Matthew McLean - The Podcast Host

Recording on Separate Tracks | The Podcast Multitracking Guide

Posted by Matthew McLean | Jul 24, 2017 | Editing & Production, Recording Skills

Recording two speakers is bread and butter for podcasters, whether it’s a show with two regular co-hosts, or an interview on Skype. Today we’re not looking at the equipment used to record these, though. Instead, we’re looking at how you make the recording. That comes down to the oft-asked question: should I record my speakers on separate tracks? What is Multi-track Recording? This is delving into the realm of multitracking. But, what does multitracking mean? Really, it just means you’re recording more than one track. Yea, I can see your face – well, duh… The thing is, a normal...

How to Find Podcast Sound Effects

Posted by Matthew McLean | Jul 10, 2017 | Editing & Production, Fiction Podcasts, General

If you’ve learned to record and edit audio specifically for the purpose of podcasting, then keeping it simple in the early days is key. Once you get more comfortable with chopping and moving around pieces of audio inside your editing software though, you might begin to get a little more adventurous. With more and more new podcasts being launched every day, there’s an increasing need to make your show stand out. The integral part of this is the content itself, but the production values of your show can really make or break it too. Over time, you might want...

A Mobile Recording Studio for your iPhone or Computer | The Lewitt DGT 650

Posted by Matthew McLean | Jul 3, 2017 | Equipment, Microphones

The Lewitt DGT 650 could be described as an “enhanced USB mic” due to its additional functions beyond that of a simple plug and play device. USB mics have traditionally been geared towards the beginners market, with a low barrier to entry in mind. Cost-wise, most USB mics can be bought for under $100 too. The DGT 650 certainly wasn’t created as a budget option though. At the price of $579 (or £570), it’s unlikely Lewitt have designed this model to play in the same pool as USB mics like the Yeti or the Snowball. Instead, the DGT 650...

The Best Podcast Hosting Services: Where to Host your Podcast

Posted by Matthew McLean | Jun 26, 2017 | Websites & Hosting

Where should I host my podcast? What’s the best podcast hosting site? There’s some one of the most frequently asked questions in this medium, alongside “what shiny mic should I get?” and “why does the sound of my own voice make me want to die?”. Different podcasters have different wants and needs, so there’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. There are a lot of fantastic services out there. Before we dive into the meat of this content though, I just want to make sure I’m not jumping ahead. There are two other common questions you might have in your head...

What’s the Best Looking Microphone on the Market?

Posted by Matthew McLean | Jun 19, 2017 | Equipment, Microphones

Though the aesthetic design of microphones has varied throughout the years, most have usually had one thing in common – they actually look like microphones. Traditionally, mics were always analogue in their build, and marketed towards niche groups, such as musicians. Nowadays though, the digital (USB) mic is every bit as popular as its analogue (XLR) counterpart. And finding a mic in someone’s home is almost as common as finding a PlayStation or Xbox. With the big increase in the size of the market – along the number of models available – manufacturers are upping efforts to make their...

Your First 8 Episodes | 8 Tips To Avoid “Podfading”

Posted by Matthew McLean | Jun 12, 2017 | Planning & Methods

It’s commonly said that if a new podcast series reaches 7 episodes, this is the magic number where the show is more likely to keep going. Podcasts that stop releasing new episodes are referred to as having “podfaded”. Podfading is a common occurrence. While the reasons for someone giving up on their podcast can be wide ranging, they usually fall into one of the following categories. Lack of planning Unrealistic expectations Over-complication Focus in the wrong areas How To Avoid Podfading As you’ll see from the list above, it’s all about sustainability and building on a solid plan. You...

Creepy | Fiction Podcast of the Week

Posted by Matthew McLean | Jun 8, 2017 | Fiction Podcast of the Week, Fiction Podcasts, Horror

You have a story. You have an idea. Stop second-guessing yourself, telling yourself it’s been done or done better and go do it. We’re big fans of audio drama and fiction podcasts here at The Podcast Host. As listeners we’re always looking for new shows to subscribe to, and as podcasters we’re always looking to help fellow creators grow their audience. Because of this, we decided to compliment our Best Fiction Podcasts roundup article with a Fiction Podcast of the Week feature. Each week we’ll pick the brains of someone who runs an audio drama or fiction podcast. We’re going to ask them...

Audacity Vs Adobe Audition CC | Where Should I Record & Edit My Podcast?

Posted by Matthew McLean | Jun 1, 2017 | Editing & Production

Audacity and Adobe Audition CC are two popular Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) – software programs that can be used to record, edit, and mix audio. The two work on the same principles (as do all DAWs), but there are many differences between them. If you’re new to audio production, it’s a good idea to choose a DAW and try to master it, rather than juggling between multiple programs. In this comparison, I want to run through the key differences between Audacity and Audition. My aim is to help you make a decision on whether either of them are a...

The Thicket | Fiction Podcast of the Week

Posted by Matthew McLean | May 30, 2017 | Comedy, Fiction Podcast of the Week, Fiction Podcasts

Don’t allow yourself to get bogged down. Write segments that are do-able and then get them done. If you don’t allow yourself the reward of a finished product, then you’ll stop enjoying the process. We’re big fans of audio drama and fiction podcasts here at The Podcast Host. As listeners we’re always looking for new shows to subscribe to, and as podcasters we’re always looking to help fellow creators grow their audience. Because of this, we decided to compliment our Best Fiction Podcasts roundup article with a Fiction Podcast of the Week feature. Each week we’ll pick the brains of someone who runs...

Centauri Express | Fiction Podcast of the Week

Posted by Matthew McLean | May 17, 2017 | Fiction Podcast of the Week, Fiction Podcasts, Sci-Fi

If you’ve got a story to tell, find a way to tell it. A lot of the best stories have been told without a lot of resources, and some of them benefited from having to innovate their way out of scarcity. We’re big fans of audio drama and fiction podcasts here at The Podcast Host. As listeners we’re always looking for new shows to subscribe to, and as podcasters we’re always looking to help fellow creators grow their audience. Because of this, we decided to compliment our Best Fiction Podcasts roundup article with a Fiction Podcast of the Week feature. Each week we’ll...

Author: Matthew McLean