d20radio.com

Hello All,

The car I own does not have a stereo with an iPhone/iPod adapter attached, and I am wondering how, if at all, can a podcast be broken down into segments so that they can fit on an audio CD? I also ask this because it fits fine onto a MP3 CD, but every time I restart the car, it restarts the episode.

Its driving me nuts listening to the intro over, and over again, and I don't want to drive with my iPod on, and me jacked into the headphone (apart from it being illegal in our state).

Any help from you audio/tech buffs would be appreciated.

If you use iTunes, it allows you to set the start end times under get info. From there you can save an ACC version (I believe) that just encompasses those set times. Otherwise, download Audacity, open the file and just work with it and split it into a few different files.

Another possibility, but one with possible drawbacks, is an FM transmitter.

You tune it to a 'dead' FM station, plug the device into the headphone jack and it will transmit the podcast to your car's radio.

They're not too expensive, my Walmrt sells one for around $30. It draws it's power from the 'accessory port' (or cigarette lighter for the older people reading ).

I used to use one with my iPod, so I speak from some experience. The main drawback is that if anyone comes by with a more powerful transmitter tuned to the same frequency, you get to listed to what they're listening to. Also, use the iPod's volume control rather than the radio's. They tend to be low volume at reasonable headphone levels - this also applies to direct aux cords - and you don't want to blow your windows out if you're using the radio or CD.

Just a suggestion.

_________________
There is a saying: yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the "present." - Master Oogway

Argue for your limitations, and sure enough, they're yours. - Richard Bach

One word: Audacity!

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/

Install it and import your favorite MP3. Edit to any length you like, export then burn to CD!

It's free and pretty easy to figure out how to use with just a little bit of reading.

And a really cool tool to have on hand.



Feel free to hit me up if you need any help getting things going.

Merry

I'll go one step further - I've said it before and say it again.

LOVE your shows but I can't help feeling having to struggle through HUGE swathes of recordings to edit and package is hurting you... bad.

If in smaller bites with a monthly theme: IE this monthly theme is Kingmaker - and then break it into 2-4 smaller casts you'd still cover the same or even more content than before with less pain. Hell, the interviews? Listen, clean em up some, add 5 mins of commentary before playing the interviews, and 5 mins after and thats a show.

I'm in agreement with the other posters who feel that smaller and frequent is better than longer and sparing. Why not try changing the present format to a format that features:

1. Regularly occurring features: Adventure path or module review seems to me to be the core of the show.
2. Rotating features, maybe two per show, including the CCL, Encounter lab, designer interviews, Herolab and D20 pro updates, etc.

It seems like you want to pack so many good things into the show (and there ARE so many good things) that you're overwhelming yourselves with the sheer volume of features.

I am a huge fan of your podcast, and love the product of your labor. I want you to know how much I appreciate all that you do to make a quality program.

Guys,

It's really not what you think it is.

When we budget time to record and edit, it tends not to matter whether there is one segment being done at the time or three. One hour or three, it's the same block of time that ends up needing to be available to do it at all.

So it doesn't really have an impact on the time to initially book it. I know you all think "gee, if they only made them shorter, it would be every month or every three weeks and it would all be good and regular and so much better."

No, it wouldn't work that way. Length does not have NEARLY as much impact on the frequency of the show as you think it does.

_________________
.Robert

Hi All,

I'd be just as happy if the podcast was available in split chunks (perhaps available as one file, or a file per chapter). Kind of like a Pathfinder RPG PDF.

Just a thought. I'm about to listen to EP17...bring it

I tend to agree on splitting it up more. Here's the deal. It doesn't increase the frequency up front - but then it does.

If you have 6 hours worth of stuff you edit in a big editing orgy and that always takes you three months to do, then next time you do the orgy of editing, break it up into three pieces and release only the first, then one a month, keeping some "in the can" to generate more frequent releases.

Suddenly there's a regular cadence of one podcast a month! Hooray!

To me it's not the raw size, it's the irregularity. I listen to a podcast and am jazzed. Then I check back for a month, two months, not knowing when a new one's coming... Then I forget about it and maybe I hear about the next one, maybe I don't. That's not just me, it's a general rule (and why Paizo understands the critical importance of delivering one AP a month come hell or high water).

Hey guys! I'm new to the boards. I just started listening to the podcast a week or so ago. I'm really enjoying it.

I have one suggestion. You put out an extremely long podcast. This is not a bad thing, as more content is always good. You also have a GM Only section to the podcast, where you encourage players to stop listening.

I really suggest you split the podcast into two podcasts: The Companion Podcast and The Chronicles Podcast (I believe that's how you label the sections). Namely, put the player friendly part in one podcast, and the GM only part in another. I think there are a few good reasons to do this.

1. It removes some of the temptation players may have to keep listening and have content potentially spoiled for them.

2. It shortens each podcast, making it easier for people who burn to CDs, and makes it easier to skip around in the cast for those of us who listen on various touch screen devices.

3. I can imagine a player trying to skip ahead to a favorite segment and accidently skipping too far and hearing something they didn't want to hear in the GM segment.

4. If a listener is interested only in one segment or the other, he can download and listen to the one one he wants.

Keep up the great work guys!