Yesterday the 0.51 version of CastBlaster was released. I really like this software a lot. It makes podcasting so much easier. The user interface, once you get use to it, is very natural and simple to use. It takes care of the whole process, from creation to description, to publication via FTP of your MP3 to your servers. The sound quality on the resulting MP3’s are excellent. If you’re looking to start a podcast, you should definitely pull down the trial of this software and give it a try. The trial is free and allows you to record for 10 minutes. To purchase the product it costs $50, of which its worth every penny. Registration for the beta carries over to 1.0, obviously.

Keith was asking me what I was using for my setup now, so I thought I would recap it for him. Consider this a Pay It Forward for the help I received from the Roadhouse Podcast.

• Behringer Eurorack UB802 Mixer.
• MXL MXL990 Condenser Microphone with Shockmount (I bought 2 of these in expectation of doing stuff with the kids). These mics are directional, so you have to position them standing straight up and talk into the side. Don’t talk from the top!
• CREATIVE LABS PCMCIA Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Notebook.
• XLR Microphone Cables (and the necessary cables and adapter to hook from the headphone jack in your mixer to the sound card).
• You’re going to need a mic stand with the microphones above. I forgot this little detail and had to go out yet again to get one.
• Pop Filters (one per mic). We made our own using nylon socks from Jonna’s shoe shopping excursions (unworn) and embroidery hoops, but you can buy them too, as I later did.
• A good book on the subject. I recommend Podcasting: Do It Yourself Guide by Todd Cochrane [ reviewed here ] and Podcasting Hacks : Tips and Tools for Blogging Out Loud from O’Reilly.
• Recording software. I really like CastBlaster after working with it for a bit. You can also use Audacity, which is free. In April, I switched to Podcast Station for the low, low price of another $50. The sound quality seems to be much better since I switched, and the new software has a lot of editing and effects capabilities that Castblaster doesn’t have.
• Finally, whatever you do, make sure you are talking into the right side of the mic. Not doing that can be pretty frustrating.