Podcast Factory
How-to Guide
Podcast Factory How-to Guide
Thank you for choosing the M-Audio® Podcast Factory. The Podcast Factory is your complete,
professional audio solution for any Windows or Macintosh computer. It combines all the hardware
and software you need to easily record, edit, and publish professional-sounding podcasts. The
bundle includes the Podcast Factory recording interface, the M-Audio Broadcast Microphone with
desktop stand, cable, and soft case, as well as software for recording, editing, and publishing
podcasts.
What Is Podcasting?
Podcasting is a term that describes a way for you to post audio content to a website so your
listeners can easily access it. Generally, listeners subscribe to and download the audio content
from the internet and save the files to their computer the same way they would record a TV show
on a VHS or DVD recorder. The listener can then use a computer or MP3 player to play back the
content.
The basis of a podcast is an MP3 file. In order to transform a simple MP3 file into a podcast, you
must use an XML text file technology called RSS (Really Simple Syndacation). The RSS text file
links to the MP3 file to include information about the date the podcast was recorded, the title of
the podcast, and the description of the recording. This enables listeners to use various software
applications to look for new RSS text files and automatically download the newest episode of their
favorite podcasts.
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Start Creating Your Podcast
After you have unpacked all the items from the Podcast Factory, read through the included
Podcast Factory recording interface manual. This manual describes each component included in
the bundle and explains the steps for installing the USB recording interface. Following the manual
is the best way to successfully install the interface and become familiar with its feature set.
After you have installed the Podcast Factory recording interface, it is time to connect the M-Audio
Broadcast Microphone. Plug the three-slot female end of the included microphone cable into
the bottom of the mic, making sure to match the 3 pins of the mic with the 3 slots of the cable.
After the mic is connected to the cable, turn down all the levels of the Podcast Factory recording
interface and then plug the other end of the cable into the back of the recording interface. You
may now connect speakers or headphones to the recording interface as well. Next, we will begin
installing the software that comes in the Podcast Factory. Each software title has a specific function
in podcast creation that will be explained here.
Record Your Podcast Using Audacity Software
To install the Audacity software, put the black Podcast Factory CD into the CD drive (this is the
same CD that contained the Podcast Factory recording interface drivers). When the Podcast
Factory screen appears, click on the drop-down menu next to "Product" and select "Audacity,"
then click the "Install" button below. This will install the Audacity software in the same way that
any other software is installed to your hard drive. It allows you to select the folder where you
would like to install the files, and gives you the option of setting up a desktop icon. Simply follow
the installation instructions that appear onscreen.
In the Audacity software, there are eight menu selections at the top of the screen: File, Edit,
View, Project, Generate, Effects, Analyze, and Help. The Help menu contains a complete Audacity
manual that explains the deeper features of the program (including how to edit and add effects
to your recordings). The guide you are currently reading only covers the basic features, so please
refer to the full manual to access all of Audacity’s features.
To get started, simply turn up the mic input and output level on your Podcast Factory recording
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interface and make sure the mix knob is set to playback. On the top of the Audacity software
screen, click on the record button (the round button with the red circle—third from the left). As
soon as you press record, Audacity will create a new track in the below window and record
everything you say into the mic.
You will need to make sure you get the correct level on the mic input and output levels. To set the
level, simply adjust the knobs on the interface to suit your personal taste. You may need to record
and play back a test file a couple times until you reach a comfortable level.
After you have finished recording, click on the File menu to save or export the file.
Be sure to check the Audacity website at http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ to look for updates to
the Audacity software that add features and functionality.
Preparing your Podcast with Podifier
Now that you have recorded your podcast and saved it to your computer, the next step is to add
the RSS 2.0 text to your MP3 file, which converts it into a podcast.
If you have a server or website, or if you use one of the many online services that offer server
space, Podifier will help you create an RSS feed for your MP3 file and publish this file to the web. If
you do not have your own website or access to a server, then please read the next section ("Other
Ways to Publish a Podcast").
Insert the green Podifier CD into your CD drive. Click on the Podifier icon to install it to your hard
drive and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the installation. After the installation, the
Podifier icon should appear on your desktop. Click on the icon to start the Podifier program.
The Podifier interface gives you space to enter information and descriptions about your podcast,
including its URL, date, title, etc. When you are done entering this information, click "Next." The
next screen allows you to select an MP3 file by clicking "Add" and selecting the correct folder and
file. Podifier will take your MP3 file and add the RSS text file for publishing.
Many of Podifier’s features are easy to understand, but if you need to learn more about a specific
item, click on the Help menu at the top of the Podifier screen.
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Other Ways to Publish Your Podcast
If you do not have your own server or access to a website, there are other ways to put your
podcast on the internet. Online services like BlogMatrix, AudioBlog, Liberated Syndication, PodBus
and Podblaze offer space to upload and store your podcast. Some of these services offer free
hosting while others will charge a small fee for different storage limits. Please refer to the different
web sites for more information. To use a hosting service, simply sign up for an account and
upload your MP3 files.. With some of these services, you will not need to use the Podifier software
to generate the RSS feed, simply record your audio file and save the MP3 file to your hard drive.
Check each service for details, and be sure to check www.m-audio.com for more information
about podcasting and publishing your podcast.
The podcast service hosts mentioned above are examples only and are in no way associated
or affiliated with M-Audio or Avid Technology, Inc. and M-Audio does not guarantee the
performance or availability of these services. Podcast Factory is not endorsed, sponsored, or
approved by these companies.
© 2005 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Product features, specifications, system requirements and availability are
subject to change without notice. Avid and M-Audio are registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. in the U.S. and other
countries. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
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