#Podcast Editing

[luxradium]

If you aren't familiar with the term "semantic satiation", you will certainly *get* familiar with it once you start editing an audio drama. Right around the sixteenth time you listen to the same three second clip and what *were* words you wrote now sound like a jumble of random blurry nonsense.

[transplanarrpg]

It’s PODCAST RELEASE DAY, and you know what that means — it’s a Mars Ewing appreciation post!

Mars is an absolutely top tier editor, who turns our chaotic live performances into beautifully edited, tightly-paced, magnificently scored episodes. Everyone say THANK YOU MARS! 🌟

[cracklestatic]

A Workflow for Podcast Audio in Audacity

For some time, I have been using this workflow for processing raw audio into clear, clean, production quality files for ebooks and podcasts.

These steps are for use in Audacity; you can adjust them as necessary for other editors.

Original Recording Quality & Format

First, make sure the original is recorded in as high a quality as possible. Follow the easy to find best practices: quiet location, quality microphone, wind screen and pop filter on the mic, etc.

Make it a high priority to capture the voice (or voices) at a moderate level, but never drive the recorder into clipping. Make sure there is as little hum as possible on the audio. If necessary, use battery power for the mic and recorder. If you have problems with power line hum, see the tutorial for reducing power mains hum in your audio chain

As to format, you cannot go wrong with 24 bit / 96 kHz sampling, if your equipment can do it. Otherwise, use 16 bits if you cannot record at 24 and 48 kHz sampling if you cannot run at 96 kHz.

I know some older, legacy artists may still use CD sampling at 16 bits / 44.1 kHz. Unless you are making CDs, don't bother with that. The future is sampling in multiples of 48 kHz.

1: Sync if Multiple Tracks

When I get the raw recordings, the first thing I do is open a new project in Audacity and - if there are multiple participants - get all of the tracks synced in time. Syncing isn't necessary if everyone's mic is recorded on one multitrack device.

Line up the tracks on some kind of identifiable sound as early as possible. Use a hand clap, count-in, or something you can see on an audio envelope or spectrogram.

If there are multiple recorders in use, you'll notice that the other tracks eventually drift out of sync. Make the best track the "main" or "master" and then stretch or shrink the other tracks to match.

All of the text below refers to one track, but should be done for all tracks it you are working on a podcast with multiple tracks.

Leave a few seconds of dead air / room tone, containing the ambient background sounds, before and after the program.

2: Normalize the Audio

Normalize the sound level of all of tracks to -3 dB relative to full scale (-3 dBFS).

3: Cut Out the Cruft

Cut out sections with extended silences. Make the same cut across all tracks, as it is essential to keep the whole project in sync.

If there are sneezes, coughs, or odd background noises on any track, replace them with silence.

4: Apply Noise Reduction

Apply noise reduction to tracks individually. Audacity is great for identifying and removing rhythmic sounds, such as fans, motors, or anything which whines or buzzes.

To get a profile for the noise, find a few seconds with none of the desired content - some dead air between sentences, for example. Highlight it and run the noise reduction "get profile" function.

After profiling the noise, highlight the whole track and apply noise reduction. Use the maximum number of frequency bands. Don't attack the noise too aggressively, as it makes the recording sound hollow and unnatural. Just apply 6 dB of noise reduction.

If the noise is still there, take a new profile then apply another 6 dB of noise reduction.

5: Re-Normalize the Levels

Normalize the sound level of all of tracks to -3 dB relative to full scale (-3 dBFS).

6: Apply the Noise Gate

The noise gate lowers the background level when there is no strong signal, as between sentences. Work with the settings. I like to set the attenuation to about - 20 dB, with only a few milliseconds (ms) of attack time, about a second (1000 ms) of hold time, and a half second (500 ms) of decay. But work with what you have and go with what sounds best for your situation.

7: Re-Normalize the Levels

Normalize the sound level of all of tracks to -3 dB relative to full scale (-3 dBFS).

