Podcast Producer Guide Podcast Producer Guide
2-Week Project Procedure
SIGNAL & STORY
Week 1: Journalism
Day 1: The Hook
Analyze professional podcasts. Introduce "The Big Question." Define ethics.
Day 2: Deep Dive
Research intensive. Begin the Field Notes Organizer (provided in materials).
Day 3: The Art of the Ask
Interviewing workshop. Practice open-ended questions. Draft scripts.
Day 4: Field Recording
Capturing raw audio. Focus on clean gain and room acoustics.
Day 5: The Blueprint
Transcription and segment selection. Write the final narrative script.
Week 2: Production
Day 6: Studio Setup
Import to Soundtrap. Record host voiceovers. Label all tracks.
Day 7: Surgical Editing
Remove filler words and pops. Align audio regions for natural flow.
Day 8: Sonic Texture
Add intro/outro music and sound effects. Balance the mood.
Day 9: The Master Mix
EQ, Compression, and Music Ducking. Final level normalization.
Day 10: Launch Day
Peer review and final export. Project submission and presentations.
Implementation & Technical Scaffolding
Journalism Tip
Check student Field Notes on Day 3. A strong script is essential before touching the DAW.
Soundtrap Tip
Use "Color Coding" for tracks. Blue for Host, Red for Interview, Green for Music. This prevents editing fatigue.
Peer Review
On Day 10, have students listen for "The Golden Moment"—the most impactful 30 seconds of their peer's story.
10-Day Cycle
Soundtrap | DAW
Rubric Assessment
Field Notes Organizer Field Notes Organizer
Pre-Production & Scripting
PRODUCER NAME
The Big Question
Source Research
Credible Source 01 & Quote
Credible Source 02 & Quote
The Subject
Interview Participant
Script Blueprint
01. The Hook (Host Intro) Approx. 30 seconds
02. Primary Interview Questions
A
B
03. Synthesis & Sign-Off
Checklist: [ ] Research Logged | [ ] Subject Confirmed | [ ] Script Peer-Reviewed | [ ] Session Scheduled
Podcast Pilot Slides Signal & Story
Podcast Production Unit
High School Digital Music
The Medium
01 / Intro
A podcast is more than just talking into a mic. It's audio storytelling built on two pillars:
Journalism
Research, ethics, truth-finding, and deep interviewing.
Production
DAW workflow, mixing, EQ, compression, and sound design.
"The theater of the mind."
The Big Question
02 / Journalism
Every great podcast starts with a mystery or a problem.
Bad Question
"Do you like music?"
Result: Yes/No (Dead end)
The "Pro" Question
"How did that specific song change the way you see the world?"
Result: Storytelling
Journalistic Ethics
03 / Truth
1
Informed Consent: Your subject knows they are being recorded.
2
No Manipulation: Don't edit someone's words to change their meaning.
3
Source Verification: Double-check your facts before you script them.
Your Reputation
"In audio journalism, your listener only has your voice to trust. Once you lose that trust, the podcast is over."
The Tech
04 / Soundtrap
1. Capture
Record in Soundtrap or import external WAV/MP3 files.
2. Edit
Split clips, remove 'ums', and arrange for better flow.
3. Layer
Add music tracks, sound effects, and host narration.
4. Mix
Apply EQ, Dynamics, and balance levels for a professional finish.
Topic Pitch Prompts Topic Pitch Prompts
Brainstorming "The Big Question"
Signal & Story
"A great podcast doesn't just give answers; it explores a mystery. Your topic should be something you are genuinely curious about, requiring research and an outside perspective."
Local Legends
• The Unsung Hero: Interview a staff member whose job is critical but often overlooked.
• Hometown History: Find a local landmark that has changed over time. What is its origin?
Secret Histories
• The One-Hit Wonder: Why did a specific band vanish? Research a musical trend's "rise and fall."
• Invention Stories: Pick an everyday object (the microwave, sneakers) and find its origin story.
Tech & Ethics
• AI Art: Is AI-generated music "real" art? Interview a musician and a developer.
• The Algorithm: How do Spotify recs change our taste? Is the "human element" lost?
Human Stories
• The Hobbyist: Why spend 100+ hours on a niche hobby? Interview a serious collector.
• Advice Column: Tackle a high school challenge (burnout, social media) with an expert.
My Initial Ideas
Pitch 1: The Working Title
The Big Question (The Mystery)
Pitch 2: The Working Title
The Big Question (The Mystery)
Signal & Story Unit Topic Selection Worksheet
Master Mix Rubric Master Mix Rubric
Podcast Project Evaluation
100 Points Total
Student / Group
Project Title
Criteria Advanced (25-21) Proficient (20-11) Emerging (10-0) Journalism & Story Research depth & narrative arc.
| Insightful questions; strong research base; clear narrative structure. | Relevant questions; research is present; story follows logical order. | Surface-level questions; limited research; story feels disconnected. |
| Capture Quality
Gain levels & noise management.
| Crystal clear audio; no clipping; background noise is managed well. | Mostly clear; minor level fluctuations; some room noise audible. | Frequent clipping; loud background noise makes speech difficult to hear. |
| Surgical Editing
Transitions & filler removal.
| Invisible edits; natural pacing; smooth transitions; no 'ums/ahs'. | Fillers mostly removed; cuts are clean with very few pops audible. | Choppy editing; distracting fillers remain; awkward pauses or cut-offs. |
| Mixing & Balance
Music ducking & EQ balance.
| Great music/voice balance; EQ enhances clarity; consistent levels. | Music is present but sometimes masks voice; volume is mostly level. | Music masks voice; voices sound muddy; inconsistent volume levels. |
Instructor Feedback
Strengths
Technical Targets
Unit: Signal & Story
FINAL SCORE: / 100
Studio Session Checklist Studio Session Checklist
DAW Workflow & Technical Standards
Studio Phase
Lead Engineer
Project Title
1. Session Setup
Track Naming: All tracks clearly labeled (VO, Interview, Music).Color Coding: Distinct colors used to distinguish speech from music.
2. Surgical Editing
Clean Dialogue: Filler words (ums, ahs) and loud pops are removed.Crossfades: Micro-fades used at every cut to prevent audio artifacts.
3. Technical Mix
Dynamics: EQ and Compression applied to keep levels consistent.Balance: Music ducking (automation) allows the host to be heard clearly.Headroom: Master output never clips (stays below 0dB).
Final Submission: High-Quality MP3 (192kbps+)
