

So again, what’s the big deal? Think about this for a second … I’m sure that you are aware of VersionTracker and/or MacUpdate? Would it be inappropriate to distribute the player as freeware in order to serve one specific purpose - in fact as a method to help generate expousre for your program to help expand your audience? What if you decided to offer pay only programming? Without the player, there is no access to the stream. Lastly, would this concept be useful as a method of direct communication with select groups of associates, business partners, clients, etc.?

RSS? How about an independent RSS feed that specifies new media is available for streaming? Of course updates and references can be included in existing feeds as well. In terms of distribution management, by naming the current and subsequent .mp3 files with a predetermined and static filename, all that is necessary is to upload the file to the server and overwrite the existing copy. The code in the .m3u file and the .htaccess file never changes.

There is a catch … it is necessary to build each player application on a case to case basis. I simplified this concept today. Album art and logos can be integrated based on specified graphic specs. Additional methods of customization are possible. After compiling, I would deliver the application to the producer fully prepared for distribution.

I’m interested in hearing any thoughts that you might have. You can leave a comment, or if you prefer, email directly.

[the image above is the actual size of the application]

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Due to the accelerated interest in web and/or portable video distribution, media producers are faced with the inevitable: efficient organization of accumulated content. My guess is that if a producer’s asset management techniques are less than perfect - productivity will suffer.

There are a few Mac based software applications at various price points that focus on digital asset management for the video producer. I have the perfect tool that provides ease of use, stability, and professional features at minimal cost. I’m referring to FootTrack DV by T-Squared Software.

It is no secret that video clips and produced sequences can rapidly diminish valuable storage space. FootTrack will help maximize storage efficiency by allowing the producer to substitute original source media with duplicate copies of the originals in a compressed format using the codec and parameters of choice. The compressed clips can be logged and reviewed for future project integration. Why is this important? Based on the compressed state of the media, disk space will be maximized due the reduction in size of the original high quality source clips.

In terms of re accessing the original high quality source media, simply export a batch capture list and integrate into Final Cut Pro. Final Cut will capture the clips based on the batch file instructions. You can also extend productivity by exporting a Final Cut Pro XML document reference. This option will allow you to export specific logging information that was originally created in FootTrack.

Additional features include real time log and capture from a camera or deck, drag and drop support with Final Cut Pro/Express/iMovie, burn catalogs to CD/DVD, and time code support.

FootTrackDV will not disappoint you. It is well designed and a pleasure to work with. $49.95 US. **Please be advised that the batch capture list and XML work flows are not supported in iMovie.

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The DN-C640 CD Player by Denon Professional has some unique features that I find particularly interesting. Besides typical playback support including MP3, this player is capable of decoding MP2 audio files, and supports uncompressed PCM [WAV] files. You have the option of using standard CD Media or DATA DVD for extended playback options.

Due to an internal web server and ethernet support, the player can be controlled remotely from any workstation on a network by accessing a web based GUI control center, similar in concept to ethernet router configuration and management. Full remote transport control and playlist configuration is possible as well.

Finally, the 25 pin GPIO port will provide an important option in terms of connectivity support if the player is to be installed in a professional broadcasting or internet radio environment. Cool piece …

$699 US [Available January 2007].

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In this segment I will focus on file formats and transfer efficiency.

Many of us are members of organizations and/or networks. Some of us produce programs for clients. In this case we are faced with the inevitable task of transferring large files to and from various peers or logistical locations. Before I discuss my recommendations, it is important to make sure that we understand a few important facts in terms of file formats and their characteristics.

I think it is safe to say that *most* podcast producers realize that WAV and AIFF files are uncompressed, lossless files that yield exceptional quality. They are the recommended file formats for recording audio, and they integrate seamlessly with a vast array of post production applications.

MP3, or MPEG-1 Layer III is a compression codec that is specifically designed to produce a file that is prepared for final delivery. An MP3 file should never be converted back to an uncompressed file format and subsequently re-encoded to MP3, especially if the original MP3 was encoded using a low bitrate. In this case the results would be detrimental. That being said, if you present your MP3 encoder with a good quality uncompressed master and choose your encoding parameters wisely, the resulting file will be a fraction of the size of the original and it will provide excellent results in terms of sonic quality.

As noted above … if transferring and/or exchanging large files slated for post production is a necessity within your work flow, what is missing? The answer is an intermediate file format. Best case scenario would allow us to convert files into a format that would yield a substantial reduction in size in order to maximize exchange efficiency, and at the same time have very little affect on the quality of the original uncompressed master. Enter MP2 …

Let me stress that where MP3 = MPEG 1, Layer III … MP2 = MPEG 1, Layer II. This is not the same file format as the common MPEG-2 video codec/file format. The MP2 codec is widely used within the professional world of commercial broadcasting as an intermediate file format. An uncompressed file converted to MP2 will be approximately 75% less in size compared to the original. The key here is that when the file is converted back to its native state, most - if not all of the original fidelity will be retained. It’s not 100% lossless, however I promise that you will be pleasantly surprised with the results.

