How to Format a Podcast

Format your audio as a podcast.

A podcast is an episodic show, containing recorded digital audio content, such as talk or music that is broadcast via the Web. To create a podcast, you must use software that formats your content into one of the two most common podcast file formats -- MP3 or Ogg Vorbis -- and then upload the podcast to a web feed, or server, which associates the file with a specific RSS feed. Listeners then use a program called a podcatcher to get the podcast off the Web feed via the RSS, and download it to their computer or mobile device.

Things You'll Need

• Podcast creation software, such as Garageband, Audacity or Vorbis

Instructions

1. Download a copy of a podcast creation software such as Garageband (retail or installed free with Mac) or Audacity (retail software) or Vorbis (open-source software available through Vorbis' website).

2. Open the software and either import in your existing audio file or record a new file. All podcasting creation software allows you to record in the program, providing you have a microphone, which you plug in to your audio output jack.

3. Save your existing or new recording, and then choose "Export as MP3" from Garageband and Audacity or "Export as OGG" inside Vorbis

4. Save the exported file to your desktop, hard drive or portable memory device for uploading to your chosen web feed.

References

• President and Fellows of Harvard College: Podcast Production
• Edinburgh Napier University: Podwhating? Recording using Audacity

Resources

• Scott Clark's Best Podcast Software List
• Vorbis.com