Hello dear podcast-mixers!
We would be happy to see you working on a mix, that surely would be good for everyone, especially for the listeners!
Here you can read useful tips about podcast mixing. Let's start it!
So, we have basic rules, as usual:
- of course no copyrighted/commercial material.
- playtime should be around 40-50mins.
- format: 192kbit/44100hz/16bit mp3
- include a filled .cue file
- we need a banner too, exclusively created for the episode. think about it in time, and ask a graphician to do it.
- if you have problems to find a lazy graphician guy, just ask us. we'll slap them.
- we (spectral, alien, vincenzo) need the tunes from the mix separately, so we can add them to the bitjam playlist (if they aren't already in there)
- you should use an exclusive bitjam jingle too. the lenght doesn't matter, around ~15-35sec. is good.
- can't you create your own jingle? we have lazy musicians too!
- can you create your own jingle? please make two versions:
1. bitjam radio - remixing the scene
2. bitjam podcast - remixing the scene
- MOST IMPORTANT: DEADLINE! you should give us the final mix (and the tunes) in time, ideal is ~1 week before online playing.
- do you have trouble mixing the tunes together? ask Vincenzo, he'll do it, just send him a pm.
Ok, those were the basics. Now let's see what you need to do your own mix.
You need a host program, formerly known as multitrack editor.
Nuendo, Cubase, Adobe Audition, Magix Samplitude, Ableton, Fruity loops, Sony Vegas, etc, etc...
I prefer Adobe Audition, version 2 or 3. It has great, simple sample-editor and great useful multitrack-editor part too. At the single Edit view you can cut, edit, fade out, effect tunes, and at the multitrack part you can mix them together in separated channels.
If you have troubles using it, or have questions, just drop a mail to vincenzo(at)freshmindworkz(dot)hu
Of course, if you have a mixer-program already, you should use that. Don't let us teach you what is good for you!
Okay, once if you found your program, you should select the BEST tunes for your podcast.
We always say: BEST. But not only well-known tunes are the best!
The main goal is to create an enjoyable, quality mix. That means you should select tunes carefully, mix them well, and have fun creating it. The final result should be listenable for everyone.
How do I select tunes for my mix?
I have a title for the current episode, like "C64 tunes only". So, i need to choose from C64 sids only.
Whoah! That's... 30.000 tunes!!!!
Yes. True.
But i always have favourite composers, favourite tunes. You have too.
And i often read forums about music, musicians, computers, computer music. You have to read too!
By asking friends about their favourite tunes you can find new, not-so-known songs, you really can listen to some fresh ear-candy.
When selecting tunes, always think that "peoples-taste" is not your taste. Select some well-known, all-time favourite tunes AND some good, but not really famous tunes too!
My motto: "Creating the mix: easy. Selecting the BEST tunes for the show: pain in the ass!"
Another thing that is interesting and gives more value to the listeners is adding speech to the podcast. Perhaps talk a bit about each (or some) tune. Include an interview with a musician. Or just anything like any regular radio show. Trust us, people will love you if you add speech.
Let's see podcast creating step-by-step:
- finding out a theme (you can use the forum for ideas)
- selecting tunes (ask your friends, write to the forum, etc...)
- collect enough tunes (~35-40), and keep the bests only!
- you can choose from tracked tunes to streaming music, through sid's, ym's, etc...
- xmplay is your friend:
- i always put ~20 tunes to the playlist and listen them 4-5 times
- i try to sort and order them:
- musical style, quality, creating techniques (tracking, sequencing, etc.)
- dropping out the worst tunes
- setting up the final playlist
- convert the tunes to .wav because easier to use them in the mixer program
- open the editor/mixer program
- load the tunes
- load jingle(s)
- check playlist order again
- mix the tunes, start with the jingle, and close with the jingle
- mix the tunes carefully! do not leave silence between them!
- try to find the beats, try to fade-in/fade-out, try to cut unusual parts
- export the final mix to .wav
- convert to 128kbit/16bit/stereo .mp3
- upload to your ftp or ask us for webspace
- inform us about your mix and the url
- be excited and wait for online playing!
So, we almost reached the end of this tutorial. All we have to do is write down some useful tips and tricks.
- be creative, make your FANTASY come true
- well-known tunes aren't always the best tunes
- the good playlist order is more important than the quality of the tunes
- of course you shouldn't use ~22khz, 8bit mp3's
- try to listen to the tunes: do they flow together or is something missing...?
- search for the beats, tick, tack, tack, tack, tick, tack, tack, tack
- use a good jingle
- use a good, well-starting tune as beginning track
- don't forget to check the tunes, are they quality reaching the lower limit?are there any clicks or noises while playing?
- if you found a buggy tune, you can always ask us for a better version (if exists)
- we will help you out if you have problems during podcast creating
- don't panic! your first mixing will be the worst
- you are really encouraged to add speech to the podcast. That makes it so much more interesting for people to listen to than just a mix of tunes:
- you can give some information about each tune
- you can have interviews with musicians
- you can tell dirty jokes
- anything goes
Have fun!
Bit Father - Don Radio - Don Podcast
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