Multimedia Specification Design and Production

2013 / Semester 2 / week 01Lecturer: Dr. Nikos Gazepidisgazepidis@ist.edu.gr

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Definition

“A podcast is a series of digital media files (either audio or video-vidcast)

that are released episodically and downloaded through RSS feeds.

These media files can be distributed over the Internet, such as direct

download, or streamed webcasting.”

Podcasting

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What a podcast is?

A list of all the audio or video files currently associated with a given series is

maintained centrally on the distributor's server as a web feed, and the

listener or viewer employs special client application software known as a

podcatcher that can access this web feed, check it for updates, and

download any new files in the series.

This process can be automated so that new files are downloaded

automatically. Files are stored locally on the user's computer or other device

ready for offline use, giving simple and convenient access to episodic

content. Commonly used audio file formats are Ogg Vorbis and MP3.

Podcasting

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What a podcast is? (cont.)

The term "podcasting" was first mentioned by Ben Hammersley in The Guardian newspaper in a February 2004 article. It is a combination of the words:

1."pod“ (derived from iPod), a portable media player produced by Apple and 2."broadcasting".

Podcasting

PODCAST

iPod broadcast

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Use of a podcast

Podcasting

Listen/Download podcast or watch through computer or mp3 player or.

On-demand use by listeners or viewers (select content) from a series of episodes. Podcasts allow users to subscribe to feeds.

Passive approach on learning (self-learning).

Independent publishers

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Use of a podcast

Podcasting

Several uses of podcast technology:

Training – Educational purpose

Music – Music Band promotion tool for songs

Story – Story telling for kids / useful for visual impaired users

Talk Shows – Industrial/Business/Sports News or discussions

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Podcasting Technology

Podcasting

Feeds

Basically written in XML Usually it contains summaries of podcast, links to the podcast (article on the WEB)

Aggregators

Software for downloading podcast feeds (XML List) Check for updates on the WEB for new episodes Alternatively called RSS Readers

RSS

It can be defined as Rich Site Summary (RSS) Form of XML syndication in a simple way

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Basics steps for podcasting (planning)

Podcasting

Production Methods

There are two ways of producing your podcast:

Record on-the-fly

Edit in post-production

Writing a script

Some people feel like they need an exact script. Some can read from a script and sound natural

Other outline their script and keep them on track but allows them to be free and natural in the way they speak. Try both ways to find out which works well for you!

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Collect & Organise your information that you will podcast

Pre-Recording phase1.Research on the topics you'll be talking about (make your own notes on the information you have found)2. Collect the audio files and save them on your computer (News, stories, music, etc.)3. Prepare your script

Recording phase

1. Use Audacity for recording & audio editing2. Set the volume for each clip so that when you play a sound it's not suddenly

louder than the segment before it.

Writing an outline will make the recording process easier!

Podcasting

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Podcasting

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This podcast tutorial is broken down into four steps:

1.Plan

2.Produce

3.Publish

4.Promote (Not required for the coursework)

Basics steps for podcasting

Podcasting

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In the planning section we will raise a few questions for you to consider and help you make some important decisions about:

1.Podcast Topic Choose something that excites you. This will make creating your podcast fun now and in the long run.

2. Podcast FormatVideo or Audio? Solo or discussion? Speech or mixed-up with music sounds?

3. Podcast LengthDuration of each episode. Number of episodes. Frequency of recordings (daily/weekly/monthly)

4. Choose location for your podcastAvoid noisy environment free from distraction. Avoid echoes. Implement your recordings.

Basics steps for podcasting [1. Plan]

Podcasting

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This is where you will fire up the mic and start talking. Record your voice and try to adjust your ear to it.

We will use Audacity’s tutorials for the following tasks:

1.Recording Setup

2.Editing Tools

3.Basic editing and trimming tools

4.Adjusting Levels & Use Filters

5.Importing audio & adding music to your podcast

6.Saving project & exporting the mp3 file

Basics steps for podcasting [2. Produce]

Podcasting

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Once you have created your first podcast, you need to prepare it for publishing and post it to the internet or play it local to your computer.

1.Create mp3 file

2.Use ID3 Tags

3.Name your podcast episode/file

4.Write posting notes for each episode

5.Publish it

Basics steps for podcasting [3. Publish]

Podcasting

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Recording Tool for podcast

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

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Recording Tool for podcast

Audacity is a free, easy-to-use and multilingual audio editor and recorder for Windows, Mac OS X, GNU/Linux and other operating systems. You can use Audacity to:

Record live audio.

Convert tapes and records into digital recordings or CDs.

Edit Ogg Vorbis, MP3, WAV or AIFF sound files.

Cut, copy, splice or mix sounds together.

Change the speed or pitch of a recording.

Podcasting

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Recording Tool for podcast

MP3 Encoder: LAME

1.Once you create your podcast, you need to convert it to MP3 format before you upload it to the internet. 2.An MP3 recording makes the file size smaller and easier for others to download and listen to.

LAME is a program that works with Audacity to convert your audio to MP3 and the word LAME stands for:

"LAME Ain’t an MP3 Encoder”

Download it at:http://lame.buanzo.com.ar/lame.html

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Recording Tool for podcast

Click on the red Record button to begin recording.

Click on the blue Pause button to pause the recording.Press it again to continue.

Click on the yellow Stop button to cease recording.The cursor will return to its previous position, before the recording was started.

Remember that you can use the Undo function almost without limits whilst the project is open!

Podcasting

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Recording Tool for podcast

Zoom tools

= Silent Segments

Time shift tool

Selection toolEnvelope Tool gives you detailed control over how tracks fade in and outyou use to select audio

allows you to change the relative positioning of tracks

allows you to zoom in or out of a specific part of the audio.

Draw toolenables the user to draw in to the actual waveforms