Recording a Podcast with Skype and GarageBand for Free

by Posted on

The Easiest, Cheapest, and Simplest Way to Record a Podcast

In my earlier post Recording a Podcast on Garageband I talked a lot about the step-by-step process of doing an actual recording with any input devices. This time however, I will explain the easiest way I have found to record an all audio, perfectly editable, podcast using nothing but FREE software (the Mac computer and the headset will cost you money or course; other than that everything else is absolutely free! 🙂 There are four software programs that you will need to run on your Mac; Skype, GarageBand, LineIn, and Soundflower.

Gather Your Software

  • Firstly, you should have GarageBand on your Mac, it comes free with the Mac you purchased. If for any weird reason you don’t have it, you can download or upgrade it here.
  • Next download Skype for your Mac. Install the bugger and create an account. This is simple enough to do so I wont show you the step-by-step process but I will show you how to test your call later on.
  • Download LineIn for Mac. Trust me, it’s legit.
  • Finally, download Soundflower for Mac. Legit also. 🙂

Podcast Recording Setup

Soundflower

Soundflower is a program that mostly runs in the background of your computer. It’s a great little tool that allows you to direct audio elements to other programs on your computer. Install Soundflower and then activate the program (you can do this by throwing it on your dock and initializing the program there).

Warning! – Soundflower will NOT have any active windows on your computer. It runs completely in the background. To change any settings for Soundflower, you will need to do so from the Menu Bar at the top right of your display.

It’s time to configure Soundflower (which is super easy).

Click on the Soundflower icon on the Menu Bar and make sure the settings are put to “None (OFF)” for both Soundflower (2ch) and Soundflower (16ch). In the Soundflower (16ch) short menu make sure that Channels 1, 2, 3 and four are “None”. And that’s it, there’s nothing else you need to do with Soundflower.

LineIn

After you download and install LineIn, go ahead and open the program. There isn’t much to it at all.

Input from: should be for your input device (mine is my Logitech USB Headset. Output to: select “Soundflower (16ch).

Click “Advanced” and make sure everything is set to default except for the “Output Device Settings” which should be “Left Channel: ” and “Right Channel: 4”. Click “OK”.

Select “Pass Thru” to make sure that your signal is going through LineIn.

Skype

Skype for Mac is very simple. Sometimes a bit too simple as it wont let you have certain functions like the PC version. See my post on the How to Fix the Auto Gain Control for Skype. This will alleviate the problem of Skype cranking down the gain when you are talking on your headset. If you are noticing that the louder you talk the lower your level goes then read this post.

Setting up Skype for audio podcasting is very simple.

Select Skype>Preferences and click on the “Audio” tab.

Set these parameters:

  • Audio Output: Soundflower (16ch)
  • Audio Input: Your input device (mine is my Logitech USB Headset
  • Ringing: Soundflower (16ch)

And you’re all done with Skype.

GarageBand

Open up GarageBand and read my post on Recording a Podcast on Garageband. This will get you all set up for your record minus the setup for Skype, which I’ll let you know below.

Go to the pulldown menu GarageBand>Preferences>Audio/Midi, here you will be able to select the inputs and outputs of GarageBand. Set the Audio Output to your headphones (Logitech USB Headset for me) and the Audio Input to “Soundflower (16ch). Your done with preferences.

(1)Select track 1 which I have Adam on from the Ask Adam League. (2)And select the “View/Hide the Track info” button on the bottom right of the interface. (3)Also make sure you have the browse tab open as well.

At the bottom right, you have several options available for controlling the audio of this particular track which I have Adam on.

Select the parameters; Input Source: Stereo 1/2 (Soundflower (16ch)) and put the Monitor: On. You can also adjust the Recording Level here.

Repeat this for track 2 which I have as myself on my setup except that the Input will be Stereo 3/4 (Soundflower (16ch)).

Finally, click the “Enable Recording” button for each of your tracks or else you wont be recording those tracks respectively.

System Settings

Don’t forget to change the System Settings: Click the Apple at the top left of the screen>System Preferences>Sound. Put the Output to your headphones (in my case the Logitech USB Headset) and the Input to your microphone (again the USB Headset in my case).

Checking the Setup

So what we’ve done is channeled the sound of the Skype caller and the host computer operator (presumably you) into separate channels that are being directed into GarageBand. The next step is to make sure that all your programs are fired up and double-check your settings. Skype makes it very easy to test your settings by providing the “Skype Test Call”. She’s a lovely Brit which will allow you to hear a mock call from Skype and even and ‘talk-back’ feature that will record your own voice for input checking.

Make sure your Record Enable buttons are on, hit the Record Button and hit the Skype Test Call button on Skype. Go ahead and talk over your new girlfriend and speak through the talk-back. After you’re done, check your recording. Check to see that the levels are where you want them and the fidelity of the sound. It should be fantastic.

Pifalls

The first episode of the Ask Adam League, which was our pilot, was recorded with a $25 headset and the sound was horrible. I have since gotten a $50 headset and it sounds fantastic. Any audio issues may stem from poor quality equipment and possibly not your setup.

Double-check your filters applied to each individual track. They may be interfering with the quality of your record by adjusting settings over your audio. See my post Recording a Podcast on Garageband for details.

Good Luck on your recordings! If you have any trouble at all, just post here and I’ll get back to you promptly.

Published by Donald Sinatra

2,938 Replies to “Recording a Podcast with Skype and GarageBand for Free”

  4. Hiya very nice web site!! Guy .. Beautiful ..

    Amazing .. I’ll bookmark your blog and take the feeds also?
    I am glad to search out a lot of useful info right here in the put up, we’d like develop
    extra techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing.
    . . . . .

    Look at my web blog Popcorn Time download

  5. This is a [webiste|site|platform|stagemount|place that you can find out about|poster board|geniune source|source|point of interest|subject|social club|poetic effort|a thing we do while listening to dubstep|place where you can come to demonstrate ideas|think} about PC and mobile phone repair in Schaumburg. Hoffman Estates and Palatine PC repair are everywhere Among these things you can get some answers concerning PC repair in PalatineThe speediest approach to find out about Hoffman Estates PC repair and wireless repair. Discover your approach to PC repair hoffman homes by utilizing these basic moving glades PC repair in Rolling Meadows. I discovered [as far as|that|about} iPhone repair here. Samsung Galaxy S6

  11. Its such as you learn my mind! You appear to grasp a lot
    approximately this, such as you wrote the e book in it or something.
    I believe that you just could do with a few p.c. to power the message home a bit, but
    instead of that, this is great blog. A fantastic read.
    I will certainly be back.

  15. Heya are using WordPress for your site platform? I’m new to the blog world but
    I’m trying to get started and set up my own. Do you need any
    coding expertise to make your own blog? Any help would be really appreciated!

  16. I concur with the various other remarks about Lexington Regulation being an extremely useful credit therapy and also
    repair work company to help repair your credit.

    My website fha loan requirements mcallen tx (Ezra)

  19. 女の人というものはあそこの臭さを洗浄する事が常識になってきました。そこで膣内洗浄に手を出す女子が急増中です。男子の立場から考えると掃除してるのが常識と言う意見がかなり発見されました。そこでデリケートゾーンの垢を意識している方はこのアンボーテフェミニーナウォッシュのホームページに結論があるのです。

  20. We can obtain the sⲣace you will need, on the terms that suits you, for wɦatever duration suits
    you. Of course when you аre looking аt how you can register an organization one of the greatest opportunities exist with the by using an edսcated
    expert. The main thrust being tҺe Visa Application Procеss, the corрoration gives creedence to aⅼl
    stages involvеd including pre-assᥱssment, visa consuⅼtation, documentаtiⲟn, strategic business plɑn and post landing
    assistance.

    Stⲟp by my homepage; gabloty sklepowe

  22. Wonderful post however , I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this topic?
    I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit more.
    Many thanks!

  25. This design is steller! You obviously know how to keep a reader amused. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Excellent job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!|

  26. Hi there Dear, are you in fact visiting this web page regularly, if
    so after that you will absolutely get pleasant knowledge.

  28. Good day! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give
    a quick shout out and say I genuinely enjoy reading through your articles.
    Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that go over the same subjects?
    Many thanks!

  29. I will right away seize your rss as I can’t to find your e-mail subscription link or e-newsletter service.
    Do you’ve any? Kindly permit me understand so that I may
    just subscribe. Thanks.

    My blog – Jim

  30. First of all I would like to say fantastic blog! I had a quick question in which I’d
    like to ask if you don’t mind. I was interested to find out how you center yourself and
    clear your thoughts before writing. I have had
    a hard time clearing my mind in getting my ideas out there.
    I truly do take pleasure in writing however
    it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes
    tend to be lost just trying to figure out how to begin. Any ideas or hints?
    Thank you!

    Also visit my weblog – Glinda

  32. Give kinds consist of seller financed programs, the 1 Grant America Program and
    others, as well as programs that are funded by the federal
    government, such as the American Dream Down Payment Initiative,
    or local governments, often utilizing home fha loan requirements mcallen tx (Kristal) earnings bond funds.

  33. Peer-to-peer lending means that you can acquire your money
    very quickly relative to a standard financial institution (often on the same day).

  35. I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here.

    The sketch is attractive, your authored material stylish.
    nonetheless, you command get bought an shakiness over that
    you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come
    further formerly again as exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this increase.

    Here is my web-site … http://www.easyevasion.com

  36. Spot on with this write-up, I truly believe this website needs
    much more attention. I’ll probably be returning to read more, thanks for the information!

  38. With havin so much written content do you
    ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright violation? My site has a lot
    of unique content I’ve either created myself or outsourced but it appears a lott of it is popping it up alll
    over the web wthout my permission. Do you know anyy methods to help stop content
    from being stolen? I’d really appreciate it.

  40. After I initially left a comment I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments
    are added- checkbox and from now on each time a comment is added I get four
    emails with the exact same comment. Is there a means you are able
    to remove me from that service? Thanks!

  41. Unquestionably believe that which you said. Your favotite reason seemed to be on the internet the simplest thing to bbe awaqre of.

    I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while people consider worries that they plainly ddo not know about.

    You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without having side
    effect , people could take a signal. Will likely be back to get more.
    Thanks

    Take a look at my page :: 6 Tips For Using gsa search engine ranker vps To Leave Your Competition In The Dust

  46. I’m not that much of a online reader to
    be honest but your sites really nice, keep it up!

    I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to
    come back down the road. Cheers

  47. Thanks for the marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it,
    you happen to be a great author. I will always bookmark your blog and may come back at some point.
    I want to encourage you continue your great writing, have
    a nice weekend!

  48. If you desire to obtain a good deal from this piece
    of writing then you have to apply these strategies to your won web site.

  49. Having read this I thought it was extremely enlightening. I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this article together.

    I once again find myself spending way too much time both reading and posting comments.
    But so what, it was still worth it!

    Here is my web-site – Naturist Dating Club; clickand.co,

Leave a Reply