Over the past few years, podcasters for both the PC and Mac worlds have had a similar dilemma…how to inject audio into your live podcasts and shows. Many methods have been tried, and likewise, many have failed. To date, the only tried and true method for doing this was to purchase a hardware mixer and then be saddled down with a sometimes huge upfront expense and of course, maintenance, upkeep and eventually, replacement.

Nowadays, using a VOIP or SIP connection for your live podcasts and shows, is becoming the norm. Along with this connection, you have the opportunity to inject audio easily using a product called Vemotion from http://www.voiceemotion.com

Using Skype or XLite (or other SIP/VOIP client) along with Vemotion, enables you to play audio files easily. What this doesn’t enable you to do, is to play your audio, say from Talkshoe, back across another connection, such as uStream. So, when your viewers are listening to your audio on uStream, they will only hear you and no one else or your audio files that you are playing. So, this brings in yet another challenge for the podcaster…how to make THIS happen!

Like I said earlier, the best way was to spend a lot of money and purchase a hardware mixer. This isn’t practical for a lot of hobbyists, so a low cost, software solution had to be found. Introducing The Virtual Audio Cable, a low cost software solution that enables you to simulate a hardware mixer and redirect your audio to other places such as uStream.

The Virtual Audio Cable is for PC only and gives you the capability to redirect your audio using “virtual” devices. Now, just a quick caveat here…this solution is not for the technically challenged. That being said, I am adding a short how-to video on setting this software up and this should allow almost anyone to setup and start using this software in little to no time at all!

As many of you already know, I have had the hardware mixer for quite some time now. This has worked out quite nicely for me, except for when I need to go remote with my laptop and then, well, I can’t be dragging a bunch of extra hardware with me everywhere I go…can I?!? No! So, this is why I began looking into this solution real hard once again. I purchased the Virtual Audio Cable (just runs $29.00 USD) and was able to download it and install it and once the configuration was in place, I was able to start using it! In fact, I “debuted” the use of this solution on my show last night and it worked out great! Here’s a few tips for you to get you going…

To begin with, you can download a free trial version of the Virtual Audio Cable (and I recommend you do this BEFORE buying it) from http://software.muzychenko.net/vac409.zip …You can still use my instructions to use the free trial to make sure this works for you.

Once you have the trial software installed, there are two applications that you will be using, the Audio Repeater and the Virtual Audio Cable app. To begin, start the VAC app. You will need to setup at least one Virtual Cable. Here is a graphic showing you my setup right now:

As you can see in this picture, I have three virtual cables setup. You will have some limitations in the trial version, however, you only need one virtual cable to make this work.

Next, you need to run two applications of the Audio Repeater program. The reason for this is to redirect your audio through the newly created virtual cables. Here is my setup:

As you can see from the picture, I have my microphone on my PC going to Line 2 (a virtual audio cable. Yours may say Line 1) and on the second repeater, Line 2 going to my Speakers on my PC. Now, all audio is being redirected using the Virtual Audio Cable software. Next, click the Start buttons on each repeater program to start the virtual streams. Next, after you fire up uStream (or whatever program you are wanting to send your audio out to) make sure your audio source is your Virtual Audio Cable (for example, mine is Line 2) and then all audio will go to your redirected source. So, when you have people talking in the Talkshoe Chat Room or you are playing audio files using Vemotion, your other source will hear these as well!

I will post a video soon showing this entire process along with links where you can purchase this great product! Take my advice, download the trial version FIRST and then make sure it will work for your application! Watch for the video here soon!

Popularity: 1% [?]

During our premiere episode of Talkshoe Support Live!, we will discuss the various methods for connecting to the Talkshoe Service. Each week, we will discuss another feature or aspect of the Talkshoe Service and will bring the hosts and listeners of Talkshoe a variety of recorded training sessions that will last from 10 to 15 minutes. Immediately following the recorded training sessions, we will open the phone lines up for a Q&A session. All questions, suggestions and comments will be noted by the Talkshoe Support Staff and we will attempt to answer your support issues during each show.

The Talkshoe Support Live! shows will be held at Show ID 875 every Monday Night at 7:00pm EST. Hosted by support reps, Dr. Robert White and Josh Budde. The recorded training sessions will be available at http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/875 as well as playable here with each show notes post.

