Realpolitik Podcast

The show is recorded using the Voice over IP programme Skype with the free add-on, Callburner, which allows you to record your calls provided at least two of you in the call are running the software. I’ve set Callburner to record the show at 48 kBit/s, 22050 Hz, Mono. After some trouble with show 7 that only came to light in post-production, I record the raw audio of both sides of the Skype call as separate files that I use as a backup if Callburners automixing doesn’t work properly. We use headsets whilst recording, instead of built-in or free-standing mics.

I use Adobe Audition 1.5 for post-production. The intro and outro are added and the show is then exported as a .wav file and run through the Levelator to equalise the recording levels (hat-tip to Matt Wardman for showing me this great application). The file is then imported back into Audition and exported as a MP3. The current settings I have export it at 64 kBit/s and 22050 Hz. I’m grateful to Will Howells for showing me the error of my ways when the first podcast came out “squeaky” (fast and high-pitched) when played online. This is due to a known problem with Flash players which can be remedied by ensuring the MP3 is encoded with 11025 Hz bit rate, or one that is divisible by that bit rate (e.g 22050, 44100 etc.). Information about the podcast (artists, name, subtitle, etc) are added to the MP3 using Windows Properties and the whole thing is then ready to be uploaded (by FTP) to Podbean and published with some show notes. We’re always open Open to suggestions about how to improve the podcast (both technically and substantively), so email us if you have any ideas.