So, the loudness standard for podcasts is -16 LUFS for stereo and -19 LUFS for mono. In addition to that standard, there are some ideal targets for true peak and loudness range. I recommend the true peak not be any higher than -1.5 dB.
What is the best audio signal level for podcasting?
Generally, a peak level of -1.0 dB is good for podcasts and will ensure that your audio sounds good even when it’s converted to a lossy format like MP3 or AAC. RMS level approximates an average level of your signal.
How many decibels should a podcast clip be?
Some clips limit themselfes to -9 dB, others use the full range up to 0 dB. "The louder the better" results in what is called the loudness war. For your podcasts you have to define your own standard, so that at least your own visitors don't have to increase/decrease their speaker's volume while switching from one podcast to the other.
What is the loudness standard for podcasting?
There’s no official standard for podcasting, but there’s a strong push toward using -16 LUfs as a loudness standard, rather than the lower -24 LUfs established for radio broadcast. Many podcasts are adopting the -16 LUfs standard, which will make the user experience better, as most podcasts will play back at the same volume.
How do you set input levels on a podcast?
Setting Proper Input Level para Depending on your podcast format, how you record, how many guests you have and what microphone set-up you have, the time to set levels is up front. Hit “Record” and watch the waveform as each participant speaks into the mic. if it’s too soft, raise the gain on that mic channel until you get proper levels.
How many LUFS should a podcast be?
The standard loudness for podcasts is -16 LUFS, but it's okay if your podcast is anywhere between -14 LUFS and -18 LUFS as each podcast listening app has its own preferences. To provide two examples, Apple Podcast asks for -16 LUFS and Spotify requests -14 LUFS.
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...•
What Kbps is good for podcast?
For music, 64 (AAC)/96 (MP3) kbps is a good general-purpose setting that will sound good most listeners. This is the standard bitrate for podcasts, for example, and it sounds great on most contemporary devices, including smart speakers and mobile devices.
Should I normalize my podcast?
In short, no, you should not normalize your dialogue when mixing or mastering a recording for your podcast. Normalizing your audio will, more likely than not, have a negative effect on the quality of your recording, and may make your dialogue far too loud for listeners.
What sample rate should my podcast be?
44.1KHzSampling rate:"number of times per second the program converting analog to digital 'listens' to the analog signal." Typical baseline sample rate is 44.1KHz, though higher rates are becoming more common (48KHz, 96KHz, and 192KHz).
What sample rate should I use for podcast?
Use a constant bit rate (CBR) such as 64Kbps, 96Kbps, or 128kbps. Use either 22.05kHz or 44.1kHz (44.1kHz is CD quality and recommended) sample rate. Other sample rates will playback in some players incorrectly, typically making you sound like one of the Chipmunks.
What quality is Apple podcast?
Apple's podcast audio file upload requirements for creators are as follows: it only accepts audio with a sample rate of 44.1kHz and 16-bit or 24-bit resolution, and 96, 176.4, 192kHz with a 24-bit resolution. All audio files must be uploaded in WAV or FLAC format.
Are podcasts stereo or mono?
This is fairly simple in podcasting – most of the time. In a non-fiction podcast, you should leave your dialogue recordings in mono. You can export a mono file as your final file if it only contains a voice that doesn't move (panning). However, if you have music, your music tracks will most likely be in stereo.
Are Apple Podcasts lossless?
Apple Podcasts Connect accepts WAV, FLAC, or MP3 audio formatted according to the specifications below.
What dB should I normalize to?
So you can use normalization to reduce your loudest peak by setting the target to just under -3 dB, like say -2.99 dB.
How loud should I record my podcast?
TL; DR. Radio and podcasts need two different loudness targets: -24 LUFS for radio and approximately -18 LUFS for podcasts. It's best to do all of your production at the lower “radio” level, even if your final product is to be at the higher “podcast” level.
Does normalizing audio affect quality?
Proper normalizing does not affect the dynamic range of the audio; it simply adds or subtracts gain from the audio to make it louder or quieter, respectively.
How do you EQ a podcast voice?
0:4213:06EQ and Compression for Podcast Vocals (Podcast Vocal Mixing)YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNeed some eq and some compression to some extent okay so we've got a vocal recording from theMoreNeed some eq and some compression to some extent okay so we've got a vocal recording from the recruit mentors podcast. Here it sounds good i'm going to hit play in a second.
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...
What should I export my podcast as?
We recommend uploading 128 - 160kbps MP3 files. These typically have the right balance of good audio quality and small size, which your listeners will appreciate.
How to use loudness meter in Pro Tools?
The simplest way of using Loudness is to insert a loudness meter on the master track, and adjust the levels of each element up or down until the correct values are displayed on that meter. You can do this by adjusting the overall volume of a track, changing the level of a whole clip, or creating volume automation. There are some tips about mixing technique here. That column is about Pro Tools software in particular, but the basic concepts are pretty universal. Of course, you still need to use your ears to make the final decisions, but watching your loudness meter can help keep your mix consistent. One important note: the Loudness article referenced above describes radio broadcast standards, in particular the conventions adopted by the Public Radio Satellite system and other organizations supplying material for Public Radio.
What is Waves L1?
The Waves L-1 is one of the most used in the radio world, offering protection from audio clipping, while sounding clean and natural. If the Waves L1 isn’t in your budget, there are cheaper, or free, plug-ins that will also do a good job.
How to reduce P pops?
If so, back away from the mic a little, move the mic off at an angle. The most effective way to reduce P-Pops is to use a pop filter in front of the microphone. There are some techniques available to reduce P-Pops when mixing, but it’s much better to avoid having to use them in the first place.
How to get a good final result?
The first rule of getting a good final result is to start with good raw elements. Try to get clean recordings to start with; don’t just assume that you can “fix it in the mix.”. The first step is to pick the right microphone and to use good mic technique. ( See the first article in this series.)
Does sound soap clean up broadband noise?
One unusual, and useful, feature is the “enhance” control, which adds some presence back to the processed sound, which can sometimes seem dull after the noise reduction is applied. Despite the relatively small number of controls, Sound Soap can do a surprisingly good job of cleaning up broadband noise.
Is audio engineering obsolete?
Yes, new technology has made a lot possible for regular folk, but the skills and ears of the audio engineer are not obsolete. If you’re venturing into this world, you need to know some stuff. Once again, Jeff Towne can help. In Part 3 of our series on Podcast Basics, Jeff covers loudness, EQ, noise reduction, and audio processing in general.
Can you export a mix with loudness normalization?
But most conveniently, Hindenburg recently added the option to export your mix with loudness normalization applied. So, if your mix is internally balanced, but you didn’t hit the target level, you can simply tell the program to adjust the loudness when you export it, and it will hit that target precisely.
Where are the podcasts from?
Notice the natural dynamics and balance among the voices of hosts Bob Boilen, Robin Hilton, and their guests. Originating from NPR’s studios in Washington, D.C., they have the advantage of carefully designed and well-appropriated studios as well as a staff of top-shelf engineers who help engineer their live music recordings and broadcasts from venues all over the world. TechHive author Mark Sullivan gives some good tips for podcasters on equipment you might look at for capturing that “NPR Sound” at home.
What is this American life podcast?
This podcast, an offshoot of the hugely successful (and great-sounding) This American Life, has garnered record-breaking listenership in its first season. Its cinematic storytelling and engaging content combine with careful production, editing, and mixing with the help of composer and engineer Mark Henry Phillips. Employing skills from forensic audio restoration to composition and sound design, he helped ensure every element of the story is able to be heard by listeners, and reinforced with underscoring and sonic painting that brings extra dimension to the story.
How does de-essing affect your voice?
Many people’s voices exhibit an unpleasant sibilant sound when speaking into a microphone. A subtle de-essing can make your voice easier to listen to for a long period of time.
What is a plosive sound?
Plosives, the burst of air that exits the mouth when we make “P” and “B” sounds, are like giant gusts of wind to a microphone. To help mitigate these, avoid talking directly into the front of the microphone and use a windscreen or pop filter when possible.
Why do voiceovers stand?
Stand and deliver. Many broadcasters and voiceover artists stand when recording to help provide better air support and a strong, confident read. This can also help mitigate early reflections caused by a desk. If you do need something to hold your script, a music stand works well.
Do you need to set input level for microphone?
Most audio interfaces and recorders need you to set an input level for your microphone. Since the advent of high-quality digital recording, there’s really no reason to set input levels too “hot.” You can always make things louder later on.
Can you make your podcast louder?
After compressing these louder sounds, you can turn up the overall sound of your voice, making everything seem louder overall. This can be helpful when people are listening to your podcast in noisy situations like a subway, car, or bus. This is another effect that shouldn’t be used to extremes.
What is the difference between the highest and lowest volume on a recording?
The difference between the highest and lowest volumes on a recording is called the dynamic range. Generally, recordings will have a larger dynamic range than will typically make an ideal listening at home. For this reason, a concept called dynamic compression is frequently used.
Does signal level have to do with volume?
The level of a signal has nothing to do with volume. You don't have volume until it is actually put through speakers and you are a hearing it a certain distance from those speakers. Instead you have a "level". The level is a measure of signal strength and it isn't subjective, but rather based on what the minimum and maximum signal level are for ...
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A noise level chart showing examples of sounds with dB levels ranging from 0 to 180 decibels
As a frame of reference, here are the decibel levels of sounds you may encounter in your everyday life.
Preventing Harm to a hearing
A simple method to know potentially damaging sound would be to focus on warning signals that a sound may be harmful to your hearing loss. A sound could be detrimental if:
What Do Different Decibel Levels Mean?
0-30 dB: Most human adults can’t hear sounds under 0 decibels. Most sound within this range is practically inaudible. Sounds that produce decibel levels between 0 and 30 comprise whispers as well as the ticking of a watch.
Get The Foundation Right
Levels and Loudness
- The most important part of achieving a polished mix is to keep your audio levels consistent. This is a difficult skill to master, but there are some technological aids that can make it easier. The first thing to keep in mind is that the most accurate measurement of the perceived volume is obtained by using the scale called “loudness.” There’s an in-depth explanation of the hows and whys of us…
Techniques
- The simplest way of using Loudness is to insert a loudness meter on the master track, and adjust the levels of each element up or down until the correct values are displayed on that meter. You can do this by adjusting the overall volume of a track, changing the level of a whole clip, or creating volume automation. There are some tips about mixing t...
Automatic Leveling
- If learning about compressors and limiters is too daunting, there are a few programs that can help you get to the proper levels. Hindenburg Journalisthas built-in loudness normalizing, which is implemented in two different ways. The first is that the program will adjust the level of individual clips to match a loudness standard set in the program’s preferences, in fact it does that automat…
Bring The Noise
- Auphonic goes beyond volume adjustment, it can also do noise reduction. It does not offer many user controls for the noise reduction, it’s mostly all automatic, so it’s not going to be perfect for every kind of noise, but it can do a pretty remarkable job of reducing steady-state broadband noise. Here’s some real-world audio from the field, recorded with a severe hum and buzz. This w…
Simpler Solutions
- The complexities of noise-reduction software can make your head spin. But there are easier paths to take. While it’s no match for the kinds of noise reduction you can get through the software mentioned above, using EQ – equalizing – can solve a lot of problems. The biggest problem solver is the High-Pass Filter: it can reduce bassy rumbles from traffic, wind or noise from machi…
Output File Format
- You should record your original tracks as WAV files, doing so will retain the best quality through the production process. But WAV files are too large to distribute as a podcast, so you’ll need to “compress” them into a more efficient file format:MP3 or AAC for delivery. The most common file format is MP3, and that’s still the most widely-supported by all devices that can play podcasts. A…