Ken McGuire

Category: Podcasting

  • A Facelift for PlaylistMix.com

    Anyone following the Playlist Mix on Twitter over the weekend (or myself for that matter) would have spotted some talk of design work going in the run up to the 45th show. That design work got pushed live last night. It’s possible it will be a bit rough around the edges on IE users – I say possible because I haven’t had the chance to check and correct anything Internet Explore-wise but I’m happy with the new layout.

    The podcast itself returned to normal service a week ago following a winter break and has also moved to Sunday nights for 2009 (a lot more accessible to me the way things work around here).

    You can grab the 45th show here (show link – direct mp3 link) or listen to last week’s show here.

    Of course, if you’re in tyre-kicking mood I’ll be getting back to things around 3pm today so feel free to let me know what you think. In terms of planning, the Christmas break did wonders for me as I’ve been able to get a nice plan in place for additional podcast elements in terms of interviews, video and more content between tracks. Plus, the new schedule is a big plus.

    Check out PlaylistMix.com and let me know what you think, or grab a listen to the latest podcast below.

    Playlist Mix Podcast show #45
    [audio:http://playlistmix.com/podpress_trac/web/122/0/podcast045.mp3]

  • The War Of The Worlds Podcast

    Still images from space invaders animation
    Creative Commons License photo credit: mightyohm

    After my two week break away, I’m getting back into the swing of things podcast-wise. While this week’s Playlist Mix and Sound System Podcast have to yet hit the web, there’s already one new podcast you can grab for yourself – The Devious Theatre Company’s version of HG Wells’ sci-fi classic, The War Of The Worlds.

    We originally broadcast The War Of The Worlds on KCLR 96FM in Carlow / Kilkenny on Thursday October 30th of this year. Running at 54 minutes long, this original version which was adapted and localised to a Carlow / Kilkenny setting is now available on DeviousTheatre.com.

    It also marks the start of a podcast run for The Devious Theatre Company. We’ve been stock piling audio bites between interviews on various radio stations and scenes from our productions over the past two and a half years. The War Of The Worlds marks the start of another big social media ball to roll for the theatre company.

    If you want to grab the MP3 directly (about 50mb in size) you can click here. You can also listen to / stream the show from the audio player below or head over to DeviousTheatre.com to grab your copy.

    The War Of The Worlds (Download @ 51mb)
    [audio:http://www.devioustheatre.com/podpress_trac/web/644/0/podcast_001_wotw.mp3]

  • 40th Playlist Mix Podcast Lands

    Bloc Party
    Creative Commons License photo credit: wonker

    The first of this week’s podcasts is finally online. I’ve got to learn not to go browsing around MySpace with 20 tabs open on the laptop while ProTools is bouncing out the show.

    Especially when it’s getting close to 1am and you’re already tired.

    Technical difficulties aside, you can listen to the 40th Playlist Mix here or click here to download the show (27mb mp3). There’s music from Bloc Party, Ingrid Michaelson, Gum and more. You’ll also get a listen to the current radio advert for The Devious Theatre Company‘s ‘War Of The Worlds’ which wraps recording this Sunday.

    The Sound System Podcast with KilkennyMusic.com records and airs tonight and will likely feature a lot of chat, recaps and mental flashbacks from the 2008 Irish Web Awards in Dublin on Saturday gone.

    Playlist Mix #40
    [audio:http://www.playlistmix.com/podpress_trac/web/94/0/podcast040.mp3]

  • Playlist Mix Wins Best Podcaster – A Thank You

    Playlist Mix wins Best Podcast at the 2008 Irish Web Awards
    Photo robbed (hoping he won’t mind) from Keith Bohanna

    So last night in Dublin myself, Costigan and 298 other people (maybe a few more or less) turned out for the 2008 Moviestar.ie Irish Web Awards.

    While we had made plans to attend long before the longlists and shortlists were announced, it was nice also nice to be represented in two categories – myself as Best Podcaster with Playlist Mix (weekly on a Tuesday) and myself and Ross there to represent KilkennyMusic.com in the Best Music Site category. Little did I think I’d be walking away with a trophy and a bottle of champagne to match!

    Then of course, little did Elly Parker think she’d end up wearing the bottle of champagne, but when someone sprays you in Formula One-style celebration, it’s only right to return the gesture.

