Radio Free Burrito Episode Zero

Posted on By Wil

Alive
Well, here it is! It’s alive!

As I wrote earlier today, "It will either be really cool, or the stupidest fucking thing in history, and I’ll proceed accordingly."
My initial feeling is that it falls somewhere in the middle: it’s
longer than I wanted, and it’s a little unfocused, but I’m willing to
allow myself the freedom to make as many mistakes as it takes to either
come up with something cool, or accept that I just don’t have what it
takes to make a podcast.

Observations on getting this thing from my brains to your ears: I
thought the recording would be very hard, but it was actually super
easy. I’ve tried in Audacity several times before, and it never wants
to work, so today I just followed the instructions from Apple for creating podcasts in Garageband,
and it was simple and easy. But holy shit the converting and the
uploading was so hard, I felt like I had no thumbs and an IQ of 24. I’m
sorry to report that this episode is only available in the stupid,
proprietary, Apple AAC format, but that’s the only format I could get
to upload (the .aiff file was over 300MB, and TypePad just wouldn’t let
me upload it. That was really annoying.)

So now I need to know what you, the audience, think. What would you
like more of? Less of? Is it too long? Is it too narrowly focused, or
not broad enough? Most importantly: when it was over, did you feel like
I earned your 30 minutes, or did you feel like you wasted your time?

Heh. The last time I felt this nervous about releasing something into the wild, it was the first version of Dancing Barefoot. This is both cool and scary.

Afterthought: I just realized that I stupidly recorded this thing in super-ultra-hyper-mega-stereo, when nifty-old-mono would have been just fine. The result is a ridiculously large file (71.8 MB) which I can only leave up for a few hours before I blow through all my bandwidth. I’ll see if I can convert the file I have to mono, and if not, look for Episode .05 to hit the airwaves in the next 48 hours. Yeah, I am really a moran. iTunes won’t let me convert it to mp3, and Audacity won’t even open it. So this file will stay up until about 8:00 PM Pacific time, when I’ll have to take it down. If someone wants to mirror the file, go nuts. Gods, I am sofa king stupid. I blame my nervousness for this ultrarookie error. When you mock, please mock me gently.

AfterthoughtAfterthought: I owe Shane Nickerson a huge debt of gratitude, because he pointed out to me my stupid mistake. I’ll reveal my shame a bit later on. In the meantime, here is a .mp3 file, which is much smaller: "only" 27.3MB:

Download radio_free_burrito_episode_zero.mp3

Oh boy! Several Mirrors!

Mirror one, from WWdN:iX reader buford: radio_free_burrito_episode_zero.mp3

Mirror two, from my friend Kathleen: radio_free_burrito_episode_zero.mp3

Mirror three, from WWdN:iX reader  UglyRedHonda: Unauthorized low-bandwidth-friendly re-encoding

And the coolest of them all . . . a .torrent. Man, do I feel like I’ve arrived now! Thanks, Brian! 🙂

 

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Comments (135)

  2. Dude, I think you can just right/ctrl click on the file in iTunes and convert it from AAC to MP3. (Note: this doesn’t work for the “Protected” AAC files you buy from Apple’s online store.)

  3. You beat me to it. 😛 I was going to mention the gargantuan file size. I downloaded it to my iPod a bit ago.
    Now I am going to pretend I am working and listen to your podcast.

  7. I, for one, enjoyed it quite a bit. And my kids came to listen to the slinky song, because they’d never heard it before. Or at least the real version. I think they thought I was making it up all this time.
    Excellent job, sir!

  10. Excellent podcast! You can probably get the filesize down by not using Apple Lossless (though as an audiophile, thanks for using Apple lossless!). I’m sure there’s some way in itunes to re-encode to a lower bitrate, and/or save as an mp3.
    But anyway, as someone who used to be a theater minor, I love hearing about all the acting stuff. It reminds me of my college days when I hung out with the actor/geeks.
    I also love the no edit policy, though your throat sounded like it was taking a beating there.
    I say, don’t worry about time limits so much, just pick a topic and go. 🙂

  13. Bravo! The 30 minutes went by quickly. That’s a good sign.
    I especially liked your Firefly story. It’s comforting to hear that actors also get starstruck.

  14. You know how the shoemaker’s kids never have shoes? (No? Just go with it, it’s an expression.) Well, I work in IT, but I never have a working sound card in any home PC. So not only have I not been able to watch Shane’s vlogs, now I can’t listen to Wil’s podcast. Stoopid sound card.

