podfic

[tenoko1]

So I'm trying to record myself reading my fic The path We Choose, as I recently just learned what podfics are, think they're fabulous, and wanted to offer the option to other people that might like them. Personally, I download them for the gym. I'm not focused on the fact that I've been on the cross trainer for thirty minutes and my legs are screaming, instead I'm trying not to grin like a freaking idiot as I listen to Dean and Cas being all kinds of cute and squee worthy. I probably scare some people.

I got most of the first chapter recorded last night, after playing with it for a while trying to get it figured out. I was playing it back through my laptop speakers, and it was fine. When I listened through headphones there's an annoying hum, like maybe it's picking up my speakers or something and I need to turn down the sensitivity of the input. Which also means I have to re-record me reading the whole chapter. LOL! It's all a learning process, since I have no idea what I'm doing and have never done this before. I'll figure it out. I think that's definitely the problem though, so easy fix. We'll see when I get home and can test my theory.

Then even once I do, I need to figure out where to upload the file and if they offer embedding coding. i stopped last night when it was late and I was tired and everything kept coming out as word salad. I finally threw up my hands "Okay, I am done. I am sooo done. Can I just tell you? No." lol which of course got recorded because the software was still going, so I edited the clip because it amused me and transferred it to my phone as a notification. Hearing myself voice frustration just amused me for whatever reason.

Anyway, to those of you who read my fic, would you be interested in a podfic? I would love feedback on it since I've never done it before. I actually think I've done really well on it, except for the hum. Any of you that may have actually done this for yourselves, any help you can offer is much appreciated. I'm using Audacity software, and a USB headset. I sound really good as far as sound quality goes, I was really impressed, glad I got that headset rather than the cheaper one on clearance.

Truth be told, this is really a lot of fun... ^////^'

For those of you that this is a new idea, and you're like "Why would I want to listen to a podfic?"
That way you can read stories when it would normally be impossible or inconvenient, like on commute, at the gym (which is when I usually listen, probably convincing the other ppl I'm a complete psycho as I bite back grins and have to clamp a hand over my mouth to keep from laughing out loud), or if you're one of those people like me that shops with earphones in- audiofics would also make braving the masses at Wal-Mart or wherever that much easier.

Comments

[kalakirya]

um, hopefully this isn't creepy but I was curious when you PM'ed me and then I saw this post aaaand now I'm being a creepster. Ahem. But I was here to say that mediafire and sendspace are good choices for uploading podfic to - mediafire is more DL-er friendly (sendspace has a lot of "download here" buttons, only 1 of which is really what you want) but MF requires an account (though you can sign up for free) and sendspace doesn't need an account. Also, if you don't feel like re-recording everything, audacity has a "noise removal" effect that might do the trick. You may still want to re-record - the effect leaves a slight distortion - but it's not nearly as bad as the hum (usually).
Um. yeah. yay, more podfic!

[tenoko1.livejournal.com]

I don't mind a creeper. It's how my friend and i became friends. She was a fan of my writing and was a lurker on here for a while, finally only commenting when I reached out for help with a puppy we'd rescued off the side of the road that needed a lot of medical attention. Been BFF's ever since. I added you as a friend, btw, feel free to add me in return. I get the feeling we'll be good friends as well. ^_^

[kalakirya]

:D

[vallie82.livejournal.com]

Just wanted to let you know that even tho I haven´t started on your story yet, (I never read WIP´s since I´ve been disappointed to many times when the author decided not to finish the story) that I LOVE podfics. They are the best thing ever! So I´ve downloaded the chapters that are done and listened to the blooper and you have a really nice voice. I´ll be looking forward to listening to the whole story once it´s finished!

[tenoko1.livejournal.com]

Oh I wish you would give it a go, despite previous disappointment. I update weekly and the story has a set plot it's following. I'm trying to get the audio chapters recorded and up to date to that I can release both versions of a chapter at the same time. Glad to hear you like podfics, though. I see they've been downloaded quite a few times, but haven't received any feedback, which always worries me, especially since I'm so new to podficcing.

Aw, thank you for saying I sound nice. I'm purposefully trying to keep as much of my Southern twang out of my voice as I can. haha