Howto: Create Your Own Podcasting Show On Windows

by Zef Hemel

While looking around for a way to do my own podcasting show, the only website I could find about this is this one on engadget. But it assumes you have a Mac. After some playing around on my Windows XP computer I got it to work here too. This is how I did it.

Update: An updated, extended version of this howto (with more information on RSS and webhosts) in PDF format can be downloaded here.

What you need

  • Windows XP (or maybe an earlier version, haven’t tested)
  • Audio recording software, I used the open source Audacity. Be sure to also download the lame encoder library there to convert your output to mp3
  • A microphone
  • Optionally: Some songs, jingles, whatever and a player to play them (iTunes, Winamp)

First you have to connect your microphone to your computer. Depending on the microphone and how close you sit next to your audio speakers, you might want to route your audio output to your headphones instead.

Then, the hard part. You have to find the correct settings to record both your voice and music at the same time. To do this open up your volume controls. You can do that by clicking on the Volume tray icon or through Start > Control panel > Sound and audio devices > Audio tab > Click one of the volume buttons.

You’ll most likely see a screen looking like this:
Play Control screen

You’re now on the Play Control screen. You can switch between the Play Control screen and the Record Control screen through File > Properties:

Switch between play and record control screen

In this window you can also enable the volume controls you see. Be sure that with the play controls at least the Microphone one is enabled. With the recording one, be sure the Record Master one is enabled.

Go to the record control screen and select the “Record master” volume control as the active one. This will make Windows record all audio being played (including media players, but also MSN logon sounds, so be sure to switch that kind of software off during recording).

Now switch to the play control screen and uncheck the Mute checkbox on the “Microphone” volume control. If you talk into the microphone you should now hear yourself through the speakers (or headphone, if that’s what you’re using). If not, increase the volume of the microphone using the slide bar.

You should now be set. Start up a media player, play a tune and while it plays start talking, if you hear both through the speakers you’re probably OK. Now, start up your audio recording software. In my case Audacity:
Audacity screenshot

Record a little something and play it back to see if it works. If not, the problem most likely is in your play and record control settings, fiddle around with them a bit until it works. It’s really hard to give settings that work with every soundcard setup, so you’ll just have to test things out.

Now you’re almost ready to record your show. First you have to set the sample rate to something lower, I use 16Khz. This is done in Audacity by going to File > Preferences…

Audacity preferences screenshot

On the “File formats” tab you have to locate your lame encoder installation and set the bitrate for your target MP3 file (I use 48kbit):
Audacity preferences screenshot

After this, you’re ready to record your first show.

When you’re done you can export it to an MP3 using File > Export As MP3.

When that’s done, test your MP3 file in a media player to see if it’s OK. Then, upload it to your webhost and somehow get an enclosure into your RSS feed. Such an enclosure is placed within the tags and looks something like this:

<enclosure url="http://www.yourdomain.com/podcast/yourdomain.com%
20podcast%201.mp3" length="10306438" type="audio/mpeg" />

People can now aggregate your podcasting show using iPodder by adding the URL to their list of channels.

Have fun!

An updated, extended version of this howto (with more information on RSS and webhosts) in PDF format can be downloaded here.

Rss Commenti

87 Commenti

  1. I think you can add the music later with Audacity, that’s a lil easier I think.

    #1 Jeffrey Gelens

  2. Or you just don’t add it at all ;)

    #2 Bas Westerbaan

  3. I have no idea, but maybe this will interest you:
    http://jaeger.blogmatrix.com/weblog/archives/2004_10.shtml#002997

    #3 Dagur

  4. Thank you for the post. One question about “also download the lame encoder library”–which one, the lame 3.96.1 Fr, or the BitTorrent one?

    #4 ema

  5. They’re probably the same, I used the normal download (this one: http://mitiok.free.fr/lame-3.96.1.zip)

    #5 Zef

  6. Thanks, Zef; I used the same one.

    #6 ema

  7. Podcast - Creating your own show on Windows
    Fandt denne artikel om at optage sit eget show p

    #7 Kristian Kristensen's Blog

  8. Create Your Own Podcasting Show On Windows
    The ZefHemel blog has post short but excellent tutorial on how to set up a Podcast using windows software. There was an excellent article posted Engaget however it was iMac specific in reference to the software applications to use

    #8 The 'RSS-Powered' Report

  9. How to create your own Podcast
    Creating your own Podcast show is easy and inexpensive.

    #9 Podcast Australia

  10. OK. But how do I create the RSS feed???

    #10 Rubin

  11. Nice to see the Windows podcasters get equal time.

    Audacity does most of what any podcaster will want to do. Other apps are more user-friendly, but cost real $$$$!

