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EditorAndrew

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    Cruise Critic Podcast Now on iTunes

    in Ask a Cruise Question

    Posted

    Thank you for your encouragement and critiques.

     

    Special thanks to everyone who took the time to listen during our trial run!:D

     

    The Cruise Critic Podcast is now on iTunes as well as other popular podcatchers and directories.

     

    Google Play

    Stitcher

    SoundCloud

    ShoutEngine

    FMPlayer

    Blubrry

    PocketCast

     

    If you have any suggestions or requests for directories we should be on please let us know.

     

    If you enjoyed the content please subscribe and rate us.

     

    Thanks again.

    Andrew

    Cruise Critic Podcast Now on iTunes

    in Ask a Cruise Question

    Posted

    Blankets will help. The main thing is getting close to the mic. Also, if you're having a guest speaker you really need to have a separate mic for them. If you have an extra 20 dollars, the pop filter will help a lot. The windscreen is mainly for if you're outside but there's no harm in using that for now. If you do get a pop filter, put it like 3 inches from the mic and basically have your nose touching it when you speak into the mic. Being close means you can turn down the volume some. Being this close (and therefore having the volume down a little bit), the additional mic, and the blankets should eliminate the echo.

    Ideally you shouldn't be using a noise filter. Near the equalizer you should see a high pass filter. The noise filter will alter the sound and quality of your voice trying to take out unneeded noise and it'll make you sound electronic or like an alien. The high pass filter will cut out sounds/frequencies below a certain pitch. Having your high pass filter between 100 and 125 hz will get rid of unneeded noise like if you accidentally bump the mic, etc. It won't get rid of background noises though, you just have to make sure all appliances/furnace/air/etc is off.

     

    Sent from my SM-G935V using Forums mobile app

    Thanks for the advice [emoji1]

     

    Sent from my Pixel using Forums mobile app

    Cruise Critic Podcast Now on iTunes

    in Ask a Cruise Question

    Posted

    As an avid podcast listener (I typically listen to around 90 min of audio a day), I'm mildly interested but don't plan to subscribe as I'm already saturated with other podcasts. My interest in Cruise Critic is cyclical- I start visiting the boards after I book a cruise, hang out until I go, and then tend to disappear until I book the next one.

     

    Thanks for the feedback we'll definitely be factoring in seasonality when planning future episodes and releases.

     

    I would echo the comments you've already received and add one. Make sure this is something that will be released regularly and you have enough topics to last. I see many podcasts that run for a year and then just stop, or are "monthly" but come out every two or three months. I think many topics for cruising can be revisited because of the number of companies, ship and itineraries. So I wouldn't be afraid to remake certain ones. I'd rather hear something newer that has little tidbits of information from a recent cruise, than one two years old because the thought is buffets are the same as they were.

     

    Good point. We wouldn't want to have this wither which is why we're running this trial. Thanks for participating.

     

    My husband is a media director and works with stuff like this all the time. I asked his input as to how to clear up the quality and here was what he said. (Some things sound foreign to me so if you have any questions feel free to ask and he can clarify.)

     

    "The audio isn't that bad. I can't tell if they are using mics are not. But I'd say, first, unplug any noisy appliances in the room to get rid of the hum. Whichever program they're using to record (GarageBand, etc) use the EQ plugin and turn on the high pass filter up to about 125hz. This will take away all of the unneeded tones, vibrations, etc. if they're not using microphones, pick up a $100 audio interface with multiple microphone inputs and 2-3 $100 condenser mics with pop filters and use the multi-track recording option in their program. Get as close to the mic as possible and adjust the volume meter accordingly, so there are no red bars showing (even when speaking loudly). Staying as close as possible to the mic will ensure a consistent volume level throughout the podcast. If both hosts use headphones during the podcast through the monitoring output on the interface, they'll be more aware of what not to do and what sounds good as well."

     

    I hope this helps!

     

    Sent from my SM-G935V using Forums mobile app

     

    Thanks. The audio advice is very helpful.

     

    We're using a USB condenser mic with a foam windscreen and Audacity. Opted for simplicity.

     

    Any tips on getting rid of reverb or echo? I heard hanging blankets helps when acoustic foam isn't an option. Also I'm having mixed results using a noise filter to clean it up.

    Cruise Critic Podcast Now on iTunes

    in Ask a Cruise Question

    Posted

    I agree....lot's of echo, low volume, maybe even having those doing the recordings slow their speech a bit. I realize this is just a trial, but think the audio needs to be a crucial part of the presentation overall.