8: Apply Amplitude Compression

To bring the peak and average voice levels closer, which is to make the sound more even, use the compressor. Depending on the plugins you have, there may be several choices available. There might be more settings or fewer settings to tweak. In a general sense, these settings work:

Look ahead time: 10 ms

Threshold: -26 dB

Knee: 3 dB

Ratio: between 3:1 and 5:1

Attack: 5 ms

Hang or Hold: 200 ms

Decay: 300 ms

Adjust the threshold, compression ratio, and timings as necessary for best sound of your content.

9: Apply Limiting to Catch the Strongest Peaks

The compressor will let some of the loudest peaks get through, although they will be moderated. Use the limiter to catch those peaks.

Look ahead: 2 ms

Threshold: Set to match level of other peaks.

Release: 30 ms

10: Re-Normalize the Levels

Normalize the sound level of all of tracks to -3 dB relative to full scale (-3 dBFS).

11: Amplify / Attenuate for Platform Compliance

Amplify the whole project + / - a few dB as necessary to meet the requirements of the distribution platform. Whether Spotify, YouTube, SoundCloud, or other platforms, there is some kind of standard for peak and average loudness levels. Also, there is often a requirement that noise be below a certain level.

12: Set the Pre and Post Empty Space

Trim off the dead air before and after the program content. I find that one second of room tone before the start and four seconds after the end is sufficient most of the time.

[handmadehistorypodcast]

Help we have been editing the same 30 seconds for approximately one thousand years.

[skyhorsecreativevideoediting]

If you're a fan of Severance, you won’t want to miss Processing Severance: The After Show Podcast! 🎙️✨ Packed with fascinating theories and deep dives, it’s a must-listen. I had an absolute blast editing this 10-episode series! 🔪🧠 #Severance #PodcastEditing

[hikarry]

Editing podcast episodes like… cue chaos 😩 Send coffee! ☕️

[soundorp]

Some High-End Podcast softwares and their features

If you are reading this. Congratulations, you’ve made it to the big leagues of podcasting. With some budget at your disposal, you’re now ready to elevate your studio to new heights. In this guide, we talk about high-end podcast software options that promise to revolutionize your podcasting experience.

In podcasting, where reputations are on the line, settling for anything less than the best simply isn’t an option.

Adobe Audition

One of the leading contenders is Adobe Audition. Formerly known as CoolEdit, Priced at $99 for an upgrade or $349 for a standalone version, Audition provides an array of functionalities that empower users to craft audio masterpieces.

Key Features of Adobe Audition

Abundant Tracks: With 128 tracks at your disposal, you have the freedom to experiment and layer audio elements to perfection.

Multisource Recording: Simultaneously record up to 32 different sources, ensuring maximum flexibility during production.

Sound Effects and Loops: Access a library of 50 digital sound effects and 5,000 royalty-free loops to enhance your audio tracks.

Surround Sound Mixing: Seamlessly integrate Dolby 5.1 surround sound mixing into your projects for a truly immersive experience.

Soundtrack Pro

For Mac enthusiasts, Soundtrack Pro emerges as a contender. Bundled as part of the Apple Final Cut Suite, Soundtrack Pro offers features built specifically to Mac-based podcasters.

Key Features of Soundtrack Pro

Multitrack Recording: Record and manipulate multiple audio tracks within a single interface for enhanced productivity.

Efficient Editing Tools: Easily compile audio takes with crossfades for seamless playback, ensuring a polished final product.

Audio Effects and EQ Settings: Copy and apply audio effects and EQ settings with ease, streamlining your editing process.

Podcast-Specific Functions: Functionalities for producing podcasts, including support for chapter markers, artwork, and URL integration.

Logic Express

For podcasters seeking a more economical option without compromising on functionality, Logic Express presents a compelling choice. Priced at $200, Logic Express offers a digital workstation for modern musicians and podcasters.

Key Features of Logic Express

Composition and Arrangement: Use advanced functions for composition and music arrangement, ideal for composing engaging podcast soundtracks.

User-Friendly Interface: While distinct from GarageBand and Soundtrack Pro, Logic Express boasts an interface that facilitates seamless navigation.

Affordable Price Point: At $200, Logic Express offers exceptional value for podcasters looking to expand their toolkit without breaking the bank.