    Rubin - the easiest way to create the feed is to use an RSS/blogging application that supports enclosures. Radio is one, but all the major apps will soon support it because of the popularity of podcasting.

    #11 Podcast Directory Chicklet

  12. How bout recording Skype conference calls with Audacity on a PC?

    #12 Aaron Klinefelter

  13. I’m having trouble getting my computer to pick up the feed from my mic. Anyone have any interface suggestions? I’m assuming that the signal is probably too diluted by the time it gets to the jack. I have fiddled endlessly with the settings with no results.

    #13 Zak Kindrachuk

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  15. “Record master”

    I don’t have a record master device. What audio hardware/drivers are you using? I see an “SB Live!” device up there, but which one is it?

    #15 Isaac

  16. hi there -
    I’m a rookie and not at all “geeky” but i have all the listed equipment/etc to get my first podcast going. i’ve taken all the steps with hardware, audacity, level adjustments etc.. but i get hung up here:
    “Then, upload it to your webhost and somehow get an enclosure into your RSS feed. Such an enclosure is placed within the tags and looks something like this…”

    What webhost are you referring to? do i need to pay/subscribe to a company for bandwidth and storage if i’m just your everyday web surfer? (barring popularity)Are there any links you can send that detail steps in getting a webhost, RSS feeds going and enclosure design?
    Thanks!
    Brian

    #16 Brian Davis

  17. Enclosures not happening
    I’ve been playing with MTEnclosures some more on this server. I tried setting up the new MT on a different server, and I still can’t get it to create XML with enclosures for MP3 files. It will pick up the…

    #17 Here's Why

  18. Blogging 101 - Podcasting
    The latest buzz in the Blog Realm (and everywhere else it seems) is something called “podcasting.” The term “podcasting is “a portmanteau of the words iPod and broadcasting.” The primary goal of podcasting is to make audio (broadcasting) portable by au…

    #18 Quixtar Blog

  19. Ive been playing with MTEnclosures some more on this server. I tried setting up the new MT on a different server, and I still cant get it to create XML with enclosures for MP3 files. It will pick up the >Big Naturals

    #19 Kolek

  20. “I dont have a record master device. What audio hardware/drivers are you using? I see an SB Live! device up there, but which one is it?”

    I also couldn’t find a “Record Master” but I just checked the “Stereo Mix” controls in the “Recording” thing. It’s working very well. Thanks a lot for this article. *Thumbs up*

    #20 MrHammami

  21. I have a problem with room noise or ambient hissing sounds making it into my recordings. Is there a good way in Audacity (or is there a better program) to make these recordings sound cleaner and fuller, like a real radio program?

    #21 Gersh

  22. I have problem how to create an enclosure for mp3 files for RSS feed
    Can you explain me please

    #22 chophel

  23. you using? I see an SB Live! device up there, but which one is it?

    I also couldnt find a Record Master but I just checked the Stereo Mix controls in the Recording thing. Its working very well. Thanks

    #23 Alex

  24. Im having trouble getting my computer to pick up the feed from my mic. Anyone have any interface suggestions? Im assuming that the signal is probably too diluted by the time it gets to the jack. I have fiddled endlessly with the settings with no results.

    #24 Erotyka

  25. I love the whole “record your show” gloss-over that part of the process gets in every tutorial.

    How about explaining, in detail, how to add intros and outtros, background music, sound effects at specific points, fade-ins and outs, etc.? Just saying, record your show kids, just doesn’t do this part of the process, the real meat and potatoes of it, any justice at all.

    #25 Spank

  26. RSS Feed? plz explain i am way behind in this tech world of hours

    #26 Lennin

  27. I’d like to suggest answers to two questions asked previously:

    Q1) How do I create RSS feed with the enclosure tags.
    A1) I’m found two problems designed for newly minted podders — meaning they’re relatively easy to use:

    1) FEEDForALL - Small fee to purchase
    But it’s easy to understand and insert your text and links to the MP3 file, and preto, you have an RSS v2 feed that validates every time.

    2) Tristana Writer - Small Fee ($29 USD)to purchase
    Easy to Use and BUGGY! And the developer has a dumb headed resistance to fixing problems with his pet code and fixing user problems. I paid for this program before I knew FeedForAll existed.

    Q2) How do I get all the cool sound effects, sweepers, audio segments added into your podcast.

