The document provides details on Aaron Acaster's process for evaluating and creating an audio podcast. It discusses his research on other music podcasts to understand typical elements and audiences. For planning, Aaron created mind maps with initial podcast ideas and more detailed plans. He researched podcast layouts, sounds, and target audiences. For production, Aaron aimed to appeal to a 13-30 year old male audience by including music genres he likes and conducting an interview. Peer feedback praised the professionalism and use of sound effects but noted the audio could be better balanced and levels consistent.

1. Audio
Evaluation
Aaron Acaster

2. Production Process Evaluation

3. Research
When researching I looked at other music podcasts. Doing this helped me understand what a
typical music podcast listener would want. Also it aloud me to be creative and try and come up
with something unexpected. Looking at other podcasts not only gave me chance to see the
“competition” but it also gave me a chance to see the typical formula and lay out of a typical
podcast. From my research I quickly figured out that a common trait of most popular music
podcasts are the interview with artists and the comedy. This is what keeps people coming back.
Its also the thing that roped people in, in the first place. I also realised that typically music clips
are used whether if its for transition porpoises or just as a preview of a song. I liked the idea of
doing this, so I did. I wouldn’t of had this idea by myself if it wasn’t for looking into other
podcasts.
To improve my research I think I could have looked at a more varied type of podcast. I only looked
at music podcasts and I feel like if I maybe looked into other types of podcasts I could get a feel of
how the show is laded out and what other audiences like. Doing this would allow me to target
other audiences.

4. Planning
When Planning before doing anything I made a mind map. In the first mind map I put down my initial
ideas for a podcast. For example I had the idea to do a movie and game related podcast as well as a
music one. I put my ideas down for example, for the movie podcast I thought I could do things such as
movie previews and reviews. For the game podcast I could do upcoming previews. I eventually decided
to go with the music podcast idea however because I feel like for me it’s a more interesting topic and id
feel more invested in the subject.
I then made a more detailed mind map of just music podcast ideas. Ideas such as how the podcast
would be laid out, Id later use this to wright my script. Other ideas like new song/ album previews and
music related news were also featured on this mind map.
When planning to make the podcast I also did a lot of research. I researched existing music podcasts. I
looked at things such as the sound effects they are using, how there show is laid out and what type of
audience they are trying to appeal to.
The strength of my planning overall would be the fact that I did a lot of it. I made sure I covered all basis
whilst in the planning stage to make sure that I would appeal to the audience I was looking to appeal to
and so I could make the best podcast I could. Overall the planning stage benefited my product greatly
because if I didn’t plan I would have no clue where to even start when creating a podcast.
A weakness of my planning stage would be when doing the experiments I was unfamiliar with the
software so I was a little slow when making the “morning routine” practice podcast. Overall this had
little effect on my overall product. Other than slowing me down for a short while.

5. Time Management
My time management skills are becoming better and better each project. I defiantly feel like I
managed my time very well. I finished the project with time to spare. However I do feel like with
additional time I would have the opportunity to make my podcast longer. Since I am fairly new to
using this software that slowed me down a little at the start. I feel like that wouldn’t make much
difference in the long run however because I may have gone over the recommended time limit. If
I did have extra time I don’t feel like it would effect the end product very much, just due to the
fact that I feel like I have created the podcast to the best of my ability. With more time I would
have also played around with a few more effects and seen if they would have improved my
podcast.

6. Target Audience Appeal
I feel like overall the podcast does appeal to the target audience. I was aiming for a 13-30 year old
males. I feel like I have achieved this by talking about talking about the things I personally am
interested in. I feel like since I myself fit this target audience so its very easy to do. For example in
the podcast I featured music that I like in-between segments and playing over me talking. I do
think that females can enjoy the content as much as males. But it is hard for me to target a
female audience specifically just because I am not one. How ever I do feel like if anyone likes this
type of music they could easily find this podcast. Another example would be the interview
segment. Even though the band was made up, the bands demographic was the same as this
podcast's. I feel like having this type of interview is appealing to my target audience perfectly.
I also said that any one with any social status could listen if they want. I still think this is true.
With a subject as baud as music its hard to pin point an exact audience. However, when recording
the podcast I figured out that its not just the music people come for. Its other things such as the
news, the interviews and the personality of the host. That being said I do believe that my target
audience should have been a more lower to middle class. This is because I cant really imagine an
upper class person would typically be interested in this type of entertainment. I use quite
informal language when hosting the show witch may lead this type of listener away.

