Entertainment For Lively Minds
why do theword podcasts sound like bootlegs
As a regular reader and recent new subscriber from the antipodes I have been doing my bit to direct friends and family to the humor whimsy and occasional information provided by the podcast.
More often than not the reaction I get is "he's got his mic off isn't he?" or "I can't here what he is saying". Eyes roll and that's it for that endorsement.
Why is this so hard? I've done bit of radio in my time. It's not that hard. You sit all the participants down, plonk a microphone or microphones in front of them, you might even check levels and then off you go. The only risk is leaving the mic on when thinking you are off air or the reverse. But since you just rabbit on without break I assume it is a case of start - click on end podcast - click off.
I have made better recordings using poorly concealed lapel mics at the back of a pub.
Love the podcast , love the mag- hate the recording.
Tony Hunter
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Don't know
how long you've been listening, but believe me, it's a lot, lot better than it used to be!
Rough But Ready
Yes it sounds a lot better than it used too, all types of crackles, fizzes, bird song and military explosions used to invade the podcast. Think the rouugh sound adds to its appeal.
Strange timing with your comments...
as would have to agree that sound quality has improved no end since the early days - you've only got to check the Blog to see that recently there have been no moans and whines about the podcast's sound quality at all. Now you know how much a lot of us do like our moans and whines!
It did used to be a labour of love though at first - often turning the volume right up, straining in a vain attempt to pick out Producer Matt's comments from when they must have had him stuck in the broom cupboard only to suddenly get your eardrums shattered by a huge burst of Mark Ellen's guffawing.
what is it about
some people always banging on about the sound quality of podcasts. Do people wander around with oscillioscopes in their pockets?
"Is that an oscilloscope in your pocket...
...or are you just pleased to see me?"
I used to turn a podcast on with trepidation
waiting to see if it was a "quiet" week, where the sound levels were so damned low I couldn't hear a bloody thing Mr Ellen and co said listening to it on the bus.
Now those days have gone, y'know, I almost miss them.
It all adds
to the charm
cos they are doing
good sales down Camden market. Its free. Its charming.
Won't somebody think of Producer Matt in his country cottage, his eyes brimming with tears and the heaviness of his heart next time he boards the silver snake to the smoke knowing he isn't good enough in the eyes of a member of the Word massive?
Now ain't the time for your jeers
Matt for Radio 2 Controller
Matt has definitely improved the sound quality over the last few months whilst still allowing the "sound of young Islington to appear as needed.
Perhaps a job as the new Controller of Radio 2 beckons?
They sound better than...
Ricky Gervaises, and he charges for his.
podcast qual
well ok ok agreed folksy charm etc
I don't mind the car horns, the birds atwittering etc. Call me crazy but I like to hear what they are saying when I listen to a podcast. And others I have tried to recruit also seem to be unusually picky like me in wanting to hear what they are saying.
Great content spoiled by delivery.
It just seems to be a matter of mic placement .I don't think audibility detracts from freshness or charm
tony
Turn it up
grandad!
Being alarmed when Mr Ellen's barking laugh comes in at high volume is all part of the senseround experience
To be fair to Matt
As he pointed out during a previous bout of whinging about the sound (and I was a main player) he's a producer not an engineer! Why it matters is in the car at 6.30 am on the M25 I'd like to be able to hear all of it, not half. But it has been much better recently. Definitely sounds odd though - everyone sounds weirdly disembodied, and sometimes lurch from left to right and back - but it is much better than the good old days.
Happy Listener
I'm quite happy with it, it doesn't sound like radio, it sounds like a natural conversation (which it of course is).
Glad you can hear Matt properly now though.
a response from tinnitus tony
saw deep purple at 13 and it has been all downhill for the hearing from there.
be interested to know of the incidence of hearing afflictions from theword readers, but I digress
re podcast -agree - i love the ambience
be interested to hear from the lads themselves, even if off line ( if this is a tedious path already much travelled ) why do some of you sound like you are talking from the oher room?
just interested?
tony
Mic Phasing...
..seems to be a constant problem. Not that I care.
(But if I was producing, it wouldn't happen)