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”

  1. Effect of Pulse Width of a 595-nm Flashlamp-Pumped Pulsed Dye Laser on the Treatment Reaction of Keloidal
    as well as Hypertrophic Sternotomy Scars.

    Feel free to surf to my web blog … how do blackheads form (Javier)

  2. Greetings! Very helpful advice within this post!
    It is the little changes that produce the
    biggest changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!

    Feel free to surf to my web site disability form (Marylin)

  4. Greetings from California! I’m bored to death at work so I decided to
    browse your website on my iphone during lunch break.
    I enjoy the knowledge you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I
    get home. I’m surprised at how fast your blog
    loaded on my mobile .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G
    .. Anyhow, wonderful site!

    Here is my web site – security lawyer (Calvin)

  6. Based on the phase of acne, the other types of acne and treatment include the following.

    Take a look at my web blog … how to get rid of blackheads
    on nose overnight (Adolfo)

  8. Craig’s blog (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) is at.
    took off his tie and unbuttoned the top button); if
    he switches to a casual work environment, he just wears suit pants and a
    white shirt, sometimes all he does is leave out his tie; he
    doesn’t have an intermediate group of clothes between his endless grey suits and jeans.
    Do you not still have the well-cut pea topcoat you dressed in at college or university.
    In a population with a Muslim majority, the Koran teaches modesty in dress and includes
    a stipulation that women should cover their hair.
    (3) He feels bad casting off a closet full of really nice and expensive (but, unfortunately,
    really dated) suits. Take it one step further and make small signs as to label your categories
    to make it easier for the person to find what they are
    looking for. What is more, I was pleased to see that the prices
    were quite reasonable, which means that it won’t
    cost me a fortune to obtain the large women’s clothing I want to have.

    Here is my weblog :: amazon women clothing at ross department

  9. I do not know if it’s just me or if perhaps everyone else experiencing issues with your site.
    It looks like some of the text in your posts are running off the screen. Can someone
    else please comment and let me know if this is happening to them too?
    This could be a issue with my internet browser because I’ve
    had this happen before. Cheers

  10. Some testimonials marveled at its capability to prevent them from binging
    and the speed where it helped them lost some fat.

    Feel free to surf to my web blog: find this – Michael,

  13. Undeniably believe that which you said. Your favorite justification appeared
    to be on the internet the easiest thing to be aware of.
    I say to you, I certainly get irked while people consider worries
    that they plainly don’t know about. You managed
    to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having side
    effect , people could take a signal. Will likely be back to get
    more. Thanks

  14. The Puppy’S filled head wear as well as the swank boots or
    shoes said the puppy’s natty tends to be as they banded during the viewers, developing Beijing’s model-alert bunch to be able to clothe themselves
    in fashion. Enjoy the best entertainment with DISH Network Deals.
    As black may be a universal color, it’s the safest
    one to prefer. In fact, you may appear uncomfortable and
    less confident. Some people have beautiful legs
    while some people have a narrow waist. These dresses
    are designed with great precision to befit the occasion.

    my web site … what color hose should i wear with a black dress and red shoes

  18. Veggies, herbs as well as fruits are outstanding alternatives for the
    treatment of acne and acne scars.

    Review my web-site: natural ways to get rid of dark spots (Tiffiny)

  19. Extreme Acne Nodulocystic acne as well as acne conglobated with
    lots of big, painful nodular or pustular lesions exist, together
    with numerous smaller papules, comedones, and also pustules.

    Also visit my homepage; salicylic acid body wash (Darla)

  21. Definitely believe that which you said. Your favorite reason appeared to be on the internet
    the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get
    irked while people think about worries that they just
    do 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 probably be back to get more. Thanks

  22. I’m amazed, I have to admit. Seldom do I encounter a blog
    that’s equally educative and entertaining, and without a doubt, you’ve hit
    the nail on the head. The issue is something not enough people are speaking intelligently about.

    I’m very happy that I came across this in my hunt for something concerning
    this.

  25. Hi! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are
    you using for this website? I’m getting sick and tired of WordPress because I’ve had
    issues with hackers and I’m looking at alternatives
    for another platform. I would be great if you could point
    me in the direction of a good platform.

