Month: August 2025

The Basic Equipment for Podcasting

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I recently led a workshop about podcasting at the local library. I thought it might be useful to go over the basics of the tech needed to record and edit a podcast. As far as coming up with the ideas and recording schedule and artwork and marketing – you’re on your own.

The Equipment

Depending on how deep you want to go into this hobby will determine how much you want to spend on the equipment to make this happen.

Basic

The simplest thing is to use your phone or computer to record. This will be the most unpolished version as the sound quality from your laptop’s built in microphone or your phone won’t be as good as a “real” microphone.

At this stage you can decide if you want to heavily edit or upload as is. Some editing is probably going to be necessary just so your sound and content is clean and organized. Nobody wants to hear you setting up your microphone or arguing with the cat who hopped on your lap. Or maybe they do. Who knows what makes good content these days?

Simple

At this stage, you’re looking into getting a separate mic from your computer. This will be the consumer friendly USB style mic. Some examples below.

USB mics are fine, but the sound quality is not as good as a better (read: more expensive) mic. I liken it to a “hollow” sound.

The USB makes up for its basic sound quality with its ease of use. You simply plug it into the computer, maybe download whatever driver the computer requires to use it, and off you go.

Moderate

The XLR mic is the more professional microphone. I’ll leave it to the sound professionals to explain the numbers associated with a mic’s quality. I found this article that helps explain microphone quality.

The back of this mic is where the XLR cable plugs in.

Basically, your better microphones will be able to record clear sound with minimal background noise.

The downside is that in order to use the XLR mic with a laptop, you’re going to need a device that connects the two. You’ll notice there is no XLR input on a computer.

This is what an XLR cable looks like.

An example of an audio interface. Note the two plug in ports for XLR cables, the separate knobs to control levels, etc.

To use the XLR mic with a laptop, you need an interface. This device provides a place for me to plug in an XLR mic, adjust the levels, and then it goes to a USB that plugs into the computer.

The interface I’ve been using is more suited for the music world and I’ve run into issues trying to accurately keep track of levels, so I’m on my way to the next step (The interface I was using was the Behringer UM2. Cheap at $40 but too simple for my needs now).

Advanced

Separate Audio!

The first versions I talked about involved recording directly to your computer. One of the issues I’ve noted while using my interface has been that I cannot accurately monitor audio in the computer while recording. There’s a second or so of delay. This makes it difficult for me to monitor the audio as I’m recording because I’m hearing my own voice echo back at me. It’s very disorienting.

So I’m going to the next method, the method I should have thought of first, which is recording to a separate audio recorder. In film production, we typically record separate sound. That’s why we use the slate (often mistakenly called a “clapper board”) in order to sync up the video and audio. You use the image of the slate clap with the audio in order to match up the audio and video. Of course there’s some tools out there to help you automate this process, but I’m more of a camera person than an editor. And an amateur podcaster.

So, to record separate audio at this stage with better mics, you need a decent audio recorder. The H4n Zoom is a solid choice. It has 2 XLR inputs, so you could plug in two mics at once, plus a headphone jack to listen in and all the control over the levels. With this piece of equipment you record to an SD card.

Recording Program

If you’re recording to the computer, use whatever you have to start. There’s likely a built-in audio recorder on your computer.

I use Audacity, which is a free program. The free version doesn’t have a lot of options these days, so I only use it to record now, no editing.

There are some podcast hosting sites like Podbean, Descript and even Spotify (with Riverside) that will enable you to record and upload in the same place.

Editing Program

Use whatever you want to edit! As long as you can cut your audio files up, you’re editing.

I use the Adobe Creative Suite programs, so I’m editing my podcast in the same program I edit video in: Adobe Premiere. It’s not the typical use of that program, but I know all the hot keys, I can adjust levels and apply filters and effects, and I can export as an audio-only file. If there’s an editing program you already use that you are comfortable with, start there.

Podcast Hosting

You’ll want to upload your podcast to a host website.

There’s quite a few hosts to choose from, but some options include:

  • Buzzsprout
  • Podbean
  • Resonate
  • SoundCloud
  • Audioboom
  • Spotify for Creators

There’s many to choose from! Just check out this list of popular podcast hosting sites.

I’ve been using Spotify, but looking into some other options in order to extend my reach. At this time, Spotify cross posts to Spotify, Amazon and Apple.

The Atlanta Film Yard Sale – Year 2!

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Last year, a group of three camera department women got together to plan a simple yard sale — that ballooned into the event of the year. Those women were Erin Zellers, Tina Somphone and myself. And we had to go bigger and better this year.

I wrote about the first one here: https://bridgetlamonica.com/2024/09/11/the-atlanta-film-yard-sale-and-building-a-film-community/

Being a filmmaker doesn’t mean you are an artist on an island, creating alone. Film production is the ultimate group project. (sorry kids in high school, you still have to get along with other people!) Just as you would make a film with a group of dedicated people, the yard sale event comes together thanks to a wide network of people, from the three organizers, to the volunteers, to the sponsors, to the vendors and the attendees.

There was a lot of well-intentioned pressure from Year 1 to keep going. We didn’t even finish having the event last year before people were asking us when we would do it again. “Twice a year?” some people suggested. We all turned pale. “Once a year is fine” we assured them.

As 2025 dawned, we got to work.

Looking at what we got right and what needed work last year, we started figuring things out. One biggie was that we needed more space. We absolutely packed 24ATL last year, the LED Volume Studio in Doraville GA. It was a great space (and that wall is super cool, you should really check it out) but we ended up shortchanging people on space and didnt’ want to do that again.

Plus the need was simply greater this year. I know I haven’t discussed it on the blog much but I have talked endlessly about this to folks in person. The film industry is not in a great place right now. People are making the decision to either transition out of the industry entirely, or are holding on with their fingertips and hoping things will pick up work-wise. For this reason, there’s a number of people who just need to make some money or want to transition their business to something else. We had plenty of people who wanted to sell at the event.

Our sponsors this year made it possible to get any further. You can’t host an event without money to organize it.

Tier 2 Sponsors

You can see Local 600’s writeup about the event here.

Tier 1

Yes, we had a lot of sponsors! They donated money, prizes for the drawing, and more. We also had a surprise bonus drawing prize from Panavision! Super awesome.

PC&E (Production Consultants & Equipment) became our venue for the event. Not only do they rent out a lot of film gear in the local film industry here, they also have an enormous sound stage that we would end up filling. And then some.

We filled every available space, from the entirety of Stage 1’s 9400 sq ft to the staging area leading to it and the outside. We had people everywhere! Plus food trucks. Plus activities like a scavenger hunt.

This year we were able to raise money for a cause that’s near and dear to a lot of members of the film industry, the Sarah Jones Film Foundation. The foundation honors the memory of 27 year old camera assistant Sarah Jones, who tragically lost her life in February 2014 due to an accident on the set of Midnight Rider. The foundation provides education and awareness, film safety grants, and even a wonderful film internship program. You can learn more about the foundation here.

Thanks to our donated items, our drawing prizes, our vendors and sponsors, we were able to raise $2500 for the foundation.

We also held demonstrations this year! As is typicaly with the film production life, we had a couple cancellations that had to be filled, and everyone who did a demonstration did an amazing job.

The demonstrations included an excellent “how to film stunts” demo with Good Slate Pictures. They also have a YouTube channel so you should definitely check out their stuff! Their YouTube is called Behind the Stunts.

Chris Roe, ARRI Certified TRINITY Operator, Cinematographer and Steadicam Operator, brought his cool rickshaw with remote head! Folks got to try to remote head for themselves as the rickshaw roamed the space.

Kenya Campbell and Deanna Griffin did a DP/Gaffer fireside chat. It was great information to share with our audience as experience levels varied. Plus it is always great to learn new tips, tricks, and practical information to make you better at your job!

I can’t say enough about how this community came together! This, my friends, is what the film industry is all about. Working together towards a common goal. Sharing education and resources. Having a good time with your friends.

We’ll see you at the next one.

Photo Credit: Local 600 Still Photographer Josh Stringer