Aspodcastingcontinues to gain popularity, it is becoming more clear that there is a real need to have simple resources available which help podcasters know how to create a podcast using easy, user-friendly methods.
A simpleGooglesearch will show that there are countless ways to record podcasts & it can become confusing figuring out which way is best. And while there are many ways torecord a podcast, choosing the correct option will come down to the type of recording you are trying to do, the budget you have, the tools you have at your fingertips & what type of computer you are using.The advice we would giveonrecording a podcastwill be different depending on your personal situation, but thisresourceis aimed at helping people who are considering looking at GarageBand as the solution for recording their podcast.
The GoodâŠand The Bad of GarageBand
From the conversations weâve had withmany of our clients, we have seen that many people withMacproducts will choose to utilizeGarageBandto record their podcasts. Since GarageBand is a free program native on all Apple computers it is a very popular option for podcasters looking for a reliable way to record podcasts with minimal investment, simplicity & ease of use.
Like most of Appleâs hardware & software brainchildren, GarageBand is a well-designed application & is very user-friendly. But even the most simplistic tools can be used improperly if there is not a little bit of coaching given. Since GarageBand was primarily designed as a resource for creating & recording music there are a lot of built-in features that are not intended for recording a podcast, so this video is designed to help podcasters know how to create a podcast using GarageBand most effectively. Because there is so much confusion, we want to offer something comprehensive that will walk you through the step-by-step process of how to recording in GarageBand while not compromising quality or creating a distracting effect on the final track.
It will walk you through how to start a new session, record your podcast, do simplepodcast editing& export your files. It is intended to help podcasters like you know the best way to optimize GarageBand for podcasting & avoid some of the most common mistakes & hiccups we help our clients navigate on a regular basis. It is not uncommon for our team to encounter a lot of issues. Below is an overview of the topics covered in this helpful tutorial with corresponding timestamps for ease of use to help you better review the specific steps on how to create a podcast using GarageBand:
How to Set Up Your Microphone on GarageBand
Setting up your mic to record a podcast in Garageband is a simple process, but itâs crucial that you follow the right steps to ensure you donât put distracting effects on your vocals that will lower the audio quality and distract your listeners.
1. Create a new âEmpty Projectâ
*Donât fall for the temptation to choose âVoice.â This will add unwanted fx to your voice that will mess up your audio quality. Instead, just create from an Empty Project.
2. Select Input and Output Devices
Choose your microphone input and output device. We recommend using the headphones output on theAT2005 USB micto monitor yourself recording with low latency.
3.Choose a Track Type
Pick âAudioâ using a line input (this should be selected by default) and choose Input.After you press âCreateâ your new track will be added into your Garageband session.
How to Save and Archive a Session
Itâs critical that you save your podcast in a clearly marked folder, and consistently save your podcast throughout the recording and editing process so that you donât lose precious files. Hereâs how to properly save and archive your Garageband sessions.
1.Navigate to File > Save As
2. Create a New Folder for Your Podcast
Once you open âSave Asâ in GarageBand, you will see that the filed are stored within a default folder of your computer. We recommend that you create a subfolder for each podcast you work on, with subfolders for seasons and then individual sessions within those seasons.
Pro Tip: You can save a copy of your GarageBand session, label it âPodcast Template,â and then create a duplicate of that session every new episode to avoid the tedious work of deleting old content, naming all of your hosts tracks, and saving the session in the proper folder.
How to Set Up Your Microphone on GarageBand
One of the most common mistakes we see people make when podcasting on GarageBand is leaving the vocal effects on a channel (such as reverb and echo). These can create major headaches in mixing later on, and are often very difficult to remove. So we recommend setting yourself up for success by recording with the effects off for a clean, dry signal of your audio.
1. Navigate to the âMasterâ section and turn off all plugins
2. Turn off the Master âEchoâ Effect
3. Double-check your channel to ensure all FX are turned off
4. Create new tracks (eg intro VO, outro VO, interview, etc) and repeat the process
How to Record Tracks
1.Turn on monitoring for your track
2.Set your recording level
The recording level is not set in the main settings for your track. Instead, it is buried in the settings below for each individual track, next to the compressor/echo/eq effects that we turned off in an earlier step above. When you set the recording level you are affecting the actual volume of the microphone input. When you adjust the volume bar within the track title section you are adjusting the recordingâs playback volume within the session.
3.Hit Record
Select the track you want to record (eg Intro VO or Outro VO) and once that specific track is highlighted, GarageBand will know to write the recording to that specific track.
How to Edit Tracks
1. Click and Drag Clips to Organize Your Session
2.Open the Track-Specific Edit Window for a Closer View
3.Hit CMD+T to âSplit at Playheadâ and Delete Unwanted Content
How to Add Music
1.Open Finder and click-and-drag music files onto the GarageBand timeline
2.Turn down the track volume to let your voiceover stand out
3.Trim the length of your music
The next step after trimming your music will be to automate a fade out to the volume of your music to make a smooth transition between your podcast intro and the main content of your episode.
How to Automate The Volume of a Track
1.Hit CMD+A to Open the volume automation layer of each track
2.Click within the track to make the automation line visible, and add a fade out on your intro music
How to Export A Mix of All Tracks
1.Go to Share > Export Song to Disk
2.Create a new âExportsâ folder for your episodes
3.Choose proper export settings
Export a WAV file at the highest quality (bit rate) that your mic supports. Once you click export, a mixdown of your rough mix will be exported to your new custom folder in the Garageband session folder.
How to Consolidate and Export Individual Files
1.Record 1-2 seconds of empty space at the beginning of each track
2.Click Edit > Join Regions
This will merge together the new blank recording at the beginning of the timeline with the audio later in the timeline. Remember, the goal is to match the starting postion of each individual audio file for exporting so that your podcast editor can easily align the beginning of the track.
3.Repeat the steps to merge all the audio clips on each track
The screenshot below shows you how your merged tracks will look in a session when you are done. This is a much cleaner setup for exporting for your editor, or just for streamlining your GarageBand session in general.
4. Rename your audio files (optional)
5. Quit Garageband program > Open a Finder window > Locate your Garageband project > Right click to âShow Package Contentsâ > Media > Audio Files > Look for all files labeled âmergedâ
6.Import your merged files into your mixing session
When you import these newly merged files into your DAW of choice for final editing and mixing, all of your individual tracks should align at the same starting point.
GarageBand Keyboard Shortcuts
If you want to speed up the recording, organizing, and editing process for podcast production then the best thing you can do is to study your software. Garageband is a simple tool, but that doesnât mean itâs weak. Itâs a powerful tool if you take the time to learn the shortcuts, and learn how to use it. Sometimes itâs not the tool thatâs inhibiting you but your knowledge or experience. Donât be afraid to make mistakes and just try to press all the buttons until you learn everything.
One great way to learn this program is to turn on the Quick Help Tooltips that give you an explanation of each button/section of Garageband when you hover your mouse over them (hint: thatâs why itâs the first shortcut in our list). Try using all these top shortcuts in Garageband for yourself, and learn more about the program onGarageband Support.
- Shift+?â Quick Help Tooltips
- Aâ Open volume automation
- Râ Record
- Eâ Open Editors Window
- Bâ Open Smart Controls
- CMD+Tâ Split track at playhead
- CMD+ Jâ Join Regions (aka merge audio clips)
- Opt+CMD+Nâ Create a new track
- CMD+Câ Copy
- CMD+Vâ Paste
- CMD+Xâ Cut
Letâs Connect
We hopethis tutorialhas been helpful in giving you the overview you need to be able to effectively use GarageBand for podcasting. We realize we could not cover all of your questions during this short video but our team is always available to help you troubleshoot any other issues you may face. For any additional questions not covered by this tutorial or to learn more about our support processes please email the Resonate Recordings team at hello@resonaterecordings.com or chat with our team on this page. You can alsoschedule a callto learn more about our services today!
FAQs
Is GarageBand good for podcasting? âș
It comes with loads of features that can make the lives of musicians and podcasters much simpler, thanks to an intuitive interface and powerful tools you can use to edit and customize your recordings. Developed in 2004, GarageBand is one of the best free DAWs you can use to make music and record podcasts.
How do you mix a podcast in GarageBand? âș- Open GarageBand.
- Select Your Audio Input.
- Set Up Your Workspace.
- Create Different Audio Tracks.
- Adjust Your Audio Levels.
- Use the Solo Feature.
- Split Your Tracks.
- Add Music and Balance the Volume.
When dealing with multiple audio tracks, audacity serves more purpose than Garageband. Garageband still remains a step ahead when you want software that provides professional-sounding podcasts. Some tools to make your audio tracks sound more professional include the reverb effect, ambiance, delay, and panning.
Do famous artists use GarageBand? âșAccording to an article from Hypebot, there have been many artists who used Garageband to make popular music, including the aforementioned Rihanna, Usher, Grimes, Steve Lacy, Juliana Barwick, George Pringle, and Justice.
How much RAM do I need for podcasting? âșPodcasters should look for at least 8GB of RAM.
If you're a full-time podcaster, you might want to consider at least 16 GB.
- Use the right equipment. You can record a podcast with your laptop's microphone, but we don't recommend it. ...
- Don't forget to warm up. ...
- Record in a small, quiet room. ...
- Create a brief noise profile. ...
- Adopt proper microphone techniques. ...
- Watch your volume levels. ...
- Watch your breath. ...
- Keep your body still.
A combination of loops and beats as background music to your podcast will be fine.
How Many Mics do you need for a podcast? âșTo begin with, for a four-person podcast setup, you'll need four separate microphones and a set of headphones for each speaker. Headphones are essential, especially during drop-ins, because every participant needs to hear the same thing while recording. Make sure you have an audio interface with four XLR inputs.
What is the best way to structure a podcast? âș- Identify Your Goal.
- Decide on a Format.
- Identify Your Primary Themes.
- Write Your Intro.
- Outline the Main Content.
- Write Your Outro.
- Cakewalk is a fully professional yet free DAW.
- Bandlab offers interesting opportunities for mobile projects.
- Audacity is perhaps the most common platform for podcasters.
- Waveform is a great, easy-to-use starter DAW.
- StudioOne includes professional plugins in their free version.
What is the best platform to use in podcast? âș
- Comparing Some of the Best Podcast Platforms.
- #1) Buzzsprout.
- #2) PodBean.
- #3) Libsyn.
- #4) SoundCloud.
- #5) Anchor.
- #6) Audioboom.
- #7) RSS.com.
Yes. Professional musicians have been using GarageBand since Apple released it in 2004. Furthermore, because GarageBand comes preinstalled on Macs and iOS devices, it is one of the most accessible music-making tools.
Is there something better than GarageBand? âșCakewalk by Bandlab is currently the best GarageBand alternative available. This is a fully functional DAW that allows you to do even more than GarageBand and it's free.
Is there a better app than GarageBand? âșWe have compiled a list of solutions that reviewers voted as the best overall alternatives and competitors to GarageBand, including Audacity, Adobe Audition, Ableton Live, and FL Studio.
How many cameras should a podcast have? âșIdeally, you will need two cameras if you are recording a host and guest. DSLR cameras are ideal if you have some budget. Canon, Sony or Nikon are some of the best brands. The quality will vary on your budget.
How many GB does a 1 hour podcast use? âșHour-long podcasts average 60MB on average. If you're a big audio streamer, we recommend a plan with at least 2GB to satisfy average smartphone use in addition to your content needs.
How much data does a 1 hour podcast take? âșAudio streaming
Normal quality (160kbps) uses 72MB and high-quality (320kbps) consumes 115.2MB per hour. Most services auto-adjust according to the quality of your network connection, so the actual usage will fluctuate slightly.
High Quality of Sound
If you use WAV files for your podcast, listeners will hear layers and outro variations in multitrack recording that you just don't get with compressed MP3 files. WAV files do not lose anything when it comes to frequencies on the sound spectrum, unlike the lossy compression of MP3s.
There is a rule of thumb that posting your podcasts in the mornings (usually around 5AM) can positively impact the number of listeners it reaches. There are several reasons for that. Morning posts increase the likelihood that your podcast will be put at the top of your listeners' feeds during the day.
What is the best mic for recording podcast? âș- Shure MV7. The best USB option for those taking podcasting seriously. ...
- Blue Microphones Yeti USB. The best and easiest podcast mic option for any user. ...
- Rode Procaster. Specialist vocal mic that's built for work. ...
- Audio-Technica AT2035PK. ...
- Rode NT-USB. ...
- Sontronics Podcast Pro. ...
- Shure SM7B. ...
- IK Multimedia iRig Mic HD 2.
Is GarageBand good enough for professional recording? âș
GarageBand is able to record studio-quality signals, so if a professional sound is what you're after and you've made some investments in your studio set up and bought good equipment, the results will indeed be studio quality. You can add effects and get a great mix within GarageBand.
What is the best quality to export from GarageBand? âș1. What is your GarageBand version? For best quality try to share the song uncompressed (AIFF).
What is the best volume to record? âșYou should record vocals at an average of -18dB for 24-bit resolution. The loudest parts of the recording should peak at -10dB and be lowest at -24dB. This is to keep an even balance on the level of the vocals without distortion.
Is using GarageBand loops legally? âșThe GarageBand software license agreement says: "GarageBand Software. You may use the Apple and third party audio loop content (Audio Content), contained in or otherwise included with the Apple Software, on a royalty-free basis, to create your own original music compositions or audio projects.
Can I use a clip of a song in my podcast? âșYes! It's legal to play copyrighted music on a podcast so long as you've cleared the rights or are following Fair use.
Can you get copyrighted for using GarageBand loops? âșIt says directly in GarageBand's Software Agreement that âyou may use the Apple and third party audio loop content (Audio content)â on a royalty-free basis, which means you won't be charged a royalty fee and you won't be sued for copyright infringement.
How long should podcasts be? âșThe length of your podcast also depends on your subject, industry or genre. It could be that around 15-20 minutes perfect for your listeners. But maybe your specific audience wants more in-depth, exploratory information; in which case, 45-90 minutes would provide more value.
Where should I position my microphone for podcasting? âșGood microphone position is roughly 6-8 inches from the mouth. I teach my podcasting students to hang loose when in front of the mic. That is, extend the thumb and forefinger into the sign for âhand looseâ or âcall me.â Then place the thumb to your chin and the tip of your pinky to the microphone.
How loud should voice be on podcast? âșGenerally, a peak level of -1.0 dB is good for podcasts, as this level will ensure your audio sounds good when it's converted to a lossy format like MP3 or AAC.
What are the keys to a successful podcast? âș- Choose your topic wisely. Your podcast's topic and genre are important! ...
- Make quality a priority. High-quality podcasts are always better equipped for success! ...
- Learn from the professionals. ...
- Try live streaming. ...
- Invest in equipment. ...
- Don't skip editing. ...
- Stay consistent.
What podcast format is most popular? âș
1. Interview. Probably the most popular podcast format, the interview is pretty much exactly what it sounds like - an interview. Usually there is one host that's interviewing one guest but there can also be multiple hosts or multiple guests on the episode.
Do you need 2 microphones for a podcast? âșWith a 2 or more person podcast, you'll each need an XLR microphone â and studio headphones are highly recommended. Because you can't easily record more than 1 USB microphone into one computer, you'll need a USB audio interface or mixer with at least as many XLR microphone inputs as you have hosts.
Do I need a mixer for GarageBand? âșGarageBand has no mixer window, but you can still automate your tracks. You can now click on that line to add adjustment points. Drag those points up or down to change the parameters of the item selected in the track's pop-up menu (again, which is volume by default).
