Here is a non-exhaustive list of things that helped me get started in audio/radio! I am still learning from all of these resources today and I wanted to put them in a place for other's to access. Let me know if you have something you think I should add to the list.
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Tool kit, videos, worksheets for teen audio makers
This American Life - Make Radio
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Aggregate doc of radio resources
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Has a huge archive of articles and how-tos
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HowSound is Transom’s podcast about making good radio
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Really fun prompts for short and creative audio pieces, a new one comes out everyweek
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A really great resource if you aren't sure where to start and want a simple prompt to work from!
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Story blueprint → definitely check this out
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Favorites:
Association of Independents in Radio (AIR)
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Amazing resource for producers. Has a costs for membership but has a ton of free resources and events
Podcast Garage (Boston, DC, and vitrual)
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They are doing a lot of virtual stuff right now like classes and events
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They have a lot of free online events with really awesome audio makers
Podcasts about making podcasts
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This article: I haven’t listened to any of these but they may be useful!
Storytelling
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The Moth - Live storytelling organization, they also have a podcast
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StoryCorps - storytelling project, non-narrated podcasts
Sound/Sound Design
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Constellations: platform for sound design-rich audio with a lot of resources and amazing pieces to listen to
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Let’s Learn About Waveforms: very basic, easy to understand basics of sound
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Sound Basics: basics of EQ, compression, reverb, delay (short but pretty useful)
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In the mix: Youtube channel with a ton of videos about mixing and sound design
Sounds and music
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Archival Tape: A list of all the places to find archival tape
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Free sounds: database for free and downloadable sounds
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Create your own sound library! Record your own sounds the way you want to record them they may come in handy
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Some helpful videos mostly for sound editing
Recording and Editing
Digital Audio Workstations (DAW) aka editing softwares:
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Reaper: less expensive, open source, very malleable (I use this and really love it)
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Pro Tools: expensive, but has a student discount, industry standard (what NPR and member stations use, I use this for school)
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Hindenburg: used in a lot of journalism
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Audition: Adobe’s editing software, a lot of student's get it for free
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Audacity: Free and pretty simple
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Garage band: free, simple, built into Macs
*The basic editing functions are pretty similar in each software! It’s more a matter of capacity and the extent of sound design you want to include
Editing videos/resources
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Videos:
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A ton of the resources I listed above from NPR, Transom, and my youtube channel
*There are plenty of others online. There are also a ton of music specific editing resources that can translate to podcasting
Recording equipment
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Your phone is great! Expensive equipment is not a necessity for excellent audio storytelling! But, if you are interested I've listed equipment below
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Standard field equipment: (Mic, recording device, headphone, windscreen, cables)
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My equipment (in case you want to ask questions about)
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Microphone 2 (from my school)
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Standard studio (at home) recording: (Mic, mic stand, pre-amp, headphones, soundproofing)
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Resources:
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Transom gear guide (pretty outdated, but good resource to learn about mics etc.)
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Recording with your phone
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Recording during Covid: Scroll down to remote recording
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Apps:
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iPhone voice memos: built-in Iphone app, sounds pretty good! easy to use, mp3 files
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This is how we recording most of the first and fourth episodes of Inherited!
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Google voice: people use it, I haven’t! I think it records phone calls and its free
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AVR Pro: app for purchase, pretty good quality, can record mp3, wav, or m4A
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TapeACall: yearly subscription, I use this to record phone calls, not great quality, but I have used clips from calls in final pieces, mp3 files
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Methods: ways to get better sound on while using your phone!
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Hold the phone as if you are speaking to someone (i.e. hold it up to your ear while speaking)
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Speaking into corded earphones with a mic extension works okay as well, especially if you have a louder voice
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Record in a very quiet room
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Rooms with carpet and soft furniture is best
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Recording under a blanket or in a closet also helps!
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Video remote recording
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Squadcast: Have heard good things and does local (each person talking recording)
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Zoom: can use to get face to face but wouldn't recommend using the audio
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*non-exhaustive list, I will continue to add to it!
Email me at if you have something for me to add to the list!