With regards to connecting to the Talkshoe Service, there are several methods available.

Land Line or Cell Phone by dialing into the (724)444-7444 number
Skype Out dialing into the (724)444-7444 number
Using Shoephone, XLite, SJPhone, Gizmo or other SIP client
Or just simply logging into the chatroom and interacting with the service by chat.

Listen to the recorded session in the player below to get the full details of how to use each of these methods.

Popularity: 2% [?]

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Since the inception of this show, almost 3 years ago now, I have always had a Co-Host. For some shows, a Co-Host may not work out well, however, for most, having a Co-Host is almost like breathing new life into your podcast.

Many podcasters begin solo and they do alright, then over time, the broken toaster effect starts to set in (we all remember the broken toaster episode a few weeks ago) and then the podcaster simply vanishes into the night, never to be heard from again.

Enter the Co-Host. This is a person who mans the “second chair” for your show. Kind of like Ed McMahon to Johnny Carson…ok, I just dated myself there, didn’t I? But I think you get the idea.

A couple of years ago, I had an idea for a business oriented show here on Talkshoe. I invited Patti Serrano to join me for the first show as a guest host and the mix was just right and I asked her to stay on as a permanent Co-Host for that show. We ran that show for almost 1 and a half years and it was very successful as a downloaded show.

When I started this show, it was started as a Talkshoe Support show and Tommy Vallier, then the only support rep for Talkshoe, came in on my first episode and became my Co-Host and was here for more than a year before he moved on to bigger and better things. As time progressed, this show evolved and I picked up another Co-Host, Jeff Chandler, who went on to start up his own Wordpress Weekly show, something he had done prior, and is still going strong today. After flying solo for a few months, I then invited Josh Budde on as my current Co-Host. This show is more of a two host style show and it just flows better with two hosts.

Of course, prior to bringing Josh on, I brought in the concept of Segment Hosts. A Segment Host is kinda like a Co-Host, except they only do a short 3 to 5 minute segment during your show. Maybe this would enhance your show, much like it did mine. A Segment Host can add more details to any show and the nice part about a Segment Host is that they don’t have to talk about what you are talking about, thus adding content to your show.

Now, consider your show that you have right now. Depending on the niche you are serving, you may be able to bring in a Co-Host easily and begin enhancing your show. So, just how do you find this ever elusive Co-Host? Easy! Start listening to other shows that are in the same niche that you are serving. If you can’t find one that way, look at your current listeners and see who is coming in faithfully on most every show. Start by asking them, as a group, to see if there is any interest. If you have more than one, then you can pick and choose, otherwise go with your gut and give this person a try out and see if there is a fit.

Now, you have a Co-Host, the next step is to set a time, once a week, if your show is a weekly show, for example, to get together on Skype or a Private Call and put your heads together and decide how the show will progress and collaborate on Show Notes, etc. to make sure you will have a good flow. I would suggest using something like Google Docs to collaborate your Show Notes, so that both you and your Co-Host can easily make modifications to the notes and both can easily stay on the same page.

Also, don’t forget, that when you have a Co-Host, you need to include your Co-Host in certain activities and discussions that will give your listeners a different voice to hear during your show.

Now with Segment Hosts, this operates a on a little different scale. With a Segment Host, they will most likely be talking on a subject that is different from your main show and something that they are familiar with. Because they aren’t really involved in the main discussion of the show, give your Segment Hosts their 3 to 5 minutes (or how ever long you have decided for them) to do their spot and then take back the reigns again and continue on. There is normally no collarboration with Segment Hosts, unless they are centering their segment around what you are talking about on that show. For example, if you have a Movie Review style show and you have a segment host coming in, they may want to know what movie you will be reviewing so that they can talk about when this movie is being released to DVD or maybe some special features that the DVD release will offer.

Ok, let’s say you have implemented a Co-Host and maybe even some Segment Hosts. Should you give them space in your blog or web site for their own show notes, commentaries, etc.? You betcha! Make sure that your Co-Host has their own category or seperate space and each Segment Host too. Now, not everyone will want to do this, but make sure you make the offer just the same!

Listen to this extended version of the show in the player below!

Last week, we discussed the Basics of Talkshoe and continuing with that line of thinking, this week, we will discuss Broadcasting on a Shoestring.

