Recording and Editing a Podcast using Native MacOS Applications – vs – Recording on a Chromebook

In this blog post, we are going to take a look at ways you can record and edit your podcast using the MacOS Operating System and discuss best practices for creating audio podcasts for relatively little cost to you.

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Recently, I was approached by a teacher asking for advice on creating a podcasting curriculum with their students.  He told me that his school was a 1:1 Apple MacBook Air school and wanted his students created audio podcasts.  The problem was that while he had great reasons for creating the podcasting project, he wasn't sure what the best way to go about doing this was.

Fortunately for this teacher, there are several advantages to having MacBooks in the class vs being in a Chromebook only classroom.  Where there are many applications that each device share in common, the MacBook comes with several additional features that he might enjoy.

I told him that he was in luck by being in a school district where his students were supported with 1:1.  He was even more in luck having Apple MacBook Airs vs having Chromebooks.  I gave him several recommendations on how to help his classes created dynamic audio and video podcasts.  Here are some of my suggestions.

Recording a Podcast using Native MacOS Applications

For the sake of argument, this blog post is going to discuss several features found natively in the MacOS Operating System that can be used to create both audio and video podcasts.  These applications are available to users both when the computer is both online and offline which automatically holds an advantage over the Chrome Operating System which relies on an internet connection to run the majority of its functions.

Using Quicktime to Record Audio, Video, and Screencasts

One of the most powerful and yet underused applications found natively on the MacOS Operating System is Quicktime.  By default, Quicktime is the default application for recording, editing, and sharing audio and video on your Mac.

What does this mean?

This means that you can use QuickTime and only QuickTime to record your podcast.  No need to look for any other fancy application.

Learn how you can use Quicktime to record your audio podcast!

1. Choose File > New Audio Recording.
2. To change the recording settings, click the arrow next to the Record button. Then choose your microphone and recording quality.
3. To monitor audio while it's being recorded, use the volume slider.
4. Click the Record button to start recording. Click it again to stop recording.

It's just that simple!

After your recording is finished, your audio file will be delivered to you on your desktop where you can name it and send it into your favorite media-editing application.

For more information about using QuickTime, please visit Apple Support Documentation

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Editing a Podcast using Native MacOS Applications

Once your audio file is completed and saved, you might want to do some editing.  At this point, you have a few options.  You can either use Garageband to import the audio and edit from there, or you can choose to import your video file into iMovie.

GarageBand

1. Open Garageband and import your audio file.
2. Trim and adjust your audio tracks as needed.
3. Export your audio file using the Share options to a .mp3 file.

Please visit this YouTube Video to watch an in-depth video tutorial on using Garageband.

iMovie

1. Open iMovie and import your video files.
2. Place your video on the timeline (bottom) and edit as needed.
3. Export your video file using the Share options to a .mp4 or .mov file.

Please visit this YouTube video series from MacMost to watch in-depth video tutorials on using iMovie

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Choosing The Best Equipment To Record Your Podcast

Classroom Podcasting Equipment

As we discuss in our Ultimate Guide to Podcasting, there are several things to consider when selecting microphones for either your studio or classroom-based podcast.

If you are going to teach students about podcasting and you are on a budget, there are two types of microphones that I recommend.

• Blue Snowball Microphone
• Blue Raspberry Microphone

The reason why I recommend these two is because:

1. The Blue Snowball Microphone is made of a pretty durable microphone and can take a beating if needed by a typical school setting.
2. The Blue Raspberry Microphone, while it's a little expensive, has the ability to connect both into your USB port on your computer and your lightning connection on your mobile and tablet devices.

Microphones for Personal Use

There are two microphones that I highly recommend when it comes to personalized microphones. The first one is the Audio-Technica 2005 USB microphone and the other is the i-Rig Microphone.  I have bought several of each of these over the years and they are very durable for both classroom setting and for personal use.

Each of these microphones provides a personal cone of recording for your voice.  These microphones are perfect in a location where you have several students recording in the same room.  Because these microphones do not record any place they aren’t pointed, you don’t have to worry about students bleeding their recordings into each other.

The other reason that I highly recommend these is that they plug not only into a MacBook Air through the Headphone Jack (i-Rig) or USB Port (AT-2005) they also work very well with iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touches.  I have been known to use the i-Rig mic at several big conventions to record simple audio podcasts with vendors.  Both of these mic’s work very well and you won’t go wrong with either of them.  One big difference between these two is that the AT 2005 is both a USB and an XLR.  This allows for expansion and portability of this mic.

Where Does The Chromebook Fit Into This Conversation?

Before this blog post concludes, it's important to state that there is nothing at all wrong with having a Chromebook or using it to record your podcasts.  In fact, one of my favorite podcasts to listen to is called The Chromebook Classroom and is hosted by my good friend John Sowash.  If you are using a Chromebook and you are interested in recording your podcast, there are several great solutions including but not limited to:

• Soundtrap
• Synth
• WeVideo
• Screencastify
• Simple Audio Recorder

Do you have another recording/editing application that you prefer? Please comment below and tell us why you choose that application!

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What Do You Think About Our Solution?

When it comes to selecting which computer hardware you will be purchasing to create your next podcast, there are several things to consider.  Where I'm a fan of both MacBooks and Chromebook, I am of the belief that the MacBook simply has more to offer.  As it should for the major price difference.

No matter how you look at the differences between a MacBook and Chromebook, it's MacOS's ability to still be a powerful tool when the internet is not available that for me ultimately holds the advantage.

For More Information Please Visit: www.PodcastingWithStudents.com