    I’ve no idea what I said in accepting the award – nothing to do with the two pints and a tequila I’d had before taking my seat for the start – but the surprise was genuine and I apologise if I sounded like a babbling idiot on stage. Though photo evidence suggests that both Ross and Darragh have the acceptance on video.

    Seriously though – thank you. To the judges, to the other podcasters in the category, to Karl Deeter of Irish Mortage Brokers (category sponsor), to Damien and the web awards gang, Moviestar.ie (I’ve been looking for a new DVD player for ages), Darragh and Niamh for the roof over our heads for the night, to those of you who listen to the podcast and those of you who have yet to listen to the podcast (there’s plenty more to come!). Thanks to Ross as well, always nice to have one of your own share in something like that. Though I blame you for the tequila issues throughout the night. God help the Radisson staff… the look of sheer wonder and disgust on their faces at the same time.

    Winning an award aside, the IWAs was simply one of the best nights had out in ages. There were a whole lot of hugs, drinks, chats, random singing, dancing, eating (the food was outstanding), more drinking, more chats, more hugs (why all the hugging?) and finally getting to meet up with the likes of Eoghan, Robin and more.

    While it was good to catch up with familiar faces, the awards once again served as a fantastic outlet for connecting with new faces. Introductions were made, chats were had, ideas shared, plans revealed and batted around.

    Forget to mention too – thanks (again) to Damien… for the poster. Something I developed as more of a promo graphic to be passed around blogs will now hang on my wall in an extremely lifesize manor… it’s huge, the print quality is great and it’s a total bonus 🙂

    Of course, like an idiot, I left the award behind me. Shows how much I was actually expecting to win! Having guarded it safely for the night and stashing it behind the couch on returning to the house from the hotel, I remembered to pack everything into the van… except the award stashed safely behind the house.

    While it gets minded in Dublin until Wednesday or Thursday, I’m going to pick out a shelf to hang and place the award on… it’s not all that often I pick up an award so I’ll treasure that one.

    Thanks.

    Seriously.

    Thanks.

  • Playlist Mix 37 Goes Live

    Pato Banton

    Recording in a studio with no lights is no fun. Just like stubbing your toe is no fun. When you do the two together and podcast in the dark, it’s bound to become a little interesting.

    As I wait on this week’s KilkennyMusic.com podcast to upload I point you in the direction of the 37th Playlist Mix podcast featuring this 90s reggae-loving gem (above), Pato Banton.

    The 37th podcast brings you another 30 minutes or so of podsafe and independent music, six acts, six tracks and some background in between. It arrived online later than expected, due to unforeseen technical difficulties with lights, a crashing browser and ultimately electricity but it’s there for all to grab now.

    You can download here (about 28mb) or stream below. You can also check out PlaylistMix.com for the podcast archives, see past shows and subscribe via the feed (opens iTunes) to find out what I’ve been listening to during the week and just what’s been hitting my inbox.

    Playlist Mix 37
    [audio:http://www.playlistmix.com/podpress_trac/web/87/0/podcast037.mp3]

  • Playlist Mix 36 Released

    Vesta Varro

    They Playlist Mix podcast series returned two weeks ago after a light summer break and I’ve just released the 36th Playlist Mix this evening, a little earlier than usual.

    I’m doing well of late in the battle to set a definite finishing time work-wise during the day so I can free up more time in the evenings. More time in the evenings means earlier podcasts, earlier to bed and less of a fight with myself on a Wednesday morning before phoning into the PodCamp Ireland podcast show.

    It was PodCamp Ireland last year in Kilkenny that gave me the much needed kick to put the Playlist Mix on course and since last October I’ve managed to release 32 podcasts. I’d be looking at close to 50 had it not been for the serious lack of any evening-time in the summer thanks to producing and acting in two back-to-back performances from May to August with this devious bunch.

    As always on the podcast there’s six tracks from six different acts with music this week coming from Vesta Varro, Planet Rewind, This Is Fiction, Annie Golliath, Satellite State and Ro Tierney who I had as a guest at the One Take Sessions in Kilkenny last year.

    I’ll be catching Vesta Varro in action in Kilkenny this weekend but until then, enjoy the podcast. Comments always appreciated 🙂

    The podcast has also been longlisted / nominated for Best Podcast at the 2008 Irish Web Awards, another fine night in store for the Irish web community this October 11th in Dublin.

    Playlist Mix Podcast #36 – Download @ 27mb
    [audio:http://www.playlistmix.com/podpress_trac/web/83/0/podcast036.mp3]

  • More From The Playlist Mix

    I’ve hit podcast #32 in the Playlist Mix series and it’s been a while since I flagged it here on the blog.

    If you’ve never heard of the Playlist Mix Podcast (possible if you’re a new reader!), it is a weekly podcast I release running 30 minutes or less and featuring six independent or podsafe acts from around the world.

    I gather music from the Podsafe Music Network, Garageband, CD submissions from acts I work with in Ireland and through KilkennyMusic.com and ultimately, email submissions from listeners and bands alike. The mix is rather eclectic. My own listening habits are by no means genre specific. If you had stopped me in traffic this morning you’d catch me with some downtempo jazz on; into the office and I’m in rock mode; out and about and I’m fuelled by indie or reggae tunes.

    To that extent, each week’s mix is often a reflection of what I’ve been listening to as well as a means to showcase new tracks and artists arriving in my inbox. I’m not much of a fan of day-time radio so when I’m on the road I like to have a short mix of tunes with me – a 30-minute weekly dose of the Playlist Mix tends to do the trick for me 🙂

    The latest podcast was released yesterday with music from Plunkett, The Riot Before, Ghostface Killah and more… have a listen below, click here to subscribe via iTunes or check PlaylistMix.com for previous shows.

    Playlist Mix #32 (Download @ 27mb, 128kbps)
    [audio:http://www.playlistmix.com/podpress_trac/web/72/0/podcast032.mp3]

  • PodPress Ain’t Dead Yet

    Some late night trawling of Jaiku yesterday highlighted a stir around the popular podcasting plugin for WordPress, PodPress.

    I use PodPress for delivery of both the Playlist Mix podcast and Sound System Podcast with KilkennyMusic.com and much to my surprise last night I had read online that development on the plugin had ceased and the site had been whipped down.

    This, however, appeared due to a “domain registration snafu” as Jeff at Weblogs Tools Collection points out.

    The plugin is, in fact, alive and well and the next version is almost set for release. The current version, 8.8, has been around for a while now but the plugin is working fine in WordPress 2.5 so there was no major panic on when the next version would be out. But when the thought of it disappearing altogether arises, it puts many a podcaster into a spin.

    But all is well in the world and users of both Joomla and Drupal will be happy to hear that there are ports in the pipeline for both CMS options.

  • More From The Playlist Mix Podcast (And Podcasting)

    The 27th Playlist Mix podcast has gone live and it marks (at least technically) a full year since the launch of the podcast. Granted, after three shows I took the bones of five months away from the podcast to decide whether or not I would make a full run of it but having revived the podcast in October last, it has become a weekly habit of mine and I’m delighted I decided to press ahead.

    Such to the point that my 2008 diary (I keep a physical diary for the music / theatre side of life) is marked with podcast recording dates straight up to the end of December which should see the Playlist Mix having well passed the 50-show mark and the Sound System Podcast having passed the 70 or 80 show mark, that podcast too having gone weekly late last year.

    There is an element of ease at this point in recording a solo podcast, the gremlins instead tending to hold off until the Wednesday night when the Sound System Podcast records for KilkennyMusic.com (listeners to both podcast shows might realise).

    The transition from working in Adobe Audition to working in ProTools has been a slow one. The last two weekends away in Sligo have given me time to toy around with different recording setups, discover the ins and outs of the various plugins at my disposal, find out where things are hidden in the menus, learn off a few keyboard shortcuts, that kind of thing. But, I’m adapting.

    From a podcasting point of view I will say that I’m delighted with the purchase of the Mbox 2 (Factory bundle) from Digidesign. It’s a purchase I had been toying with for far too long but its sheer portability (lighter and more suited to a podcasting environment compared to the Digidesign 002 rack we used in the live environment) is worth the investment. It’s lightweight, fits in my laptop bag or backpack (depending on the setting), packs 2 XLR / line / DI inputs as well as phantom power for the condenser (which I must get back!). The fact that it’s powered via USB as well helps portability matters, meaning there’s room for high quality recordings wherever I wind up.

