Intro to Anchor + How to get started

Posted on by cunnia

What is Anchor?

Anchor is Spotify’s free podcasting platform. You can create, distribute, and monetize your podcast and signing up is free. It is a great platform for creators of all levels to start their own audio projects. 

Platforms Anchor can distribute your content to:

  • Spotify
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Google Podcasts
  • Overcast
  • Amazon Music
  • iHeartRadio
  • Castbox
  • Pocket Casts
  • RadioPublic
  • Stitcher

What you can use Anchor for:

  • Class projects
  • Personal projects
  • Record audio
  • Edit audio
  • Create audio from a video file
  • Add transitions 
  • Connect your pre-existing podcast to Anchor
  • Gathering analytics on your podcast

How to get started:

From their homepage, click on “Get Started” or “New Episode” and make your free account. Once you make your account, you can either start recording your audio project on the platform itself, or you can import audio files you already have.  

Anchor can import these type of files with a maximum file size of 250 MB : 

  • MP3
  • M4A
  • WAV
  • MPG
  • MOV
  • MP4

If you already have an existing podcast, you can copy and paste your podcast’s RSS feed into Anchor so that Anchor can make the switch for you.

Once you have finished recording or have uploaded your recording, you can add music if you’d like and/or edit the audio on Anchor’s platform. You can choose from Anchor’s selection of “smart background music” or add songs from Spotify right from the same dashboard. Anchor’s music and music from Spotify have licensing agreements which you can find here.

You can choose to add background music or search for a song on Spotify by clicking the “music” icon.

Once you have recorded and if you’d like to edit the audio, click on the 3 dots next to the audio file and select “Edit audio”. It will then bring you to the audio editing dashboard.

When you’re ready to publish your recording, click “Save” to save any changes you’ve made and you’ll be able to then name your episode, write up a description, and choose when to publish the episode. 

Before Anchor distributes your content though, you have to set up your podcast that the episode will be published under. You can also upload your own logo or podcast cover image. If you need help coming up with a name, Anchor has a great tool and tips page on how to find something that suits you.

Other helpful tips:

If you already have a podcast, you can switch to Anchor and connect yours via their “Switch to Anchor” instructions at the top of their homepage. Your personal Spotify account will remain separate from your hosting account on Anchor.

You can also download an audio file you’ve either previously recorded or uploaded to Anchor by clicking the 3 dots next to your episode and clicking ‘download’. It will automatically download as a .m4a file.

Snowball Mic Set-Up

Posted on by sherbul

The Snowball mic is one of the easiest and simplest mics to use for audio recording. Better yet, it producers top-tier sound with little fuss.

When you get your Snowball mic, the first thing you want to do is assemble it.

  1. Screw the tripod into the mic base
  2. Plug the provided cable into the back of the microphone and the other end into your laptop
    1. A red light should turn on at the top of the mic. This means the mic is on.

3. Select your desired recording setting

  1. Narration (best for audio recording)
  2. Music (best for recording music)
  3. Meeting Room (best for recording large areas)

When you open Audition, the Snowball mic should appear as the Host audio track. This means you’re ready to record, all you have to do is hit the red button in Audition and get started!

Here is a helpful video that goes over Snowball mic set up:

Matching Clip Loudness

Posted on by Katie

Whenever recording more than one person speaking, or when mixing multiple audio files together, it’s important to have a consistent sound level. This way, your listeners won’t have to constantly adjust their headphones or speakers to match the sound level, you’ll have already done it! Plus, matched sound loudness just sounds so much better. Here’s a great video on how to get really precise loudness matching.

Setting up your external microphone in adobe audition

Posted on by Katie

If you have an external microphone, say a USB microphone or an audio interface system you’re plugged into, you need to configure some settings before you can record audio from the mic. Here’s a quick video on how to configure your settings! Disclaimer: the video was filmed in 2014, so your adobe audition interface should (hopefully) be updated from that older version. Even though he’s using Audition from 2014, the settings are still basically the same.

Improving Sound Quality in Voice Memos

Posted on by sherbul

For many first-time audio producers, the Voice Memos app is a great resource to quickly record audio on the go. It is simple to use, just hit the red button and speak! With a good recording set up, your recorded audio can be production-ready.

However, there’s not always time to make a blanket fort or makeshift recording booth. Maybe you’re on the go or somewhere that’s windy or noisy. Don’t worry! Here are two quick tips that will improve your Voice Memos audio.

1.) Turn on Enhanced Audio

  • First, open the Voice Memos app and record.
  • Next, hit the three dots in the bottom corner of the recording.
  • Click “Edit Recording”
  • Then, click the blue magic wand button above your recording. The button will be highlighted in blue when it is on.

And that’s it! This little wand will help clean up your audio in just one click!

2.) Put a piece of tape over your mic

It’s really that simple.

All you need is a small piece of ordinary tape. Stick it over your phone’s microphone to cut down harsh wind or noise sounds when recording outside!