Pro Tools

Pro Tools is revered for its robust feature set and unparalleled performance. Designed with professional musicians, sound engineers, and podcasters in mind, Pro Tools offers a suite of tools for recording, editing, and mixing audio.

Key Features of Pro Tools:

Industry-Leading Performance: With low-latency recording and real-time processing capabilities, Pro Tools ensures smooth audio production.

Advanced Editing Tools: From precise waveform editing to seamless clip management, Pro Tools empowers users to achieve precise results with ease.

Extensive Plugin Support: Access a vast library of plugins and virtual instruments to enhance your audio productions and experiment with new sounds.

Collaborative Workflows: Facilitate seamless collaboration with team members and remote collaborators through cloud-based collaboration features.

Professional-Grade Mixing: With mixing tools and support for surround sound formats, Pro Tools enables users to achieve studio-quality mixes.

Editing is Cool but Sometimes we feel like we are doing justice with our brand when we are doing it all by ourselves. We feel like if not us, no one would do it more passionately. This is the BIGGEST MYTH. Successful Entrepreneurs and Creators always outsource those jobs that consume their time, so that they can focus on their real job without any distractions and headaches.

Moreover, professionals usually do it better, that would have been much worse if you had decided to do it all by yourself because of your lack of expertise in those fields. Our motto is to connect you with all such podcast production services you might need knowingly or unknowingly to fuel your growth. We believe in more than just transactions; we believe in fostering meaningful connections and providing the resources you need to thrive.

Get in touch with podcasting services and experts those will save you tons of time at Podcast Production Services.

With that being said, Let’s connect with all such free and paid tool/services you might need knowingly or unknowingly to fuel your growth. Here’s 21 BEST AI TOOLS AND PLATFORMS TO GROW YOUR PODCAST AND CONTENTS. There are some bonus tools in the end too to make your day to day life easier.

Grow your podcast from scratch with Zero Audience and learn about how successful podcasters cracked the code by winning our Free Guide with step by step Guidelines. Goodluck ^.^

[theothertracy]

Sent info to two different podcast producers today. One because they reached out to me, another because a friend sent me a job post.

Very cool. Am excited to see if these come to anything. I'm pretty sure doing audio work is my way forward, for money to live life and such, lol.

[thejaymo]

O....K...??

[luxradium]

Whenever I think about how dang long it takes to edit an episode of Metropolis, I take a look at this image.

What are we looking at? It's the timeline view for a single 12 minute scene. All those tiny dots and blips and pixels? Each one had to be sourced, hand-placed, leveled, mixed and checked to make sure it actually sounded like it was supposed to. It turns out, it's a lot! It actually seems bonkers to be doing something on this scale, but no-one said that making audio drama had to be wise. 😅

[justanotherspeck]

well god forbid a woman does anything 🙄 (she is damaging the fabric of space and time)

[hiatedateus]

Here is every time the dice was thrown in the new video because it killed me each time <3

[lioncourtz]

SAM REID talks the final season of The Newsreader | The Emsolation Podcast

[joanjehanne]

jarthur study of the sculpture "the kiss" by gustav vigeland. full on bsky

[queenoftheantz]

Fashionably late, I arrive with a lukewarm tea in one hand, and my Secret Samol gift in the other!

Allow me to present ECLECTIC ATTORNEY- a fan adventure!

My recipient (Biorenewologist/iamnotathing, platform unknown) asked for a Ace Attorney style case for Eclectic, and I did my best to deliver! This is a REAL visual novel game that YOU CAN PLAY!

You do NOT need to have listened to Palisade to solve the mystery, all clues are given to you in the game. However, there will be mild spoilers, like characters/appearances that appear later in the season. It is not canon compliant, Blue Channel crew that never met will be hanging out!

If you have never listened to Friends at the table or Palisade, the character interactions (and there's lots of those) might not be as entertaining for you.

You can play the game here: https://myrdrottningen.itch.io/eclectic-attorney

Warning! This is a MURDER mystery, and will include things like: Blood, death, mentions and depiction of the aftermath of gun violence, murder

Have fun! c: