One of the techniques that is used in Agile development is minimal documentation.  In order to support this, bullet points and checklists are quite helpful.

Below is an example of my podcasting setup documentation.  Included is a bullet list of things that needed to be collected ahead of time.  I have also included a checklist that I use when creating a new recording session.

As you can see, the information included would not be considered adequate documentation, by itself.  It is plenty to use as a starting point.  Each piece of hardware and software has its own documentation if someone is interested.  It also shows how each of the pieces works together without being overwhelming.

Think about the things that you do every day.

• Expense reports
• Time sheets
• Employee appraisals
• Attendance tracking
• Vacation planning

I’m sure you can put together a checklist for each.  Presidents leave advice for their successor (https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/20/us/politics/letters-from-presidents-to-successors.html), why shouldn’t managers?

I wish my predecessor had left me check lists like these, my first few months as a manager would have been much easier.

Microphone:

Audio Tecnica ATR-2100 http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/b8dd84773f83092c/index.html

Accessories:

Neewer microphone boom https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GRMF5ZE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Software:

Podium Free (32 bit) http://zynewave.com/podium-free/

winLAME https://winlame.sourceforge.io/

Setting up Podium Free

Download Podium Free from http://zynewave.com/podium-free/

Unzip and install the 32 bit version.  This version is able to load a larger number of plugins, which you may choose to use later.

Once installed, run the application

Setting up winLAME

Download winLAME from https://winlame.sourceforge.io/

Run the installer

You will use this later

Creating a project

[  ] Select Project – New Project

[  ] Edit the project name

[  ] Configure the audio to match your input and output devices

[  ] Click Create Project

[  ] Underneath the “Master” track right-click the mouse button and select Add New Track

[  ] Enter a track name of Mic with Effects

[  ] Check Use as group track

[  ] Click OK

[  ] Right-click the mouse button on the “Mic with Effects” track header and select Add New Child Track

[  ] Enter a track name of Mic (Raw)

[  ] Click OK

[  ] On the Mic (Raw) track, click the input dropdown and select Audio In 1 + 2.  This will record from your microphone, in stereo.

[  ] Save your project. Project – Save Project

Recording

[  ] Click on the grayed out R button on the Mic (Raw) track.  It will become bold

[  ] Click on the grayed out circle button at the bottom of the screen (this is the record “master arm” button.  The Mic (Raw) track will be highlighted in red.

[  ] Click the triangle “play” button to begin recording.

[  ] Press the square “stop” button to stop recording.

Saving for others to enjoy

[  ] Select File – Export to Sound File…

[  ] Click Export

[  ] Type in the name of the file you would like to save.  (Leave the extension as .WAV)

[  ] Open winLAME

[  ] Select the file that you saved above

[  ] Convert the file to mp3

The non Freebie edition:

This version will require you to purchase Reaper.  It is $60 for non-commercial use.  The time saved in the updated checklist will more than make up for the purchase price.

Software:

Reaper (64 bit) http://www.reaper.fm/download.php

ULTRASCHALL Podcasting Extensions for the REAPER DAW https://github.com/Ultraschall/REAPER

Setting up Reaper

Download Podium Free from http://www.reaper.fm/download.php

Download and install the 64 bit version.

Once installed, run the application

Setting up ULTRASCHALL (ultrasound)

Follow the directions here http://ultraschall.fm/install/

Creating a project

[  ]Start Reaper (x64)

[  ] Select Podcast – Project templates – Ultraschall Soundboard

[  ] Click no when prompted to save unsaved project

[  ] Configure the audio to match your input and output devices (Podcast – Audio device settings…)

Recording

[  ] Click on the dard red circle at the top of the screeen

[  ] Speak

[  ] Press the square “stop” button to stop recording.

Saving for others to enjoy

[  ] Podcast – Export – Start export assistant

[  ] Follow the steps

[  ] Export MP3

[  ] Select directory

[  ] Enter name

[  ] Select output format (MP3 (encoder by LAME project)  – You may be prompted to download and install required libraries

[  ] Click on Render 1 file…

[  ] Optional MP3 customization

[  ] Edit ID3V2 Metadata

[  ] Fill in fields as appropriate

[  ] Click OK

[  ] Add an image

[  ] Click Open Project Folder

[  ] Copy an image to this folder – Rename it to be the same name as the project

[  ] Finalize MP3

Links:

http://www.ilovefreesoftware.com/28/windows/mp3/music-production-podium-free.html