Publishing a Podcast

Podcasting 101
Publishing A Podcast: Step by Step

You’ve probably been hearing that a lot of churches are publishing their sermons on the internet as podcasts, and maybe you are feeling a little weak in the knees because you’d like to publish a podcast of your own but are not sure where to start. Or, maybe you’re ready to publish, but the whole realm of “mp3”, “rss”, “xml”, and iTunes “tags” has you stymied. Well, fret no more because we’ve put together the following outline to help you get up and get going. If you are just looking to learn more about what a podcast is, take a look at our Podcasting Basics Article.

Step 1: Prepare your audio recording:
You need to start with an audio file in MP3 format. The MP3 format has become a nearly universal format for storing and sharing recorded audio. This audio has been compressed in a manner that makes transmission through the internet very efficient. There are a variety of ways to create an MP3 file, certainly too many to go into here, but we can offer some basic suggestions.

Basic Suggestions:
Method 1: Record your original audio from your sound system using an audio CDR recorder such as the Tascam CD-RW900SL, or Marantz CDR632. Once you have a finalized CDR, you will convert this to an MP3 file on your computer in a process known as “ripping”. You will need a software program to do this, one which can “rip,” or extract, the audio from your CDR and create your finished MP3 file. You will need a program which can extract your audio, preferably to a mono format, and allow you to compress and normalize the recording to obtain the maximum playback loudness. This step is essential with original recordings done using an audio CDR recorder, as often the recording level may be as much as 10dB lower in level than is desirable for optimum playback. There are several great programs you can use to normalize your recording, including Sony’s Sound Forge Audio Studio 8.0. If you want to save a little money, and you are willing to go to a little effort, there are some excellent shareware programs such as CDEX for “ripping” CD audio, and Audacity for editing and saving your project in MP3 format.

Method 2: Record your original audio with a solid state MP3 recorder such as the M-Audio Microtrack II, the Marantz PMD660, theEdirol R-09. or Tascam DR-1 and ZOOM H2 . The sound quality, affordable price, and ease of use make these portable wave/mp3 recorders an excellent choice. Since your podcast is most likely to be spoken word audio you can record in mono, at a minimum bit rate of 64kbps (96kbps is preferred if you have sufficient memory for the time you need to record). Since you will be creating a file in MP3 format directly with one of these devices, you don’t necessarily need any additional software. However, it is still recommended that you edit your MP3 file using Steinberg Wavelab Studio 6 or Sound Forge Audio Studio 9 or Audacity, etc. to compress and normalize your recording as in Method 1, in order to achieve the greatest playback impact. You can also add an intro, and perhaps a quick recorded synopsis of the recording (great for iTunes previewing), and trim any audio gaps to make a professional sounding finished product.

Method 3: Record your original audio directly to your computer’s hard disk. There are a number of ways to do this, from very low cost and simple to very high cost and ultra complex. A great way to do this is with a Presonus Inspire, or a M-Audio Fastrack Pro USB which interfaces your audio source (a microphone or sound system) to your computer. Both of these solutions are bundled with the recording software which you will use to do your original recording, editing, and final save of your MP3 file. Steinberg Wavelab Studio 6 is a complete recording, editing, mastering and podcasting software solution that we recomend as an upgrade to the software that comes with most interfaces. Wavelag Studio is a very powerful two track recording editing tool. It is great for converting most file types and streamlines the process of preparing your feed for uploading. Having one software package to use from start to finish will streamline the process help keep your material organized. You will need one of the many hardware solutions we carry to record the audio/mic onto computer.One other very simple and low cost solution is the Samson C01U USB microphone which allows you to record directly into your computer without any other gear. You will need either Sound Forge Audio Studio 9, or Audacity to do your recording, but that’s it.

Step 2: Prepare your podcast “feed”:
This is the step where you will prepare a special little file known as an rss file. RSS stands for Rich Site Summary, or Really Simple Syndication, depending upon whose explanation you read. In either case, the file you create is a special type of file which you will publish to the internet which directs your subscribers (listeners) to the location of your content on the web. The rss file has information to describe you as a podcast publisher, and information regarding each of your messages or sermons – your podcasts. If you are technically inclined, you can easily create your rss feed using a text editor, but most of you will want to employ a program to create it for you. We have found that the program FeedForAll is the most comprehensive in terms of simple user interface, completeness of functionality (it includes full support for free listing in the iTunes music store podcast category), and allows you to easily setup, add to, and maintain your feed.

Step 3: Create a web page which will function as the “home” page for your podcast.
This web page can be as simple or as complex as you wish. It can be a single page which contains appropriate information to identify you, your organization and other information you think subscribers would be interested to know. It does not have to contain links to your podcasts (MP3 files) as all of that is contained in the rss feed. However, you will probably want to create a more complete web presentation with links to your podcasts, and the ability to simply “click and play” or download. You can also create links to other content which may be available for a fee. However, if you prefer, you have the option to keep things simple. That is the beauty of rss feeds and podcasting. One thing you will definitely need to list on the page is the link to your rss feed. This will be the name of your rss file on your server. Visit our Sound Theology podcast page at /soundtheology to view an example of the rss feed link. This link is very important as it is how your listeners will subscribe to your podcast in their podcast receiver (iTunes or Juice, etc.).

Step 4: Upload your MP3 file and rss feed to your web hosting account:
Your MP3 files will need to be uploaded and stored on a web server. This may be a server you own and maintain, or one you subscribe to for a monthly fee. This will generally (but not always) be the same server that is used for your website. Try to keep your MP3 files to a reasonable size, about 10 – 20 MB.

Step 5: List your podcast in public directories (iTunes, Yahoo Podcasts):
Listing your podcast in Yahoo Podcasts is very simple. Just navigate to http://podcasts.yahoo.com, click on the "Submit your audio content with Media RSS" link, and then fill in the "Enter your URL of your RSS feed" field. iTunes is a little more involved. You will need to download and install the latest version of the iTunes software on your computer. Navigate to http://www.apple.com/itunes and download the latest version. Once you have iTunes installed and running on your computer, go to the Music Store and click on the “podcast” link in the “Inside the Music Store” section. When you see the Podcast home page, click the “Submit a Podcast” link in the middle of the page. Enter the URL for your rss feed and click “continue.” Please note: it is very important to use a comprehensive software program such as FeedForAll to create your feed in order for your podcast to appear the most effectively in iTunes.

Step 6: Check the quality of your feed:
Go online and make sure your feed works correctly and looks the way you want it to. Be sure all the links to your podcasts work and are described correctly.

If you would like more information on Podcasting Solutions please call and speak to one of our sales representatives at 1-800-426-8664.