In the computer world, a platform could mean the processor and computer system. People also use that word to refer to different operating system like Mac OS, Microsoft Windows and Linux.
To make it simpler, instead of saying podcast platform, this article will cover just one specific platform. It is the podcast recording platform.
How do you choose and build a podcast recording platform?
Just like doing anything with a computer, there is more than one way to do it. One possibility is to start with what you already have. A personal computer or laptop is powerful enough.
A quality mic is a must, you can get one for about $30 and upgrade later as necessary.
When it comes to software, free software like Audacity does it job very well. You can record and do basic editing and mixing with the software easily. Learning it takes a few hours top, depends on your experience.
If recording your podcast during industry events is a must, or you choose to start sound-seeing type of podcast, a mobile podcast recorder like iRiver is a good choice. For iPod owner, attaching a MicroMemo immediately turns an iPod Video or Nano into audio voice recorder.
The final alternative is to record your podcast by phone or through VoIP capable software. The quality depends on the software. For phone, the quality can't be better than the voice you hear during conversation.
The key to getting the momentum for new podcasters is to start simple. Don't get your setup too complex too soon or the time you need to operate various equipment and software may frustrate you.
Going with the simplest setup allows you to gain experience with the whole publishing process first and then later you can add various components as your podcast grows. The good news is, you can stick with the recording platform if you so choose because nothing fancy is required to produce a podcast, really.