    Given the nature of the One Take Sessions and recordings for their respective podcasts it’s a certainty it will be travelling with me every three weeks to the venue (it will actually be there tonight as well as we welcome Bonnefires, John O’Hanlon, Nassau Royal and Joey Ryan to Kilkenny – Cleere’s Theatre tonight at 9:30pm).

    Anyway, check out PlaylistMix.com for this week’s podcast or see the links below to play / download.

    Playlist Mix Podcast #27 (Download @ 26mb)
    [audio:http://www.playlistmix.com/podpress_trac/web/62/0/podcast027.mp3]

  • Another Podcast, In Case You Missed It

    In case you missed it and you just happen to be looking for another Playlist Mix podcast, I released show 19 earlier this week on PlaylistMix.com and MySpace.

    I’m calling it “the good mood” podcast as listening back to it I was in a ridiculously good mood.

    It’s the last of the PlaylistMix series that I’ll be recording via studio B’s PC setup (utilising the PC, Audition 2, a handy Xenyx 502 mixer and the Creative Audigy 2 ZS) as it’s been switched out to a new ProTools setup with ProTools 7.4, a few handy plugins and a Digidesign Mbox 2.

    I gave the setup a lash last night, trying to get to grips with recording and editing in ProTools in a short time frame (had a recording booked for 8pm for the Sound System Podcast with KilkennyMusic.com – more chat, less music) but firing through it last night it appears, at least initially, that the transition should be relatively ok.

    In bouncing the KKM podcast to disk last night I did miss the speedy mixdown that Audition offers (a 30 minute podcast could be mixed down and saved in 2-3 minutes whereby ProTools was bouncing in real time) but if I need to factor more time into the production process then so be it.

    I’ve time booked at the weekend to explore the ins and outs of ProTools and the new Mbox, the result being Playlist Mix 20 when it’s published next Tuesday night. I’ll hold off in buying Audition 3 for the moment though I’ve got no plans to use the ProTools setup on the PC at all.

    For your listening pleasure, grab some music from Jettie, Amy B, Bows and Arrows and more all wrapped up in a neat sub 30-minute bundle.

    Playlist Mix Podcast Show #19 (Download @ 30mb)
    [audio:http://www.playlistmix.com/podpress_trac/web/44/0/podcast019.mp3]

  • Playlist Mix 18 Lands Online

    My weekly calendar (at least in the evenings) is gradually returning to some sense of order, more to do with a new fitness kick routine I put myself in just over a week ago (which is fantastic, by the way) and as such I managed to get the 18th Playlist Mix podcast out on a Tuesday night, as preferred.

    There’s another 30 minutes of music, really varied up between downtempo, reggae, rock, metal and industrial with music coming from well known world fusion musician Christophe Goze (France), Inner Surge (Canada), Mighty Mystic (Jamaica) and more.

    You can subscribe to the podcast here, see the all new website, or listen / download below.

    Playlist Mix 18 (Download @ 29mb)
    [audio:http://www.playlistmix.com/podpress_trac/web/41/0/podcast018.mp3]

  • Would You Pay For RTE’s Podcasts?

    Niamh Doohan had a small piece in yesterday’s Sunday Independant (which I actually found time to read) with the heading ‘RTE may cash in on podcast success‘. This news comes in the same breath that RTE are ditching their medium wave service, at a reasonable annual saving too to the national broadcaster (around a million euro a year).

    However, yesterday’s article suggests that

    …RTE’s own website may be outstripping traffic on Apples’s online store iTunes, the creators of podcasting. The leaked statistics from Montrose show its top 10 podcasts broke the three million mark in just nine months last year…

    While I would argue the idea of Apple being the creators of podcasting, it’s worth noting that this is only considering traffic from RTE’s website, nothing at all to with traffic from iTunes where RTE’s ‘Nob Nation’ is one of the top downloaded podcasts in the country.

    With RTE saving money in one area they’re obviously on the look out for money elsewhere. There’s been enough rows and debates over increases in TV license fees in recent times and with reported dips in TV advertising revenue in recent years as well, can we expect in 2008 to see RTE turning their podcasts into “pod-cash”? Podcast-only advertising deals? Podcast sponsors?

    Would you

    • Pay an annual fee to subscribe to RTE’s podcasts via RTE?
    • Continue to download RTE’s podcasts if the advertising in shows increased?
    • Pay-per-podcast for specific shows? Perhaps free highlights and a nominal fee for a full download?

