Congratulations! If you are reading this you are on your way to becoming the next Startup Podcast Host!
Welcome to the Startup Podcast program. This guide is designed to walk you through setting up the technology in record high quality podcasts. Please follow all instructions outlined below to ensure correct workflow. Approx. 30mins.
1.0 Overview
1.1 Hardware Kit:
– Microsoft LifeChat LX-3000 USB Headset
– Zoom H4N Digital Audio Recorder
– Heil PL2T Microphone Stand
– Heil PL2T Microphone Clip
– Heil PL2T Microphone Clamp
– Heil PR40 Microphone
– Heil PR40 Windscreen
– Samson MD5 Microphone Stand
– XLR Cable 6′
– SD Card 32GB
– Heil PL2T Microphone Pouch
– Zoom H4N Digital Audio Recorder Plastic Case
– Gray Mini USB Cable 6’
1.2 Software:
- Latest Version of Skype
- Audio Hijack (link here)
2.0 Guest(s) Technical Requirements
As the podcast host it is useful to understand what the guest will be asked for prior to the recording.
2.1 Guest Technical Requirements:
- Wired Internet Connection. Visit this link speedtest.net and instruct them to click on the “Begin Test” button. 1Mbps download and 1Mbps upload is required
- A Headset With Microphone (headset/mic combo required)
- Latest Version of Skype Installed
- Guest’s skype contact invite shared with Host
3.0 Hardware Setup
As the podcast host you will have a few extra steps needed to setup your end of the podcast. Guests only need a headset and Skype installed.
3.1 Plug in the Microsoft USB Headset into you computer. It is Skype certified and plug and play compatible; thus, nothing further needs to be installed.
3.2 Attach the microphone stand clamp by securely tightening it to the edge of a desk that you will podcast from.
3.3 Take the microphone stand and slide it into the clamp.
3.4 Take the microphone ring and screw it onto the end of the microphone stand.
3.5 Take the microphone and slide it into the microphone ring and tighten the screw to ensure the microphone does not slip out of the ring.
3.6 Place the black foam cover over the microphone.
3.7 Connect one end of the XLR cable to the back of the microphone and the other end into channel 1 of the digital recorder.
3.8 Connect the AC power cable into the digital reorder and plug in the AC adapter into a wall outlet.
3.9 Connect one end of the USB cable into the side of the digital recorder and the other end into a USB port on your computer.
3.10 The screen on the audio recorder will prompt you with 2 options. Select “AUDIO I/F” by using the scroll wheel on the right-hand side of the recorder and depress the same wheel to make the selection. On the following screen when prompted to connect scroll down and select ‘connect’ and depress again. The recorder now passes the audio from the microphone to the computer as an input. Under the Input column of buttons click on ‘1’ and it should turn red and you should see the L/R level indicators moving when you speak into the microphone.
4.0 Software Setup
4.1 Things To Know:
- You are accepting/sending skype contact invite
- Cyprian will be doing a tech check call right before you speak to your guest for the recording
- You will be starting and stopping the recording
- You will be sending the recordings to Startup Canada for publishing at this Google Drive Link
4.2 Install/Update Skype
4.3 Installing Audio Hijack Software
1) Download the Audio Hijack program here.
2) Locate the download file on your computer, unarchive the zip file and install Audio Hijack by double clicking on the file.
3) After the install is complete you will be presented with the following start screen. Click on “Drive Right In” button on the bottom right.
4) If prompted to update to a new version go ahead and click the “Install Update” button.
5) Be sure to ignore the mailing signup window when prompted. Click on the “No Thanks” button.
6) Audio Hijack starts in Trail Mode. Click on the “Trial Mode” button at the top right.
7) Click on the “Unlock” button.
8) Enter the name and code that was provided to you. Then, click on the “Unlock” button.
9) Close the Thank You window.
4.4 Things To Know:
- Audio Hijack is the software that records both the host’s and guest’s voices.
- The host is the only person who needs to operate the Audio Hijack software.
- Send the resulting audio files to cyprian@startupcan.ca.
4.5 Setting Up An Audio Hijack Session To Record
Audio Hijack is the software that will allow you to select what devices get used for the recording and also allows you to start and stop recording.
1) Click on the “New Session” button to create a new session.
2) From the Template Selection window, click on the “Podcast” template.
2) From template you can customize the modules. You will only need to do this once as it gets saved as a preset. From the right hand panel click and drag the “Application”, “Input” and “Output” sources into the project.
3) Arrange the boxes as shown above.
Click on the boxes to specify specific applications and devices as sources IE. Skype as the application source above and H4 as the Input device source below. For the Skype Application under Advanced make sure to deselect “Include audio input”.
For Input Device select H4 and under Advanced make sure Left and Right Channel is set to 1.
For Output Device select Microsoft LifeChat LX-3000.
4) Two separate audio files will be created during the recording; one audio clip that contains only the host and another that contains only the guest. Click on the Recorder boxes and specify a file destination to where the mp3 files will get saved for each. The first Recorder box records only the audio from the Skype Application and the second Recorder box records the audio from the Input Device. Be sure to check that Constant Bitrate and Stereo is set under the settings for both.
5) Check under your Mac System Settings in the Audio section that the Output is using Microsoft LifeChat LX-3000.
And that the input is using the H4 device.
6) Check under Skype Audio Settings that the microphone is set to the H4 device and that the speakers are set to Microsoft LifeChat LX-3000.
7) Speak no further than 1-3 inch away from the front of the main microphone. Do not move away from the microphone while you speak! Record a test and make sure you are getting two separate files on your hard drive that have a clear and good volume level.