{Image: “The World in 2030” by E McKnight Kauffer, as shown on the wonderful blog BibliOdyssey.}
My friend and excellent literary writer Catherine Mayo (C. M. Mayo) is also a tech and Social Net wiz (although she would never admit it). She’s making audio podcast interviews with writers and making them available on her website, iTunes and other sites.
Here’s how she does it.
First, you will need:
1) A Mac. (Sorry! This process can no doubt be done on a PC, but Catherine and I are Mackies.) You will also need the software GarageBand, which comes with the Mac.
2) Skype software and an account. (Free.) To record an interview, both parties must be on Skype.
3) Skype recording software, Call Recorder: download here. (This is an add-on to Skype, $19.95 U.S., but you can try it out for free.) Once installed into your Skype software, select Skype preferences, and then click “Recording” on the far right.
I selected AAC Compression for Audio Encoding (because I have a newish Mac), High Audio Quality and, under Recording Options, “Audio Only.”
I opted to “Show Recording Controls at Launch” and to “Keep Recording Controls in Front During Calls.” I also checked “Record Voicemail Playback Automatically” — although I don’t know what that means.
I opted to save the audio file to my Desktop so that I wouldn’t lose it.
4) An account (free) with podOmatic.com.
Then:
1. She interviews the person on Skype, using Call Recorder.
2. She edits the recording with the Mac software GarageBand, using the “podcast” instrument setting. (Okay, I’ve a bit to learn here!)
3. She then uploads the audio file to PodOmatic.com, which will send it to iTunes.
4. She puts the link to the interview on her website.
5. She also makes the interview more widely available — and thereby giving it more exposure on Google — by uploading the podcast as a .mov file onto YouTube and Vimeo.
Okay … I’m going to give it a try and report back.
I am making interviews on Windows :) and I use Solicall Pro (http://www.solicall.com/products.html#AddOnPro) for recording. As opposed to standard recording, this software also reduces any ambient noise.
Thank you for this information, Valer. When I update the post, I will include this for PC users.
Many thanks for posting this – I have a shiny new iMac and have recently installed Skype… And it’s on my to-do list to look into how to record interviews. This a great little summary and I shall try it this weekend :)
Great, Karen! Please report back! Detailed if possible. I’m going to try this weekend, as well.
Speaking of tech whiz types, Sandra, you’re the one who got me onto facebook! I was in, like, the 19th century there…and now, also thanks to you, I’m on DISQUS. Blog on!
However: YOU should be in the Guiness book of records as one of the truly early bloggers!
And did I say “Thank you!”?
Well bless your heart, Sandra! It’s so much fun to get to talk to my writer friends and really delve into their process, much more than we would in a normal conversation. I’ve got Solveig Eggerz talking about her novel set in her country, Iceland (yes, we talked a little about fairies, too), Sara Mansfield Taber, one of the most accomplsihed and poetic writers I know, on growing up in Asia, Europe, and DC with her an undercover CIA operative, and coming soon… Edward Swift and… drum roll… Sandra Gulland!
Now, Sandra, I very much look forward to YOUR podcasts!
Whew, I sometimes type too fast. I meant to say:
Sara Mansfield Taber, one of the most accomplished and poetic writers I know, on growing up in Asia, Europe, and DC with her father an undercover CIA operative
Check out that interview at http://cmmayo.podomatic.com/entry/2011-12-16T09_48_34-08_00
Her book is BORN UNDER AN ASSUMED NAME
??? We shall see! (Gulp.)