A $500 "podcasting kit" lands PWOP smack dab into my Snake Oil category. I've produced almost 70 45-minute podcasts over the past year and a bit and I've spent...lemme see....maybe $200 in total. And started with the equipment I already had.
We've spent a lot of time looking for high-quality gear that is also compact and affordable. Note that you don't need a computer in order to record your voice. We've found that unless you dedicate a computer to recording, and don't mess with the settings in-between recordings, using a standalone system produces more consistent results. You don't want to finish a recording only to find out you had the "Mute Input" checkbox checked. We hear stories like this all the time.
I have exactly two settings that I need to check every time I make a show: the volume levels of my computer and the volume setting on my mic. I think most of us can keep track of that, no?
PWOPs list consists of a bunch of stuff that's nice to have, but certainly not required. It's also strangely bereft of any mixing software or audio editors. What are we supposed to do with our shiny new audio file, PWOPsters? I suspect you have an answer for that.
I've said it a bajillion times: download Audacity, get your hands on a $20 headset mic from your local Radio Shack and start talking. Save your $500 for your hosting fees.
I have to comment. The kit we recommend is for mere mortals. You and I are geeks. I could record a podcast with audacity and the sound card in my laptop. That's not the point. Many of our customers don't know the first thing about audio or gear or recording, nor do they care. They want an easy process that yields consistent results. That's why we recommend the kit.
Thanks for the PR. :-)
Posted by: Carl Franklin | August 13, 2006 9:27 PM | Permalink to Comment