Finding Your Voice in Radio, Audio, and Podcast Production

Cover
Endorsements
Half Title
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
	Introduction
	The R.E.A.L. journey
	How this book works
	References
Part I: Discoverer
1. Welcome discoverer: Creating audio within reach
	First thoughts: The story of Nervous Steve: How creating radio transformed a student\'s life and placed him on a pathway to success
	Your journey begins
	The wonder of audio
		Entering a long tradition
		Audio: Ideal for storytelling
		Turn off the lights
	Finding your voice
		Finding your voice: Starting self-assessment
		Your two voices
		Who am I?
		Where do I come from? Be a Pickles!
		What do I believe?
		Welcome to your voice
	Final thoughts: Radio is with me forever: How radio was so important to one student, it made a permanent mark on her life. Literally
	References
2. The discoverer\'s toolkit: What you\'ll need to get going
	First thoughts: When the pandemic came, we knew what to do: How one student advisor was ready for radio in all circumstances because of his open-minded approach
	Equipment check: The tools you will really need, and the ones you will not
		Entry level audio essentials (with little or no budget)
		Mid-level audio equipment (with a recommended budget)
		Advanced level equipment (won the lottery? buy this!)
	Creating the best conditions to record
		Soundproofing
		Basic checks for your toolkit
	The little black book (though it does not have to be black and it does not have to be a book)!
	Play with abandon
	Final thoughts: I liked radio so much, I took over the station: How one student realized his calling and became a mentor to the students who followed him
	Note
	References
3. Discovering effective writing for ears & audiences
	First thoughts: Using words as a witness to history: How a radio journalist used audio to share important stories from Africa with the world
	Effective writing for the ear
		Choosing active words
		Words that work, and words that do not
		Active words need your active voice
	Mind your voice!
		Keeping the voice healthy and ready for action
		Managing nerves, the dreaded cottonmouth, and other speech anxieties
	Who will be your audience?
		Audio audiences are different
		Making a guesstimate about your first audience
		Identify their likely needs
		Gain honest feedback
	Final thoughts: Words can save lives: How one radio broadcaster used his voice to bring crucial information to his listeners in times of crisis
	Note
	References
4. Discovering advantages & possibilities
	First thoughts: Can you hear us now? How one student with autism, who found communication difficult, came alive in front of a radio microphone, and then started his own radio station for students with similar challenges
	Your advantages and possibilities
		What students bring to the microphone
		What students can learn together
		A word to those without access to student radio
	Valuing college/student/community radio (where possible)
		Learn by doing
		College radio\'s important mission
		Student radio also serves communities ignored by big media
		A proud history of producing alternative radio content: Opportunities and dangers
		So, poke life
	Final thoughts: We will not be silent: How one student courageously told the truth for herself and other victims of domestic violence and won national recognition for her radio story
	References
Part II: Developer
5. Welcome developer: Interviews - The key ingredient for making the meal
	First thoughts: Is this World War Three?! How one radio journalist experienced a life-changing event
	Interviews matter - The key ingredient
		The dance: The accepted conventions of interviewing
		Some necessary realism
	Preparing for interviews: Essential do\'s and don\'ts
		Keep your goals clear
		The importance of doing prior accurate background research
		It\'s all about the questions: Crafting questions for maximum effectiveness
		The five stages of an interview
	Helping the dance to be a success
		Permission
		Location
		Time limits
		Body language
		Knowing when to stay silent
		When things go wrong: strategies for saving the situation
		How you know you have done a great interview
	Final thoughts: The courage to speak: How one student came out of isolation to find her voice to then tell other people\'s stories
	References
6. Preparing the meal in the kitchen: Developing tasty programs
	First thoughts: Go Easy on Yourself: How one radio station manager coaches her students to produce their best attempts at audio content and avoid the pitfalls of program preparation
	How might you begin?
		Your signature dish
	Stage 1. Plan for what you will need to record
		Who is likely to be your audience?
		Will you use pre-recorded or live audio?
		Which kind of audio content form best suits your project?
		How much time will you have?
