In this streamlined guide on podcast editing, we delve into a realm where technical expertise meets creative storytelling. Whether you’re a seasoned podcaster aiming to elevate your production quality or a newcomer eager to learn the ropes, this article is your roadmap to mastering the art of podcast editing.
In the ever-expanding realm of digital media, podcasts have emerged as a captivating medium that allows people to share stories, insights, and conversations with a global audience. The content of a podcast is undoubtedly crucial. At the same time, Creators should be aware of the role of podcast editing in shaping the final narrative. Podcast editors work behind the scenes to weave together audio elements, creating a seamless and engaging experience for listeners everywhere.
Editing Your Podcast Content
When considering how to edit a podcast, the content is the first area we will discuss. Obviously, the editing process will vary depending on the nature of the podcast.
Clean up speaking sections
Essential and tasteful revisions to increase the fluidity of a show or conversation can benefit all podcasts. Such as removing awkward pauses and certain filler words, for instance “um,” and “uh,” is one of the first steps in presenting material that sounds authoritative and confident. This editing is crucial for shows that tell a story or present educational material; however, more casual podcasts with a comedic tilt will not necessarily require the same editing as a true crime show. Chopping and rearranging is mainly dependent on the content itself, as well as personal taste.
Build a narrative
Suppose you are trying to fit a certain length and create a cohesive narrative. In that case, the editing process will involve fitting the pieces together in a way that could be compelling to listeners. Remember, this is all dictated by the content. What is appropriate for one podcast style may not make sense for another. Use your best judgment and personal taste when editing a podcast. Still, a good rule of thumb is to make any adjustments that will serve the show’s presentation and keep listeners engaged.
Add sound design (intro & outro)
One hallmark of a well-produced podcast is the incorporation of sound design, which can include music, drops, and other effects. For example, having a dedicated intro and outro, complete with a jingle and signature sound bites, establishes continuity between episodes and appears professionally presented to audiences. With some creativity and audio savvy, you can turn an otherwise simplistic podcast into something that listeners find exceptionally entertaining.
Incorporate music for transitions
Apart from intro and outro songs, periodic music beds add suspense or interest to various parts of the performance. Similar to film scores, music can have a profound impact on certain “scenes” within your podcast, so it’s a good idea to experiment with layering in a soundtrack, so to speak, to understand what it lends to your content. Sound effects are another way to punctuate your podcast in the same way that many radio hosts use drops that audiences have come to love. The brilliance of offline podcasting is the seemingly endless post-production phase, in which you can audition sound design elements and see how they jell with the recorded monologue or conversation.
Sound mixing for audio levels
Mixing is a crucial and occasionally rushed part of producing a podcast. First and foremost, leveling will be a critical step in the mixing process and likely something that a haphazardly placed compressor cannot handle. Similarly, how engineers mix vocals for music, you will want to comb through the podcast and manually even out the volume of different sections. The human voice is incredibly dynamic, and depending on the show, there may be sections of whispers and outright yelling. Getting those levels nearer to each other is essential so listeners are not constantly adjusting the volume of their device. Any other elements, including music and sound effects, should be balanced with the voice(s) in a way that’s appropriate for the show.
EQ dialogue
After correcting the levels, a small amount of cleanup with EQ is wise. Removing unnecessary low-end benefits intelligibility tremendously, and if you have a de-esser at your disposal, you can also mitigate potentially distracting sibilance. An initial scrub goes a long way, and if you recorded the podcast adequately, it should take less EQ-ing to get the sound just right. Once you’ve manually adjusted levels and applied corrective equalization, use a gentle compressor to further restrict the dynamic range to a place consistent for listeners.
Under certain circumstances, mixing can involve significant repair, often reducing background or extraneous noise. If your initial recordings are damaged, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with specific software, such as iZotope RX, that makes the restoration process a breeze. Remember that mixing can also include creative use of effects, not unlike sound design — for instance, a dramatic reverb swell might be missing from an impactful moment in the podcast.
Mastering Your Podcast
Once you have mixed the various components of your podcast to taste — the voice(s), music, and sound effects — you will want to apply some universal processing to finalize the episode for release. Assuming you have handled the gain staging appropriately throughout, and the audio is not clipping, in most cases, you can get away with simply using a limiter at the mastering stage. A limiter determines the volume ceiling that the podcast hits, which should be below 0dBFS. A limiter also lets you squeak out a bit of extra overall volume by eliminating any excess headroom in the mix.
Mastering might include EQ and compression to create cohesion among your podcast’s audio elements. As a general guideline, if you find yourself liberally using corrective software at the mastering stage of your audio production, it is likely an issue with the mix. Mastering a podcast should be relatively straightforward, and if you are wrestling with it, revisit the components that make up the mix.
Software and Platforms for Editing Podcasts
Before choosing editing software, consider your level of expertise, budget, and the specific features you need for your podcast goals. It is often a good idea to try out a few options to see which one suits your workflow best, and many brands offer free versions or trials of their software to demo before buying.
If your podcast has a visual component, you will want to do all of your production in a video-editing suite like Adobe Premiere or Apple Final Cut. Both are professional-grade platforms with robust feature sets for editing video and mixing audio.
If your podcast is audio-only, you have many more resources. Any digital audio workstation (DAW) — including Pro Tools, Logic Pro X, Reaper, PreSonus Studio One, Ableton Live, and others — is a powerhouse for podcast editing and offers access to essential plug-ins for mixing and mastering. Adobe Audition is another excellent choice, as is the long-running open-source program Audacity and the free, comprehensive DAW Cakewalk by Bandlab (Windows only). The sky is the limit regarding audio editing, mixing, and mastering software.
Show Distribution
When it comes time to distribute your show, consider one of several popular hosting platforms: Libsyn, Podbean, Buzzsprout, or Spotify for Podcasters. Once you have selected a platform, you can begin uploading episodes to the host where your files are stored and distributed to various podcast directories. The host will generate an RSS feed containing essential information for distribution, and you can submit your show to directories like Apple, Spotify, Google, Stitcher, Amazon, and more. Prepare to be heard!
Conclusion
In the dynamic and saturated landscape of podcasting, your editing prowess becomes a distinguishing factor. Learning how to edit your podcast and your editing choices, whether creating an immersive interview series, a thought-provoking documentary, or a light-hearted comedy show, will define your show for listeners. Learning how to edit a podcast is more than just a technical endeavor — it’s a craft that marries expertise with creativity, precision, and passion. With the knowledge of choosing the right software, refining your audio with precision cuts and enhancements, and embracing the nuances of sound design, you’re better equipped to embark on your podcasting journey.
