Podcasting Guide | PoducateMe

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“closed” system. This means that Pro Tools software can be used only with

Digidesign hardware, such as the MBox 2 USB Audio Interface ($449.95). This is

similar to Apple limiting its OS to run only on Apple computers, thus assuring greater

control over quality and compatibility issues.

Pro Tools software comes bundled with Digidesign hardware and cannot be

purchased separately. However, systems such as M-Audio’s Project Mix I/O Control

Surface/Interface ($1,249.95) provide an exception to this rule.

Because Digidesign and M-Audio and are held by the same parent company, Avid

Technology, select M-Audio products, including the popular MobilePre USB Interface

($149) are compatible with Pro Tools M-Powered Recording Software ($249.95),

which is sold separately.

Using VST plug-ins with Pro Tools

While Pro Tools software supports only TDM and RTAS plug-ins natively, there is a

way to use VST plug-ins within Pro Tools by “wrapping” them in a RTAS shell.

FXpansion’s VST to RTAS Plug-In Wrapper ($99.95) will handle this task and open

up a much larger library of effects from which to choose.

Where to get plug-ins

There are a number of areas on the Web from which you can download plug-ins.

Some are free, while others may require purchase. Visit the PoducateMe Web site to

review a wide selection of pro-quality plug-ins listed on the site’s Audio Effects

good selection of freebies, check out www.mda-vst.com and www.kvraudio.com.

Headphones

You should use a pair of headphones while recording and editing your podcast. If you try

to record while your audio is being output through your Mac’s internal speakers or an

external pair of speakers, you will likely get feedback. In addition, a good pair of

headphones will allow you to detect subtle gaffes in your podcast during the editing

process.

Like microphones, headphones vary a great deal in price and offer wide-ranging degrees

of comfort, sound and quality. Comfort and sound are very subjective, so you should

attempt to audition headphones at a store before making a purchase.

Your choice of headphone should provide a wide dynamic range and good isolation from

external sounds. In addition, headphones should provide sufficient ear enclosure to

prevent audio “bleed,” which refers to sound escaping from the headphones. This leaked

audio has the potential to be captured by the microphone and result in an unsatisfactory

recording.

Sennheiser’s HD212 Pro Closed Headphones ($59.95) represent an inexpensive and

well-reviewed choice in the “closed” headphone category. Incidentally, if you’re looking