[Michlib-l] Exploring a Library Podcast – Suggestions Welcome!

[Steven Kish]

Hello Asako,

Librarian and amateur audio engineer here.

Depending on what your budget is, you are going to want to focus on: 1) a
decent microphone, 2) an audio interface (to connect the microphone to the
computer), and 3) isolation (not only from noise that bleeds in from
outside of your recording environment, but also from room reverb which can
muddy your audio). The microphone is by the most straight-foward of the
three to understand/achieve, as isolation may not only include selecting an
ideal space but treating the room with absorbers and diffusers as well.
Some microphones plug directly into your computer via USB and you can skip
purchasing the audio interface. Some of these may actually be pretty good
too, but in my experience, I have never come across a USB microphone that
produced as clean and loud of a signal as the traditional
microphone/interface combo did.

I would spend exactly zero dollars on audio recording software, because
there are already a lot of really great tools (like Cakewalk for PCs/Macs
and Garageband for Mac users) that are completely free. These digital audio
workstations possess editing (trimming audio, fades in/out, etc.) as well
as really high quality audio effects (compression, EQ, reverb, etc.) to
process your audio. If you can't afford (or understand how to implement)
room treatment, you may wish to spend a little money on an audio plugin
which you can use in the digital audio workstation to remove room reverb.

As important as buying the right gear is learning how to use the gear
correctly. Here are some good YouTube videos on techniques to make your
podcast sound as professional as possible.

Microphones/room treatment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h83TPkUgFag
Microphone technique: https://youtu.be/ZlOmbWL0ZDM?si=AyaJ5OzD7l0vP7G5
Basic vocal processing: https://youtu.be/xfv3Jt-VkFE?si=c80ogg4NRYhysNVi
Audio leveling: https://youtu.be/dlC-MnuFtVs?si=x1zM7OVbJvSgzi2l

If you have any more specific questions, feel free to email me directly. I
know that some companies sell podcasting kits (usually a microphone, an
interface and headphones) and I would be happy to opine on those or any
other gear you are thinking about.

Best of luck.

Steven

On Wed, May 21, 2025 at 9:42 AM Asako Nakamura via Michlib-l <
michlib-l at mcls.org> wrote:

> Hi everyone,
> I’m thinking about starting a podcast at our library and wanted to ask for
> your advice. What do we need to begin—would you recommend investing in a
> good microphone first, or focusing on computer/audio editing specs?
> Also, if your library already has a podcast, I’d love to check it out!
> Please feel free to share a link or tell me where I can listen.
> Thank you in advance for your insights!
> Best,
>
>
>
> Asako Nakamura
> Program Coordinator
> Portage Lake District Library
> 58 Huron St. Houghton, MI 49931
> (906)482-4570 X4111
> Visit our website at www.pldl.org
> LIKE our FB page at facebook.com/pldl.org
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Michlib-l mailing list
> Michlib-l at mcls.org
> https://mail3.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l
>


-- 


*Steven Kish*

*Systems LibrarianLawrence Technological University*

*Email <library at ltu.edu>, call <2482043000>or 24/7 chat with
<https://libguides.ltu.edu/247help> the LTU Library (fastest)*
*Direct email: skish at ltu.edu <skish at ltu.edu> (will reply my next scheduled
shift)*
*Who am I? **Click here to view my profile in the LTU Directory
<https://ltu.edu/faculty/kish-steven/>*
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