Start podcasting or take your podcast to the next level with start-to-finish guidance from Andy Affleck. You'll learn tricks of the trade as you assemble your hardware and software, make recordings, and add polish by editing and mixing. Once your audio is in the can, you'll find real-world advice and steps for encoding and publishing your episodes.

Take Control of Podcasting on the Mac provides the help anyone interested in podcasting on the Mac needs:

• What do other podcasters do? Find out about the gear and techniques used by podcasters Chuck Joiner (MacVoices), Louis Trapani (Doctor Who: Podshock), Kelly Guimont (Ask TUAW), and Kirk McElhearn (The Committed).

• Choose the right mic. Pick out audio gear while considering your budget and studio (or mobile!) needs. Plus, you'll learn if you should buy additional audio hardware, like a breakout box or mixer, and find an explanation (with photos) of the main cable types that you'll come across.

• Pick audio software. Apps discussed at length include GarageBand for Mac and iOS, Audacity, Audio Hijack Pro, Voice Record Pro, VocaLive Free, and Ecamm Call Recorder. Also covered, though in less depth, are Amadeus Pro, Fission, Sound Studio, Nectar Elements, SoundSoap, and The Levelator.

• Learn key recording tips. Find advice about how to prepare for and conduct a successful interview, plus get a few essential tips for using a mic well.

• Record in the studio or the field. Get step-by-step recording directions for GarageBand for Mac and iOS, as well as Audacity, Voice Record Pro, and Audio Hijack Pro.

• Record online interviews. Follow the book's steps for recording an interview online through services such as Skype and FaceTime.

• Edit and mix your audio. Find directions for removing unwanted noises and pauses, adding professional polish, and generally editing and mixing a recording in GarageBand for Mac or Audacity.

• Encode your podcast files. Before you send your podcast episode out on the Internet, you'll want to save it in the right format, and add tags.

• Get syndicated with RSS. Understand what should be in a podcast's RSS feed — and how FeedBurner can help.

• Be a publisher! Get ideas for blog services that can host your podcast and related blog posts, and find directions for publishing your podcast in Apple's iTunes Store.

"Our school podcast is sounding much more professional now that we're using software recommended in the book and following Andy's tips."    -Mark Warner, Teacher, The Downs CE Primary School (UK)