    A2) Two type of recommended solutions:

    a) using multi-track audio editor like Audacity (free) or Adobe Audition ($169 USD, etc.
    or
    b) using a software program typically called Radio Automation software that will paly any type of music and audio files in any order with fades and all types of features.
    Example: DRS 2006 standard ($59 USD), SAM Broadcaster, etc.
    All the Internet music stations on the Internet are run by one of these software packages running on someone;s PC and Streaming to the Internet.

    If you use the audio editor, you paste the elements in mult-track mode in different tracks, align them, fiddle with any number of controls and effects and MIX it down to a final output. Presto, again, and you’re done.

    If you use the Radio station software, you and your smarter/cooler/sexier/stupider tham anyone mates can yap and chat and sing with intros and outros and music played perfectly at your control. The you typically capture the output into an ENCODER (Windows Media, icecst, etc) or feed it into an audio program for capture as discussed above.

    Questions?? Check out my Podcast and then email me.
    Jim

    Wireless Tech Radio podcast
    http://feeds.feedburner.com/WirelessTechRadio

    http://www.wirelesstechradio.com

    #27 Jim Sutton

  28. http://feeds.feedburner.com/WirelessTechRadio

    Man that Wireless Tech Radio podcast is da bomb!

    Rasta oN!

    #28 Bob Marley

  29. twe

    #29 tese

  30. If i have Win2000, what i should to do?

    #30 car shipping

  31. XP sucks.

    #31 Moving trucks

  32. To record Skype calls in Winders use tunebite (http://www.tunebite.com/index.php). Tunebite will record any winders audio.

    #32 Casper Vidor

  33. Great info, tnx.

    #33 crystal

  34. Great tutorial, thanks.

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  38. Here is a great resource for Skype users who want to record calls for podcasts.

    HotRecorder (http://www.hotrecorder.com/) seems to work really well for recording Skype conversations. Easy and cheap. And their site says that they have a Windows 2000 version coming soon.

    #38 Jay

  39. Great information, thanks.

    #39 prada

  40. I appreciate that you keep your site going and allow comments. To me feedback is an interesting part of a website. Your site is a very great website and I make your site for my homepage!.

    #40 Jessica

  41. Thank you for the information and the ability to give feedback. I learned alot today and will venture into my own podcast this weekend. The only hangup I have is the RSS feed stuff.

    #41 John

  42. Important: I just added a link to a PDF version of this howto which provides more information on RSS and webhosts. This PDF version can be downloaded here.

    #42 Zef Hemel

  43. Hello everyone! This web site is great! I hope you have good luck.

    #43 Adirondack chairs

  44. Thanks for the great post & comments. This really helped answer a few questions that I had.

    #44 Andy Kaufman

  45. Great tutorial, thanks;)

    #45 tempurpedic

  46. I am the founder of Malaysian Chinese Podcasters and found it very useful. Thanks for the article and it will be helpful to Malaysia Podcaster.

    Those who are chinese podcaster if want to look for chinese teaching material can subsribe to MCP:
    http://feeds.feedburner.com/malaysiapodcaster

    #46 紫雨 Purple Rain

  47. Good article. Very interesting and useful. Thanks.

    #47 Alex

  48. It was easy to find out how to receive casts, but had to search like hell to find out how to create/submit them. Thanks for the help!!

    #48 SBM

  49. Thank you so much for your detailed instructions. This is the next step I plan to take at my article site. Featuring some of the free content articles on podcasts. This is new to me, and I too, still need more detailed instructions on the rss part of it all. What podcast reader is best to use with windows, and is there one that is free?

    Kindest regards,
    Laurie Meade
    http://lauiremeade.com

    #49 Laurie Meade

  50. One more comment, what theme are you using for Wordpress, I like the way you have tabs on the top. How do you get your posts on indivdual pages?

    Kindest regards,
    Laurie
    http://articles411.com

    #50 Laurie Meade

  51. Thank you so much for your detailed instructions. This is the next step I plan to take at my article site. Featuring some of the free content articles on podcasts. This is new to me, and I too, still need more detailed instructions on the rss part of it all. What podcast reader is best to use with windows, and is there one that is free?

    #51 Welmar

  52. It was easy to find out how to receive casts, but had to search like hell to find out how to create/submit them. Thanks for the help!! http://www.welmar.pl/

    #52 Welmar

  53. Thanks very much. I found this info very helpful. I will recommend it to anybody who wants to podcast.

    #53 JK

  54. Related topic is:
    Setup your own Online Radio Station
    found at
    http://ffa.oasisoflove.com/

    #54 RAA

  55. I spent hours looking for a how to for Windows. Thank you!

    -Brandon
    http://www.yourcollegesurvivalguide.com

    #55 Brandon

  56. Your demonstration are very great. Thank you!

    #56 Jon

  57. Thanks a lot for the informative tutorial! Does anyone know how to get the podcast showing up in iTunes?

    #57 Robin

  58. Create Video and Audio Podcasts with StreamerNet for Windows XP. Free trial available at http://www.streamernet.com

    #58 Bill

  59. Hi your tutorial really helped but could you explain how i could record conversations on Skype and how to convert them? I tried Hotrecorder but i cant seem to figure out how to convert them.

    #59 David

  60. If you record your conversation the way I explained you can also do skype conversations and they’ll be recorded as well. This tutorial applies to any kind of audio routed through the PC.

    #60 Zef

  61. Opinions are what counts. So long as you have one you know you are alive and well!!

    #61 Sean

  62. thanks for the great tutorial. i also know two *cool* tools for podcasters:

    Feed Editor: Create RSS Feed and Podcast Easily.
    http://www.extralabs.net/feed-editor.htm

    Feed Mix: Create a new RSS feed from several others.
    http://www.extralabs.net/feed-mix.htm

    #62 Jim

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  65. in window 98,how do i route audio output to the headphone.i can hear my recording,but i cannot hear myself on the headphonews while i am recording

    #65 gene chavis

  66. I want to make a conference podcast. But I can’t find a turial on how to exactly do it. I have all the right equipment. But I mean if I’m on a conference on skype, How would I record the other peoples’ voices? I just don’t see it. I must be ignorant.

    #66 Ross Baldwin

  67. It was easy to find out how to receive casts, but had to search like hell to find out how to create/submit them. Thanks for the help!!

    #67 Soft Master

  68. what kind of microphone do you need to run this software.

    #68 Geoffrey Vernon

  69. Any, doesn’t matter.

    #69 Zef Hemel

  70. Tried to follow your instructions, except that in my version of Windows XP in the recording control panel there is no master record, I have to choose one of available recording settings, only one.

    #70 Marc

  71. i want to make a show!

    #71 Brogan

  72. “Stereo Mix”, “What U Hear” and “Master Record” are basically the same thing, hardware based mixing, but labeled differently depending on the sound card. Not all sound cards support mixing in the hardware. For example my cheapo Dell laptop’s built in audio doesn’t support hardware mixing. Argh!

    Then to the rescue, I found a free podcast recorder called WildVoice Studio which does software based mixing and will mix your microphone audio with any MP3 (think music or an intro segment) within the application. To date, this is the only application I have found that does this.

    #72 Jack Dundee

  73. Haven’t gone through and made the show yet, but these instructions - as well as the comments left - seem very useful.

    I got lucky because this page came on the first google search. Yay!

    Thank you :o)

    #73 Wendy Wayrad

  74. Thanks for the tutorial. I wanted to add a few things over the weekend and came across your page. I tried your recommendations and it worked like butter…

    John
    http://www.motivationace.com
    john@motivationace.com

    #74 Don Lapre Boy

  75. hi

    #75 bob

  76. thanks for nothing

    #76 Bob

  77. Rubin - the easiest way to create the feed is to use an RSS/blogging application that supports enclosures. Radio is one, but all the major apps will soon support it because of the popularity of podcasting.

    #77 Felix

  78. You should try out hte new WinJournal application from Mariner Software, it does blogging and records and posts podcasts. It’s pretty easy to use.

    http://www.marinersoftware.com

    #78 Corey

  79. If you have used podcasting and if you have 10 minutes, would you please take the online survey on podcasting posted by a universtiy professor. Thank you in advance.

    #79 Podcasting Researcher

  80. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=334693040741

    #80 Podcasting Researcher

  81. WInJournal is going to be incredible. I’ve tried the product since Beta 1 and am amazed at how drop-dead simple it is.

    http://www.marinersoftware.com

    #81 Billy

  82. Tried to follow your instructions, except that in my version of Windows XP in the recording control panel there is no master record, I have to choose one of available recording settings, only one.

    #82 Chat

  83. Oh o ho! very nice site!

    #83 Britney

  84. Very interesting website. Keep up the outstanding work and thank you.

    #84 Googl

  85. Tried to follow your instructions, except that in my version of Windows XP in the recording control panel there is no master record, I have to choose one of available recording settings, only one.

    #85 mirc

  86. Thank you for the post.

    #86 Sohbet

  87. thank you

    #87 Muhabbet

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