Today I talk about when you are first starting out, you can record directly into your computer – if it sounds OK. You don't NEED a portable recorder, but most people WANT a portable recorder as it sounds better. The models I mentioned are:
Edirol R-09HR $283
Edirol R-09HR High-Resolution WAVE/MP3 Recorder
Zoom Hn4 $299
Zoom H4n Handy Portable Digital Recorder
Zoom H2 $145
Zoom H2 Handy Portable Stereo Recorder
Zoom h1 $95
Zoom H1 Handy Portable Digital Recorder
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My Charity Box – Accept Donations without PayPal
You can set up general funds or token that people can purchase. An example might be “May hosting fees” could be a token and when someone drags that token into your Charity Box, it shows $15.
You can see what a page looks like at https://podcast.mycharitybox.com/ The thing I don't like about it is it sure looks like you have to sign up (you don't you can use an express donation).You can tweak this by sending them to https://podcast.mycharitybox.com/causes/general-fund–62/donate. The other thing I noticed is their administrator login button is currently not working (so once you close out of your admin dashboard you can't get back in). When I clicked on the help button at the bottom of the page, the help page simply read, “HEEEEEEEEEEELP” which makes me nervous.
In general I'm not a huge fan of donations as a monetization model for your podcast (it typically only works if you have TONS of listeners/viewers).
Comparing Pay vs Mycharity box.
Mycharitybox's fees are: 3.5% + $ 0.25 per transaction.
Paypal's fees are: 2.9% + $0.30 USD
5$ Donation: You make .02 more using mycharitybox.com
$10 Donation: Almost even
$15 Donation: Paypal pays you .04 more.
As the donation amount go up, paypal becomes the better choice. There are more options in mycharitybox, and more tools, I guess it depends on your intent.
Dave, Great episode. When you were talking about the Zoom H4n, You said that the inputs were only XLR. This isn’t true. The XLR jacks are a multi style that accept XLR or 1/4 inch inputs. The H4n also has a stereo 1/8 inch mini jack that accepts a Microphone (like a lapel lav) input that mutes the on board stereo condensers.
As I’m sure you know, the real benefits of this recorder is that you can record from both mic inputs and the on board condensers all at the same time for a four track recording. This is great for live events were I can give two speakers hand held or lapel mics, and use the on boards to record questions from the audience.
I’m thinking of experimenting and seeing I can record from a stereo source like a laptop or iPod into the mini jack, and then two mics into the XLRs for a mobile podcast rig with no need for a mixer.
I really enjoy your Podcast.
Gary you are so true. I forget they are multiple types as I only use them as XLR. Thanks for the heads up.