Datafox Podcast Launching

In addition to running https://datafox.tw (feel free to continue following my blog!), I’ve also started to consciously do one more thing: Continuously share my observations, things I’ve learned, and the detours and corrections made along the way.

I still remember formally conceptualizing my podcast content towards the end of my exchange, while riding a scooter to Oia on Santorini, letting my mind wander. When a good topic came to mind, I’d just pull over and jot it down. Although I felt a bit demotivated in the second half of 2025 due to a busy master’s life and course schedule preventing me from actively participating in the NTU Podcast Club, I decided to use a portion of a good scholarship I received to buy podcast equipment. And when I thought that if I really gave up, I could sell the equipment I bought and get back about 70% of the cost, it made the investment feel very worthwhile.

I hope to leave a legacy. Besides the written word I’m accustomed to, I also want to leave my mark through sound, allowing people to understand me and my excellent partners in a new way, and to share our stories.

For me, this isn’t just content creation; it’s a process of “building a personal brand.” It’s not about packaging myself as incredibly impressive, but rather hoping that someday, when someone is feeling lost, they might see these records and think—‘Oh, someone else walked this path too.’

So, I’m making a new attempt: 🎙️ Podcast: Life Beta Version!

This show will interview friends around 22–24 years old, who have just finished university or recently entered the workforce, discussing: the main quests they initially thought they had, the accidental side quests, and the turning points only understood in retrospect. Each episode will be an audio letter written to their “confused past self.”

If you’re also exploring life, or just want to hear some stories that aren’t about typical success, you’re welcome to become an early listener (I’d be very grateful for you to beta test with me 🙏)

If you:

• feel your life is a bit messy but actually quite exciting
• or have just walked a path worth looking back on

Here are the nerdy technical details:

My overall setup:

1. Samson Q2U XLR USB Dual-use Dynamic Microphone ATR2100X*2 (includes tripod/cables/foam/clip) $4100
2. Original Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen Audio Interface solo $4790
3. Two wired headphones plus adapter for monitoring
4. MacBook Air + Audacity

The recording pipeline is:

🎙️ Core Equipment: Why This Setup?

The current setup is very smart, especially the Samson Q2U, this “miracle mic,” which features both USB and XLR interfaces, making it the top choice for a limited budget. Paired with the industry-standard Scarlett 2i2 audio interface, this combination can already produce sound quality close to that of professional radio.

1. Microphone: Samson Q2U (Dynamic)

• Its Characteristics: Like an ear that “only hears close-up sounds.” It has excellent shielding against ambient noise (air conditioning, car noises outside the window).
• Key Operation: Because it’s a dynamic microphone, the signal is relatively weak. When recording, be sure to keep the microphone close to your mouth (about 5–10 cm, a fist’s width) for rich and full sound.
• Note: Since you have an audio interface, only plug in the XLR cable (the thick round-headed cable). Never plug in both USB and XLR simultaneously, as this will cause signal confusion.

2. Audio Interface: Scarlett 2i2 (3rd Gen)

• Its Role: It’s the “translator” for sound entering the computer.
• A Small Annoyance Encountered: You might find that the Gain knob needs to be turned almost all the way up for the sound to be loud enough. This is normal; as long as the background noise (hissing) doesn’t affect the listening experience, it’s fine.
• Future Upgrade Path: If you find the sound is still too low in the future, you can add a Cloudlifter (preamp). It provides “clean boost” and reduces the strain on the audio interface.

🎧 Monitoring: The Feel of Recording in the Moment

Headphone Solution for Two-Person Recording

You are currently using “wired headphones + adapter.”

• Concern: The volume of the two headphones might be uneven, or different impedances could lead to discrepancies in what is heard.
• Suggested Optimization: Buy an inexpensive Headphone Splitter (multi-headphone amplifier). This way, both you and your guest can adjust your headphone volumes independently, greatly enhancing the recording experience.

Make Good Use of Hardware Monitoring (Direct Monitor)

• Do NOT monitor through Audacity software, because the sound will have a slight delay (Latency) due to computer processing. Hearing your own voice 0.1 seconds late will make you stutter.
• DO press the Direct Monitor button on the 2i2 to listen directly to the sound coming back from the audio interface. This is true zero-latency feedback.

💻 Software Settings: The Golden Rules of Audacity

Before pressing the record button, please confirm these settings:

• Sample Rate: Set it to 48kHz (mainstream standard in the podcast industry).
• Bit Depth: Select 24-bit when recording (to preserve more space for audio editing), then output as 16-bit when saving.
• Input Level:
  • Average: Should fall between -18 to -12 dB.
  • Peak: Must absolutely not exceed -6 dB.
  • Critical Error: If the waveform hits the top (0 dB), the sound will clip, which is a disaster that cannot be salvaged by post-production software.

🔊 Decisive Factors for Output: Priority Ranking

If you have limited energy to improve sound quality, please optimize in this order: