10 Ways To Improve Podcast Sound Quality
- Choose The Recording Environment. When recording your podcast, choosing the right place could make a world of...
- Record In A Closet Or A Small Space. Not everyone has the space for an entire recording area in their homes. This is...
- Switch To A Condenser Mic. Getting proper equipment is also one of the best ways to get...
What makes an engaging audio podcast?
An engaging audio podcast starts with great content and a high-quality recording. That means starting with a quality microphone, some decent headphones, and recording in a quiet room. But once you’ve finished recording, a few minutes of post-production can take that good recording and make the audio quality sound great.
Do you need good sound quality to launch a podcast?
However, as necessary as quality audio is to podcasting, you must keep other considerations in mind. Keep the following tips to employ when trying to launch a successful podcast—successful, at least, when it comes to sound quality and consistent deliverables. . If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.
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 can I improve the quality of my podcast vocals?
Improving the quality of your podcast vocals isn't rocket science, but it does require paying attention to some aspects of the recording process that you might be ignoring. After all, sound engineers and producers spend years honing their craft, and voice-over artists and radio personalities need to develop at least a modicum of mic technique.
How do I make my podcast sound clear?
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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.
What Kbps should I use 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.
What should I normalize podcast audio to?
This means you shouldn't master too much louder or quieter than this figure. 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. Tidal: Tidal also normalizes audio to -16 LUFS.
Are podcasts mono or stereo?
Mono is fine even if you have music at the intro or outro of your episodes. Mono is a good choice for most podcasts as the file size is smaller and the quality will be comparable to stereo. Mono uses one channel so what you hear in your left ear is the same as the right.
Are Apple Podcasts lossless?
Apple Podcasts Connect accepts WAV, FLAC, or MP3 audio formatted according to the specifications below.
Which audio format is best for podcasts?
WAV is the clear winner when it comes to high-quality audio. WAV files aren't compressed, so every intro and sound effect from your podcast episode will be preserved.
How many MB should my podcast be?
1-hour recording Picking the right bit rate is a balance between quality and what you can afford. As a rule of thumb, a 64Kbps file is about 0.5MB per minute, a 96Kbps file is about 0.75MB per minute, and a 128Kbps file is about 1MB per minute.
Which file format is best for podcast?
Because of its compatibility with computers and mobile devices, MPEG-4 Part 14 (MP4) is the file format best suited for podcasting. MP4 is a multimedia container format commonly used for digital audio and video streams, and can also store subtitles and images.
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 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.
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.
What format does Apple podcast use?
If you're creating an episode in Apple Podcasts Connect, MP3, WAV, and FLAC file formats are accepted.
What format does podcast use?
Podcast files can be in two audio formats - MP3, or AAC. Chances are, you listen to both, without even being aware of it.
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.
What is Kbps audio?
Bitrate refers to the amount of bits – or the amount of data – a digital audio file contains per second. It's most commonly used to convey the quality of compressed audio formats, such as MP3 or AAC, in kilobytes per second (kbps).
Who is Jennay from We Edit Podcasts?
Jennay is the Content Director at We Edit Podcasts. Any podcaster will tell you that what you’re really after, before you’ve built a strong podcast community around your show, and have gathered loyal listeners who eagerly await each new episode to drop, is a podcast that sounds amazing. High-quality audio is essential to a successful podcast, ...
What do you need for a sound engineer?
When it comes to the equipment you need, our sound engineers recommend you put your focus on three things. 1. A good-quality, dedicated mic, 2. A good-quality audio interface – particularly one that provides adjustability for audio levels, and 3. A quiet recording environment.
What is a pop filter?
Our sound engineers highly recommend the use of a pop filter. A pop filter is a type of screen that acts as a noise protection filter for microphones. They can help greatly reduce the “popping” or “whooshing” sounds that can occur as you’re speaking into a microphone.
Is Garageband free for podcasts?
Audacity (for all operating software) or Garageband (for iOS users) are great options, and, better still, are free. There is also a great new player in the editing game: Descript. There is a fee involved for this software, but it’s intuitive to use and offers some great features to podcast editors.
Is "like" a word in moderation?
Words like “yeah”, “like”, or the infamous “uhms” or “aah okays” are not a problem in moderation, but if you find you’re spending a whole chunk of your time editing these out, you may need an alternative solution. One suggestion is to take a little time to script your podcast episodes.
Can you record a podcast interview remotely?
When this happens, you will need to record your interview remotely, and you will need some specific software to help you do this successfully.
What does the P sound mean?
P sounds, along with F sounds and a variety of other consonant combinations, create a varying degree of air movement. The less experience a speaker is, the more their plosives will likely send an unwelcome breeze through the microphone. This can often cause distortion in a recording, but even if it doesn't, it almost never sounds good.
How far away from mic is a speaker?
The difference between being eight inches away from the mic and four inches away will be pretty dramatic.
What is figure 8 mic?
These mics are popular for a variety of applications, but two obvious choices are when you have two speakers or singers that you wish to have on the same channel or track when you mix. If two people are facing each other, like for an interview or a two-person podcast, a single figure eight mic properly placed between them can record the conversation onto a single mono track.
