What’s old is new again. The first broadcast mass medium, radio, is back again — this time as personalized, targeted audio for audiences on the go. From books to long form text articles, audio-only programming is gaining listeners fast in a constantly evolving media world.
Podcasting began as a kind of “voice blog” for amateurs — a way for personal computer users to broadcast their voice over the internet. Now, the concept has evolved into something much bigger — a powerful way for communications professionals to create a wide range of programming on niche topics of interest for large audiences.
It is always annoying when manufacturers change a well-established technical standard that works well for something different — especially when it is billed as “new and improved.” Now, a threatened shake-up of headphone connectors on smartphones and personal computers could have ramifications for professional gear as well.
In this era of mobile podcasting, reporters often have to record interviews anywhere — in noisy coffee shops, on trains or on campaign buses. Getting clean audio for two or more people quickly on the go can be a challenge if the interviewer is not prepared for it.
Active noise reducing headphones are avoided by professional sound engineers, while passive designs are used. Why is this?
Immersive audio may be driven by virtual reality, but its arrival opens far more possibilities, including a re-birth of the “theatre of the imagination.”
Basic audio processing for narration is so mature that it now free or costs very little. Though it’s easily accessible to anyone, how many recording audio know how to use it?
It’s another election year and hundreds of candidate speeches will be recorded by news reporters and campaign operatives on the stump. Some will be recorded on video on smartphones and others on audio recorders. Virtually all reporters are dependent today on the internet to connect with homebase. But what happens when the net fails?