Jey's Podcasting Journal

Hi Podcasters. This is a workflow summarizing my 20 day experiment to create a podcast for free using only a mobile phone. 

It's been fun. And I'll continue to use a lot of this process and tools. 

PRODUCTION NOTES

I used a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 phone to record, edit and publish this episode.

Recording location: My bedroom, talking into my closet. 

My mic: I hand-head my Galaxy Note 4 on speaker mode (no headphones)

Recording app: Auphonic Edit for Android

Recording format: WAV (16 bit mono)

Sample rate: 48kHz

Editing app: Auphonic Edit for Android.

Sound Treatment: Auphonic Productions at Auphonic.com

Auphonic.com settings [to output as a 16bit mono WAV file]: Adaptive Leveler (on), Loudness Normalization (Loudness Target -19 LUFS ), Filtering (on), Noise and Hum Reduction (Reduction Amount: Auto), Sample rate: 44.1kHz

I uploaded the resulting WAV file to Anchor.fm to host the file and added the music from their free music stock.

Anchor automatically converts the WAV file into a 128kbps .m4a file

I've found the last piece of the toolkit I need to record a podcast. The free version of Cleanfeed from Cleanfeed.net is perfect for recording interviews over the internet. The only down side of the free version is that it only records to a single track. Otherwise listen as I explain how awesome it is. 

I used Cleanfeed to record this entire episode. 

PRODUCTION NOTES

I used a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 phone to record, edit and publish this episode.

My son used a Windows 10 Laptop

Recording location: I was in my front room. My son was in his bedroom. We were on the same wifi network.

My mic: I hand-head my Galaxy Note 4 on speaker mode but I used headphone to stop my voice mixing back into the recording. 

My son's headset and mic: Microsoft LifeChat LX 6000 Headset

Recording app: Cleanfeed (free version) from Cleanfeed.net

Recording format: WAV (16 bit mono)

Sample rate: 44100Hz

Bit rate: 705 kbps

Editing app: Auphonic Edit for Android.

Sound Treatment: Auphonic Productions at Auphonic.com

Auphonic.com settings [to output as a 16bit mono WAV file]: Adaptive Leveler (on), Loudness Normalization (Loudness Target -19 LUFS ), Filtering (on), Noise and Hum Reduction (Reduction Amount: Auto)

I uploaded the resulting WAV file to Anchor.fm to host the file and added the music from their free music stock.

Anchor automatically converts the WAV file into a 128kbps .m4a file

It's free to record Skype conversations on mobile. Would I recommend it? Yes, but with certain conditions. Listen to my latest episode to explore my reasons. 

Special thanks to my son, Rohan for helping me test. 

PRODUCTION NOTES

I used a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 phone to record, edit and publish this episode. 

My son used a Windows 10 Laptop

Recording location: I was in my front room. My son was in his bedroom. We were on the same wifi network. 

My headset and mic: Bose QuietComfort 25

My son's headset and mic: Microsoft LifeChat LX 6000 Headset

Recording app: Skype on Android

Recording format: mp4 (even though we turned video off and had an audio only call)

Bit rate: 64 kbps

Editing app: Auphonic Edit for Android.

Sound Treatment: Auphonic Productions at Auphonic.com

Auphonic.com settings [to output as a 16bit mono WAV file]: Adaptive Leveler (on), Loudness Normalization (Loudness Target -19 LUFS ), Filtering (on), Noise and Hum Reduction (Reduction Amount: Auto)

I uploaded the resulting WAV file to Anchor.fm to host the file and added the music from their free music stock.

Anchor automatically converts the WAV file into a 128kbps .m4a file

Today I'm testing how to get audio good enough for an interview using Skype on my phone. Recording with Skype is easy. Capturing good audio quality recording...not so much...yet. My investigations continue. 

PRODUCTION NOTES

I used a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 phone to record, edit and publish this episode. My son used a Windows 10 Laptop with using it's built in mic. 

Recording location: I was in my mum's house in her front room. My son was in his bedroom.

Microphone: phone mic (hand-held)  with a foam wind cover over the mic

Headphones: None

Recording app: Skype on Android

Recording format: mp4

Sample rate: n/a

Bit rate: 56 kbps

Editing app: Auphonic Edit for Android.

Sound Treatment: Auphonic Productions at Auphonic.com

Auphonic.com settings [to output as a 16bit mono WAV file]: Adaptive Leveler (on), Loudness Normalization (Loudness Target -19 LUFS ), Filtering (on), Noise and Hum Reduction (Reduction Amount: Auto)

I uploaded the resulting WAV file to Anchor.fm to host the file and added the music from their free music stock.

Anchor automatically converts the WAV file into a 128kbps .m4a file

The three most important things that affect the sound quality of interviews recording remotely over the internet or phone networks are:

1. The technology you use. 

2. The skill of you AND your guests in using that technology. 

3. The internet or phone connection between you and your guests. 

Listen this episode to understand why. 

PRODUCTION NOTES

I used a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 phone to record, edit and publish this episode.

Recording location: standing in my bedroom with my face in the curtains to absorb reverb. 

Microphone: phone mic (hand-held)  with a foam wind cover over the mic

Headphones: None

Recording app: Auphonic Edit for Android.

Recording format: WAV

Sample rate: 44100Hz

Editing app: Auphonic Edit for Android.

Sound Treatment: Auphonic Productions at Auphonic.com

Auphonic.com settings [to output as a 16bit mono WAV file]: Adaptive Leveler (on), Loudness Normalization (Loudness Target -19 LUFS ), Filtering (on), Noise and Hum Reduction (Reduction Amount: Auto)

I uploaded the resulting WAV file to Anchor.fm to host the file and added the music from their free music stock.

