Podcasting: Recording an MP3
The first step in creating a podcast is recording the audio content that you would like to broadcast. We use GarageBand or QuickTime 7 Pro for recording and use iTunes as our Player and podcast subscriber. If iTunes is not already on your computer, it is available for downloading from Apple’s Web site free to both Apple and IBM-compatible computer users. For Mac users, GarageBand is the least expensive option (comes free with new computers and OSX upgrades) and the simplest way to record your audio file, although QuickTime 7 Pro can be used as well and is relatively inexpensive. GarageBand does not run on IBM compatible computers at the moment, and users will need to download QuickTime 7 Pro to record audio or another audio recording software for IBM-compatible computers, such as those offered by Steinburg. A built-in microphone or small external microphone will work in a pinch to record a quick lecture. Just plug an external microphone into the microphone input on your computer. If you would like to acquire high-quality professional audio, you need to purchase extra hardware. We suggest a Shure SM58 microphone ($100) and a small single-channel microphone input with a FireWire (Apple Computer) audio interface ($100–$300). This module will supply power to the microphone and send the microphone signal to the computer.
After you have the microphone connected to the computer, open GarageBand and create a new file. GarageBand will open with an instrument track already created and displayed in your mixing board. Select and delete this track: Delete Track is located under the Track menu. Next, add a new track. Both Add and Delete Track functions are located under the Track menu. After choosing New Track, another menu will appear on the monitor. Select Real Instrument and then choose Basic Track or Vocals as your instrument. Choosing vocals will allow you to apply many different effects processors to your voice. Apply these at your discretion, although we do not recommend it under normal circumstances. After the vocals have been recorded, the user has the ability to apply effects, processing, and equalization. Last, choose Mono as your input technique. There is no need for stereo when recording a single vocal track. Now, create your new track.
This track will appear in your mixing board, and a red button should be highlighted; if not, click the round button on the track. When the button is activated it means you are “record enabled.” If the microphone is on and the input device is ready, you should see a microphone signal on the track Peak Level Meter display on the mixer. Edit your levels so they peak in the yellow area, just under the red area. Press the red Record button on the Record and Play buttons on the mixer to begin recording. If you have any problems getting a microphone signal, ensure that GarageBand is recognizing the microphone input or the FireWire audio interface. Read the manual for the specific microphone, input device, and GarageBand information.
After you are finished recording, simply export the recorded file to iTunes. The Export function is located in the menu under File. GarageBand exports files as AIFF (audio interchange file format) audio files. iTunes will automatically open, and your file will be selected. Next, convert your AIFF file to an MP3 file with your desired settings. We recommend 128 kB/sec. These settings are located in the iTunes Preferences under Importing. Most of the techniques and functions used on an Apple computer and in GarageBand are similar to those used by other similar software packages for both Mac and IBM-compatible computers. Users will need to quickly read their instructions for information about recording audio files through their specific software package.