What makes a good podcast speaker? âșUnderstand Your Audience
In order to be a great podcast host, you have to be one with the audience, and understand what's running through their mind the entire duration of the show. Throughout the episodes, keep reminding yourself of what they would be feeling or what they would be thinking.
#1 The Joe Rogan Experience
In 2009, Joe Rogan launched The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, which became one of the most popular podcasts in the world.
Podcast industry statistics show that an episode with 9,000 downloads across multiple streaming platforms earns a place in the top 5% of podcasts. To make it into the top 10% of podcasts, an episode should gain approximately 3,400 downloads.
What type of podcasts are trending? âșIn October 2020, it was found that the most popular podcast genre in the United States was comedy, with 22 percent of respondents to a survey stating that they were very interested in podcasts designed to make them laugh. News podcasts and those based on true crime were also popular choices, as well as sport and health ...
How do I edit a podcast in GarageBand? âș- Open GarageBand.
- Select your audio input.
- Set up your workspace.
- Create different audio tracks.
- Adjust your audio levels.
- Use the Solo feature.
- Split your tracks.
- Add music and balance the volume.
Podcast feeds contain artwork that is a minimum size of 1400 x 1400 pixels and a maximum size of 3000 x 3000 pixels, 72 dpi, in JPEG or PNG format with appropriate file extensions (. jpg, . png), and in the RGB colorspace. To optimize images for mobile devices, Apple recommends compressing your image files.
What software do I need to start a podcast? âș- Restream. With our most recent updates, Restream has become a full-fledged audio recording software. ...
- Adobe Audition. ...
- GarageBand. ...
- Logic Pro. ...
- Auphonic. ...
- Audacity. ...
- QuickTime. ...
- Hindenburg Journalist.
Where is the best place to start a podcast? âș
- Buzzsprout. Buzzsprout. Buzzsprout is one of the most popular options for hosting a podcast. ...
- Podbean. Another popular free podcasting platform for hosting is Podbean. ...
- Spreaker. Spreaker. ...
- Anchor. Anchor.
Here are some of the highest-earning podcasts, according to a study from Forbes and The Richest: The Joe Rogan Experience has over 190 million downloads per month, earning $30 million a year. Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark have approximately 35 million monthly downloads, earning $15 million per year.
What is the best device to record a podcast? âșThe Samson Q2U is our most recommended mic and suits 90% of new podcasters perfectly. It functions as both a USB and XLR mic, so, if you decide to upgrade to a recorder or interface further down the line, it'll work with them too. It's also excellent value, and well within most folks' budgets.
What is the best app to record a podcast on? âș- BounceCast [Podcast recorder and editor with AI] ...
- Podbean [Podcast hosting service with a recorder] ...
- Spreaker [Podcast recording, editing, and distribution platform] ...
- Hindenburg Journalist Pro [DAW for podcasters] ...
- Reaper [Advanced and affordable recorder and editor]
- Spreaker. Spreaker is a great option for those who want to combine their need for a podcast hosting platform with a mobile audio recording app in one convenient subscription. ...
- Alitu. ...
- SquadCast. ...
- Zencastr. ...
- RiversideFM. ...
- Iris. ...
- Cleanfeed. ...
- Ringr.
Static image recording
This is the easiest method of recording a video podcast. All you do is convert your podcast audio file to a video file and add a static background image to âplayâ as the user listens. This American Life uses a simple title card for all of their video podcasts.
- Choose Your Topic. ...
- Identify Your Target Audience. ...
- Choose Your Format (Solo, Guest, or Co-Host) ...
- Get Your Gear. ...
- Choose Your Software. ...
- Optimise Your Audio Quality. ...
- Choose Your Podcast Hosting Service. ...
- Record & Edit Your First Podcast Episode.
Yes! It's legal to play copyrighted music on a podcast so long as you've cleared the rights or are following Fair use.