Everyone has the ability to produce a good sounding, professional style show, and most everyone has the inclination to do so. Sometimes, your financial situation, especially during these hard, economic times, can get in the way of allowing you to do this.

Tonight, we will discuss different hardware, equipment and software that you can use to setup your home studio to produce a more professional style podcast. You may need to spend a few bucks to do this, however, we will attempt to show you the most inexpensive way to get yourself setup.

To begin with, when using Talkshoe, of course, the service itself is free. The service is free, but consider that your Internet connection is not! Look at your current provider or ISP and see what package you are subscribed to. If you are wanting to do just audio broadcasting, then you can easily get by with a lower end package of say 1mb down and 128k up. However, if you are wanting to do audio AND video broadcasting, then you will want a higher end package with at least 1mb to 3mb up and maybe 3mb to 6 mb down. When broadcasting, your upload speed is more critical than your download speed. Check with your ISP or Internet provider to see what packages they offer and you might even be able to upgrade for only a few dollars more a month!

Now, once your Internet connection is worked out, you will want to look at how you are connecting to the Talkshoe Service. Talkshoe allows several methods of connecting including landline or cell phone by way of 724-444-7444 and of course this may be a toll call depending on your phone service, so expect long distance charges when calling this number, especially if you don’t have a good long distance plan on your land line or cell phone. Another way to connect is by the SIP Interface using Gizmo, SJPhone or XLite and of course, don’t forget the Shoephone that is built into the Talkshoe Pro Client. And then of course, there is Skype. With Skype, you can purchase an outgoing plan for around $36.00 US per year and you will have the ability to dial into Talkshoe using the 724-444-7444 number WITHOUT long distance charges! We’ll talk more about these alternate methods of dialing in shortly when we discuss some of the equipment you will need.

Ok, one quick comment about dialing in before we move on, remember, depending on how you are dialing in or connecting to the Talkshoe service, will greatly affect your audio quality and your recording quality. If you dial in using a cell phone, for example, then you quality will be lower as this will be an analog or phone quality audio. When you connect using Skype or SIP, then you will have a higher quality, because your connection is a higher quality connection. Again, we’ll talk more about quality when we discuss the equipment later.

Talking about equipment, a good microphone and headset will go a long way to helping you to have a great quality audio and recording. Most places such as Radio Shack, Office Depot, Office Max, Staples and even Wal-Mart carry quality products at low prices to get you started.

Listen to this episode in the player below to hear what some of the listeners had to say about this topic!

[ad#forums]
Earlier this week, I announced, by way of a blog post, of changes coming to the format of the show. Tonight, I will be implementing these changes. Even though they aren’t real big changes, they are changes none the less.

First off, for those of you that catch my videocasts each week, I am now streaming live (and recorded) on Mogulus instead of uStream.tv. I have revamped my live page at http://www.newmediapro.tv to reflect these changes to the video streaming.

Now, most of the show will remain as it was, such as the segment hosts will still come in an deliver their segments each week. The main change to the format is in the Main Topic area. I will choose a topic for the episode to discuss, however, the floor will remain open for anyone, and I stress anyone, that wants to come on and discuss other things, like how to use Talkshoe for example. This will allow the new hosts to Talkshoe to come in and to learn, like a hands on approach (thanks to the video) how to do the things they are wanting to learn how to do.

Anyway, the topic for tonight is What is REALLY important to your podcast. Now, since I am a Support Rep for Talkshoe, I see some really strange requests sometimes that are bugging people about the service or their shows, and so I have come up with a list of things that a podcaster should be looking at and not sweating the small stuff.

You can add to this list if you like, as there may be things that you feel is important to your podcast and I may have overlooked. This is NOT an all inclusive list!

Important things to a podcaster:
1. Make sure your equipment is working BEFORE you go live!
This is probably the most important item in the whole list. Now I know, better than anyone, that technical difficulties can happen after you press the Record button. However, it is extremely important that you mak sure your mic is working with your VOIP program (Shoephone, Gizmo, Skype, etc.) and that you know how to use the aformentioned VOIP program to log into Talkshoe to do your show. If you are using a landline or cell phone, again make sure your batteries are charged (like for a cordless phone or cell phone) and that you know the shortcut keys to use in case you need them. Remember, *2*1 to start and stop the recording, *8 to Raise Your Hand (For listeners) and *6 to mute and unmute.

