Podcasting Woes

[hellfire45]

So I have started a podcast and I have really crappy equipment. I am using a webcam and we are sitting around a table. Also, using audacity, skype, pamela and adobe premiere pro CS4.

We are having an issue with the audio cracking when people laugh. I think maybe its just this webcam is being overloaded. Anybody have any advice on the types of equipment I can get at an affordable price to boost my podcast sound quality? I think we will need audio equipment that supports 3-4 people into the same computer. Audio splitter? Mixer? Any advice please. Thanks!

[guns1inger]

Get the best quality mics you can afford. A small mixer would also be good. You also need a compressor on the input signal. This will help stop you clipping, and help normalise the volume as you record.

[hellfire45]

Thanks but can you be a little more specific? I'm not really sure what mics are good or the specifics of a small mixer or compressor...

[guns1inger]

Some reading matter for you

http://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=413667&seqNum=3
http://hivelogic.com/articles/podcasting-equipment-guide/
http://www.podcastblaster.com/podcasting-equipment.html
http://www.digitalpodcast.com/podcastingequipment/

As your profile is full of gibberish I don't know if you are working on a Mac or Windows platform (not particularly helpful - I suggest you fix it soon). As well as Audacity I would suggest you look at Reaper, which is a multi-track recorder with a lot of features.

You might also google for Podcasting Forums and find one that addresses podcasting specifically. I have yet to produce one, but I listen to a lot of them, and the quality and production differences range wildly between something that sounds like someone in their den, to studio quality. I do know that some of my favourites that do have good production values are recorded in a lounge room, so a studio is not a necessity.