  17. I’ll mock you gently. Mock you slowly. Take it easy, ’cause I know you have never podcasted like this before….
    (with my sincere apologies to Andy Kim…)

  18. Wil-
    If you want to play music and not have to worry about getting sued, you might want to look into the PodSafe Music Network (music.podshow.com).
    And I’m sure you’ll be able find sponsors without too much effort. You’re Wil f***ing Wheaton, for cryin’ out loud!

  19. Howdy.
    It is true that I made a brilliant suggestion (pat on back) for a future podcast. I doubt that I am the only one who would like to hear a sketch from the three of you.
    I really enjoyed the podcast. Keep it up.
    I really didnt enjoy playing in the West Coast Warmup (yes I am out already. 63rd). Sometimes you get the cards, and sometimes, they get you.

  21. Another rookie mistake: the mp3 file still has all of the MIME stuff that iTunes tacked onto it, so when I left click on the link it’s opening in Quicktime automatically, instead of letting me choose what to do with the file. FYI.

  22. Wil (and other readers): is it possible to have a podcast that is more than one track? Maybe ship a playlist pointing to URLs or something?

  23. One more idea: for the next Q&A how about if people each send their question as MP3 files (a few seconds each) so we can have the question in the questioner’s voice?

  25. Great podcast… I’ll be happy if you continue this tradition! Funny and entertaining and a variety of other good things. Keep it up!

  26. Wil,
    aac is not Apple’s proprietary format. It is the next generation standard from mp3. There’s a lot of open source code around it (including my own mpeg4ip project).
    You should be able to create files that are about 1/2 the size with similiar quality to mp3.
    Also, to convert inside of itunes, all you have to do is set the IMPORT codec and speed and size (it’s a little backward that way). Preferences->Advanced->Import. There’s even a spoken podcast setting if you chose aac encoder(32Kbps mono, with itunes 6.0 )

  29. Wil,
    I enjoyed the podcast. First you get me hooked on EggRadio.com (thank god I found a replacement for my dearly departed station) and now I will have something else to listen to. I didn’t even realize it had been 30 minutes. I enjoyed listening to your audition experience. You had a great radio voice. I hope you keep up with the ‘no editing’ policy. It gave it more character.
    I definitely agree that Annie, Shane, and yourself would be very entertaining.
    Laurie, aka EmmaFrost

  30. Hi,
    I’ve been reading your blog now for a little over a year and I think this is the first time I’ve been compelled to post a comment.
    I freakin’ loved your Radio Free Burrito!
    Thanks and keep ’em coming!
    Jon

  31. Hey Wil, I’m a fairly long-time reader and I just listened to your podcast (it’s about time!). I loved it, I can’t say I would change anything. I normally don’t like long podcasts, but I didn’t even realize it was 30 minutes because you’re so fun to listen to. Keep it up, please! 🙂

  32. Wil,
    Excellent! Great to hear the voice of the blog I’ve read for so very long.
    You could do a podcast a week, and if you asked for donations, I would bet that you get enough to cover the extra bandwidth. I’d contribute. It’s entertainment!
    Good job! Thanks
    DJ

  33. Hey Wil, congrads on the podcast and great to hear that your casting call went awesome. I always wanted to be an actor myself but lets say stage fright keep me from living my dreams. I did go on a couple audtions but lets say they didn’t go well. All I have to say is I feel very sorry for the janitor at a certain studio. Anyways I did leave my mark. If you know what I mean. LOL. if any producers need a actor that can vomit on command I’ll take that part. LOL
    Ok why I really want to post was to let you know if you every need any webspace to store files (such as podcasts or you need a place to mirror things at, I have my own server and I can give you or anyone alot of free space I believe I current have around 100 gigs of space, and my bandwith is 2.4 Terrabytes a month. If anyone here or you want to take me up on the offer just contact me at [email protected]

  34. Wil – delete this if it’s inappropriate.
    Unauthorized low-bandwidth-friendly re-encoding (24kbps MP3 – 5MB)
    Webspace courtesy someone who said they’d remove it if the bandwidth got out of control. So if it’s suddenly unavailable, you know why. 🙂
    There should be a Mac implementation of LAME (MP3) that should be able to go quickly from full-bit stereo to low-bandwidth mono on the fly. (I used WinLAME to do that, but that’s a Windows port.)

  36. Regarding blooflame’s post…I don’t have much computer knowledge but I’m sure there is a way to do a playlist, as I download the CBC Radio 3 podcast which has a drop down list (with URLs) come up in iTunes so that you can have chapters. Maybe someone else actually knows how?
    Posted by: blooflame |
    Wil (and other readers): is it possible to have a podcast that is more than one track? Maybe ship a playlist pointing to URLs or something?

