I have been working on material for a podcast at school in the past few weeks. It’s an opportune time to do it, with so much to discuss in education, especially with millions of students rethinking ‘school’ in the middle of a pandemic.

Ever since I re-discovered my 2009 podcasts, I’ve felt pull to get out that microphone and fire up the recording app! The tools make it so much easier. Here are some ideas to start up:

Recording:

• Audacity, open-source software is free to download. It’s also super intuitive –easy to use.
• Hindenburg:  This is professional-grade software. More complex, but serious features!

Now for mics.

• I have a trusty old mic that does look like it was from the nineties, and it is. Quality is great but not too much base.
• I am experimenting with a lavelier (clip-on) mic we were  given for our distance learning video recordings. I found an adapter on Amazon, which plugs directly into a PC.
• Zoom. I consider the ZoomH4N the best. I used to own one. It has a curious shape, but voice quality is terrific with 2 uni-directional mics

Intros/Outros

Unlike in 2009, there is plenty of podsafe –Copyright free–music available. But it is highly recommended you support the artists with a small contribution. Nothing should be free, in this economy!

• Pixabay is my new source for music.
• FreeMusicArchive – so much music
• EvatoElements – prices from $5 to $25