64 kbps is generally considered OK for mono voice only podcasts. If you find that the 64 kbps doesn't sound good enough with your voice, then you could go a bit high. It's unusual (and probably excessive) to go higher than 128 kbps for a mono, voice only podcast.
Full Answer
How to use audacity for beginners?
How to Use Audacity: Step-by-Step Tutorials
- Audacity Overview Here is an introduction to using the Audacity audio editing software.
- How to Install Audacity This tutorial will show you how to install Audacity on a Windows computer. Download Program / Download for Mac OS
- Audacity User Interface In this tutorial you will learn about the Audacity interface.
How do I record a podcast using Audacity?
Tech Tip 108 – Recording a Podcast with Audacity
- Getting Started. If you don’t have Audacity, download and install it. ...
- Configuring Audacity. While you can use Audacity’s default settings to record your podcast, you can improve the quality of your recordings by tweaking Audacity’s preferences.To do this, select Edit>Preferences.
- Recording with Audacity. ...
- Editing the Podcast. ...
How to get the best sounding audio for your podcast?
What Is ‘Good' Audio?
- Each speaker is always ‘on mic' and completely audible when talking.
- Each microphone is picking up an accurate vocal recording that doesn't sound tinny or muffled.
- Audio is free from distortion (crackling, clipping, interference, handling or wind noise)
What is the best program to record podcasts?
- Large project files, which can easily fill up the storage
- No view of the mixing console available
- More of a learning curve than some apps
- Most useful using iOS devices
How do I make my podcast sound better on Audacity?
How to Edit Your Podcast in Audacity - A Step by Step GuideImport the audio you have previously recorded. ... 2. ( ... If you have background hiss, computer noise or other wanted noise remove it. ... Delete unwanted material. ... Move everything into the right order. ... Go through the audio and fix all the unwanted noises.More items...
Is Audacity good for podcasting?
Audacity can do everything most audio podcasters need Audio-editing podcasts is simple; it's usually only cut/copy/paste, place sound clips, adjust volumes with fades, and run basic enhancing effects. That's all that most podcasters would need to produce high-quality podcasts.
What are the best settings for Audacity?
44100 Hz is standard for creating files that can be burned to Audio CD or for high-quality MP3 files. This is the default setting in Audacity and is best left at that setting for your recordings.
What is the best dB for podcast?
Generally, a peak level of -1.0 dB is good for podcasts, as this level will ensure your audio sounds good when it's converted to a lossy format like MP3 or AAC.
Which Daw is best for podcast?
Best Podcast Recording Software (For Mac & PC)Logic Pro. Logic Pro is a full-featured music production and audio editing program. ... Audacity. Audacity is a free cross-platform audio editor. ... Alitu. Alitu is perfect for those that want to make your podcasting process as easy as possible. ... Iris. ... Wavve.
Is Audacity or GarageBand better?
Garageband is easier to use for beginners. Garageband supports MIDI and virtual instruments like synths. Audacity includes more powerful audio manipulation tools and effects. Audacity is great for bulk editing audio files, such as converting an entire folder of tracks to a different format.
How do I EQ a podcast in Audacity?
2:585:06How to Edit a Podcast in Audacity - Compression & EQ - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAlright let's try it out highlight your audio then go to effect graphic eq don't forget you have theMoreAlright let's try it out highlight your audio then go to effect graphic eq don't forget you have the manage button in the bottom left where you can access presets.
How do I make my mic sound professional in Audacity?
1:384:39How To Make Your Microphone Sound Better With AudacityYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou go to factory presets. And you go to bass boost. You you okay that you go back to effect. SameMoreYou go to factory presets. And you go to bass boost. You you okay that you go back to effect. Same thing graphic EQ go to manage you go to factory. And you go to treble boost.
How do I master voiceover in Audacity?
1:226:095 STEPS to Improve Your VOICEOVER in Audacity - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNext press command a to select your entire waveform. And once again choose effect and noiseMoreNext press command a to select your entire waveform. And once again choose effect and noise reduction from my experience the default settings do a great job here so leave them at 12 6. And 3.