  37. I am really overwhelmed by everyone’s positive reaction. Thank you so much. I’ll do my best to keep the length short, keep the content interesting, and keep the file size smaller.
    Thank you to everyone who e-mailed in comments and suggestions, too. 🙂

  38. Wil, that was the best podcast I’ve ever listened to, and I’ve listened to many a good one.
    Don’t worry about length — just last night I listened to one that went for 50 minutes, yet it felt like only 10. Just keep it interesting, and we shall listen.
    P.S.: Mike Doughty rules. You should so try to get an interview. I’d listen to it… more than once, even.

  41. Hey, that was pretty fun.
    You asked for feedback, so here goes.
    Stop thanking me so much.
    I’m listening already. 😉
    A few more short music clips or sound effects would be fun.
    (I’m thinking of A Prairie Home Companion here)
    The skit idea is a GREAT one, follow up on that.
    Keep track of the time in your head, we don’t need to hear about it.
    I am SO jealous you talked to ANYONE from Firefly…!!!
    How did you keep from peeing your pants???
    I didn’t feel like I wasted half an hour, I played a game of Zuma while I was listening to you. (I lost, I don’t know if that means anything….but I felt compelled to share that bit of information.)
    I’ll listen again. I want to see where you go with this.

  42. Wil – I am so glad that you are podcasting now. I love the blog but listening is so much cooler.
    You need to get a promo up – I would love to play it on my podcast.
    Keep up the podcasting.

  43. Not too shabby Wil. As previous commentors have said consider a bit of variety with musak or other sound media to reflect your tone. The sketch is a great idea and should come natch to acting types. Don’t sweat the time as much and how bout looking at just doing *topics* down the road. You can either get thoughtful or get ranty as long as it’s something that matters to you. Time was pretty much OK…shorter would have seemed like a bit of fluff I suspect and longer would have required a certain *something* to keep the listener involved. A good double (might have been better but that dood in Left field has a real cannon).

  44. Great job! Very listenable. I was going to say that it was a little “hokey” but then I thought about it and I realized that…no offense…you are a little hokey. It’s part of your charm, so keep it up. Oh, my wife is saying that you weren’t hokey but you were being genuine. Okay, I stand corrected. Hey, I’ve got an idea sweetie…why don’t you write this. Seriously…come over here and finish this. C’mon, finish my thought for me. Why are you leaving? Hey!
    Chicken.

  45. Wil, that was freaking AWESOME! The time just zipped by and it was over before I knew it! Damn dude, don’t change a thing! Keep the length, keep the stories, and keep the podcasts coming! It was like sitting down to read your blog but you were reading it to me instead. I cannot heap enough praise upon you! Keep it up bro! ROCK ON!

  47. Wil,
    I really enjoyed it. It kept getting better as you went along. I’d say maybe a tad shorter; 15-20 min? You tell a great story, and the audition bit had all the things that keep me coming back to your blog: stepkids, a peek into the acting world, and good storytelling. Keep it up.
    I have to say that you truly won me over with the thank you at the end…it sounded genuine, and made me glad that I’d spent that time listening. Not that you’d need to do that again and again, but who doesn’t like feeling appreciated, hey?
    looking forward to more!

  48. me; an executive decision; the power of radio revived; more me

    I feel more connected with everyone I am connected with exclusively online right now that I do with the people in the hallway of my dorm. Of course, I never feel connected with the people in the hallway of my dorm—just annoyed. But I feel more conn…

  49. Wil~
    OMG! You sound great recorded! Your voice is very clear, and I think we all know you can’t broadcast/podcast if you mumble.
    The thing I liked most about your Podcast was your stories about interactions with other people. You’ve written about a bunch of them, and the way you told it was exactly the same. I was practically there. I wouldn’t mind hearing more of the same. I especially liked your story about FireFly and your step kids. That was so touching, and so real.
    More! More!
    ~Becca

  50. It’s not a podcast until you set up a feed for it… until then it’s just a group of files (or in this case one ginormous file…)
    Listening to it right at the moment… I’m glad you decided not to edit out bits…
    Your cough sounded a bit more like the death star exploding… or… maybe just a car backfiring… sorry, just finished watching the first movie (aka the fourth one… I thought it was the original, but sadly it was the bastardized version…)
    Yeah, you need to compress and cut down more… 48bit mono is just fine for talking…
    Come to Borders San Rafael… best damn store in our district! (Our stock room has been amazingly clean recently, cirtainly free of books…), plus today I completely realphebetized the General Dogs section…
    yeah…
    Ok, I’ll shut up now and wait for your damn thing to rebuffer…

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