Rewind with Us: How Mystic Access Began

·36 min·3 clips

Chris and Kim reveal why they're giving away their VectorStream tutorial for free after 13 years.

The episode begins with Chris and Kim sharing news about making their VectorStream Next Generation Audio Tutorial available for free downloads, as Humanware ends support for the Stream 2 device. They transition into the origin story of Mystic Access, founded on April Fool's Day 2013, initially as a domain and idea before evolving into a company. The hosts reminisce about early podcast episodes from 2014, focusing on Android tablets like the Samsung Tab S and Bluetooth speakers, highlighting their personal experiences with technology. Kim discusses her background, growing up with limited access to assistive technology and being self-taught, which influenced their approach to creating engaging documentation. The core of the episode centers on the creation of the Stream 2 tutorial in 2015, produced on a shoestring budget with basic equipment and a beta testing team. They describe technical challenges during recording, such as audio hums and editing mishaps, including an incident where beta testers caught inappropriate language in a file. The success of the Stream 2 tutorial led to collaborations with Humanware for the BrailleNote Touch tutorial in 2016 and other companies like National Braille Press and Agile Bits. The hosts explain the difficulties of maintaining audio documentation, noting that updates require extensive re-recording and editing compared to text-based materials. They discuss their shift from scripting to unscripted recordings to sound more natural and engaged with the audience. Equipment used over the years is mentioned, including neck microphones from Amazon and editing software like GoldWave and Studio Recorder. The episode touches on their best-selling product, the Echo tutorial, which adapted mainstream technology for the blind and visually impaired community. They reflect on being pioneers in creating Braille display tutorials, such as for the VarioUltra, and the importance of team dynamics in their work. The hosts hint at upcoming projects but provide no specifics, emphasizing that Mystic Access remains active despite not being their full-time focus. They conclude with a reminder about tax day and promote their website and contact information.

As heard by us

A free Stream 2 tutorial becomes a candid look at support changes, teaching, and the early work of building useful documentation.

Mystic Access looks back at the making of its VectorStream Next Generation Audio Tutorial as Stream 2 reaches the end of manufacturer support.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

When support ends for an older audio device, you can hear how its guide came together.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Mystic Access Podcast