Where to start?

You really don't need anything fancy to create a Podcast. 

In reality with a service like Buzzsprout you only need a phone/tablet/laptop.  A microphone (all the above have that built in) and a profile picture.  After that, it is just talking, recording it and uploading with a blurb.  Buzzsprout will guide you through all the process for getting onto the Podcast sites, and after the initial setup it is automatically uploaded 'everywhere'.  

So apart from a bit of admin (and a small amount of subscription money- unless you opt for the free option) you're on your way to being a Podcaster!

I had no knowledge of Podcasting prior to starting one- apart from listening to them and I thought it would be a lot more complex than it was to start one.  Now don't get me wrong I could do a lot more and eventually I will- there are episode tags, SEOs, transcription, chapter markers, and a good detailed description.  All of these make your podcast more 'findable' (search results in google and podcast apps) and accessible, with transcription people can read along with your words.  This is something I am interested in as I could list the episodes in my blog on this site!  But this is all additional work, and I found that as a noob I wanted to get used to the process.  I will no doubt (during a season break) return and update all my episodes to increase their overall impact.

But I digress, the basics are easy, you trust me on this.  

So what was my initial set up?

As I say, I was lucky as I started with some good equipment.   My initial setup was:

- Macbook Pro Laptop (2021)

- Behringer UMC22 Audio interface

- Nordell Audio cable

- Logic Pro X 

- Samsun Q2U mic- I had a microphone but on the advice from YouTuber reviews and Buzzsprout budget set up guide decided to buy one.

I had initially planned to use my Tascam DR-40X as my mic (and I have done so, when I was away on a course) just plugging straight into the laptop which worked really well!  But decided that a base setup would be better long term.  

I am planning some 'on the go' Podcasts in which the DR-40X will be put to good use.  If you want to be mobile and have high quality audio with the ability to plug in external mics- you could do worse than this setup!

I used my initial set up for a few of months, and realising that this wasn't a fad for me and had plans to invite guests and potentially other things in the future decided to upgrade and also get some equipment for guests to use ready for season 2.

So after lots of comparisons I went with the Tascam Mixcast 4.  Shure MV7.  I also invested in the Tascam TH-02 headphones for guest use (three sets), and also purchased another two Samsun Q2U mics.  

So, now my set up had become;

- Tascam Mixcast 4

- Tascam Podcast software (which is free from the Tascam site)

- Shure MV7 (as my mic)

- Bose Quietcomfort 2 for my headphones 

- Samsun Q2U mics (x3) for guest use

- Tascam TH-02 (x3) Headphones for guest use

- Nordell cables of varying lengths for the mics (in Green to match the Podcast theme)

I swapped to the Tascam Mixcast 4 for Season 2.  The advantages with this setup is that it is standalone for recording so you don't technically need that laptop with you.  You can also have 3 in person guests, a bluetooth connection, TRRS connection and it also has a sound pad for pre-recording sound FX, jingles, soundbites etc.

For on location Podcast recording I can use the Mixcast solo minus the laptop if required and upload on returning home or use my Tascam DR-40X for more portability and still attain high quality sound from either the built in mic, or plugging in external mics.  Although the latter option may need a bit more post production.

The free software that comes with the Mixcast is super easy to use, sometime a bit clunky and it takes a while to transfer files but it is still an early iteration, but highly useful.

Tips...

Equipment- Don't get bogged down in the equipment.  If you have a phone you can pod cast.  Just start and get it recorded.  Audio quality is important but I think postponing out of wishing for audiophile expensive equipment and putting off making a poor audio recording is worse than putting something that may be rough around the edge but is getting listened too, and will also be allowing you an outlet.  Which trust me for a creative person is especially cathartic!

Mistakes- Don't be afraid of making a mistake while recording just take a deep breath and carry on (repeating a line maybe) for editing later, or re-recorded there and then.  We are all human and that coming across is good than an absolutely polished and prisitine edited to death piece of work.  Well that's my opinion of this kind of media anyway!  My ethos for Infinite Prattle! is that I don't edit and its all laid out mistakes and all.

Planning- I don't really plan too much it's not how my brain works half the time but I do make notes when inspiration hits.  But that's what makes my podcast mine.  I 'Prattle' around a subject and almost learn as a talk.  Unless it is a subject I know or recounted my own stories obviously.

The only thing I think I would go back and change is little things like thinking about how I want my episodes to display (do I have a title only or also include the episode and season numbers?), do i want to do seasons or have one long continuous run.  What length will they be, and will i stick to that?

Hosting- Do some research.  I chose Buzzsprout* as it suited my needs, upload limits, cost, and ease of use etc. plus it has some great free resources to teach you and utilise. (check out youtube too as there are lots of talented people out there!)

You need to consider a few things:

- Cost: what can you afford?

- How much will you upload?

- How long do you want your uploads available for? (some free plans you uploads will be deleted after a set time period usually about 90 days).

Another way to host would be on your own Website, but again this may need a little bit more thought into what website builder to use, and how you manage the online uploads to the site.  There will also be ongoing costs for the domain name (website name) and the hosting of the site and content.  Shop around and see what fits.

There are other items to think about too such as logo, theme music and social media for promotion. Again, there are services out there for logo creation, jingles, or voiceover actors for intro/ outro's or trailers (for VOA I would recommend Dex London! who has also been a guest!).

I would say think about what you want to do, the other things will come organically, JUST DO IT!

Lastly, I would say don't expect to 'blow up' on the interweb and become famous or monetised.  If this is your aim good luck, but I would advise stay true to yourself and if the rest is meant to be it will follow with your dedication and truth.

Enjoy the process, don't overwhelm yourself and get your creativity going!  

Let me know if you start a podcast, and if the advice on this page helped...

Speak soon!

*The link in Buzzsprout is an affiliate link, not a sponsorship- if you sign up you get $20 credit on a subscription and I receive $20 also.  So thats a win, win!