Based on your platform there are various software applications that are necessary in order to develop a work flow. Here are the tools that I use: to convert WAV files to MP2, I use the MP2 Encoder available at The Public Radio Exchange [PRX.org]. Mono files will be converted to MP2 at 44.1kHz, 128kbps and Stereo files will be converted to MP2 at 44.1kHz, 256kbps. The encoder is available for Mac and PC.

To convert MP2 files back to WAV [or AIFF], I use a nifty $10 encoder/converter called SoundConverter. This is a fantastic piece of software and it is highly recommended.

A few closing thoughts: I suggest that you look into joining PRX. It’s a tremendous resource. Lastly, I utilize the referenced MP2 concept and work flow for all the file transfers that I participate in [clients, IT Conversations, personal projects, etc]. Try it and let me know what you think …

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Back again with part four of the Best in Podcast Workflow Management applications …

It’s no secret that RSS Feed Management is probably the single most important issue that podcasters need to be aware of besides the audio production itself. Your RSS feed is what keeps you and your audience connected. Proper feed management is absolutely imperative, and it’s a shame that many ‘podcasters’ neglect this important issue.

Here is a bit of nostalgia: The very first episode of The.Point Podcast was recorded back in November, 2004. I spent approximately 20 minutes recording the program, and three days trying to figure out how to incorporate the audio file into Radio Userland in order to generate a valid RSS feed. I finally became so frustrated that I gave up and I decided to write the code myself.

I was able to accomplish this based on hours of research, logging snippets of code, and testing. I can remember the feeling of accomplishment that I experienced when I received the now common ‘Congratulations, Your RSS Feed is Valid‘. I also remember what a major inconvenience it was for me to manually update the feed each time I posted a new program. I should mention that I adhere to the dual feed approach: the feed that WordPress generates is for site content, and the original feed is strictly used for the podcast audio. Some people suggest that this is counterproductive. I’m comfortable using this method.

These days, managing my podcast feed could not be easier due to what I believe is one of the most important contributions to the Macintosh Podcasting Community: Feeder, by Reinvented Software.

First let me mention that in my opinion there is no other person that supports their application at the same level as Steve Harris, the developer. This application will transform the process of manual feed creation and management into something as easy as drafting a text document in Pages. You will have full access to proprietary templates, art management, file integration, embedded FTP support, validation services and archiving. If your existing feed lives on a server, you have the option of importing it directly into Feeder in order to edit, reconfigure and validate. Most importantly, your feed will be 100% iTunes Compliant.Manual RSS Feed creation and management is not for everyone. However if you share my approach, and you have never tested Feeder, I promise that you will be impressed with this cutting edge tool. It is a must for the serious podcast producer. Highly recommended. [$29.95 US]

** Let me disclose that Steve uses my Podcast Feed for some of his screenshots, and I’m grateful for this. This has nothing to do with my support and/or endorsement of Feeder. My endorsement is based solely on the quality of this application, and my feelings would be consistent without the direct reference to my personal RSS Feed. …

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My third installment in this series will focus on data management: organization, accessibility, editing and archiving.

My personal method of preparing for a broadcast is quite simple. On a daily basis, I accumulate links to articles of interest, I research subject matter that I feel would be interesting to discuss, and I log random thoughts or concepts that often surface. I must admit that until I stumbled upon JournalX, due to my less than perfect typing skills, I was manually writing things down on legal pads. Needless to say this was not the most efficient method of management. Enter JournalX …

The concept of this application is quite simple: a customizable database with three individual panes. I use the far left pane for specific Subjects. For example, vAudioFile - my media player development project. When this subject is selected, individual Entries are inserted in the top pane and they are associated with the main subject. Using the vAudioFile project as an example once again: To do … Project log … Source code … Research, etc. As you select individual entries, the main view/input pane at the bottom opens up a vast array of possibilities in reference to specific data management.

My favorite features? You can incorporate PDF files and view them page by page, embedded web browser, support for media files, text format management, and major support for database import/export and encryption. Lastly, a powerful search engine with proprietary keyword support. Simply type a keyword into the search pane drawer and your data will be referenced in the associated table view.

JournalX is offered by MacItEasy [very cool name]. The developer is very supportive, and the cost is $26 US. It’s very simple on the surface, However in my opinion this application is powerful, stable and full featured … Highly recommended.

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