Using simple software like iTunes or Juicer, listeners can refresh their libraries with new podcasts every time they update their
iPods .
Effortless distribution, combined with the portability of MP3 players,
encourages more listeners to enjoy fresh podcasts every day.
With
more people starting their own podcasts every day, it has become easier
than ever to find the right podcasting software to fit your system and
your budget.
Apple: GarageBand. The
nickname “podcast” began when lovers of Apple’s iPod MP3 players
started posting audio clips to each other using weblog software. The
name stuck, and Apple has embraced podcasting earlier and more strongly
than any of its competitors. As part of its iLife personal software
suite, Apple includes a surprisingly sophisticated audio production
package, called GarageBand.
Originally
intended for independent musicians and hobbyist composers, GarageBand
features multitrack mixing capabilities that previously existed only in
high priced audio workstations. Podcasters realized that it was the
perfect tool to mix music and voices without any external sound
equipment. The newest version of iLife includes an updated GarageBand
that features automated “ducking” and other podcasting-specific tools
that will keep it popular among podcasters.
Windows: Sony Sound Forge Audio Studio.
Just as there are other MP3 players on the market besides the iPod,
there are plenty of other companies that want to get in on the growing
market for podcasting software. Sony recently purchased Sonic Foundry,
a respected publisher of audio editing software for Windows. By
releasing a stripped-down version of the popular Sound Forge production
system and pricing it at only $67, Sony hopes to keep PC users from
jumping ship to Apple.
Like
GarageBand, Sound Forge Audio Studio lets podcasters create simple
mixes of music, vocals, and sound effects. Although the Sound Forge
interface lacks GarageBand’s ability to visualize numerous mixes in
real time, it boasts a powerful rendering engine that can enhance the
quality of any raw recording. With Sound Forge’s post-production tools,
even a hobbyist podcaster can create audio that sounds fantastic.
All platforms: Audacity.
The grassroots movement that brought podcasting to the forefront of
online entertainment and information has also concocted its own
production software. Audacity is a free software tool that mimics many
of the features found in commercial podcasting software tools, like
Sound Forge and GarageBand.
Although
you can download it for free, the current version of Audacity could
prove to be tricky for non-technical users. Unlike GarageBand’s
colorful interface, or Sound Forge’s virtual knobs and sliders,
Audacity requires patience and determination to master. Developers
expect future editions to boast simpler user interfaces. However, for
podcasters that really want to make audio on the cheap, Audacity offers
a solid solution.
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