    Personally, no. The only way I could imagine myself paying for podcasting material is if it was in an educational environment. i.e. part of an online course. I can accept people sponsoring podcasts (e.g. a sponsor’s plug at the beginning of the show / end of show or a subtle drop during the show) but I’m not overly keen on dropping full length commercial adverts into podcasts. If I wanted that sure I’d just listen to the radio…

    Do you even listen to any of RTE’s podcasts? Did you even know that RTE offer over 70 different podcasts direct from their website? There was I thinking I was ok with doing 2 (Sound System / Playlist Mix)…

    Or will we see the TV license system in Ireland revamped to a ‘Media License’ and see podcasting bundled in? New taxes on iPods and Zunes? Who knows…

  • First Podcast Of The New Year

    After a nice pod-break (since Christmas Day) for the Playlist Mix, the podcast is back with the 16th show and the first of 2008. To that extent I’ve also done a bit of work on the blog behind the podcast as well.

    Through KilkennyMusic.com we’ve worked with over a hundred different acts (on a face to face basis) and through the Playlist Mix I’ve been introduced to and had many a conversation with some great bands. If anything it’s also encouraged me to buy more music and new cds, today’s order being a copy of ‘An Offering’ from Inner Surge. That said, I’ve also got a list of albums to buy from bands featured on the podcast – nice to feature the acts, but also nice to support them in anyway possible.

    Later this year I’ll be entering my third year of podcasting, something I’m quite happy to do! So, here’s to another fine year of podcasts and meeting more bands….

    Playlist Mix #16 – Download (29mb)
    [audio:http://www.playlistmix.com/podpress_trac/web/33/0/podcast016.mp3]

  • Podcasting Over Christmas

    I’ve got three podcasts left to do before January, starting with Sound System Podcast #37. Under the KilkennyMusic.com umbrella we’ll have all the staff on board for the show, the intention on looking back at what 2007 has meant to us (a lot). The podcast should be an hour long and will feature music from a selection of Irish bands who we’ve worked with through 2007.

    The Sound System Podcast is into it’s second year of production, varying between music news and chat to recaps of the One Take Sessions (every three weeks). This podcast has been a learning experience for all involved and with a change of approach to it’s delivery back in the September/October it seems to have found more of a grounding, again something that will be developed through 2008. The final podcast of 2007 records this Thursday night (December 20th) and should be available online on Friday December 21st.

    The Playlist Mix, which I’ve been using to both hone my own approach to podcasting and develop contacts with bands overseas has two shows left this year, one this week (likely online before midnight tonight) and one scheduled to go up Christmas week. The latter will feature a selection of bands heard across the last thirteen podcasts and again should hit close to the hour mark. I reckon between the two podcasts I’ll at least have enough musical content to get me from Kilkenny to Athlone on Saturday.

    The Sound System Podcast takes a break Christmas week, returning with show 38 likely on January 4th, while the 16th Playlist Mix should arrive the day previous.

    I’ve been talking to a few people in music circles about producing a limited number of shows for a new project in 2008, something going on my New Years Resolution list (which I tend to get done). I’m hoping my Eircom hotspot access arrives via email before heading off to Sligo, the O2 store promising us that they wouldn’t have any mobile broadband coverage close to the lake so I’ll be looking for good WiFi coffee spots in Ballina and Tubbercurry over Christmas!

  • Headcolds And Podcasts Don’t Go Hand-In-Hand

    Ever since I got back from the weekend I’ve been struggling with a headcold / chest cold / general coldness. I went through this last year only to wind up with near pneumonia. I had taken Monday off work, agreeing to myself to record the 11th Playlist Mix podcast on Tuesday night. Little did I figure that come Tuesday night I’d barely be able to breathe let alone speak.

    But, the show must go on, right?

    If you’re struggling with a headcold but need to record a podcast at the same time, I did find the following things helpful.

    • Wrap up warm – body heat induces comfort, comfort suggests less movement and relaxation.
    • Halls Mentho-Lyptus Honey & Lemon – not the soothers variety. While they’re doing a less-than-par job for me this morning, they worked wonders last night in opening up my nose and removing that ‘bunged up’ feel.
    • Record, pause, breathe, record, pause, breathe – You’re not broadcasting live so you’ve got time on your side. Have your speak, take a deep breath (let the halls kick in), you can cut out the white space / dead air afterwards.
    • Tea. The body’s best friend. Make sure it’s in a big a mug as possible and that you’re sipping Lyon’s gold blend (shop around and you’ll be able to get 33% extra free).