7. Technical Qualities
Before even thinking about production I did research and looked into other podcasts of the same
genera, in my case its music. I looked into the common traits these podcasts use and why. For example I
figured out that most of these podcasts use sound effects and music clips. I also looked at other
elements such as the language used by the hosts and their guests. I tried to figure out what type of
audience they are trying to target. A lot of the podcasts I looked at used quite informal language witch
would suggest they are targeting a middle to lower class male audience. I was trying to attract the same
audience. So when writing the script I made sure that I would speak as comfortable as possible so
nothing would sound forced. I too used sound effects and various music clips. The podcasts are usually
humorous witch is also something I tried to replicate.
Some of the differences of the existing music podcasts compared to mine. One would be the sense of
humour. Yes the podcasts that I looked at were all funny. But I did humour in a different way. When
writing the script I knew I wanted the funny part to be in the interview. But I knew if I wrote the jokes
before hand they would come of forced when recording. So I tried to make the interview awkward and
uncomfortable. Not everybody listening may find this funny, I understand its an acquired taste of
humour. But I think it fits the overall feel of the podcast. Another difference would be a news segment.
None of the podcasts I looked into featured a news segment. I decided to have one before I even started
looking into other podcasts. I wanted to have one because I thought it would be a cool idea to have the
latest music related news in one place. That way people know they only have to listen to a 3 minuet
long podcast and they will be all caught up in everything music related.

8. Aural Qualities
I think that yes my word does sound good. I am quite proud of myself because I had very little
audio editing knowledge prior to this, I can defiantly say I learned a fair bit during this project. I
think that I was quite creative. I took elements of existing products and made them my own by
doing things such as volume control and other effects. I’d have to say the thing I like the most
about my finished product is the way how it all just flows together. Each segment was recorded
separately. So I am happy with the way it all seamlessly flows into one. I am also happy with my
editing skills. I think I managed to cut the audio exactly how I wanted it and my lack of experience
didn’t force me to change the end plan once.
To improve I could have made my podcast a bit longer. However I think doing so would just ruin
what I already have. Another thing I could have done to improve would be play around with a few
more effects and see if I could have utilised them. The only reason I didn’t was because we had a
time limit and I feel not including other effects has a significant impact on the overall product.

9. Peer
Feedback

10. Feedback 1
• What did you like about the product?
– Sounded very professional
– Very good use of sound effects
– Very informative
• What improvements could have been made to
the product?
– Talk a little too fast

11. Feedback 2
• What did you like about the product?
– I think that your podcast is very entertaining good use of fade ins when
introducing background music.
• What improvements could have been made to
the product?
You could improve your podcast by making sure all your levels are the same
throughout the podcast

12. Feedback 3
• What did you like about the product?
Variety of content
Interview was quite funny
Sound effects fit the theme
• What improvements could have been made to
the product?
• Audio not balanced
• Talked too fast

13. Peer Feedback Summary
• What do you agree with from your peer feedback?
• I think that my podcast is entertaining informative and
funny
• I also agree with the fact that the end is maybe a bit
too loud and the audio may not be balanced
• What do you disagree with from your peer feedback?
– I don’t think I speak too fast. I made a conscious effort to
speak at a normal speed.

14. Peer Feedback Summary
Based on my peer feed back I would change the volume of the music at the end. I think it
would have worked so much better if I didn’t scare people. I would make sure the volume Is
well bllenced.