2. Before you start the recording, and if you have someone else in the chat room with you, make sure your audio is functioning properly.
There is nothing worse than to go into your show and then find out that your mic was muted or turned off and that no one can hear you. If you are in doubt, then take an extra minute to double check BEFORE you start your show!

3. Decide how to handle hecklers during your show, BEFORE you begin!
Make sure you know how to mute the chat room users and how to mute the live phone in listeners. When you get that ever present podcrasher, and you will (we all do) be ready to mute them both in the chat and on the phone. To do this, as a host, simply click on the computer icon next to their name to mute/unmute their chatroom and click on the phone icon next to their name to mute/unmute their live conversations. And if you get someone that is being persistant in wanting to be unmuted, think twice unless you know the person and know that they aren’t wanting to disrupt your show.

4. If you are inviting someone in for an interview, make sure they know how to log into Talkshoe on the phone (at the very least) and that they have an account. This way your invited person isn’t coming in as a guest and you are trying to second guess yourself as to who or where they are.

5. After your show is finished, don’t rush right out and “hope” that the recording is there. It most likely won’t be. You may have to wait for up to 30 minutes or more before your recorded show will appear. Also, the recording will not appear until AFTER you have terminated the show and exited your chat room.

6. Going along with number 5, don’t look for the stats to be immediately updated. They most likely won’t be. The stats are usually updated daily and they aren’t updated on the fly. If you want to check your stats, that’s ok, but don’t make this a priority and then generate a support ticket when they aren’t there 10 seconds after your show if finished!! Wait until the next day and check them, if 24 hours have passed and they still haven’t updated, then go to GetSatisfaction and let Talkshoe know. There may be an issue with the Stats Server that needs to be looked at.

7. When scheduling your future shows, take a few minutes to learn how to use this interface. It’s not too complicated and once you learn it, you can schedule a show within a few minutes and send out your invites and be done. Again, don’t just jump out and generate a ticket because you don’t want to take a few minutes to learn how to do it right!

8. Speaking of scheduled shows, once you schedule a future show, make sure you actually show up to do the show! When listeners see you are live and they go into the chatroom and no one is there, especially the host, then they will tend to quickly migrate to another show and not want to come back. Now, I understand that sometimes life can get in the way, so take a second to go out and reschedule the show to another day or time and in this way, you will be able to retain more listeners when you can’t make it.

9. Take some time to update your profiles.
When you are hosting a show, make sure your show profile is updated with a proper name and description. This will help new listeners decide whether or not they want to come in and check you out. If your profile is incomplete or blank, they will most likely keep moving along and won’t stop in. Your personal profile is especially important to make sure you have it updated. There is nothing more frustrating to a host to click on a listeners name to find nothing, just a blank profile. Also, include your proper age. If you are a teenager or pre-teen trying to act like an adult, believe me, adults can tell the difference. The more honest you are in your profile, the more respect you will earn from your fellow hosts and listeners.

10. If you don’t know how to do something, just ask someone!
Whether you are just starting out or have been doing this for a while, you may see something new or hear of something new that you would like to incorporate into your podcast. If you can’t figure it out, don’t get upset just because someone else if making it work, ask someone. Usually the host that is using the new technology will be more than happy to explain what they are doing and how they are doing it. If all else fails, come onto a show like Podcaster Training or submit a support ticket to Talkshoe and ask how to do this. You might be surprised of the amount of information you will get back in return!

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Popularity: 8% [?]

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[ad#skype]
Or How to take your show on the road!

Tonight, we will discuss how to do a remote podcast. First, you may ask, what exactly is a remote podcast and I beleive that if you think about it for a second, you will understand. However, think of it like a terrestrial radio station doing a remote broadcast from a local business, a remote podcast is very much like that. You are simply producing your live show from a different location.

Right now, look at how you produce your current live show. You are usually sitting at home, at your PC (or Mac…didn’t want to assume everyone has a PC) and you are calling in on the phone, Skype or SIP, and you log into Talkshoe and do your show, right? Now, think about taking your show to a local coffee shop, bookstore or other location that has WiFi access and armed with your trusty notebook and cell phone, you can easily setup, log into the WiFi and place your call to Talkshoe and you are now ready to do a remote podcast.

