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This is a nice idea as there is a huge void left after RailsCasts hasn't gotten new episodes for a long time. What's a little bit negative is the sound quality

by iagooar 12y ago

This is a nice idea as there is a huge void left after RailsCasts hasn't gotten new episodes for a long time. What's a little bit negative is the sound quality of the screencasts, it's really, really bad. It would be a really important improvement if you got a proper studio microphone and did some audio post-processing (I recommend https://auphonic.com/ https://auphonic.com/ for this kind of stuff, it's magic what they do).

sudhirj 12y ago
Ryan was nice enough to list out what he used for Railscasts: http://railscasts.com/about http://railscasts.com/about Heil PR 40 - the microphone KeyCastr - visual keyboard shortcuts Both are valuable.
IbJacked 12y ago
I didn't think the audio quality was "really, really bad". It does have a slight echo effect, or maybe hall effect (not my area of expertise so please excuse me if I'm not describing it correctly). I've watched a couple of them now and, if I hadn't seen your comment, I don't think I would have given the audio a second thought. If Chris Oliver happens to see this: nice work!
- excid3 12y ago
  Thanks! One thing I noticed is that people who did complain about audio quality weren't receiving as much value from the content. So far, the feedback from people who learned from an episode was that they didn't even notice the audio quality was bad which I'm happy about. It will improve as I have practice, but the content should matter more than the quality of audio.
hackerboos 12y ago
Metacasts[1] was good for Ruby/Rails but the author is now focusing on Go. Ruby Tapas[2] by Avdi Grimm is a good replacement - although it's ruby and not much rails. [1] - http://www.metacasts.tv/ http://www.metacasts.tv/ [2] - http://www.rubytapas.com/ http://www.rubytapas.com/
- bparanj 12y ago
  Checkout http://www.rubyplus.com http://www.rubyplus.com for articles.
  - deleted 12y ago
    [deleted]
excid3 12y ago
I picked up a new mic (the Blue Yeti) because I know it's pretty terrible so far. About as bad as Ryan's were at the beginning actually if you go back to his first ones. ;) Haven't done much recording before, so I'm learning the ropes. Auphonic looks really cool. I'll definitely be checking them out.
- JonnieCache 12y ago
  The classic technique for vocal capture with zero budget is to put a duvet over your head while recording. Failing this, you can pin the duvet to the walls of a wardrobe or something and sit inside that. Failing that, you may wish to build a little fort out of cushions and blankets or something. You may wish to do this anyway. The traditional pop filter made from a pair of tights and a wire coathanger works very well too. Also get some good closed back headphones asap, so you can monitor how you're coming in as you speak. The next thing to think about after you're getting a decent capture is some kind of dynamics control, ie. compression, but that's beyond the scope of this comment.
  - schrijver 12y ago
    Good tips! For monitoring, I love the Beyerdynamic DT 100 headphones. Being closed-back, you can be acoustically separated from your recording space, allowing you to hear its acoustical characteristics (which is the reason why engineers in studios sit in separate spaces from the musicians). You’ll be able to hear the effects of your experiments with duvets :) Like the parent says compression is also quite important. It’s a big part of what makes radio voices sound radio, for example. Seeing it simplistically it is basically about lowering the dynamics of your sound—make the loud parts softer, so you can make the whole thing louder. Any audio editing software comes with basic compression plugins. It takes some exercise to get right. Also, as you are making parts of your recording louder, any bad acoustics, noises artefacts are amplified. Some recording software allows you to monitor effects while you are recording—this can help in finding the right acoustics. Of course there will always be a slight delay—a dedicated hardware compressor solves this problem.
    - 12y ago
eddieroger 12y ago
I support Ryan needing some time off, I just wish he'd open up the Pro episodes if he's done. There are a few I want to watch, but I can't rationalize paying in my head if there's no new content coming out.
- excid3 12y ago
  He deserves it. I'm not sure what happens exactly, but I know he's not charging the monthly fee anymore since he isn't active. It may just be a one-time $9 to get access to pro episodes.
- ch4s3 12y ago
  they're totally worth the one time $9 for (maybe)indefinite access.
- bigtunacan 12y ago
  To be clear; He is not currently charging $9/month. You are now charged a one time fee of $9 that is either indefinite, or until Ryan returns and starts adding new content. It is definitely worth $9 for all of the existing great content.
  - eddieroger 12y ago
    I didn't realize it was indefinite access. That does change it, and makes it worthwhile. I just wish I could edit my last post still.

by iagooar 12y ago

sudhirj 12y ago

Ryan was nice enough to list out what he used for Railscasts: http://railscasts.com/about http://railscasts.com/about Heil PR 40 - the microphone KeyCastr - visual keyboard shortcuts Both are valuable.

