Podcast Academy – The #1 Source for Podcast Education

In my opinion a solid understanding of analog and digital audio, recording, production, mixing and mastering is a necessity in order to optimize the quality of your podcast production work-flow. I’d like to recommend a fantastic resource to those of you who are interested in striving for and maintaining high quality results.

‘Mastering Audio: The Art and the Science‘ by Bob Katz is considered by many to be the bible of audio mastering. Bob himself is an established Grammy Award winning mastering engineer who is responsible for countless hit records. Katz also created the K-Sytem monitor calibration and metering specification. The underlying concept of the K-System is intended to suggest and maintain consistent level and monitoring management for music production, film sound production, and broadcasting.

The first thing that struck me about this book was how easy it was to read considering the complexity of the subject matter. It is for this reason that I find it suitable for all levels of media producers. Are you curious about the technical aspects of dynamic range management, compression, equalization, monitoring, or level management? If so this book is for you. ‘Mastering Audio: The Art and the Science’ will assist you in building a foundation that in the end will help you to achieve optimum results. [$39.99 US]

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Do you believe in magic? The Levelator™ audio processor designed and distributed by GigaVox Media has created quite a stir among podcasters as well as audio and broadcast professionals.

I recommend that you tune in to our latest episode of Behind the Mic, hosted by Doug Kaye. Doug’s guest is GigaVox Audio Engineer Bruce Sharpe, the developer of the Levelator™. This is an in depth talk about the concept of the Levelator™, the process of developement, and suggested work-flows. Don’t miss it …

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It is rare that a professional level software tool designed to handle advanced media conversion is made available for free. MPEG Streamclip by Squared 5 is an exception. This production tool is packed with a vast array of useful features, and the most recent update includes enhanced support for the current trends in video editing and encoding.

Before I mention supported formats, it is important to stress that MPEG Streamclip is much more than a standard conversion tool. For example, incorporated videos can be edited with user defined in and out points. Time-code break correction is supported, and the conversion/encoding engine is extensive in terms of customization options.

The software supports playback and editing of just about every common video format, including Quicktime, DV, AVI and MPEG-4. Also, VOB files [video objects], and transport streams with PCM, MPEG and AC-3 audio. Installing additional Quicktime Components [Perian, DivX and QT MPEG-2 for example] will expand compatibility. Subsequently, all formats can be exported as DV, AVI[DivX] or MPEG-4. A vast array of parameters are supplied for unique conversion work-flows.

Additional features include Batch Processing, DeMuxing, Muxed MPEG-2 conversions, and poster-frame/still frame export. The player/previewer can be customized as well.

As previously noted, this incredible piece of software is avaialble for free for both Windows and Mac, and it is highly recommended.

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Tapco has announced what looks to be an attractive, affordable firewire audio interface. The Link.FireWire 4×6 supports 24-bit/96kHz digital audio, along with driver support for both Mac and PC.

The interface has four inputs and six ouputs, including S/PDIF I/O, two mic/line inputs, balanced monitor outputs, and headphone outs. 48v Phantom Power is provided as well.

The Link.FireWire will be avaialable in Q2 2007 for a MSRP of $249 US.

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I’m anxiously awaiting news this week [NAMM] about the long awaited update to DSP Quattro, the 2-channel editing/mastering application for Mac OSX. In fact, it has been over a year since the last update. According to Stefano and his staff out of Rome Italy, they have been busy moving the application over from CodeWarrior to Xcode in order to finally build a Universal Binary.

If you are not familiar with DSP Quattro, I suggest that to head over to the site and have a look. This application supports 2-channel editing, batch processing, advanced CD burning/project management, VST/AU plugins, and live recording.

Currently priced at $150 US, DSP Quattro is a solid consideration if you are looking for an affordable tool that offers professional features and results.

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Grape Radio is one of the premiere independent podcasts currently available. Live production takes place in a high end, custom built/dedicated podcasting facility that incorporates excellent broadcast quality gear. The facility is capable of supporting as many as four personalities at any given time. I’m very familiar with the studio and the entire production work-flow. In fact, the audio post production is performed right here in NYC on my workstation on a weekly basis.

The studio utilizes four Ev RE-20 mics, and two dbx 1066 dual channel dynamics processors [compressor/limiter/gates]. Four channel processing is available and intended to provide flexibility in terms of independent ‘on-air’ mic processing.

Mackie continues to impress me, and they have released a new digital dynamics processor that I believe warrants serious consideration for producers that share similar requirements. I’m referring to the QUADCOMP/GATE – four channel, 24-Bit digital dynamics processor. This single piece of gear offers processing algorithms custom designed by Acuma Labs.

I’m particularly fond of the design aspects of the processor. For example: there is only one single set of controls located on the front of the processor that is used to customize each individual channel. You simply select a specific channel by way of a switch and make your adjustments. It’s important to note that individual gain reduction and output metering references are available at all times for each channel. Processing includes compression, limiting, gating and expansion.

The best feature of all? Snapshots. You have the capability to store and recall saved settings. This is as intuitive as it gets in my opinion. The design and function concept simplifies what would otherwise be a potential nightmare to manage efficiently.

After researching the processor, I assumed two things: cool and expensive. I was wrong. Definitely cool, however not nearly as expensive as I anticipated. The Mackie QUADCOMP/GATE retails for $799 US. Impressive …

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In most cases I recommend the Mackie Onyx 1220 mixer to those interested in a high quality, small footprint device that offers excellent quality preamps and firewire I/O compatibility. This of course is based on budget considerations as well. In my opinion, Mackie quality is unsurpassed.

If you are in the market for a high quality, low-noise mixer option that costs less than the Onyx 1220, and firewire I/O is not a requirement, let’s not forget the Mackie VLZ Pro line. In fact, the classic 1202 VLZ Pro has been revised recently. The new model – 1202 VLZ3 has improved XDR2 preamps, improved equalization circuitry, and improved headroom.

Besides these enhancements, the build quality of this piece provides extreme durability. There is nothing else like it. It is for this reason the 1202 VLZ is one of the most popular and widely used pieces of affordable, high quality audio gear available.

The mixer retails for $299 US. This is an excellent choice for a high end podcast/new media production studio.

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I just received an advertisement email from a popular online gear supplier. Specifically, they advertise an Ev RE-20 mic package for $498. This package includes the proprietary Ev shock-mount and a custom designed pop filter. The selling price is a fair deal in my opinion. I own this mic as well as the mount, and needless to say the RE-20 is a classic.

The purpose of this post is to reiterate what I have been stating for the last two years: In my opinion the Shure SM7B is *the* best deal available if you are looking for a professional broadcast microphone. The reasons are as follows: besides the fact that the mic sounds great – it is extremely forgiving, it provides customization options [high-pass and mid-frequency cut/boost], there is an incorporated shock mount, and foam style pop filters [2] designed for specific applications are included.

I will also stress that the microphone does a stellar job in filtering electro-magnetic interference that may be apparent within the vicinity of the mic. The only minor issue that you need to be aware of is this: the mic needs a good amount of gain in order to be properly driven. This can be problematic if you are using a low quality and/or noisy preamp.

The bottom line is that the Shure SM7B is currently available for less than $350. It is used by professional facilities, and I repeat – it is the best deal out there for serious new media/podcast air personalities.

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