To meet the growing podcasting needs of the SDSU community and beyond, the Digital Humanities Center recently launched its new Group/Multitrack Podcasting Studio. The studio is equipped with four professional quality microphones, a multi-channel mixing board that can also incorporate remote guests via Bluetooth or Zoom, and studio quality sound neutral headphones. It is the only podcasting studio on campus that is available to students, staff, and faculty.
During the pandemic many stumbled upon podcasting as technology became a primary way to communicate, connect, collaborate, and capture discussions. As people returned to campus and began to use our podcasting spaces, we found that most users were looking to capture group efforts but wanted to be able to have good sound quality and the option of mixing isolated tracks in post production. While our Single Use/Group Session DIY Podcasting Studios are great for capturing a round table discussion and are good for entry level podcasting, the limitations of only having a single microphone can create more challenges when it comes to editing.
The new Group/Multitrack Podcasting Studio allows up to four live guests who each have their own microphone and are recorded separately. Remote guests can be recorded on their own tracks as well via Bluetooth telephone or video conferencing. The studio is set up to be relaxed and for guests to hear themselves and others better. Sounding good brings confidence and energy to the guests which is vital for a good podcast.
Flexibility is what the DH Center is all about, and the new studio allows for users to record a podcast on their computer, or the Mac Studio within the DH. Once a podcast is recorded users have the option of exporting a default session mix captured live, or do a more granular isolated track edit later in a project file. The new equipment is compatible with all audio recording software, but works great with Audacity, which is free and available on Mac and PC.
As podcasting as a means of scholarly communication increases, the Digital Humanities Center continues to meet the growing and diverse needs of the SDSU community. The studio wouldn’t be possible without the hard work and expertise of Patrick Flanigan, the DH Center Programs and Operations Specialist. Patrick conceptualized, designed, and created the studio, which is already in high demand in its initial launch and pilot phase. Patrick has been working with a range of faculty, staff, and students since the studio opened. He provides one-on-one consultations and training so our community can learn to record and edit their projects. Patrick will continue enhancing the studio to meet the evolving needs of the SDSU community.
SDSU faculty, staff, and students can book the studio during our operating hours: Monday-Friday 10am-4pm. To inquire about booking times outside of our operating hours, email librarydh@sdsu.edu.