Mixing Your Double-Ender


Now, import the audio you just received from your partner into your audio software. You'll wind up with two tracks of audio, as shown in Figure 12.3.

Figure 12.3. Both halves of the conversation have been imported into your program, but something's not quite right yet.


Chances are, you'll wind up with a result like this. Without even hitting the Play button on your software, you can see that the two tracks are not aligned properly. If you listen right now, you'll hear the voices of you and your recording partner talking over each other.

Not to worry, though. Your recording software has a tool that will allow you to shift each track separately. Fixing the problem is as simple as shifting one of the tracks over until the audio in one track is aligned with the gaps in the other track, meshing with each other just like two adjoining gears. You can make the rough adjustment visually, then fine tune the alignment by ear.

When you're done, you'll wind up with two perfectly aligned tracks like the ones you see in Figure 12.4.

Figure 12.4. No one will be able to tell that you and your partner were not together when this was recorded.


Other than possibly adjusting the relative volume levels of the two tracks, you're done! The beauty of recording a double-ender is that you're able to align the two tracks in their entirety simply by sampling and working with a small section. Once you've properly aligned a small section of the two tracks, the rest of the tracks will be perfectly aligned no matter how long they are. You can align a 45-minute conversation merely by sampling and aligning a 10-second segment!

When you're done, no one will be able to tell that you and your recording partner weren't in the same room. (And believe us: If you're podcasting long enough, someday you'll wind up interviewing someone you'll be glad to not be in the same room with!) You can even co-host a podcast with someone in a different city and no one need ever know.

Double-enders are incredibly simple but the result they produce is nothing short of remarkable. This is a genuine insider's secret, so don't tell anyone…but feel free to suggest that they buy a copy of this book!

The Absolute Minimum

  • The double-ender technique will allow you to record high quality conversations even when the person you're talking to is somewhere else.

  • Recording a double-ender starts with each person recording his or her part of a conversation separately.

  • When both audio tracks have been recorded, the person who is not producing the podcast sends his or her audio track to the person doing the producing and mixing, using FTP software, IM software, or YouSendIt.com.

  • Both audio tracks are then joined together with your standard mixing software.

  • Aligning the two audio tracks of a double-ender is simple and straight-forward.

  • After you've adjusted the relative levels of the two tracks and mixed them into a single track, your listeners will not be able to tell that the two parties were not in the same room.




Absolute Beginner's Guide to Podcasting
Absolute Beginners Guide to Podcasting.
ISBN: B001U8C03Q
EAN: N/A
Year: 2004
Pages: 167

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