IbJacked 12y ago

I didn't think the audio quality was "really, really bad". It does have a slight echo effect, or maybe hall effect (not my area of expertise so please excuse me if I'm not describing it correctly). I've watched a couple of them now and, if I hadn't seen your comment, I don't think I would have given the audio a second thought. If Chris Oliver happens to see this: nice work!

excid3 12y ago
Thanks! One thing I noticed is that people who did complain about audio quality weren't receiving as much value from the content. So far, the feedback from people who learned from an episode was that they didn't even notice the audio quality was bad which I'm happy about. It will improve as I have practice, but the content should matter more than the quality of audio.

hackerboos 12y ago

Metacasts[1] was good for Ruby/Rails but the author is now focusing on Go. Ruby Tapas[2] by Avdi Grimm is a good replacement - although it's ruby and not much rails. [1] - http://www.metacasts.tv/ http://www.metacasts.tv/ [2] - http://www.rubytapas.com/ http://www.rubytapas.com/

bparanj 12y ago
Checkout http://www.rubyplus.com http://www.rubyplus.com for articles.
- deleted 12y ago
  [deleted]

excid3 12y ago

I picked up a new mic (the Blue Yeti) because I know it's pretty terrible so far. About as bad as Ryan's were at the beginning actually if you go back to his first ones. ;) Haven't done much recording before, so I'm learning the ropes. Auphonic looks really cool. I'll definitely be checking them out.

JonnieCache 12y ago
The classic technique for vocal capture with zero budget is to put a duvet over your head while recording. Failing this, you can pin the duvet to the walls of a wardrobe or something and sit inside that. Failing that, you may wish to build a little fort out of cushions and blankets or something. You may wish to do this anyway. The traditional pop filter made from a pair of tights and a wire coathanger works very well too. Also get some good closed back headphones asap, so you can monitor how you're coming in as you speak. The next thing to think about after you're getting a decent capture is some kind of dynamics control, ie. compression, but that's beyond the scope of this comment.
- schrijver 12y ago
  Good tips! For monitoring, I love the Beyerdynamic DT 100 headphones. Being closed-back, you can be acoustically separated from your recording space, allowing you to hear its acoustical characteristics (which is the reason why engineers in studios sit in separate spaces from the musicians). You’ll be able to hear the effects of your experiments with duvets :) Like the parent says compression is also quite important. It’s a big part of what makes radio voices sound radio, for example. Seeing it simplistically it is basically about lowering the dynamics of your sound—make the loud parts softer, so you can make the whole thing louder. Any audio editing software comes with basic compression plugins. It takes some exercise to get right. Also, as you are making parts of your recording louder, any bad acoustics, noises artefacts are amplified. Some recording software allows you to monitor effects while you are recording—this can help in finding the right acoustics. Of course there will always be a slight delay—a dedicated hardware compressor solves this problem.
  - 12y ago

eddieroger 12y ago

I support Ryan needing some time off, I just wish he'd open up the Pro episodes if he's done. There are a few I want to watch, but I can't rationalize paying in my head if there's no new content coming out.

excid3 12y ago
He deserves it. I'm not sure what happens exactly, but I know he's not charging the monthly fee anymore since he isn't active. It may just be a one-time $9 to get access to pro episodes.
ch4s3 12y ago
they're totally worth the one time $9 for (maybe)indefinite access.
bigtunacan 12y ago
To be clear; He is not currently charging $9/month. You are now charged a one time fee of $9 that is either indefinite, or until Ryan returns and starts adding new content. It is definitely worth $9 for all of the existing great content.
- eddieroger 12y ago
  I didn't realize it was indefinite access. That does change it, and makes it worthwhile. I just wish I could edit my last post still.