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Computer labs

HSD A131 – Podcast corner

6 seats around a desk area with a Mac computer, RODECaster Pro, 4 studio mics on swing arms, and 4 pairs of studio headphones.

Lab details

Media studio

Room type
Media studio
System type
Mac OS
Capacity
4-6 (note)
Availability

Location

Accessibility information

This room is located on the basement level with elevator access from the HSD building lobby. The elevator gives you access to the door on the far side of the drop-in lab.

What's in this lab

The podcast corner has:

  • Mac mini
  • RØDECaster Pro integrated podcast studio
    • integrated mixer, audio interface, mic pre-amps, and headphone amps
  • 4 studio mics
  • 4 studio headphones
  • 6 chairs
  • stereo monitor speakers

Software

The Mac mini in the podcast corner has:

  • Audacity audio editor
  • Apple GarageBand simplified digital audio workstation (DAW)
  • RØDECaster Pro Companion App
    • transfer recordings from the RØDECaster Pro to the computer
  • Zoom video meeting
  • Microsoft Teams video meeting
  • OBS Studio livestreaming

Booking

  • you must be a current UVic student to book this space
  • bookings for this space are managed through Microsoft Bookings
  • food and beverages are not permitted except for drinks in sealed containers

See our student booking page for booking instructions and full service guideline.

Book media spaces

Users guide

Before you start

  • Reserve this space to use it. If you don’t have a reservation, talk to the help desk staff at the counter. We can check if it’s available and book it for you if it is.
  • There are often exams in the classrooms next to HSD A131. Be mindful of how loud you talk.
  • Please no food or drinks except for beverages in sealed containers. Please be careful. Audio gear is very sensitive to water damage.
  • You can record to a microSD card with the RØDECaster Pro or record directly to a computer.
    • We can provide a microSD card, but please don't take it out of the computer lab without permission. We delete the contents of the microSD cards we lend out regularly.
    • Protect your privacy: Recordings you save on a microSD card aren't deleted automatically and aren't encrypted. If you don't delete it before you go, other students will be able to access it.
    • You can bring your own microSD card (under $20 at the UVic Bookstore), export your recording to the computer and save it to your OneDrive or network home, or record directly to the computer over USB.
  • Save your data: Data saved on the Mac mini is automatically deleted. Always back up your work.
  • If you want to use Adobe Creative Cloud software, you need a UVic Adobe ID. You can sign up at UVic Online services for free. Or you can use Audacity or Garageband any time.

RØDECaster Pro interface

The RØDECaster Pro is an all-in-one mixer and digital audio interface with built-in effects, mic pre-amps, and headphone and speaker outputs. Some of the most important controls:

RODCaster Pro controls

The RØDECaster Pro User Guide is extremely useful. It has step-by-step guides to many common tasks and answers many common questions. Some particularly useful sections are:

How-to guides

Set up every mic channel you’re using. Mute or turn the slider all the way down for the others. Using the touchscreen on the RØDECaster Pro:

  1. Push the mic channel button (​, ​, ​ or ​) you want to set up.
  2. On the touchscreen, tap Level.
  3. Talk into the mic at a natural volume and watch where the level meter peaks. Tap ​ or ​ to adjust the level until it peaks between the green lines. (If you have a soft voice, you might need to turn it up to 45 or 50.)
  4. Tap Back (​).
  5. Tap Audio processing.
  6. Make sure Compressor, De-esser, and High-pass filter are on (unless you want to mix everything yourself in a DAW later).
  7. If you want to remove the room background noise with software later, turn off Noise gate. (We recommend you do. It’s the only way to remove the hissing sound from the ventilation system.)
  8. Aural Exciter and Big Bottom are a bit more like special effects. They’re designed to get the kind of a big broadcast voice some radio stations use. Turn them on or off according to your preference.
  9. Set the volume slider ('fader') to the 5th line from the top (the thick line).

For a more detailed guide, see setting up microphone channels in the RØDECaster Pro User Guide.

Speak into the narrow end of the mics about 5–15 cm away from your mouth. You can place it a little to the side and angle it towards your mouth if your breath is causing ‘pop’ sounds.

Someone speaking into the end of a mic with the distance between their mouth and mic labelled 5-15cm

On the Mac mini:

  1. Open the app RODECaster Pro.
  2. Go to the Podcasts tab.
  3. Turn the Podcast Transfer Mode toggle on.
  4. You'll be asked if you would like to switch to podcast transfer mode. Select OK.
  5. Wait for it to switch modes and display the list of saved podcasts in the RODECaster Pro app. (It usually takes less than 10 seconds, but it could be longer if there are lots of podcasts saved.)
  6. Select the podcast you want to export from the list. A pop-up with some options will appear to the right of it. If you're going to publish your podcast on the Internet, select the platform you're going to use from the drop-down list.
  7. Select Export.
  8. Select a folder to export your podcast to and select OK.
  9. When it's done, turn the Podcast Transfer Mode toggle off.

Visit Exporting podcasts in the RØDECaster Pro user's guide if you want to learn more.

To remove background noise in real time, use:

  • macOS’s Voice Isolation mic mode in apps that support it, like FaceTime and QuickTime Pro
  • Zoom or Teams’ built-in noise reduction
    • recommended settings: Auto
  • the Noise Suppression audio filter in OBS
    • recommended settings: RNNoise (good quality, more CPU usage)

To remove background noise from recorded audio, you can use:

Using the touchscreen on the RØDECaster Pro:

  1. Go to ​ Settings > Advanced > MicroSD Card
  2. Swipe the Format slider to the right.
  3. Tap Yes to confirm.

This will delete all recordings in the microSD card.

  • If things aren’t working like you expect, someone might have changed some settings. Try resetting the RØDECaster Pro. (Go to ​ Settings > Advanced > Information, slide the Factory reset toggle to the right and tap Yes.)

You can record directly to your own computer with USB (requires a USB-A port). You may need to install ASIO drivers on Windows devices. We only provide basic instructions and best-effort support if you use your own computer.

Find the USB cable connecting the RØDECaster Pro to the Mac mini, disconnect it, and connect it to your device. Look for RØDECaster Pro Stereo on your system or software’s list of audio devices.

Using the touchscreen on the RØDECaster Pro: 

  1. Go to ​ Settings > Advanced > Audio > Multitrack.
  2. Turn on microSD card, USB, or both, depending on how you want to record.
  3. Turn on Bypass Audio Processing.
  4. Turn off Post Fader.

These settings will get you a unprocessed multitrack recording you can mix and edit in a DAW. After you turn on USB multitracking, a new sound device called RØDECaster Pro Multitrack will be available for recording on the Mac mini. Use the multitrack device instead of RØDECaster Pro Stereo.

Get help now

If you’re having problems with lab equipment, software, or the space, please see a staff member at the HSD A140 support desk.

You can also contact us for help with any questions about UVic technology, services, or accounts.