Week Three at Tallaght Training Centre

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Night 5 Homework: The Sidemen's Secret Sauce (No, It’s Not Mayo)

So, our homework was to listen to a podcast about the Sidemen, because what better way to learn about success than from a bunch of guys who turned making fun of each other into a global empire? Turns out, it’s not all just banter and gaming challenges. There’s a method to their madness—management, baby. These guys have mastered balancing the content grind with solid business moves, whether it's launching custom Air Forces or taking over the internet one roast session at a time. Moral of the story? If you want to be a YouTube overlord, make sure your management team is as tight as your banter. 

Night 6: A Brief (But Absolutely Necessary) History of Audio

Now, I could spend hours boring you with the history of audio, but why do that when we can speedrun it, right? Here's the TL;DR version:

  • 1877: Edison invents the phonograph, and people are suddenly freaked out by hearing voices coming out of a machine. Spooky stuff.
  • 1920s: Radio happens, and everyone’s hooked like it’s the Netflix of the day.
  • 1960s-70s: Cassettes roll in, and now we’re walking around with portable music. Boomers rejoiced.
  • 1982: CDs become the new thing. Perfect for those moments when you want to impress someone by how shiny your music collection is.
  • 1995: MP3s and the internet explode onto the scene. Piracy levels are off the charts, and suddenly you’ve got a million LimeWire viruses on your PC.
  • 2000s: Podcasting enters the chat. Now anyone with a microphone and a mildly interesting thought can become the next Joe Rogan. Hooray for democracy!

Audacity vs. CapCut: The Showdown

Now for the real battle of the century: Audacity vs. CapCut. Imagine it’s a heavyweight fight between the most reliable underdog in audio editing and the flashy video editor that dabbles in sound.

  • Audacity: This one’s like that sturdy old van that never breaks down. Sure, it’s not glamorous, but it gets the job done. And it’s free. I mean, who doesn’t like free stuff?
  • CapCut: Think of this one as the cool kid at school who’s good at everything video, audio, memes. It’s not strictly for audio, but hey, if you’re trying to make your podcast into a visual masterpiece with sick transitions, this is your pal.

Audacity 101: Let’s Get Our Nerd On

I know what you’re thinking: “How complicated can it be to record myself talking?” Well, let’s just say there’s more to it than yelling into your mic and calling it a day. So, if you want your podcast to sound like it wasn’t recorded in a cave, here's your guide to Audacity: 

  1. Download It: Yeah, first things first. Head over to audacityteam.org and download it. Do it. I'll wait.
  2. Set Up Your Mic: Plug that bad boy in, go to “Preferences,” and select your mic like you actually know what you’re doing.
  3. Sample Rate? Make It 44100 Hz: Look, I could go all technical here, but all you need to know is 44100 Hz = good sound. Anything less, and you’re basically recording with a potato.
  4. Record: Hit that big red button. Yes, the one that says "record." Talk like your podcast depends on it because it does.
  5. Editing Basics: Trim the awkward silences, cut the weird noises, and throw in some noise reduction so your listeners don’t think you live next to a jet engine. Boom, you're a podcast editing genius.

Setting Up Your Mic Like a Pro (Or at Least Faking It)

Want to sound like you’re recording from a high-tech studio instead of a broom closet? Here’s what you do:

  1. Distance is Key: Keep that mic about 6-8 inches from your mouth unless you want your listeners to feel like you’re breathing down their necks.
  2. Pop Filter, Anyone?: It’s not just a fancy term. If you don’t have one, say goodbye to any hope of controlling those “p” and “b” sounds. No one wants to feel like they’re being punched in the ear.
  3. Test, Test, Test: Before you hit record for real, do a test run. Check your levels if they’re hitting the red, congratulations, you’re about to make your audio sound like a robot in distress.
  4. Quiet on the Set: Try to record in a space quieter than a library at midnight. If you’re surrounded by noisy neighbors or a barking dog, Audacity’s noise reduction feature is your new best friend.

Why 44100 Hz? Because Quality Matters

Okay, nerd moment. Why 44100 Hz? Well, this rate is basically the golden standard for high-quality audio, giving you professional-grade sound without exploding your file size. If it’s good enough for CDs, it’s good enough for your podcast. Trust me on this.

There you have it: audio and podcasting in a nutshell wrapped in humor, sarcasm, and maybe a few too many jokes about microphones. Now, go forth and create audio masterpieces that’ll make even the Sidemen jealous!


Stay tuned for more updates and don’t forget.


WEAR THE STREETS.


Kevin Braney 

Urban Attire

Urban Studio 

urbanatt1re.shop

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