The Blind Podmaker

The Blind Podmaker

By Jonathan MosenEducationHow To
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The Blind Podmaker episodes

  • Episode 33 – Jonathan and Richard Mosen unbox and demonstrate the Zoom M2 MicTrak from a blindness perspective

    The Zoom M2 MicTrak is a 199 USD microphone that records. Pop an Micro-SD card into the MicTrak, and without any bulky gadgets and cables, you've got stereo

    32-bit float recording. The fact that you can record in any situation without the risk of distortion is of enormous benefit to blind people recording in
    the field.
    When the product was launched late last year, it got off to the worst possible start, with overwhelmingly negative feedback about the product being unusable
    due to chronic radio frequency interference.

    Zoom Sound Labs recalled many of the original batch of microphones, acknowledging the problem and proclaiming it fixed.

    And it appears they are right. The RF problems are gone and the device seems dependable. This handy microphone is an easy-to-use, simple way to get quality
    recording of anything, anywhere.

    In this demonstration, we'll unbox the M2 MicTrak, set it up, and take you through every single menu item on the device, so you can build a cheat sheet

    to help you set it up the way you like.

    52 min
  • Episode 32 – Take your audio to the next level with Auphonic

    Auphonic develops intelligent audio algorithms using a combination of AI and signal processing to provide an automated audio post production web service — an audio autopilot for podcasts, broadcasts, radio, interviews, audiobooks, lecture recordings, and more. Users just upload their recorded audio, and Auphonic will do the rest: neither complicated parameter settings nor audio expert knowledge are necessary. The site is fully screen reader accessible.

    In this episode, Jonathan Mosen speaks with Georg Holzmann, the audio engineer who founded Auphonic, about what the service can do. He then offers a comprehensive demonstration of the power of Auphonic, creating single and multi-track productions, watch folders, connecting Auphonic to external services and using its advanced parameters.

    Visit Auphonic at https://auphonic.com

    1 hr 32 min
  • Episode 31 – Neal Ewers reviews the Mackie EleMent Chromium USB Condenser Microphone with 2-Ch Mixer
    From the manufacturer:

    The Mackie EleMent Chromium USB condenser microphone is a true home studio beast, with tonnes of I/O control for an array of different uses. With 4 selectable polar patterns and Makie's legendary Onyx Preamp circuitry, Chromium puts that slick studio sound within reach.

    On top of that, you get a 1/4" instrument input that you can mix in with the mic. Want to play along with a track? Connect anything with a headphone output to the 1/8" Aux in and hear it in your headphones.

    In this episode, Neal Ewers describes the microphone while using it, so you can hear its audio for yourself.

    8 min
  • Episode 30 – Gary O'Donoghue reviews the Zoom F3 portable field recorder

    From the manufacturer: With 32-bit float recording, the F3 effortlessly captures "the quietest raindrops and the loudest explosions. Its small footprint allows for this recorder to be placed anywhere, as you capture and monitor up to 192 kHz of high-quality audio. FOCUS ON THE SCENE

    When you’re working in the field or on set, sound levels can fluctuate often and quickly. The F3 allows you to adapt to your scene without having to set the gain or worry about clipping. In post, you’ll be able to work with your capture, regardless of extremely low or high levels.
    Featuring the dual A/D converters and low-noise preamps found in our professional F-Series recorders, the F3 guarantees high-quality recordings in any setting or situation.
    The F3 is built with durable side bars, standard tripod mount and slide-resistant rubber feet ensuring that you can mount it on your gear or hide it in any scene. It’s sturdy metal casing and locking XLR connectors is designed for use in a variety of environments."

    Gary O'Donoghue reviews this recorder from a blindness perspective, including taking us on a tour of the F3 Control app for iOS.

    1 hr 5 min
  • Episode 29 – The Focusrite Vocaster Two from a blindness perspective

    Jonathan Mosen demonstrates the Vocaster Two, one of two members of a new family of audio interfaces from Focusrite aimed at podcast creators, streamers, and anyone who works with voice.

    This comprehensive tutorial and demonstration covers use cases, unboxing, installing and using in several common contexts. With its full accessibility, this could be the tool some blind people have been waiting for to kick start their podcasting journey.

    1 hr 23 min
  • Episode 28 – RODECaster Pro II walkthrough and accessibility_issues session

    Since its release, Rode's RODECaster Pro has been a run-away success in the podcasting community. We covered the accessibility of the device in a previous episode. Now, Rode is back with the next generation in the series, the RODECaster Pro II.

    Rode says,

    The RØDECaster Pro II is the ultimate audio production solution for content creators, including streamers, podcasters and musicians. Combining revolutionary features with superior sound quality, endless customisability and unmatched ease of use, the RØDECaster Pro II is all you will ever need to record incredible audio for your content.

    Key Features:
    Fully integrated audio production studio for streamers, podcasters, musicians and content creators
    Ultra-low-noise, high-gain Revolution Preamps™ (-131.5dBV EIN, 76dB gain)
    Four high-quality Neutrik® combo inputs for connecting microphones, instruments and line-level devices
    Nine individually assignable channels with six broadcast-quality physical faders and three virtual faders
    High-performance quad-core audio engine
    Studio-grade APHEX® audio processing and on-board effects
    Eight fully programmable SMART pads with bank switching
    Dual USB-C interfaces for connecting two computers or mobile devices
    Advanced Bluetooth® connectivity for high-quality phone call integration
    Multitrack or stereo recording to a microSD™ card, USB storage device or computer
    Four high-power headphone outputs and balanced ¼-inch line outputs
    5.5-inch high-definition touchscreen with haptic feedback and rotary encoder for easy navigation and control
    New features and enhancements via regular firmware updates
    Designed and made in RØDE’s state-of-the-art facilities in Sydney, Australia.

    And of course we say, "yeah but how accessible is it"?

    Can Kirca and Neal Ewers have been advocating to Rode for accessibility improvements in the device. Have they delivered in RODECaster Pro II?

    Join Neal and Can as they take you on a tour of the device from a blindness perspective.

    1 hr 9 min
  • Episode 27 – Jonathan Mosen shows you how to dramatically speed up your podcast recording process using drop-ins with Reaper
    If you have been on the planet long enough to have worked with analogue tape in a professional recording environment, you're probably familiar with the drop-in method Jonathan demonstrates in this episode. If you're not, you may find that using this method, which Reaper so brilliantly supports, will save you a lot of time if you record solo podcasts or screen reader demos.
    12 min
  • Episode 26 – David Edick reviews the CEntrance PortCaster and Mixerface
    If you'd like a device with some of the functionality of the Zoom Podtrak P4 but with no menus to navigate and all physical switches, you may be interested in the PortCaster or its older sibling, the Mixerface.

    PortCaster is a mobile audio interface for Podcasting, Live streaming and Videos. With this handheld, portable mixer you can host your own live talk show, with music and guests. A combination of Mobile Mixer, Recorder, and USB Audio Interface, PortCaster features a rechargeable battery that lasts 8 hours and warm, analog sound.

    It couldn't be more accessible because all the switches are physical.

    Learn more on the PortCaster web page.

    12 min
  • Episode 25 – Blind Podcasters' Roundtable, Ferrite for iOS

    William Pogor joins us on the Blind Podcasters’ Roundtable to discuss using Ferrite Recording Studio for iOS. Ferrite is a powerful multitrack recording suite, designed with some specific features for blind people using VoiceOver.

     
    Have a tool or product you know how to use and want to demo to the blind podcasting community? Please be in touch, we are always glad of contributions for the podcast.
     
    Be sure to follow the Blind Podmaker club on Clubhouse, and join our Blind Podmaker email group. Send a blank email to [email protected]

    57 min
  • Episode 24 – Blind Podcasters' Roundtable for 21 June 2021, Izotope RX

    Digital audio restoration has come a long way. It is generally considered that the best in the bunch is Izotope RX. In the Blind Podcasters’ Roundtable, Brian Hartgen gave us a demonstration of some of the things this suite of products can do to clean up audio that’s less than optimal. Learn more at http://izotope.com

     
    Note, since we want you to hear the full effect of the demo, we have not applied any of our usual post-production processing to this file.

    Have a tool or product you know how to use and want to demo to the blind podcasting community? Please be in touch, we are always glad of contributions for the podcast.

     
    Be sure to follow the Blind Podmaker club on Clubhouse, and join our Blind Podmaker email group. Send a blank email to [email protected]

    50 min

About The Blind Podmaker

From the publisher's feed

Blind or low vision? Running your own podcast or want to create one? The Blind Podmaker features tips, tricks, demos, tutorials and resources all produced with the blind podcast creator in mind. We focus on the use of accessible tools with screen readers and other blindness-related assistive technology, plus tips on the art of creating compelling content.