Of course, like anything else, this may take some planning on your part as you may not have a notebook or a local business with WiFi access and so now what? Let’s look at some other ways you can also do a remote podcast without having to tote around a notebook and other equipment.

Let’s assume for the sake of argument that you are just wanting to interview a local business person and then play that interview on your show. The easiest way to do this, especially if you can’t get them on a phone call on your show, is to take a Digital Voice Recorder or some other type of recording device, and then go to the local business and ask them if it would be ok to record your interview with them. Once you have their permission, press Record and do your interview. Once completed, you can take it back to your computer and then work it into your show,

There are other ways to do remote podcasts and I have a couple of hosts that are doing that right now! Bruce Turner, whom most of you recognize from being on this show and even guest hosting a few weeks ago for me, does a remote podcast, including video, from a local coffee shop in his town called “The Muse”. Bruce couldn’t be with us tonight due to a prior committment, however, he has sent me a pre-recorded segment explaining what he does for The Muse.

Patti Serrano, my segment host here for The Business of Podcasting, has done remote podcasts before and she will now come on and explain a new project that she is currently exploring that will be a new kind of remote podcast.

BTW, we will be bringing Bruce Turner on the show next week for a live segment talking more about this subject.

With Talkshoe’s remote functions over the phone, such as *2*1 to start and stop the recording, you can also use the new feature of starting your call right away over the phone (make sure this is activated in your profile for your show), and you can be at a local business, coffee shop, where ever and start a call and do a remote podcast and of course, you won’t have the chat room in front of you, but you can still easily do a remote podcast in this manner.

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Popularity: 5% [?]

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I want to thank Bruce Turner for filling in for me on Podcaster Training. Even though I could only be on the phone, it sounded like he had a great turnout and I also want to thank the listeners that participated during the show.

Bruce talked about the angst and awe of podcasting as his main topic. Be sure to listen to this great episode in the player below and join us every Friday Night for more Podcaster Training!

We will return with our regular episodes next Friday and our main topic will be on “Casting Your Net For Listeners”.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

[ad#skype]
Ok, what’s so special about THIS episode? Isn’t Podcaster Training on EVERY Friday Night? The answer is simple, this episode will be special because it will be Guest Hosted by Bruce Turner!

I will be unavailable (my day job is getting in the way again), however, the show MUST go on! Bruce has been a long time, regular on Podcaster Training and is a fellow host on Talkshoe. He will most likely be doing an Open Mic style show, but then again, that’s entirely up to him! Tune in and see what is happening on Friday Night.

Oh, and if I can manage it, I will try and stop in for a few minutes, if my schedule permits it. I’ll be definitely checking out the podcast to hear all the fun I missed! And, I will be back the following Friday Night with more Podcaster Training.

Have fun on Friday Night, 8:00pm EST at http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/16829

Popularity: 8% [?]

[ad#skype]
Last week, Podcaster Training was postponed due to me not having a voice. Not a good thing for an audio style podcast host to say the least. We will pickup again on Friday the 13th (oh joy!) and start a new topic, “What Makes An Expert…An Expert?”. This topic comes from a question posed to me and I thought it would make for a good discussion, so join me on Friday Night at 8:00pm EST at http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/16829 and chime in with your thoughts and opinions!

Popularity: 15% [?]

[ad#skype]

February 7th, 2009 at 5:00pm EST, I will be holding a 2 Hour Webinar featuring using Audacity.

I will include in this Webinar:
Downloading and Installing the program
Installing the Lame Encoder
Recording tracks
Editing tracks
Using the various tools in Audacity
Creating an MP3 file
Adding ID3 Tags
Importing other types of formats into your tracks
Mixing tracks
and more!

Price to attend this Webinar will be $49.00

I will be holding the Webinar on a Private uStream Channel, so there will not be any restrictions on the number of people invited. Payment must be received no later than Noon on February 7th, 2009 in order to be invited to this event.

You can register for this event at http://www.becomeapodcaster.com

If you want to learn how to use Audacity, this will be the training you will definitely want to get in on!

Popularity: 10% [?]