    The end result, 31 minutes of music and notes from myself with six more independant acts from around the globe. While the 10th podcast was a bit more on the mellow side there’s certainly more of an edge to number 11. Listen below and be the judge for yourself, subscribe to the podcast, or drop by PlaylistMix.com to listen to past shows.

    Tip of the hat also to Bernie for what I reckon is the first review of the PlaylistMix.com podcast.

    PlaylistMix.com Podcast #11 (Download 29mb)
    [audio:http://www.playlistmix.com/podpress_trac/web/18/0/podcast011.mp3]

  • Some Weekend Playlist Listening

    In case you missed it during the week or you’re on the look out for some new music, see what you think of the ninth playlistmix.com podcast. The sounds of The Modern Hypocrites, Gum and Cedar Falls might just be what you’re looking for for the weekend. You can also subscribe to the podcast, which I’m putting out weekly, by clicking here.

    Speaking of podcasts, thanks to Tom for taking my questions to David Berlind on this podcast, don’t think I mentioned it before.

    Listen To Playlist Mix #9 (Download 26mb)
    [audio:http://www.playlistmix.com/podpress_trac/web/16/0/podcast009.mp3]

  • Playlist Mix Eight Arrives, Don’t Forget Headphones

    Regular readers of the blog will know that I’ve a big interest in all things podcasting and certainly all things music and if you haven’t had a chance to listen to the Playlist Mix podcast yet, the eighth one has gone live (as of the wee hours of the morning). There’s music from The Cribs (UK), Warm Wax (Dublin), Pora Pora (US), Bloc Party (UK) and more.

    As I refine my podcasting habits, one thing to note is not to underestimate the use of podcasting – or namely don’t just rely on your computer speakers to get a final mix. About 18 months ago I invested in a pair of Technics headphones (RPF200 – about 35 quid in Argos) and I use them for all my audio work in studio B. If your speaker setup has individual dials for treble / bass and/or a subwoofer, your output might be a bit misleading, not everyone is going to have the same audio setup as yourself.

    There’s a fancy set of audio monitors in studio A but if I’m on my own in studio B the headphones are what I rely on as you’re not letting any of the sound escape so it becomes easier to pick up echo trails, background noise etc. Unless I’m out of the house or office, the majority of my podcast listening is done in front of the computer, speakers blaring away. But the Playlist Mix is short enough, something I like to take with me between my ears if I’m walking into town so I’ll mix it to sound well in a pair of headphones and if it’s comfortable between my ears, I’ll be happy with the speaker output when playing it back through a computer.

    I don’t think you could really do any mixing without a pair of headphones and if you’ve got a spare 35 euro or so, you can’t go wrong with the Technics.

    Have a listen below or download for free (26mb)
    [audio:http://www.playlistmix.com/podpress_trac/web/15/0/podcast008.mp3]

  • Podcasting Notes, Tips

    I released the fifth Playlist Mix podcast last night (listen | download), having spent the weekend digging around and doing some research. Research of course meant sitting in a coffee shop in Kilkenny with various podcasts playing through my ears, hosts discussing podcast promotion, tips, techniques, marketing strategies for podcasts – as well as playing out some great podsafe music.

    While I fine-tune the delivery of the Playlist Mix and revamp the delivery of Sound System with Ross, here’s a notes I made over the weekend, some of which already apply to me, some need to apply to me, and some of which will hopefully be of benefit to others venturing into regular podcasting.

    • Pre-production Is Key
      Until recently we had fallen into a routine of arriving for the podcast recording session, setting up Pro Tools and the mics, sitting down to record before asking “right, what are we talking about?”. While we have an idea, given the previous hosting nature of Sound System (up to four voices), it helps to have everyone on the same page before even thinking about taking out a microphone. That means content, hot points, music, backgrounds etc. Even taking a half hour to cement the content on paper before going into record can help. That said, we don’t use a “script” as such, but planning what is being played and what has to be discussed makes for a much smoother, more engaging podast.
    • Be Consistent
      Consistency applies to quality (audio quality), format (podcast structure) and delivery (weekly, daily). This means being able to schedule your own time for recording and make a commitment to it. Again, this applies directly to me as I let Playlist Mix slide for 5 months after launch, while Sound System experienced a 2 month gap because of a hectic summer schedule between gigs, theatre and work. I feel we’ve got that audio quality element sorted, the format for Sound System has recently been revised but delivery remains key.

