Podcast Academy

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.

-ptfigg.

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. …

-ptfigg.

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.

-ptfigg.

This is my second formal endorsement of an application that I promise will impress you in terms of Podcasting and your production work-flow management. I am referring to AudioFinder, by Iced Audio.

Let me stress that I support the entire iTunes concept. However in my honest opinion iTunes is not structured to function as an advanced audio media management tool, or something that is required within a professional production environment. Personally, I need something that will offer: advanced searches and management, batch processing, various aspects of media conversion [sample rate, bit depth, file format, etc], plugin auditioning, basic cutting with subsequent export, and analysis tools. If you share similar requirements, I highly suggest that you check out AudioFinder.

Besides the features noted above that meet my personal requirements, this application offers a host of additional processing and management utilities that create a seamless experience. This translates into a high level of efficiency. I am particularly fond of the Meta Editor module. This provides a super fast method of extracting and exporting ’slices’ of a referenced clip.

Also, due to the embedded plugin support, auditioning clips, as well as processing clips through your favorite plugins is accomplished with ease. The site describes the application perfectly: ‘AudioFinder is an audio asset management system housed in a single [and let me stress beautifully designed] application’ … and it is highly recommended.A few final thoughts: The user forum is active, and the developer is accessible on the forum and on a personal basis [email]. Lastly, this is not your typical $20 piece of Mac shareware. AudioFinder sells for $69 US, and in my opinion, it’s worth every penny …

-ptfigg.

This post was inspired by the latest episode of MacBreak Weekly.

I have been thinking about building a page for the site that references my recommended Podcast Work Flow Management Tools. The MacBreak crew discussed a handful of applications that are supposedly ‘must have applications for every new Mac user’. Nothing specific in terms of podcasting, production, distribution, etc. However the issue of preferred FTP clients was discussed, and I thought I’d formally make reference to, and endorse the client that I use daily as part of my production work flow. In fact, I think it is safe to say that this application gets more use than any other application that is currently installed on my main system. And it’s Yummy.

I didn’t think it would be possible to be lured away from the sort of high-end FTP client that *most* Mac users prefer. Yummy has. Besides the absolutely gorgeous design in terms of aesthetics, this full featured client provides just about everything a power user can possible ask for.

This page link showcases most of the fantastic features available. My favorite feature is, and let me stress that this is in no way unique to this specific application: the implementation of FTP Aliases. These are essentially droplets that generate a direct connection and subsequent upload to specific locations. The concept works flawlessly. File previewing and editing with your application of choice is also part of the mix.

In terms of support, there is an associated user forum on the site. The developer participates regularly. It’s just about the best 25 bucks I have ever spent …

-ptfigg.