     

     

    Thanks for the feedback. We're thinking of ways to tighten up our presentation. I'm open to any suggestions from audio gurus in our ranks as well.

     

    I've been doing some research and brainstorming for recording with limited office space, but I'd love to hear what the community comes up with.

    Cruise Critic Podcast Now on iTunes

    in Ask a Cruise Question

    Posted

    Yes, the podcasts are easy and fun to listen to at work.

     

    I'd be interested in podcasts about different itineraries such as Southern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern ports.

     

    Nothing cruiseline specific but just overviews such as this is a good route for beaches or this is a great sightseeing port or this route is most comfortable temperature during March to May.

     

    Other podcasts on cabin selection tips, packing tips, saving money tips.

     

    Destination advice has been a popular request. I'll definitely relay the suggestion to my team. Thanks for the suggestion. :)

    Cruise Critic Podcast Now on iTunes

    in Ask a Cruise Question

    Posted

    I listen to a wide variety of podcasts and would love to hear yours. Will try to listen, but trying to do so while attached to a computer is difficult. I listen in the car and on runs (and while traveling), so solid audio quality is imperative.

     

    I understand. I'm the same way unless I have my laptop running a podcast while I'm cleaning around the house. I recently found that casting content from my phone through a Roku or Chromecast to my TV works well. But, I know that's a lot of hoops to jump through.

     

    The audio will be easier to access if we syndicate to iTunes and other podcast providers. But we wanted to limit this initial run to our community.

     

    Thanks for the feedback.

    Cruise Critic Podcast Now on iTunes

    in Ask a Cruise Question

    Posted

    So far, all of your podcasts are interesting and educational. I would suggest keeping tabs on your audio quality. I'm hearing quite a bit of room echo, especially on drink packages 101 and buffets. You may want to consider different microphones, a different space to do your recordings, or some audio editing software that can address some of these sound artifacts.

     

    Thanks for the advice. We'll take it into account as we continue to refine.

    Cruise Critic Podcast Now on iTunes

    in Ask a Cruise Question

    Posted

    I just love podcasts. I am not always able to read the boards but usually can always listen to a podcast. Please keep them coming. Any plans to make the podcast available on stitcher?

     

    Yes more cruise related content in the podcast format is awesome! So, please make it available through iTunes and other common syndication channels.

     

    Thanks for the support. :) A decision on syndication will come after we're done collecting this round of feedback.

    Cruise Critic Podcast Now on iTunes

    in Ask a Cruise Question

    Posted

    I think you are on to something. I like Andrew's enthusiasm as podcast host. The content is off to a great start too. The podcast on buffets has a distracting echo that makes everyone sound like they have a bucket over their heads; you might want to check into this. I have ran into this in episodes of other people's podcasts too, so it isn't just you, nor the entire series.

     

    I would also shorten the musical interlude between the introduction and the main part of the podcast. I find waiting for the same tune to finish each time a bit annoying, but I'm sure that it is probably just me. Most podcasters that I listen to do this, and while I don't care for it, it isn't a deal breaker for me.

     

    I am looking forward to hearing more podcasts in the future. You're off to a great start; keep up the good work.

    Thanks for listening. Glad you enjoyed it![emoji1]

     

    Sent from my Pixel using Forums mobile app

    Cruise Critic Podcast Now on iTunes

    in Ask a Cruise Question

    Posted

    I would! And as someone who has not cruised yet, I would find it useful. I love to listen to podcasts while cooking. My 2 favorite comedians from the tv show, Impractical Jokers, got me hooked on podcasts when they started their own called What Say You a few years back. A podcast could be an easy way for us newbies to learn about cruising!

    Thank you for the support. [emoji2] We're hoping this format would be more approachable for new cruisers.

     

    Sent from my Pixel using Forums mobile app

    Cruise Critic Podcast Now on iTunes

    in Ask a Cruise Question

    Posted

    Listened to a bit of Drink Packages 101 and was unimpressed with the presentation. Sorry. 18 minutes! Here is drink packages 101 in one sentence: Estimate how much you would spend with and without the drink package and choose the cheaper option.

    Thanks for the feedback. The Drinks packages one was our first attempt so they get better after that one.

     

    Sent from my Pixel using Forums mobile app

    Cruise Critic Podcast Now on iTunes

    in Ask a Cruise Question

    Posted

    FAQs on cruise lines would maybe be helpful - BUT - they do need to be kept updated.

     

    Some of CC's written articles contain some outdated or downright wrong information (e.g. cost of NCL's drinks package).

     

    Thanks for the suggestion. Keeping pricing info up to date can get tricky but we'll keep that in mind.

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