DIY Podcasting

Posted on 4 Jul 2006 at 11:45

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

 1 of 5

Gallery

Changing station is as interative as conventional radio gets. Podcasting gives you greater control over broadcasts and you can even be the DJ, as Ben Pitt explains

Podcasting is a fairly recent internet phenomenon. You can think of a podcast as a radio show, with two key differences. One is that you don't have to tune in at a specific time to hear it. Instead, you subscribe to shows, which are automatically downloaded to your PC or portable player for you to enjoy at your leisure. Second, creating and publishing your own podcast is far easier than creating a live internet radio station. All you need is a bit of time, some free software, a microphone and some web space.

Podcasts hold plenty of appeal for listeners, too. How often do you wish you could pause or rewind conventional radio, or fast-forward through it? And if you decide to make your own podcasts, you shouldn't find it hard to convince friends to sign up to your show and, with luck and a bit of talent, build a legion of regular listeners. So if you fancy trying your hand as a radio DJ, promoting your turntable skills or just voicing your opinions on local issues, podcasting gives you the perfect opportunity.

BROADCAST NEWS

A single podcast comprises an audio file, usually in MP3 format, and a small data file that describes the audio file. This can include a title, a brief summary, the date it was published and so on. To make a second instalment of a podcast, you just create another MP3 and add its details to the original data file. This data file is in RSS format, which is what the BBC uses to send news headlines to people's desktops. When you create a new episode and add its details to the RSS file, these appear on your listener's PC. Depending on their settings, the episode is downloaded automatically. It's even possible to transfer podcasts directly to portable players such as iPods. Indeed, the word 'podcasting' derives from the words 'iPod' and 'broadcasting'.

The widespread compatibility of the MP3 format makes it the default choice for podcasts, but lots of software and portable players support other formats such as WMA and AAC. A podcast could just as easily contain video files; iTunes software and the latest generation of iPods can play MPEG4 video, which delivers high quality in compact file sizes. The process for distributing video podcasts is the same as for audio.

HEY, MR DJ

The first step to making a podcast is to pick a subject. If you're in need of inspiration, see what others are doing; the box on the previous page tells you how to find existing podcasts. Bear in mind that there's plenty of competition. If you want to produce a mainstream pop show, you'll struggle to compete with the standards of commercial radio stations. However, if you have more unusual musical tastes, you'll have more luck finding a small but dedicated audience.

The main problem with music-based podcasts is copyright. You need the copyright owner's permission for any type of music distribution, and you're usually charged a fee. While the content of a podcast is similar to a radio show, its means of distribution as a downloaded file, usually with no digital rights management (DRM), is more like file sharing. Initially, this meant music in podcasts was a no-go area, but the music industry is coming to terms with this new distribution medium.

The MCPS-PRS Alliance, which manages the collection of royalties for songwriters in the UK, has devised a licence scheme for podcasters. See www.prs.co.uk for details. Essentially, you pay 1.5p per track per download, or 12 per cent of gross revenue if this is higher. There are various rules to stop listeners chopping up the podcast and adding its contents to their MP3 collection. These state that you must obscure at least 10 seconds at the beginning and end of each track with speech or a station ID, make sure that no more than 80 per cent of the total podcast is music and that no single artist is used for more than 30 per cent, and you must not provide a programme guide with track times. These fees and rules apply until the end of 2006, after which time the situation will be reviewed.