Anchor automatically converts the WAV file into a 128kbps .m4a file

I'm jotting down my thoughts on Anchor.fm . This is just an interim review after two weeks of their service. 

Overall it's good. I especially like the way I can upload my episode in audio segments and not one long audio file. This means it's super easy to update and episode if you plan well. 

Let's say you are reviewing 4 microphones. You could upload the review for each one as it's own segment. If something changed later about the mic you could pull down and replace just that segment. And if you have recorded your episode as one long file then it's pretty easy to slice it up online on Anchor.fm without downloading it first. Although editing with the built in Anchor.fm app is a horrible experience. 

I'm back to recording with my Auphonic Edit app. Can you tell? 

PRODUCTION NOTES

I used a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 phone to record, edit and publish this episode.

Recording location: driver's seat of my car. 

Microphone: phone mic with a foam wind cover over the mic

Headphones: None 

Recording app: Auphonic Edit for Android.

Recording format: WAV

Sample rate: 44100Hz

Editing app: Auphonic Edit for Android.

Sound Treatment: Auphonic.com

Auphonic.com settings [to output as a 16bit mono WAV file]: Adaptive Leveler (on), Loudness Normalization (Loudness Target -19 LUFS ), Filtering (on), Noise and Hum Reduction (Reduction Amount: Auto)

I uploaded the resulting WAV file to Anchor.fm to host the file and added the music from their free music stock.

Anchor automatically converts the WAV file into a 128kbps .m4a file

I'm testing my recording setup with a two minute, mini-interview with my son. We are going to record the conversation over a mobile phone network. 

PRODUCTION NOTES

I used a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 phone to record, edit and publish this episode. And I used Sony MDR-V150 headphones as speakers and spoke into the mic of the phone. I hand held the phone. I was sat on my bed facing my cloth headboard. 

My son used an Apple iPhone 8 with a generic set of earbuds which had a built in mic. 

Recording app: Rev Audio & Voice Recorder (for Android), from Rev.com.

Editing app: Auphonic Edit for Android.

Sound Treatment: Auphonic.com

Auphonic.com settings [to output as a 16bit mono WAV file]: Adaptive Leveler (on), Loudness Normalization (Loudness Target -19 LUFS ), Filtering (on), Noise and Hum Reduction (Reduction Amount: Auto)

I uploaded the resulting WAV file to Anchor.fm to host the file and added the music from their free music stock.

Anchor automatically converts the WAV file into a 128kbps .m4a file

I recorded this episode using the Rev Audio & Voice Recorder (for Android), from Rev.com

I'm testing it as an alternative to the Auphonic Edit app. 

PRODUCTION NOTES

I used a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 phone to record, edit and publish this episode. 

Mic: Sennheiser PC 5 Chat Wired Headphone (except for the first extract from yesterday's test which was recorded on a Bose QuietComort 25).

Recording app: Rev Audio & Voice Recorder (for Android), from Rev.com.

Editing app: Auphonic Edit for Android.

Sound Treatment: Auphonic.com

Auphonic.com settings [to output as a 16bit mono WAV file]: Adaptive Leveler (on), Loudness Normalization (Loudness Target -19 LUFS ), Filtering (on), Noise and Hum Reduction (Reduction Amount: Auto)

I uploaded the resulting WAV file to Anchor.fm to host the file and added the music from their free music stock.

Anchor automatically converts the WAV file into a 128kbps .m4a file 

Let's start preparing to interview people over the phone. 

First we need to find an app that will record both ends of a conversation. Voicemail is a great way to test if the app is working. 

Remember to be follow the laws in your region and the regions you record in. 

PRODUCTION NOTES

I recorded the narration to this episode directly into the mic of a Samsung Galaxy Note 4. 

I recorded test one into my Note 4 by using it as a normal phone. 

For test two I recorded the phone call using a headset with a built-in microphone (Bose QuietComort 25)

I recorded and edited using the Auphonic Edit App.

I uploaded the edited recording as a mono WAV file to Auphonic.com to normalize the sound at -19LUFS. I did not make any other treatment to the sound. No levelling or noise reduction. I want you to hear all the faults and positives from both tests. 

I uploaded the resulting WAV file to Anchor.fm to host the file and added the music from their free music stock. 

Anchor automatically converts the WAV file into a 128kbps .m4a file (I'd prefer a 96kbps .mp3, but I can't change that).

Before you start recording other people, especially over the phone, please make sure you understand the law where you live and where your guest or guests live. Make sure you know: what you are allowed to do, what you must ensure what you are not allowed to do when recording other people.

There are some places in the world where recording a phone conversation is illegal. Some places require both parties in a conversation to consent to the recording. Other areas allow one person to consent to a phone recording.

Some places require you to clarify what you plan to do with the recording, how long you intend to keep it for and who might have access.

I'm not a lawyer so I can't offer you any legal advice. So please find what you need to do when recording your guests. 

I don't mean to scare you. But this is important. 

PRODUCTION NOTES

I recorded this episode directly into the mic of a Samsung Galaxy Note 4. I covered the mic end of the phone with a foam mic windshield to help stop my breath hitting the mic. I sat in my cloth covered arm chair facing into my living room which is covered in soft furnishings, carpet and a rug. 

I recorded and edited using the Auphonic Edit App. 

I uploaded the edited recording as a mono WAV file to Auphonic.com to correct sound level, Loudness Normalization (-19 LUFS) and remove background hiss. 

I uploaded the resulting WAV file to Anchor.fm to host the file. 

Anchor automatically converts the WAV file into a 128kbps .m4a file (I'd prefer a 96kbps .mp3, but I can't change that).