Creating audio files and podcasting is essential in the social media sphere. And it's quite simple as it turns out.

Normally I would use a free software program; however we work in a dual-boot environment and the Mac-only Garageband is a great tool to use. For those of you who prefer the free software solution, there is a similar program that works on all three platforms -- Linux, Windows and Mac -- called Audacity.

I will have a tutorial up for Audacity this semester. Or you can feel free to create one and send it to me.

Garageband: Getting Started

This is how you set up Garagaband for recording. If something isn’t working with your input or output, there’s a good chance you might want to start here. 

1. Double Click on Garageband

   1. Should be in the dock, if not;

   2. Click on the Macintosh HD on the desktop; Click on Applications; Click on Garageband

2. Click on NEW PODCAST EPISODE

   1. In the SAVE AS box: lastname_projectname

   2. In the WHERE box: Click on the arrows and select Desktop

3. Plug in your headphones

   1. You should see a scanning for audio devices, followed by a Logitech USB Headset. Click Yes.

4. Click on the Desktop

   1. Click on the blue apple in the top, left-hand side of the screen

5. Click on System Preferences

   1. On the second line, on the far right, click on Sound

   2. Make sure INPUT and OUTPUT each have Logitech USB Headset clicked

   3. Adjust the OUTPUT volume until you hear a noise in your headset

   4. If you don’t hear anything, check the Blue Circle on your Headset. If the blue light is blinking, you’ve got the headset on mute. Click it one time and you should get a solid, blue light. Recheck your sound.

Garageband: Recording

This is the place where you’ll actually record your files.

1. Click the button closest to the icon of a male in front of a microphone

   1. The button is a circle, and it’s red when pressed; this is to set this track to record

   2. Make sure the volume meter reads in the green when you test your headset. If it doesn’t, please repeat Steps 4 and 5 from above

2. In the VIEW tab along the top of the screen, make sure you’ve enabled SHOW MASTER TRACK

3. Click on the red Record button to start

   1. When you are recording, you should see waves on the Master Track and in the Male Voice sections;

   2. If there is nothing, you have not set up your inputs correctly

4. Click the space bar to stop recording

Garageband: Exporting

Once you finish recording your original material, you’ll need to export it so you can continue to work on different projects. Here’s how.

1. Click on SHARE across the top of the screen

2. Click on EXPORT PODCAST TO DISK

3. Make sure that DESKTOP is selected

   1. The file should now be an .M4a

Garageband: Importing

Once you have several audio clips to drop into the editing software, all you need to do is click on a track that isn’t recorded on, drag the clip you want to import into that file and you’re good.

1. If you recorded in the MALE VOICE track, click off the red, circular button (from Recording, Step 1);

2. Click button closest to the icon of a female in front of a microphone on the FEMALE VOICE line

3. Drag the .M4a file from your desktop to the FEMALE VOICE line.  

Garageband: Editing

Once you have your tracks recorded and your interviews converted on the desktop, you’re ready to edit it all together.  

Splitting a File

1. If you record all of your voice over at once, you’ll need to split up the file so that you can drop in your recordings.

2. Click on the file you want to edit; this should bring up your file in the MASTER TRACK at the bottom on the screen.

3. Click on the track and drag your mouse across the area you want to cut; the track will be highlighted

4. Double click and the clip will be cut at both ends 

   1. If you inadvertently cut, please go to the EDIT tab and click on UNDO

        

Editing Down the File 

You will need to edit the files down when you want to pull out a specific quote from your interview. You can either split the clip and delete the component parts that you don’t want; OR, you can do the following. 

1. Click on the file you want to edit

2. On either end, you’ll see a solid line with an arrow behind it; you can drag the file

   1. The file will only play what is left on the screen; however, you haven’t lost the audio. You can simply expand the file back out and you’ll have the original audio again.

Splicing a File

Once you have your files edited down, your main file spliced and all your files on the workspace of Garageband. 

1. Choose a workspace to operate with (MALE OR FEMALE)
2. Drag the files, in the order that you want, on to the workspace
   1. Make sure you don’t overlap the files, as you’ll lose some of the audio if you do
3. Save the file
4. Export the file as .M4a