  26. Together with appropriate diet and exercise, evaluations and studies have proven that on average individuals lost more
    weight when taking HCA.

    My blog: garcinia cambogia extract review (Denese)

  27. This is an all-natural weight loss product that is made from the infusion of the tamarind fruit, which
    is a small pumpkin-looking fruit that is
    grown in certain parts of India.

    Also visit my web blog: garcinia cambogia extract
    diet scam (Ima)

  28. L’extrait du Garcinia Cambogia est un casseur double de la
    graisse” qui supprime l’appétit et empêche votre corps de stocker la graisse.

    My web blog :: garcinia cambogia results (Clara)

  31. As soon as you know the the reason for this skin condition you could more
    precisely get rid of as well as treat your acne.

    Also visit my web site: blackhead remover tool (Winnie)

  34. Gemäß dem Beschauen einschlägiger Dokumente von femmestyle,
    solcher Kulturgeschichte entstand dieser Eindruck, dass
    schon die Absicht, mehr droben welches Geheimnis des
    Lebens zu erfahren, nicht vermehrt seitens Signifikanz
    war außerdem ist. Bei unseren Bemühungen, bei dasjenige
    Selbstverständliche eine darunter liegend reichende Ausmaß
    zu finden, entstanden wenn schon Zweifel darüber
    hinaus Gern wissen wollen
    durch welcher Reproduktion. Es sei
    an diesem Punkt an dies vor genannte Zitat von Seiten Nietzsche
    erinnert: „Vielleicht bloß wird es in großem Rundumschlag anstoessig
    sein, ein aesthetisches Aufgabe so Humorlosigkeit
    genommen zu sehn“. (▶ Abschn. 1.3)
    Dasjenige als Krankheit zu beurteilende (schweres) Leid
    wird momentan großteils von Seiten jener namentlichen
    Verzeichnis der Behandlungsmaßnahmen im
    Gegenstandskatalog mehr noch in den Bestimmungen
    welcher Training gegeben. Im Jahr 2003 begann,
    dem aktuellen Stand dieser Plastischen weiterhin
    Ästhetischen Chirurgie entsprechend, die Druckwerk
    von Nachschlagewerken in deutscher
    Sprechvermögen (Berger, Hierner 2009; Vogt 2011).

    Probleme (aus etwas) bestehen inzwischen bei der Problem solcher
    Kostenübernahme hinsichtlich Versicherungen im Sachverhalt
    von Operationen, deren Appetenz aus Deutsche Mark „Konzept
    des Schönen“ heraus entsteht. Inkl. der Absicht,
    uns an solcher Problem dieser Gewicht jener Ästhetik
    in welcher Plastischen Chirurgie zu orientieren, befassen
    unsereiner uns mit der Philosophie. Solche wird in jener
    Etymologie definiert denn „Lehre, die sich eingeschlossen den
    Grundfragen des menschlichen Daseins befasst“
    (Kluge 1989). Es sollen inzwischen notwendige Hilfen
    aus jener Geschichte der Lebensansicht beigetragen
    Herkunft. Dieses, um ein weiterführend Chip Gemeinplatz
    hinausgehendes Episteme obig die Ästhetik,
    denn Lehre von Seiten solcher Ebenmaß zu erlangen. Kluges
    Deduktiver Schluss des Ästhetikbegriffes (. Reiter. 2.1) sei
    hinzugefügt, dass Chip Bezeichner sich aus der
    klassischen Gegenüberstellung von Gesetzmäßigkeit ebenso
    Sinnlichkeit abgesprochen.

    my homepage; Fettabsaugung

  35. Use it over the face every evening for 10-15 mins and also washed with warm water.

    Also visit my web-site; how to get rid of blackheads and pimples (Esther)

  37. Hi to every one, as I am in fact eager of reading this website’s post to be updated daily.
    It carries pleasant stuff.

  39. There are numerous treatment options available for ladies with
    hormonal acne, including topical retinoids, topical antimicrobials (such as benzoyl peroxide and
    antibiotics), and also dental anti-biotics that are recommended when the inflammation is more severe.

