The UnPanderers: Podcasting Setup

Podcasting Setup

UnPanderers Podcasting Setup

A Complete Guide from Start to Finish
Audio, Video, Streaming, Editing, Software, Hardware, Posting, Hosting, Analyzing, Distribution, and Social Media

If you are curious about the hardware or software we use, You're in Luck!  We use the following setup for our most recent episodes.  This is the most inexpensive avenue that we've found.  It costs us $12.00 per year for the domain name (not necessary) and everything else is 100% free.  We are not being paid to provide any of this information.  Side Note:  I am a software developer, so I created tools for content management and distribution to make this process easier.  If you have any questions, would like us to get you started, or want us to manage your content,
Contact us @ UnPanderers@gmail.com.

Jump To:
Learning | Sharing | Recording | Graphics | Editing | Streaming | Storing | Domain Name | Website Hosting | RSS Feed and Analytics | Distribution | Social Media | Hardware | Computer | Monitors | Audio | Video | Gaming | Noise Reduction | Listening to Podcasts

Software

We Learned This Through:
We Share Ideas Using:

We Record Using:
  • Video
  • Audio
    • We don't record Audio Only, but a few people have suggested Mumble
  • Audio Quality
    • Over the Internet, Audio quality can range quite a bit, Discord transmits at 96 kbps.

We Create Our Own Art and Logos Using:
  • Paint.net - Similar to Microsoft Paint, but turned into Photoshop.
We Edit Audio Using:
  • Audacity
    • There are more and less complicated methods and depending on the quality of your initial recording.  If you would like help or tips, feel free to contact us.
    • Using the following effects in this order to sound edit:
    • Normalize
    • Vocal Reduction and Isolation
    • Limiter
    • Compressor
    • Truncate Silence
    • MP3 ID3 Tags
    • I recommend 44.1 kHz and 96 to 128 kbps mono for decent voice quality and low file size.  *Your application may vary.
  • FFmpeg
    • Allows you to extract audio from video files and then convert audio files back to static image video files

We Stream Using:



  • ReStream.IO allows us to reach the following video live stream locations and tie them into a single chat window:
    • Twitch 
    • YouTube 
    • SmashCast 
    • Mixer 
    • Stream.Me 
    • YouNow 
    • Periscope 


We Store our Video and Audio Files Using:


We Registered Our Domain Name Using:


Our Website is Hosted On:


RSS Feed and/or Analytics come From:
  • FeedBurner - This may become outdated shortly.
  • Archive.org - This RSS Feed is programmatically generated and serves more particular Podcasting Directories.
  • Blogger
  • Google Analytics
  • Alternative - Wordpress RSS Plugins
  • Various Sites
Podcast Distribution / Directories Used:

Social Media Distribution:


  • IFTTT - Stands for "If That, Then This".  This website enables us to connect our social media sites together to deliver and distribute uniform content to the following sites:



Social Media Sites:


Hardware

(Ad Block Will Hide the Products Listed Below.)

Dan uses two computers with four total screens while podcasting.  Most of my equipment was bought through a site called Slickdeals and another deals website which is now defunct.  In order to use the Monitors without switching mice or other input devices, I use a free software called Input Director, which is one of the best tools I've ever discovered.  Thank you, OpenSSL Project!


Dan's Computer Build:

 I built this computer about two years ago intending to play DOOM.  Feels good to type DOOM.  Great game.  I've built a dozen computers in my lifetime, so the process is sorta fun to do every few years to catch up on technology.  It's important to backup the data generated by the podcast.  I periodically move files to a media server with a redundant RAID and an external hard drive backup because I'm a touch OCD.  The RED hard drives are intended for server usage and reliability.  I also have a Battery Backup for this computer to protect from power outages, trips, and surges.  As an electrical engineer, I place a lot of importance on good power and being able to save work when the power goes out.