What does a pop filter do?
Sibilance. Pop filters will help less with sibilance, which is usually the result of too much EQ in the high-mids and highs. Too little sibilance in a recording is going to make it far less intelligible for the listener—you need a certain degree of it to understand language. Advertisement.
What does it mean when you hear audio closer to the mic?
Directly recorded audio will typically sound closer to the mic, and audio in the rejected areas of a mic's signal, or near them, will sound different; from these areas, you'll hear more reflections off of walls and other surfaces than direct signal into the capsule itself.
Does floor to ceiling carpet have dead sound?
A room covered floor-to-ceiling in carpet and sound-absorption materials will have a dead sound, and although this may be advantageous, the most natural sound will likely be somewhere in between, leaning toward the dead-sounding end of the spectrum. Advertisement.
THE AUDIO QUALITY OF YOUR PODCAST REALLY, REALLY MATTERS
You’d expect to hear this from a guy who created and runs a podcast production company for a living, but I’m going to say it anyway — your audio quality matters.
IN MANY WAYS, YOUR PODCAST IS LIKE A MOVIE
Think about the last “C” grade movie you saw? Did you rush out to find more films by that producer or director? Doubtful.
The quality of your podcast audio is NOT about you
Don’t get stuck in the “I want it to be real and raw…” mindset that too many podcasters subscribe to these days. Why?
Great audio quality is one of the main ways you can make your podcast stand out
And if you’re too busy or too lazy to do what it takes to produce great-sounding audio, you’re communicating loud and clear to your audience that you don’t REALLY care about them (yes, I just said that).
2 things that make for GOOD editing (as opposed to just editing)
This might be easier to answer by saying a few things good editing is NOT…
A common misconception about podcast editing
And I know what some of you are thinking: “Doesn’t that level of editing make the conversation sound stilted or wooden?”
What is EQ in recording?
Your recording is basically layer upon layer of different sound frequencies. EQ lets you reduce or remove the volume of certain frequencies, whilst boosting others, until you arrive at a sound that you're happy with. Most EQ controls look like a radio station mixing desk, with individual faders for each frequency band.
What does compression do in DAW?
Applying ‘compression’ to an audio file means that your DAW is going to bring the loudest parts and the quietest parts of your audio closer together. This can help you to achieve a much more consistent volume level throughout your episode.
Is podcasting a complicated process?
Podcasting used to be pretty complicated. They were tricky to record, distribute, and even to listen to. In those days, low-quality audio was shrugged off by the small amount of folks in the medium. There was often an “it is what it is” approach. Nowadays, things are a lot different, and listeners a lot less forgiving.
Is audio distortion free?
Audio is free from distortion (crackling, clipping, interference, handling or wind noise) Audio has a low level of ‘noisefloor', so any underlying hiss or background noise isn't intruding on the speech . Volume levels are consistent throughout. Even with multiple speakers.
What is acoustic recording?
Acoustics is how sound travels to, from and around any given space. Not just that, it also takes into consideration the surroundings outside of said space. Unless you have an underground bunker and lined its walls with soundproofing foam, your recording space is something you need to take into consideration.
What are the two types of noise in a recording?
Now there are two types of noise within a recording: Environmental noise – which pertains to the ambient noise within a recording space. Equipment noise – Which pertains to the hiss made when an instrument is plugged in, or faint electrical signals that come out as a buzz or hiss during playback of a recording.
Why is holding the mic so annoying?
For example, holding the mic creates a rubbing sound that can be quite irritating for many listeners. Also, talking way too close to the mic and not using a pop filter will not only screw up your sound levels, it will also create pops that can be quite distracting.
Why is my live call recording bad?
There are a lot of factors that could ruin your live call recording. From bad internet connection to your guest using bad equipment – there are a lot of things that can make your record sound really bad. Now to be fair, some of these things are beyond your control.
Can you record a podcast in the shower?
Now some might suggest recording your podcast in the shower, because restrooms usually have great acoustics. Well, that they do – but in terms of recording music. For podcasting, your voice needs to sound flat during recording. A control amount of echo and reverb can be added during editing and mastering.
Is audio free from hissing?
Audio is free from any hissing sounds, or any ambient background sound during recording. Microphone levels are consistently in the green and are free if any clipping. Vocals does not have excessive reverb or echo – regardless if it deliberate or brought about by the acoustics of where it was recorded.
Do microphone recordings have volume?
Microphone recordings should not sound muff led and have a decent amount of volume. Audio file should not include any distortive sounds like signal interference, clipping, crackling, wind noise, or that somewhat rubbing sound that happens when a person handles a live microphone.
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…
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.
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.
Is it easier to edit a script or audio?
There are only a few professionals with the innate ability to do it live. Editing a script is much easier than editing audio, and gives you the advantage of having all your great ideas laid out in a text format that could be used for something else, like a transcript (extra credit for timestamps), blog post, or even a book down the road.
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.
