Being a student comes with some benefits: we have access to lots of resources to create projects in and outside of the classroom. As a UBC student, it is possible to create your own podcast without needing to buy fancy equipment and software. In fact, most of the things you need can be found and borrowed in the Chapman Learning Commons!
In this article, we will navigate all the resources available to UBC students to create your own podcast!
This is a continuation of our Podcast Series – check out the first and second part in our blog!
General Requirements
Equipment
Our DIY Media Studio is in the Music Art and Architecture (MAA) Library on the 3rd floor of the Irving K. Barber. It is a sound-buffered room equipped with all the tools you need, like microphones and a mixing board, to start your own Podcast! In terms of visuals, it includes a video camera and a green screen (for a CGI background). You can book the DIY Media room here!
Software
No need to buy random subscriptions to audio editing software: in the Chapman Learning Commons, we got you covered. You can find the following software in the DIY Media Studio. Pro tip: they are also installed in the Mac computers found in the Heritage Area.
Looking to record a podcast? Audacity is a great first step! Audacity records live audio and captures stream audio in high sound quality. It also exports multiple audio files, plays with the speed and pitch of audio, and can add other effects too.
Adobe Creative Cloud – Premiere Pro for audio and video
This is primarily used for video editing but can also be a perfect tool for your podcast. It easily adjusts volume levels and it is great to edit, repair, and improve audio. Enhance your podcast and fix any background noise using this software.
Open Broadcast Software (OBS) – Streaming, Annotation, Webcam Annotation
Open Broadcast has an intuitive audio mixer that makes it easy to record by filtering undesired background noise. Its friendly user interface allows easy navigation through the system settings and gives access to a variety of tools. Moreover, it is useful in effortlessly exporting the audio to streaming platforms, such as YouTube, Twitch, or Facebook.
If you do not have experience with the software above, do not feel overwhelmed, there are a great deal of resources that will guide you through the process. I find videos to be more helpful than articles, given that they are more practical and easier to follow.
Other Requirements
Intellectual Capital
It is extremely important to consider intellectual property (IP) before, during and after finishing a podcast. Original audio is considered part of IP. In fact, the history of laugh tracks in TV sitcoms is an example of how a creative mind, Charley Douglass, made a fortune by patenting his laugh tracks which were heavily used in the 1950s and 1960s. Hence, confirm that if you are using audio from someone, you are effectively using the audio/visual guidelines to cite it.
Human Capital
In my personal experience, this is the most important part of the process, and sometimes, it is underrated. Finding someone to interview for a podcast can be difficult – here are some guiding questions I follow:
- Who is a suitable candidate?
- How can I reach out to them for their support?
- Does their schedule align with the recording timeline process? For instance, if they have a packed schedule and the podcast must be finished as soon as possible, I would reconsider my options and reflect on my priorities.
Make sure the interviewee knows the information shared with the audience. Be mindful that they might not be comfortable talking about certain topics or sharing certain experiences. Consider sending them the questions ahead of time so they are prepared and feel confident in their answers. Before publishing the podcast, ensure to clarify any details and evaluate if they can have access to the latest version so they can give their consent on what will be shared to the public.
So, what are you waiting for? Start creating your own podcast with the resources found in the Chapman Learning Commons! I hope this blog sparked your motivation to immerse yourself in the Podcast world. Remember that there are plenty of benefits and equipment/software you can access as a UBC student, and never forget that we are here to answer any questions you might have. Feel free to contact us in person, through email, or by phone.
References
DIY Media Studio. Chapman Learning Commons. (2022, August 11). Retrieved November 10, 2022, from https://learningcommons.ubc.ca/tech-support/diy-media-studio/
Jensen, K. T. (2018, February 5). The mysterious machine that changed TV sitcoms forever. Thrillist. Retrieved November 10, 2022, from https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/laugh-tracks-sitcoms-history-laff-box
Paskin, W. (2018, April 30). Charlie Douglass’ Laff Box treated titters and guffaws like musical instruments. Slate Magazine. Retrieved November 17, 2022, from https://slate.com/culture/2018/04/charlie-douglass-and-his-laff-box-invented-the-laugh-track-as-we-know-it.html