		Have you brainstormed an outline?
	Stage 2. Gather/Record your content
		Your voice
		Sound effects
		Music
		Archival recordings/file management
	Stage 3. Review/Listen to your content to ensure you have what you need
	Final thoughts: We Have Two Senses: How one professor created an educational podcast during the pandemic lockdown that has grown into an award-winning production and training ground for his students
	References
7. In the oven: Developing audio cooked to perfection
	First thoughts: 200 Euros will do: How one person helped create the first radio station of its kind, armed only with sheer determination
	The next stages of audio production
	Stage 4. Edit your audio
		Working with a DAW
		How audio \"looks\"
		Gaining experience with a DAW
		Timing is everything
		Safety first: Heed ethical and legal considerations
	Stage 5. Write your script, incorporating moments from your recorded audio
		Step 1: Select - Choose the appropriate type of script
		Step 2: Generate - Fill out links between clips
	Stage 6. Assemble your content - Putting it all together
	Mixing and mastering your project
	Moving on
	Final thoughts: Waking the dead: How one audio artist and professor creates innovative and powerful sound art to change lives and challenge perspectives
	References
Part III: Deliverer
8. Faster, sooner, more: The insatiable audience for podcasts
	First thoughts: The Heartbeat of a Snake: How one Indian nature educator created a unique podcast that captured the imagination of her listeners and brought nature stories to Indian urbanites
	The rise of podcasting as a popular medium: It\'s radio but not as we know it
		Live vs. on-demand
		Mass audience content vs. nicely niche
		More relaxed regulations, so you can be unfiltered
			Unheard Among Us - The next step
	How to plan a podcast
		Why to start: Identifying your mission and goal
		Who: Identifying your target audience
		What podcasting format: What\'s right for you?
		What form: Deciding episode form, length, and release schedules
		How will you present your podcast: Branding and sound imaging
		Who with: Collaborating as part of a creative team
	The podcast production process - Similarities and a big difference
	Promotion: Using social media and tools to get your podcast out there
		Distribution platforms and websites for podcasts
		RSS, social media upkeep, what needs to be done and when
		Artwork and images associated with your podcast
		What\'s next? Keeping up with the podcast after it has launched
		Other ideas to promote your podcast
	Final Thoughts: Learning Without Trying: How one woman took her passion for podcasting all the way to her dream job.
	References
9. Going live! The thrill of live radio
	First thoughts: \"Audition ka lang nang audition!\" How one girl saw a vision of her future on the radio and fought hard to make it reality
	Radio station opportunities - Seize them if you can
		College and community radio
		Setting up your own radio station
	Live radio - Things you need to know
		Learning a station\'s particular format and what must be played on the air
		Different types of radio shows
		Preparing properly - The materials you will need
		Remember the rules
			Unheard among us on radio?
	Ensuring all goes well - Some troubleshooting
		Missing audio content
		Microphone mishaps
		Unpredictable in-studio guests
		Phoners that go wrong
		What\'s that noise? Sounds outside of your control
		Outside live remote broadcasting
	Final thoughts: The Heart of Ireland: How one student radio station tackled core issues of its local community with their unique radio programming
	References
Part IV: Decoder
10. Feedback: The best way to keep improving
	First thoughts: Facing the mirror: How one legendary radio professional teaches others to become better
	What critiques you only makes you stronger
	Structured decoding - What do you need detailed feedback on?
		Audio checklist
		Airchecking
		Responding to feedback given to you
	Find a mentor if you can, but a friend will do at first
	Keeping the faith: Looking ahead
		Feedback with a different dimension
		Creating a personal motto to live by
	Final thoughts: We walk on through the ring of fire. How one professor considers the important lessons from a successful career in the radio industry
	References
Outro: R.E.A.L. audio: A manifesto for creating compelling content
	January 2023
	The end
		An important realization
			You\'ll create audio that is relatable
			You\'ll create audio that is engaging
			You\'ll create audio that is authentic
			You\'ll create satisfying audio that is liberating
	March 2023
	What are your goals? Where do you want to go?
	The beginning
	References
Index