What is the Recipe for Success?

It's hard to go off topic when you're the AGP. Nothing is off topic... especially during the break. :P

Although I think your content is great, I think you guys need to work on the audio.  Sometimes a little more investment into quality equipment can be most beneficial.

Why not get advice from some other podcasters about setting up the audio correctly.

Pat

Although I think your content is great, I think you guys need to work on the audio.  Sometimes a little more investment into quality equipment can be most beneficial.
Why not get advice from some other podcasters about setting up the audio correctly.
Pat

-linx

Maybe my ears aren't as good as yours, but I find the audio quality pretty good pretty much all of the time.   Perhaps I need to upgrade my listening equipment?  But in my opinion content is king.  You listen to a podcast because of what it has to say, not because of how it is said.

I've always found the quality to be excellent - I know that Dave puts a lot of effort into providing good quality audio.

Me too - I find the audio quality to be excellent across all of Dave's Podcast Trilogy (AGP, Two Schooners and Podcasters' Emporium). It's their hallmark, and through PE Dave and James have helped others with their audio quality - which is why I find Pat's comment strange.

Me three - I think the audio quality comment is a little off base. Some advice for Pat if you don't like the audio quality then don't listen to the show.

Me four - audio quality was one of the first things to impress me, when I first found the podcast.

Geeze that comment is a bit harsh, we have great audio - as the above comments are testament to. I am not about to justify what we do or how we do it because I don't think I have to. The second comment in about 5 years of podcasting that has been in the negative in regards to audio quality.

One thing we do do is use a low bit rate and mono - keeps the file size down. Since we don't focus on music this is totally adequate. There are podcasters out there that swear black and blue that you need a bit rate up round 160kbs + Bolocks I say! What your going to podcast a better than CD quality podcast and people are going to A: Appreciate it and B: notice the difference? Crapola! If your doing voice there are techniques to get great audio from good equipment using low bit rates and sample rates without a file that is knocking on the door of 100mb... Sure I could up the rate to 125+ with 44100 sample rate and the file size would be 90mb give or take... I am sure that people will really appreciate it. Keeping it as it is makes the show more accessible to ppl with slower connections and mobile devices as well - all good things.

That said if anyone wants it higher I am willing to have a rethink about it.

On another note - Apart from Cait we are all using broadcast mics and mixers. The other uncontrollable variable is bandwidth and if that plays up during a show then I can't do anything about it.

Geeze indeed! I think if you compare the AGP to a lot of similar podcasts, you'll find the AGP sound quality much superior. The AGP is not your "Leo Laporte" TWiT podcast. Dave does not have the thousands of dollars of equipment that those types of shows have, but neither does Dave have the corporate sponsorships that those shows do. For a show done by a couple of blokes and a she-geek I'd say that the AGP is head and shoulders above the next major competitor! I feel bad when I send my audio comments into the AGP because my mic is crap compared to what Dave uses. I think Dave does a great job of keeping the audio quality high and the file sizes managable--we're not listening to Beethoven's 5th here, it's a frickin podcast!

In any case, you're getting it for free! What more can you ask for?

Dave, (Kieth & Cait) as far a your listener base goes I am quite new and as I said in my introduction I am still catching up to the latest podcast. But what makes me want to keep listening is a combination of all the things you mentioned. The show content, banter, jokes the way you never take yourselves to seriously. The only thing is I sometimes get lost, I like to think I am a full on computer nerd but sometimes I get lost when you guys get a little too technical but that is probably me not quite being 100% geek. Relax stay awesome and please keep it real, no need to rush no need to shorten it say what you want to say and I (we'll) keep listening and loven the show. Dan

I see that @linx (AKA Pat) hasn't been back.  Probably just a troll.

Not sure he's a troll, but he can't expect to make comments like that without receiving a robust response especially as he backs himself with neither specifics nor constructive comments.

Welcome Dan. Glad you're enjoying the show. Don't worry about getting a bit lost with the technical stuff... the hosts do that all the time! ;)

My guess is that he won't be back ether!

Lost another listener... Meh apparently we are making his ears bleed!

@Dan Your just catching up with the lingo and the technology - I am sure you'll get it in time - but we do try and explain things when needed. Truth is Tom is right even though he is a smartarse. We do get it wrong and sometimes stuff goes over our heads as well! This community is not about being important or being perfect. I am sure that some of our listeners are much more knowledgeable than us with some things but THAT is exactly what makes this community so good!!

One thing you can do is throw a question up here and either myself or one of the community will give you a really great answer. They are a top bunch and very welcoming (it is mandatory!) so don't be scared to ask if you need to know something or further explanation. We are only too happy to share :)

Yeah, what the hell is up with @tom125? I'm the resident smartarse here! Sheesh.