A newbie's information to podcasting: What apps and software program do I would like?

So, you’ve got determined to get into podcasting however aren’t fairly positive the place to start out.

You may want a microphone and a pair of headphones, however what else? Clearly, there’s software program you want, however what?

That is the place this listing will come in useful. As a long-time podcaster, I’ve used dozens of apps over time. Realizing how tough it may be simply get began, I’ve tried to largely embody free-to-use software program.

Here is what each podcast newbie must kickstart their present:

Audacity

So, you are beginning your podcast. First issues first: you want an app to file your audio.

Enter Audacity(opens in a brand new tab), a free, open-source audio recording and enhancing software program.

Audacity is well one of many trade normal podcast creation instruments. Sure, although it is free, {many professional} podcasters use it. Whereas there are extra superior issues you are able to do with the app in the event you’re an skilled audio producer, it is also very simple and simple for the fundamentals. Merely join your microphone – in the event you’re starting it is probably going to be a USB mic – and choose the mannequin from the drop-down menu. Begin a brand new monitor and click on file. Podcasters may drag and drop audio recordsdata proper into the app and do the entire podcast creation proper there.

Whereas costly software program like ProTools and Logic are nice for recording and enhancing, Audacity has all of the instruments wanted to file a podcast, and better of all it’s free.

Skype or Zoom

If you happen to’re seeking to file a present with a visitor, you possibly can’t go mistaken with utilizing a service like Skype(opens in a brand new tab) or Zoom(opens in a brand new tab). Whereas Zoom does have a time restrict free of charge chats, Skype is free no matter name size so long as you are calling one other Skype consumer and never a landline or cell quantity.

Make your name, hit file, have your dialog, after which drag the file proper into Audacity for enhancing.

Ecamm Skype Recorder

Nevertheless, if you would like to up your audio high quality with an easy-to-use, one-time buy ($39.95 Mac app, I extremely suggest shopping for Ecamm Skype Recorder(opens in a brand new tab).

What does it do? It will file as much as 4 customers on a name, however with every on a separate audio monitor. This makes audio enhancing and different post-production work, like fixing sound ranges and background noise for one specific visitor, a breeze.

Anchor

As soon as your podcast present is edited and exported, you are going to have to add it so folks can discover it.

There are fairly a variety of podcast internet hosting providers on-line: Libsyn, Buzzsprout, Simplecast, Podbean…the listing goes on. These are all month-to-month subscription providers.

You want one among these platforms not simply to host your new episodes, but in addition to proceed internet hosting your archive of podcast episodes. These podcast providers principally guarantee your entire library of your present — new and outdated — can be found on-line. Every has their very own positives and negatives. I extremely suggest wanting into one your self as there’s actually no one-size-fits-all answer right here for everybody.

Nevertheless, in the event you’re simply beginning out and do not wish to put any monetary dedication into your new endeavor fairly but, Anchor(opens in a brand new tab) is an efficient choice. It is owned by Spotify and completely free. You may create your complete podcast inside the platform and skip all of the above apps if you need one thing very simple with restricted choices. However, even in the event you do not edit on the platform, you possibly can nonetheless simply host your podcast by way of Anchor. The service additionally gives a easy distribution characteristic that robotically places your present on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and different standard podcast directories.

Forecast

This free little Mac app is by Overcast, a preferred iOS podcast participant. Forecast(opens in a brand new tab) takes your uncompressed audio file that you just export out of your audio editor, corresponding to a .WAV file, and encodes it right into a smaller .MP3 file.

As well as, it’s ridiculously straightforward so as to add metadata to your audio file, corresponding to podcast title, present title, and outline through Forecast. The app additionally lets you add chapter markers to timecodes inside the file, making it straightforward in your listeners to search out particular content material inside the present. As an added bonus, Forecast will even let you already know the place there are giant gaps of silence inside your podcast.

RateThisPodcast

The most recent app on this listing is well RateThisPodcast(opens in a brand new tab). Getting listeners to overview your podcast on totally different directories corresponding to Apple Podcasts and Podchaser are literally fairly essential in rising your subscription base. These directories typically use a mixture of downloads and constructive critiques (in addition to different information) to rank your podcast on listeners’ charts in addition to make suggestions to different customers.

RateThisPodcast makes asking listeners to depart a overview a breeze. Merely join – there is a restricted free tier – and RateThisPodcast will robotically create a web page with hyperlinks to your podcast on numerous podcast directories. The service will even let you already know through an electronic mail notification when somebody leaves a brand new overview in your podcast on one of many directories.

Patreon or Ko-fi

Pay attention, I do know you’ve got simply began your podcast, however have you ever thought of monetizing it from the get-go? If you happen to do not have already got a built-in following, you are not going to get wealthy, however you may need a handful of early followers who wish to help your present. Making some aspect revenue is actually a fairly large incentive to maintain podcasting regularly.

Patreon(opens in a brand new tab) is a good platform in the event you’re wanting to enroll members with a recurring month-to-month price. The platform makes offering paying subscribers with bonus materials very straightforward. You merely add an unique audio file and select what subscriber tier(s) to “unlock” it for. Then, solely these customers can hearken to or obtain the file.

Ko-fi(opens in a brand new tab) is an alternative choice. Whereas the platform now additionally gives Patreon-like options, the place it actually stands out is the way it began: A spot the place listeners can shortly and simply make a one-time donation to their favourite creators if they are not wanting to enroll in a recurring subscription.

Headliner

You are going to wish to promote your new podcast, proper? Headliner(opens in a brand new tab) is the app to make use of to just do that.

Have you ever ever seen these sq. video graphics posted by your favourite podcasters on social media? The one which performs a snippet of the podcast alongside a cool waveform? Headliner will create these audiograms for you so you possibly can simply share brief teasers of your present on Fb, Twitter, Instagram, or wherever else folks can discover you on-line. It will additionally transcribe your clip and add captions. There is a free tier too!

OBS / Ecamm Reside

These aren’t technically podcasting apps, nonetheless, I am an enormous proponent of getting essentially the most out of your content material. If you happen to’re already recording an audio model of your present, why not simply arrange even a easy webcam and file video of your self as effectively. This can make for far more partaking content material that can be utilized to distribute your podcast on platforms like YouTube as effectively.

OBS(opens in a brand new tab) and Ecamm Reside(opens in a brand new tab) are each video streaming packages, however you need to use them to simply file regionally in your laptop with out going dwell as effectively. OBS is a free multiplatform open-source app. Ecamm Reside requires a paid subscription ($20 a month) and is just accessible for Mac.

Now get podcasting!