      The note might have been more in relation to attracting sponsors or advertisers who will need certain criteria met (such as a weekly ad spot) but whether you’re advertising or not, consistency (I feel, going forward) is a must.

    • Engage The Audience Outside The Podcast
      To me this comes from cross promotion. Playlist Mix is a music heavy podcast, Sound System is more chat and informative banter than music (though we know there’ll be four tracks per show). The MySpace profile for Playlist Mix alls bands being contacted prior to and post podcast release. KKM members are alerted through blog posts and forum posts for questions, comments, contributions. Those not heavily active on the forum are contacted via MySpace bulletins, messages, comments.

    They’re just three small points. Honest to God, it felt like being back in a college lecture again – lecturing away to myself anyway. I’m prepping a PDf on all the notes I’ve made over the weekend, happy to make it available once it’s tidied up as they’ll be acting as suggestive guidelines for myself and the KKM crew going forward in podcasting.

    Sure while you’re here…

    Playlist Mix Podcast, Show #5 (Download)
    [audio:http://www.playlistmix.com/podpress_trac/web/11/0/podcast005.mp3]

  • PodCamp Spawns Podcasts Old & New

    Playlist Mix #4

    PodCamp this past weekend was enough to give me the “kick in the arse” I needed to get the Playlist Mix back up and running. In an effort to develop my skills as a podcaster – recording, audio production, processing, structure etc. – I had started the the Playlist Mix back in March of this year. After three shows I wasn’t able to sustain the motivation to develop the podcast, largely in part to the other side projects I’m involved in between evenings and weekends.

    Realising that I’ve got a number of web projects that I want (and need) to launch, I had made a commitment to free up one hour for myself each evening to work on said projects, Monday’s result producing Playlist Mix #4 after a 5 month break. PodCamp provided some fantastic inspiration, insights and tips for people looking to venture into the world of podcasting, a lot of thoughts applying to those actively podcasting.

    Given that the KKM podcast is now being engineered by Alan in studio A (with myself and Ross taking the reigns as co-hosts) I figure I may get back to my own podcast. The practice, if anything, is most welcomed – as is the discovery of so much more music. I’ve also managed to start tucking into ‘Everything With Podcasting‘ and would recommend a read of chapter 14 (p166 – p179) on ‘Incorporate Standard Podcast Elements’.

    I should also mention that Sean McNamara, if you haven’t listened to it already, is up and away podcasting after his involvement at the weekend. I’ve given Sean a loan of a Samson C01U USB condenser mic for a week or so and glad to see him putting it to some use!

    If anyone would like to offer up feedback (listening back I can spot some practical errors, but thats how you learn, right!) by comment or email, I’m all ears! All music in the podcast is podsafe – as it should be!

    Listen: Playlist Mix #4 (36 min – Download)
    [audio:http://www.playlistmix.com/podpress_trac/web/10/0/podcast004.mp3]

  • Podcasting The Arts – Who Is Out There?

    Does anyone know any Irish artists or art groups who are podcasting their profession? When I say arts I don’t mean painting in the “art” sense or anything (though that would be included) but those involved in music, poetry, writing, visual arts, dance, jazz, classical music – anything goes.

    Working on PodCamp Ireland’s planning I’m aware that Poetry Ireland (who just launched a great new site) or someone from the group will be attending PodCamp with the offer to speak on the podcasting for arts groups and artists. But beside Poetry Ireland and ourselves at KilkennyMusic.com – who else is out there?

    I’m currently piecing together some material in advance of the launch of new professional development courses being offered by ArtLinks here in the South East (who have been highly impressed that something like PodCamp or BarCamp exists) and I’m basically looking to get in touch with podcasters who are dipping their toes into the arts scene or the other way around – those of you involved in the arts scene interested in dipping your toes in podcasting.

    Gimme a shout, leave a comment, drop me an email (details on the contact page). If you’ve links off to arts related podcasts, leave them here for me!