Nicks's Computer Build:



Dan's Podcasting Monitor Preferences:












  • Screen One - Quick Searches, Visual Aids, and Open Broadcaster (OBS)
  • Screen Two - Video Chat or Video Game Window (Primary Monitor)
  • Screen Three - Researched Information
  • Screen Four - Live Stream Chat and Status Window





    Nick's Monitor Preferences:
    Dan's Audio Setup:

     Dan originally started with a Meteor microphone, but the noise was too difficult to deal with.  I upgraded to a cheaper, but surprisingly better mic, the NW-800.  I don't use the phantom power in my setup since the noise is not an issue and the Neewer NW-800 can be powered from USB.  The Neewer kit comes with the stand, a pop filter, and shock mount.  All of those items improve sound quality noticeably over time.  We both use Condenser Microphones, which works for us since we have very little background noise.  If our background noise was worse, we'd switch to Dynamic Microphones, which we'll cover in a future post.
    Computer > USB (with Ferrite Beads) > Xenyx 302USB Mixer > XLR Cable > Neewer NW-800



     Nick's Audio Setup:


    For noise dampening, I added a windscreen to the mic, an extra large mouse pad under my keyboard and mouse, and use a soft click mouse while searching.  I have a spare keyboard for when I want to be ninja-like in my searches.  If I'm gaming, I throw on directional headphones.  For normal podcasting, I use a spare set of in-ear headphones, but I'd like to upgrade to the ones shown below.


    Dan's Video Setup:

    My video setup involves two cameras (One for Video Chat and another for Video Recording to OBS), lighting, and a wireless power remote. For photographic lighting, a uniform level of diffuse lighting is desired from the front with additional back-lighting in the rear.  The front light is an LED Light strip with a bit of masking tape for diffusion and color adjustment plugged into old an old phone charger.  These LED strips are great because they don't use that much power, reduce the heat in the room comparatively, and provide flexible positioning to get it just right.




    Dan's Gaming Setup:

     The over sized mouse pad is useful because it comfortably covers the edge of the desk, softening the force on my forearms and also absorbs some sound generated by typing.  I can use both mice on this pad, so I'm not constantly fumbling with swapping out hardware.  The mouse I primarily bought for fortnight since it has a dozen buttons in useful positions.  The headphones were bought for the directional sound to search out opponents.



     Nick's Gaming Setup:



    Dan's Ultra Quiet Setup:

    Since I have a tendency to fact check during episodes, I prefer not to annoy the listener with typing and clicks.  (Sorry for our earlier episodes!)  The mouse click is nearly undetectable and the keyboard makes no sound whatsoever.




    Ambient Noise Reduction:

     Ambient Noise can ruin even the best equipment.  I bought these acoustic panels for tight spaces next to noise producing equipment.  I also have old dog beds, blankets, and pillows.  More soft mass equals a quieter room.  I've also built my own personal sound deadening 3" thick panels using a material called Roxul Rockboard.  Roxul is a material that has great acoustic properties and is also fire resistant.  It does require a frame and some level of containment as the fibers are not good for inside the human body.  Do not staple egg cartons or other flammable materials to your walls unless you want to create a fire hazard.  I also have an Air Contioning vent directly above my head.  I added a deflector to block some of the air and sound as well.




    Listening to Podcasts On-The-Go and at Work:

    Dan:

    My phone is an LG Nexus 5X I've had for many years.  I use two Bluetooth single earbud headphones.  One is inconspicuous and stays at work and the other serves as a backup at home and while I exercise. The RAVPower Bank is for long trips. I also suggest a Matte Phone Screen for a little bit of privacy from prying eyes.  If you don't have wireless access in your work area, Radio Public will download episodes when on WiFi for future use.



    Nick:

    I hope you found this guide useful.  We recommend these products because we've used them and continue to use them.

    Thanks,
    The UnPanderers

    1 comment:

    1. Hong Kong Maono Technology Co., LimitedMarch 20, 2023 at 1:19 AM

      Maono.com is a podcast production studio for pro audio. They offer podcast production services and turn your ideas into life. Podcast equipment bundle

      ReplyDelete

    Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)
    UnPanderers@gmail.com