How to CoTCast
What We Use For CoTCasting:
Software Audacity, The Levelator
Voice over IP Software Skype PowerGramo
Misc Software iTunes
Some Hardware Lo gitech USB Desktop Microphonel Plantronics .Audio 750 DSP Stereo Headset - Over-the-head - .AUDIO 750 DSP
Resources Podbean
Equipment You Need to be on a CoTCast You will need Skype, a headset for speakers and any mic will do. If you use regular speakers to hear the conversation, your mic will also pick up the audio coming from your speakers, so those people you are listening to will have an annoying echo of themselves on the recording. It will not be possible to edit this out in post as there is little to no post.
Try to minimize environmental noise Fidgeting usually creates some repeated agitating noise throughout the podcast. Try to be aware that everything you do that makes a noise is going to be in the podcast. We can’t help the occasional dog barking or the kid yelling for something in the background, so if these things should occur, simply say what the sound is as unknown noises are annoying to listeners and stating what the sound is often helps the listener accept the interruption and continue on listening to the subject. Don’t game or watch TV or listen to music while recording. Focus a little bit.
Eating / Gum Chewing No eating or gum chewing at all. Those are constant disgusting sounds. Trust me, you can make it without food in your mouth for the amount it takes to record. Smoking and drinking are acceptable.
Read the outline in advance If you’re going to be in a CoTCast, an outline will have been e-mailed to you as soon as it was ready. We don’t use a script and the outline is really just a basic list of topics, but simply think about your views on the topic so you have something to say when it comes up.
Stay on topic Yes, improvisation and spontaneity are encouraged but there is a limit with our time so if we go off on a tangent and someone attempts to bring things back to the topic, make sure you honor that request (or your tangent is likely to be cut altogether to save time).
Be on time If you have agreed to be on a CoTCast and have agreed to a scheduled time, then please try to be on time. Understandably, things can come up so if you’re running late, we will begin without you and you can simply join up in Skype when you get there.
This is not your soapbox The legal definition of slander is a verbal form of defamation, or spoken words that falsely and negatively reflect on one’s reputation. So where does the CoTCast come into this? Although we’re tiny and going for a super-tiny audience, the internet is a public space. Before you open your mouth and begin a slam-fest on someone you don’t like at Mythic or at one of the fansites or on the server or go on a personal attack with someone you play alongside, remember that your little rant has the potential to reach MP3 players around the world. Be sure - before you open your mouth to speak - that you are not misquoting or merely assuming that your word is gospel. When expressing jaded opinions, have real evidence to back up what you say.
Enunciate It’s pretty common to start recording and launch into your topic with total energy and power; not that there is anything wrong with that - until you go back and listen to yourself. If you speak too excitedly or quickly, your words and thoughts are running together and forming one muddy stream of thought. Take a breath and give yourself a moment and think before speaking. Sometimes all you need to do to sharpen your speech and your vocabulary is to take a breath. Pronounce your words distinctly. Enunciation forces you to slow down and clean up your pronunciation and makes your voice easily understandable. It will also help you get rid of lip-smacking, heavy breathing and unavoidable ahs and ums.
It is still a casual podcast. really… even after that wall of text.
