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Podcast Recording Information for Guests

 

For recording shows, we use Zencastr. It will handle the actual recording and allow us to talk to each other.

Zencastr records each side of our conversation separately on each of our own computers. It uploads both of our recordings to the cloud to be mixed together. This results in MUCH better audio quality than recording a phone call, a Skype call, Zoom, doing the BlogTalkRadio thing, etc. 

Because we need the recording to fully upload to the cloud, please don’t leave the Zencastr page when we are done recording until you get a notice that your file was uploaded (it usually takes only 5-10 seconds).

Hardware Requirements

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • computer with a reliable, high-speed Internet connection (see System Requirements below)
  • headphones or earbuds (necessary to avoid recording the output of your speakers)
  • microphone (preferably external, but we can use your computer’s built-in mic if absolutely necessary)

Also, note that your microphone needs to be recognized by Zencastr (visit here for help). 

System Requirements

  • Mac OS 10.10 or higher OR Windows 8.1 or higher (Mac or Windows is important here—we have found that a Linux box will not work!)
  • 20GB+ of free hard disk space (This may sound high for recording a podcast. For this application, the browser can only use a percentage of the total free disk space. Having 20GB free should ensure that there is at least 2GB available for recordings.)
  • 4GB+ of RAM
  • up-to-date version of Google Chrome or Firefox (other browsers often do not work)
  • minimum network speed of 1.5 Mbps upload/download (If possible, please use a wired internet connection instead of wifi or mobile phone connection. If the network speed drops below that minimum, we risk having connection issues. You can run a speed test at www.speedtest.net, but for the most part  )

Before We Record

A good quality podcast episode depends, in part, on good sound quality when recording. We don't have an audio engineer on staff (we're always open to the possibility of a volunteer, though!) so post-production fixes are somewhat limited. For best sound quality, please:

  1. Find a location that is as quiet as possible.
  2. Turn off air conditioners, heaters, fans, etc.
  3. Have your external mic plugged in, and have headphones or earbuds available to wear throughout the interview.
  4. Turn off your cell phone ringer and do your best to silence any notification sounds from your phone or computer.
  5. Close other apps and programs wherever possible.

Recording

  1. I will email you the link to the Zencastr session before we record.
  2. At the scheduled time, simply open that link in Chrome or Firefox. 
  3. You will be prompted to allow access to your microphone in the upper left-hand side of your screen.  Click to allow microphone access and then I will be able to start recording. (If you are using Firefox, please select the ‘Always Allow’ option.  This will then make it possible for you to make audio input/output selections from inside Zencastr.)
  4. This is worth repeating again: Because we need the recording to fully upload to the cloud, please don’t leave the Zencastr page when we are done recording until you get a notice that your file was uploaded (it usually takes only 5-10 seconds).

Zencastr provides this handy, less than two minute tutorial video for guests that you may find helpful.