Review: Getting started with Audacity 1.3

Audacity is my favourite audio editing tool. Why? Because it’s good, works a treat on PC or Mac, it’s open source, supported by a global community, has a fast learning curve … and it’s free.

Anything that promotes Audacity is fine by me. So I was pleased to be invited to review Bethany Hiitola’s new book Getting Started with Audacity 1.3.

To hear my comments (edited with Audacity, naturally) on this first-rate beginner’s guide, just click on the audio player below.

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Fast, free and easy podcasting with Podbean & PodOmatic

This week, I was speaking about podcasting to a group of social enterprise entrepreneurs. These are the heroes and heroines of our communities, in my opinion, yet even those who knew what a podcast was were nervous that the technology might be beyond them.

So for those I met at the UnLtd/Media Trust event (and maybe a few others), here’s a way to connect your passion with some of the most committed online communities using two simple, free platforms: PodOmatic and Podbean.

First, though, what’s it all about? Podcasts can be audio or video – anything you can imagine on your iPod, really. But let’s keep it simple for now and focus on audio.

OK, so why not just plonk your latest rant, recipe or review on your website as an audio file. You can. And that’s fine. But wouldn’t it be nice if people could listen to your latest masterpiece anywhere, anytime? And how neat would it be if your podcast popped up in iTunes, where people could download it and become regular subscribers?
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40-ish free multimedia tools for the backpack journalist …
(or charities with the passion to connect, but not the cash)

In addition to my media consultancy work with the Thomson Foundation, I’m currently supporting non-profit organisations whose passions span helping make life better for schoolchildren in Ghana and carers in Wales.

Many of those I work with, especially charities, don’t have access to expensive multimedia gear. In fact, what they really want is cheap, a fast learning curve and good results.

So I’ve had a rummage in my backpack for a few of the free (or affordable) multimedia apps and tools that have gone down well and helped make a difference. All are free unless otherwise stated: (more…)

Soundslides star in Nick’s round-Britain Slowcoast odyssey

This latest post applauding great examples of audio slideshows is not so much about a Soundslides project, but a Soundslides epic. I mean it. Think Illyad.

So meet Nick Hand, left, a Bristol born-and-bred graphic designer and photographer … with a bike.

This summer he cycled  5,000-odd miles around the minor coast roads and tracks of Britain, A – to see if he could “still do it at the grand age of 52”, B – “to find out more about the island I live on and the people I share it with”, and C – to raise money for people with Parkinson’s, like his brother.

En route, Nick set himself the additional challenge of speaking to artisans who live and work on the coast – people who “make their living from passion and craft.” (more…)

10 TIPS … to help you create great-looking audio slideshows

Starting out with audio slideshows? Follow the basics and you’ll soon be producing compelling, professional content for your website or blog, with less hassle than you might imagine.

Here are TEN TIPS I hope you find useful …

1. You’re creating a multimedia story – NOT a picture gallery. Plan your story before you start taking photographs and keep it in mind as you shoot. What’s the opening and last shot going to show? Be aware that you are guiding your audience through time (and two minutes is plenty long enough) (more…)