If you’re serious about podcasting, you might want to set aside several hundred dollars to invest in a microphone and a compressor/limiter. But many of our clients are simply using whatever equipment they can get their hands on. if you’re unable to part with much money, you can try the Plantronics DSP-500 headset for around $50. (You might remember Plantronics from an earlier Gadget Monday where we told you how to get set up for using Skype – this headset will do double-duty.)

Plantronics DSP-500 headset

No matter which mic you’re using for your podcast, you can get better results with a few low-tech techniques. This posting from the O’Reilly Digital Media Blog has some useful demonstrations on how to get better results with your recordings, including how to tweak your mic position (hint: talk past your microphone rather than into it).

Also, see this article on how to make a pop-filter out of some old pantyhose.

© Talance for Talance Friendly Web Tools Blog, 2008. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us digg reddit email facebook
Who's linking ? Google
Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Tech/Development.

You may also enjoy the following related articles:

1. Gadget Monday: Podcasting Project Perfect for Nonprofit Budget
2. Today’s Gadget Monday: Gear up for Skype
3. Gadget Monday: Blogging Equipment

So today on Gadget Monday, I’m featuring three essential tools for cutting your office phone bills and giving you a direct link to your colleagues by gearing up for Skype use.

1. First of all, download Skype.

2. PC Headset. While you really only need speakers and a microphone to use Skype for talking over the Internet, this route means you’ll have to deal with feedback. Your mic will pick up speech through the speakers, and you’ll hear a crazy echo while you’re trying to have a call. Instead, invest no more than $30 in a good headset that plugs into the back of your computer. You’ll look like you’re working in a call center, but your call quality will be great.

I use a nice Plantronics set. They have some great clearance deals on the website.

3. Headset Speaker Switch. The PC headset is great when you’re talking on the phone, but you don’t want to sacrifice using your speakers just for talking on Skype. The solution is the headset speaker switch, which lets you plug in your computer speakers and your headset at the same time. Use the toggle switch when you want to go from headset to speakers and vice versa.

4. Nokia N810. This last point isn’t technically essential, but it’s so cool and useful for other things that I have to mention it here. The Nokia N810 Portable Internet Tablet is a hand-held device that’s an alternative to the iPhone. But you don’t have to use the expensive AT&T contract to make calls. It synchs up with Skype (as well as Google and any other website) so you can talk for free. But you can also use it for on-the-road demos, taking notes, checking your e-mail and more.

Check this page on the Skype website to learn more about how these two dance together.

© adminis for Talance Friendly Web Tools Blog, 2008. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us digg reddit email facebook
Who's linking ? Google
Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Tech/Development.

You may also enjoy the following related articles:

1. Gadget Monday: Better Podcasting
2. Gadget Tuesday: ASUS Eee PC 2G Surf
3. Gadget Monday: Blogging Equipment