How do I make my podcast sound quality?
10 Ways To Improve Podcast Sound QualityChoose The Recording Environment. ... Record In A Closet Or A Small Space. ... Switch To A Condenser Mic. ... Use A Windscreen Or Pop Filter. ... Set Up With A Mic Stand. ... Set Up The Mic At A Distance. ... Get Soundproofing Equipment. ... Practice Your Plosives And Sibilance.More items...•
How do I make my podcast sound more professional?
Those aren't ideal listening situations and are complete of noises. you must make your audio crystal clean to assure your podcast sound more professional. Another simple way is to record in a better condition simply is to observe patterns in the neighborhood whenever you are recording.
What should I normalize my podcast audio to?
Apple normalizes the loudness of it's content to -16 LUFS. If you want to have your podcast on both Spotify and Apple Music, mastering your dialogue under -16 LUFS will work well.
Download Audacity from SourceForge
We should start by actually downloading the application from audacity.sourceforge.net. As I mentioned in the introduction, Audacity is Open Source, which means you have a lot of freedom, and the software comes at no cost, but it does come with a license called the GNU Public License.
Recording Buttons
The interface of Audacity isn’t exactly clean and uncomplicated, but in this section I’ll demystify them for you and you’ll be able to make a recording and even do some simple editing.
Open Preferences
If you’re on a Mac, pull down under the name Audacity in the menu bar to Preferences, on Windows you’ll find the same menu under Edit, Preferences
Select Your Microphone
In Preferences, click on Audio I/O on the left hand pane (on Windows Audio I/O is a tab across the top of that window). Look for the section on that window that says Recording, and you should have a pull-down for the device. Find your microphone in the list and pull down to it to select it.
Choose Mono or Stereo
Next click on the pulldown next to Channels and you’ll see options for Mono and Stereo.
Finally the Fun Part, Recording!
1 – Click on the round red Record button and start talking. Say a few words, and you should see the blue wave form start going across the screen. 2 – Now hit the square Stop button. 3 – Hit the green triangle playback button to hear your recording.
Export Your Recording
Your masterpiece recording is finished and now you want to ship it off to your listeners. We need to get it out of Audacity first, but you don’t do it by saving. Save will save the entire project to be reopened in Audacity, but we need to Export the file so we can make it into an MP3 file that people can play in their media players.
How to Record a Podcast using Audacity
Despite its complexity, audacity for podcasts doesn't need a detailed understanding of the software's internals to begin using it. As a beginner, we explain all of the initial settings and basic editing choices you'll need to know and how to output in a format that can be used for podcasting.
What you need to know about Audacity's Input Tester
Test your input before you begin recording your podcast. This helps you to make totally clear that everything is set up properly and that your podcast is recorded.
Audacity for Podcasts Recording Tutorial
Audacity recording is simple after you've set up all of the settings you need. Make sure to pick just one (Mono) Recording Channel while you're recording with a single microphone.
Using Audacity to Edit Your Podcast
Audacity for Podcasts not only allows you to record your podcast, but it also allows you to edit it afterward. It is possible to send your raw podcast to the internet as soon as you complete the recording, but editing may add a degree of polish that makes it more pleasurable for the listener.
In Audacity, here's how to export your podcast
After you've finished editing your podcast, listen to it one more time to ensure you're satisfied with the outcome, then save it to ensure you don't lose your work if anything goes wrong during the export process. When you export your podcast, you're creating an audio file that you can publish to your podcast host and share with others.
Conclusions
For recording, editing, & mixing your own podcast, an Audacity is a great option. And, like many podcasters, you could discover it meets your long-term requirements. With regard to voice effects, we talk about how people may use Filmora to modify and improve their voices.
How to reduce stress when starting a podcast?
One of the best ways to lower your stress levels is by identifying what audio equipment is best for you.
What is Audacity used for?
Audacity allows you to add extra audio files into your workspace to add to the recording. You can use these audio files in editing for things like sound effects or intro/outro music. Each one will get assigned to a track automatically. Audacity is not a DAW and it doesn't allow for non-destructive editing like DAWs do.
What is the Audacity device toolbar?
The next feature you will see is the Audacity Device Toolbar, which is a place to make routing selections from the dropdown menus. Arranged from left to right are the audio host, the recording device, the recording channels, and the playback device.
How to record audio with one mic?
If you are recording with one mic, choose one recording channel from the recording channels options. If it is two persons, choose stereo recording channels. Finally, select the Playback Device. This informs Audacity on where it will play the audio from your session.
What channel is input 1 on?
Input 1 will be on the left channel, and input 2 will be on the right channel. When you are done with recording, you have to split the stereo file into two mono files to edit and mix it. You can also leave both channels as a stereo file through the editing and only split when you are done editing.
Is Audacity needed for podcasting?
In cases where your podcast host handles metadata, it is not necessary. And that is how to use Audacity for podcasting! Audacity is an excellent open-source audio editing tool that has been widely used by podcasters and other digital creators for years.
Can you have different audio types on one track?
There is no one way to do this, but you should avoid different audio types on one track. Each voice, sound effect, music should have its own track. One option is to chronologically arrange your tracks, starting from the top. The other option is using one track for each audio source.
What is the amplification setting in Audacity?
Audacity will recommend an amplification setting by default, which is typically what you want to use. Leave the New Peak Amplitude setting at 0.0 and do not check the box to allow clipping. Give it a quick preview and if everything sounds good click OK. 2.
Why do podcasts sound better?
Spoken word podcasts typically sound better when the low level frequencies are boosted and the higher frequencies are reduced. This will make your voice sound a little deeper, which is generally desirable (think James Earl Jones or Martha Stewart). Just don’t get carried away…
What file format does Buzzsprout take?
Buzzsprout can take various file formats, but we suggest you export to one of the following with the quality settings listed to the side. MP3 (Constant, 256 kbps, Joint Stereo) Ogg Vorbis (Quality 8) You can also download and install plug-ins or libraries to add extra functionality to Audacity.
Why use a compressor in Audacity?
The compressor helps to produce consistent audio levels throughout your recording. Regardless of how careful you are there will inevitably be times when you drift a little close to the mic, have a loud laugh or speak a little too softly. The compressor within Audacity will smooth all of this out in no time.
How to make a sound waveform?
Your peaks should spread pretty evenly through the 1 to -1 (dB) range. If you open your audio file and the volume levels look rather flat, you’ll want to run the Amplify Effect. To do this select the entire waveform and click on Effect > Amplify.
What is the best tool for podcast editing?
One of the most useful tools for any podcast editor is noise reduction. It won’t get rid of ummms and ahhhs from you or your guests. But it will get rid of some grunts, wheezes, and breath sounds, if used correctly.
Which is better for podcasts: stereo or mono?
If you’re doing a highly produced podcast with sound effects and music, stereo may be the way to go with a higher bitrate. But for most people with a single mic who are interviewing someone else with a single mic, mono tracks work really well.
What is compression in podcasts?
Now, arguably, compression is the tool that anyone learning how to edit a podcast should be using. It may be most effective to keep your sound leveled out. However, it’s a much more complicated tool than either of the others, and it takes a good long time to become an expert on compression.
How to create silence in a track?
To add that dead air in to a track, just place your cursor where you want the empty silence to begin. Select Generate from the menu and click Silence.
How to split a stereo track?
Splitting a Stereo Track. If you’re given a stereo track and you need to make it mono, that’s very simple. All you have to do is click the arrow drop down on the track itself. Then you have the option to Split Stereo Track or Split Stereo Track to Mono.
Does Audacity work on Mac?
Regardless of your platform, Audacity has a release for it. The developers consistently update the clients for Mac, Windows, and Linux, which is also another benefit to using this one over a different audio editor. You will have the same options and same UI regardless of where you’re working.
Is Audacity free?
Audacity is one of the top audio editing apps available today. Part of the reason for that, is that it’s free to download and use because it’s open source. The other part is that it’s powerful and fully capable of putting together professional audio just as well as Adobe Audition or Apple’s Pro Tools. Regardless of your experience as ...
Best Settings for Podcast AND light files?
just my voice recorded with a dynamic microphone (to cut background noise).
Re: Best Settings for Podcast AND light files?
Can you give us a link to what you're aiming for ?, (e.g. your competitor's podcasts), then we can advise on the the minimum requirements for sample-rate and bit-rate to achieve that result. ( e.g. High quality music requires higher data-rates than for speech).
Re: Best Settings for Podcast AND light files?
What is the best bitrate not to lose quality and have the file being not so heavy?
Re: Best Settings for Podcast AND light files?
I've recently been working on a solo podcast and arrived at: MP3, Mono, 48kHz sampling, 96kbps constant bitrate.
Re: Best Settings for Podcast AND light files?
While that certainly sounds logical, it is actually no more or less "difficult" whether it is an integer sub-multiple or not. The resampling calculations inside the computer will be done using floating point athematic, regardless of whether it is an exact integer multiple or not.
Re: Best Settings for Podcast AND light files?
Doesn't your statement make assumptions about the sampling/interpolation method used?
Re: Best Settings for Podcast AND light files?
The only reason that I mention it is because it is a common misconception that it is better to stick to integer sub-multiples.
Do podcasters have to be in audio production?
Let’s be honest though, many don’t. In fact, a great deal of the podcasters we work with have no interest in audio production at all. That’s totally understandable. They’d much rather focus on their content.
Can you judge your audio on how it sounds?
Chances are, you’ve room to bump the settings up a bit. Your listener will only ever judge your audio on how it sounds. They’ll have no idea what settings you used in the Audacity Compressor. In fact, they’ve probably never heard of it. It’s only the end product that matters.
What are compressors, limiters, and gates?
A compressor fits your audio within a selected volume range by increasing the volume of quiet sections. A limiter does the opposition by decreasing the volume of loud sections. A noise gate will close (like a real gate) when it receives audio quieter than its “floor,” and opens again when it receives audio louder than its “floor.”
Too simple and too complex
Levelator is a popular and free, standalone compressor/limiter/gate. Simply drag your .wav or .aiff audio onto the program, and it processes the audio into a new file (appended with “.output”). This works great for some people, but I don't like the results, which I can't customize because Levelator has no options.
A compressor that is just right for Audacity
I introduce you to Chris's Dynamic Compressor. It has simple controls and produces great results. Although it's free, please support his excellent work!
Need personalized podcasting help?
I no longer offer one-on-one consulting outside of Podcasters' Society, but request a consultant here and I'll connect you with someone I trust to help you launch or improve your podcast.
Disclosure
This post may contain links to products or services with which I have an affiliate relationship and may receive compensation from your actions through such links. However, I don't let that corrupt my perspective and I don't recommend only affiliates.
First Step – Setup
- The first step is installing Audacity by following the steps in the images below. 1. Transport (Play, Pause, Stop, etc.) 2. Volume and Meters for mic input and playback 3. Tools
Recording
- Audacity automatically creates tracks for each of the selected Recording Channels once you start recording. This is not common among other DAWs or audio editors. To begin recording, click on the red record button in the transport toolbar, or you can press R on your keyboard as a shortcut. To stop recording, press the spacebar.
Editing
- After finishing the recording, the next step is to edit your podcast. Audacity allows you to add extra audio files into your workspace to add to the recording. You can use these audio files in editing for things like sound effects or intro/outro music. Each one will get assigned to a track automatically. Audacity is not a DAW and it doesn't allow f...
Structure Your Podcast Episode
- After editing your recorded content to your satisfaction, the next step is to arrange and mix the audio tracksto get a cohesive episode. There is no one way to do this, but you should avoid different audio types on one track. Each voice, sound effect, music should have its own track. One option is to chronologically arrange your tracks, starting from the top. The other option is using …
Export
- If you are satisfied with your edit, the final step is exporting your work as a single file to upload on your podcast host to distribute. We recommend that you export in a WAV format so a high-quality level will be maintained throughout the process, leaving your podcast host to mix down to MP3. The simple steps to export as a WAV file in Audacity are File – Export as WAV. After this, you wil…