    My website … get rid of blackheads overnight (Scott)

  40. For example, the silicon spot could wonderfully flatten hypertrophic tissue, however could worsen rolling acne scars.

    Also visit my website … blackhead extractor tool (Steve)

  42. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to
    make your point. You clearly know what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence on just posting videos to
    your weblog when you could be giving us something enlightening to read?

  43. You will discover follicular papules as well as pustules around the face close to the hair line as they
    might be itchy.

    my website :: squeezing blackhead (Arlen)

  45. Hi, I do believe this is a great website. I stumbledupon it 😉 I am going to
    return yet again since i have book-marked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change,
    may you be rich and continue to guide other people.

  47. Howdy fantastic blog! Does running a blog such as this take a lot of work?

    I have absolutely no knowledge of coding however I had been hoping to
    start my own blog in the near future. Anyway, should you have any ideas or techniques for new blog owners please share.
    I understand this is off subject however I simply had to ask.

    Appreciate it!

  49. Getreu Deutsche Mark Sichten einschlägiger Dokumente seitens femmestyle,
    dieser Kulturgeschichte entstand dieser Eindruck, dass
    schon die Absicht, mehr über dasjenige Geheimnis des
    Lebens zu erfahren, alles andere als des Öfteren von Interesse
    war mehr noch ist. Bei unseren Bemühungen, pro dieses
    Selbstverständliche eine tiefer reichende Geltung
    zu finden, entstanden auch Zweifel außerdem Fragen
    entsprechend dieser Abhandlung. Es sei
    hier an dasjenige augenblicklich genannte Anführung von Seiten Nietzsche
    erinnert: „Vielleicht daher wird es allgemein anstoessig
    sein, ein aesthetisches Aufgabe so ernsthaft
    genommen zu sehn“. (▶ Abschn. 1.3)
    Das als Krankheit zu beurteilende Martyrium
    wird nunmehr weitgehend von solcher namentlichen
    Auflistung solcher Behandlungsmaßnahmen im
    Gegenstandskatalog außerdem in den Bestimmungen
    der Schulung gegeben. Im Im Jahre 2003 begann,
    DEM aktuellen Pegel der Plastischen weiterhin
    Ästhetischen Chirurgie entsprechend, die Artikel
    seitens Nachschlagewerken in deutscher
    Verständigungsmittel (Berger, Hierner 2009; Vogt 2011).

    Probleme insistieren in diesen Tagen bei dieser Frage der
    Kostenübernahme angesichts Versicherungen im Lebenslage
    von Operationen, deren Appetenz aus Deutsche Mark „Konzept
    des Schönen“ heraus entsteht. Inkl. welcher Absicht,
    uns an der Frage welcher Wert der Ästhetik
    in dieser Plastischen Chirurgie zu orientieren, angehen
    wir uns einbegriffen jener Philosophie. Diese wird in solcher
    Etymologie definiert qua „Lehre, Chip sich einbegriffen den
    Grundfragen des menschlichen Daseins befasst“
    (Kluge 1989). Es sollen anhängig notwendige Hilfen
    aus der Geschichte jener Philosophie beigetragen
    Herkunft. Dieses, um ein anhand die Leeres Gerede
    hinausgehendes Information darüber hinaus Chip Ästhetik,
    als Lehrmeinung seitens der Grazie zu gewinnen. Kluges
    Deduktive Methode des Ästhetikbegriffes (. Tab. 2.1) sei
    hinzugefügt, dass die Titel gegenseitig aus der
    klassischen Konfrontation von Seiten Vernunft mehr noch
    Sinnlichkeit erklärt.

    my website: femmestyle Brustvergrößerung

  50. First of all I would like to say superb blog! I had a quick question that I’d
    like to ask if you don’t mind. I was interested to find out how you center yourself and clear
    your head before writing. I’ve had a hard time clearing my thoughts in getting
    my thoughts out there. I do enjoy writing but it just seems
    like the first 10 to 15 minutes are wasted simply just trying
    to figure out how to begin. Any ideas or hints?
    Appreciate it!

Leave a Reply