July 2016 UPDATE I’ve used several different mics over the past 11 years but the one I’m using lately is an Audio-Technica ATR2100 which costs all of about $60 on Amazon and works as well as mics I have had in the past that were more than $300! I’m running that mic into a small, inexpensive mixer, the 4 channel Mackie mixer http://tinyurl.com/nwkytv6 which sells for $99. I go into the mixer with the XLR cable that comes with the ATR mic and I go out from the mixer into an iMic so that I have a USB plug that goes into the Mac http://tinyurl.com/lsnkwxz. I use Piezo, Mac software from Rogue Amoeba, currently $19, to make a stereo recording of the person I’m interviewing on Skype. I use an audio editing program Amadeus Pro to edit the audio interview. You could use the free program Audacity which is easy to find online and lots of tutorials on Youtube. From there, I put all the different audio pieces (e.g. intro music, etc.) together using Garageband and then send the final product to iTunes. Also, I’ve recently begun adding video to the process. I’m using the built-in camera on my iMac and conducting the interview on Skype. I record the video using Call Recorder the software program by Ecamm. I do minor editing of the video using Apple’s iMovie software. You can find these videos on Youtube by going there to shrinkrapradio1. __________________________ Back in February 2014 I had decided to downsize and simplify my operation, thereby freeing up desk space and generating cash with the high-quality gear I sold on eBay. That cash will go toward upgrading my 2009 vintage iMac to the latest model. I sold off the Aphex Master Voice Channel 230 (the box you see on the bottom right) and the ElectoVoice RE20 mic). I don’t think you’ll hear a difference, at least not one that matters! Here’s what the setup looks like as of February 2014.

Most podcasters are probably using a mixer to balance the inputs (e.g. mic and phone). I used to do that but I had all sorts of problems getting the setup just right, as my early podcasts will reveal. Once I got rid of the mixer and used the current setup, my sound has been all that I could hope for. Most of my interviews are conducted over the phone, using Skype. I digitally capture and record both sides of the conversation using Rogue Amoeba’s Piezzo (recording software for the Mac that’s only $10 and let’s me get my voice and my Skype guest on separate audio tracks for editing!). I save the file in AIFF format and then open it in BIAS Peak Pro 7, a wonderful but no longer availaable, high-end audio editor that, among other things, allows me to fix places where my guest and I are talking at the same time, by substituting silence for one or the other of us.

If you want to conduct phone interviews, the first thing is to get a Skype account and get comfortable with it. You can call people across the glove for free if you and they are both on Skype. If you want to interview someone who is not on Skype, for a small fee, Skype lets you call out to regular phones. If you already have a USB microphone or your computer has a built-in mic, you can use that. You may need to also use earphones to prevent feedback. Many people use an inexpensive headset (earphone and mic combo). You will need one that has a USB connector to get it into the computer and working with Skype. There are some recommended models on the Skype site, I believe. Click here to see a very authoritative slide show on configuring Skype for Phone Interviews by Doug Kaye and Paul Figgiani. This slide presentation is what inspired my move to  Peak Pro 7 and The Levelator which I described above. I figured, if it’s good enough for these pros, it’s good enough for me! ________________ So much sitting is bad for my back! I’ve developed an alternative that will let me work from a standing position for at least some of the time. The iMac monitor is tall enough that I can still see it from a standing position by tilting it up, without having to raise it. I can put a portable bookshelf from Target on top of my desk and use a wireless keyboard and mouse on top of that, without having to reposition my regular keyboard and mouse. Here’s a photo of this setup.

Next, you need software for editing your interview, and perhaps adding music or other sound elements. Many people use the free software program, Audacity. Or you might prefer to spend some money and get a program with an easier to learn interface than what is offered by Audacity. I found a Windows multitrack audio editing program that looks like it was made to look like and work like the Mac’s Garageband. It’s called Mixcraft. They have a free download, which they say is fully functional. And the cost is only $64.95 where other similar programs can cost more than $1,000. So download the free version and see what you think. Finally, you will need to have an online place to host your podcasts. You need a blog. I would suggest you use WordPress. Also, take a look at libsyn.com as a possible place to host your podcasts, which you will have saved in .mp3 format.