This workshop focuses on the technical and vocal elements of audio production. In it, you will create a short podcast from a couple of different kinds of source material that you choose. To your edited recording, you will add a selection of royalty-free theme music.
Your work will result in an mp3 file that you post to the Canvas Discussion forum dedicated to this workshop.
For the complete details about how to submit your work, see Submission Requirements.
This workshop continues your process of learning about audio production tools, techniques, and strategies. For this workshop, you'll record & edit content for the first time. With content creation comes a new set of responsibilities, strategies, & tools for you to learn.
By completing this workshop, you'll gain a better sense of the capabilities of your currently available tools for audio production. Keep in mind that no one who has not invested in acquiring at least a basic kit of recording technologies is anywhere near properly equipped to begin a podcast. The question you'll answer through this workshop is whether or not the toolkit you do have is sufficient for your needs in this course.
The good news is that if you learn that your current microphone & headset does not produce audio of sufficient quality, you have access to both recording spaces and equipment kits through SVSU that you can implement into your production processes this semester. I will provide content on that topic in another resource for you.
This workshop requires you to record and edit 2 content segments that together make a 4 to 6 minute podcast. To complete this assignment, you'll work your way through 6 tasks.
So far, you've worked with audio clips that I provided to you. Because you'll record content for the first time during this workshop, you'll need to have access to some basic things for capturing audio.
Computer with Adobe Audition. I assume that at this point you have worked out whatever details you need to work out to be able to edit audio. I ask you to list your equipment and describe your set up in the summary report, so figure out how to describe your computer (e.g., platform) & software (package & version) for that purpose.
For example, I record on a 2023 Mac Mini through a Focusrite Vocaster Two interface connected to a Rode PodMic and Sennheiser in-ear studio monitors. I run the 2025 edition of Adobe Audition.
Microphone & Headphones. From the beginning, I have said that you can complete this course using less-than-professional-grade equipment. The equipment you are able to access will determine the quality of your audio production moving forward, because now we begin to work with content that you record.
If you have a gaming headset or decent quality phone headset, you should still be fine. If you have not yet taken the time to connect your equipment to the computer you use for this course, this workshop offers you the chance to address any issues you may have with syncing your computer and gear. If you are not able to make your equipment work, reach out to make arrangements with me to work in the RPW Audio Production Studio, or to check out a mobile recording unit. You can explore these options even if you do get your equipment working.
Quiet Space to Record In. The final element to a good start with recording your own audio is the space within which you work. You absolutely must work in a quiet space that is free of background noise, and that is a sonically clean as you can manage. Refer to content I have curated for you on ensuring a good working space. Even a room where you can draw curtains across windows or throw pillows and blankets over hard surfaces can make a significant difference in sound quality.
You'll record 2 kinds of content during this workshop: you'll read from a published source; you'll speak from an outline. The total recorded content will run 4 to 6 minutes total.
Content from a published source. To locate public-domain content that you are allowed to record without fear of copyright infringement, you'll visit Project Gutenberg to locate a published book. (I provide a link to that site below). Visit the site. Select a work of fiction from the Mythology, Legends & Folklore category. You only need 2 to 3 minutes of content, so you won't need even a full chapter. Pick something that draws your attention for some reason.
Content from your own outline. Prepare a brief outline of presentation points based on one of the topics I list below. Do not write out a script. Rather, select a topic with which you are comfortable speaking about with minimal preparation.
You have completed this search twice already, so it represents nothing new. However, this time, I want you to be very selective & particular about the way you prep your 3 music segments. Specifically, set up segments with fade-ins and fade-outs of the following durations: 10-15 seconds (intro); 3 to 5 seconds (segue between first recording and second recording); and 15-20 seconds (outtro).
When you hae everything ready to go, it is time to record. As usual, set up your session as a multi-track recording. Designate one of the tracks as your voice. Designate one or more additional tracks for music and for sound effects.
Organize your content to follow this progression.
Edit the resulting file to make sure the transitions sound clean and that your audio is free of glitches, ums, and any other unwelcome sounds. Adjust your audio levels on the music and recorded material to get them comparable in volume. Apply tools/processes such as hiss reduction, and noise reduction as necessary. Apply a FADE IN to the front end of clipped passages and a FADE OUT to the back end of those same clips to eliminate "hard edges" from your edits. Adjust the timing as you go to produce an overall pace to the passage that feels right to you.
When you export your mixdown file for submission, use the filename YourLastName-WorkingWithAudioP3.mp3.
When you have completed the recording, editing, & export processes, listen to your MP3 to make sure the sound quality is good. If you notice anything that sounds off (e.g., too loud, too quite, muffled, and so on), go back into your session file and rework the parts that need refining. When your MP3 is ready, visit the workshop discussion forum to submit your work.
Craft a brief summary report with the following content.
For example, I record in my home studio on a 2023 Mac Mini through a Focusrite Vocaster Two interface connected to a Rode PodMic and Sennheiser in-ear studio monitors. I run the 2025 edition of Adobe Audition.
Post your summary report & audio file to the forum dedicated to this workshop on Canvas Discussions.
This section describes the standards by which your work will be evaluated for this workshop. Attend carefully to these details. If you do so, you will earn full credit for the workshop.
There are 50 possible points for this workshop. I will award points according to this standard.
This material has evolved over many years of teaching & research, and is protected by U.S. copyright laws.
If you are here because of random chance, or because this content came up in a search, then please feel free to explore the site. If you are a teacher or other professional in any context who would like to use any of my course content in your work, I grant you permission to do so with the following limitations.