Editing the Little things: Streamlining your podcast post-production process.
Audio editing is a crucial part of the podcast post-production process. It involves trimming and rearranging your raw audio recordings to create a polished and engaging final product. Here are some tips on how to effectively edit your podcast:
Start with a plan: Before you start editing your podcast, create a plan for the episode structure and flow. This will help you to stay organised and focused as you edit, particularly if you are editing out unwanted content! Figure out what the main parts are you want to listen out for and have a notepad handy. Taking notes as you go can help if you are later creating teaser content or trailers.
Listen carefully and cut out unnecessary content: When editing your podcast, listen carefully to each segment and cut out any unnecessary content or dead air. This will help to keep your podcast engaging and interesting and also why a plan and focus is good to have. I find it useful to think of the show in segments and work on each part as I go. You will want to start at the beginning of your audio when removing unwanted sections to ensure the rest of your podcast stays in sync with other audio clips.
Use crossfades to smooth transitions: Crossfades are an editing technique that involves fading out the audio at the end of one segment and fading in the audio at the beginning of the next. This can help to create a smooth and seamless transition between segments, often times unnoticeable.
Adjust levels and make sure they are consistent: Adjust the levels of your audio to ensure that they are consistent throughout your podcast episode. You can also use a compressor to even out any peaks and a limiter at the end to ensure your podcast volume remains consistent. I like to use the Waves WLM meter to check my levels are hitting the right spot.
Pro Tip 1: automate the volume of your voice before going into your compressor. Even out the low parts and loud parts, this means the compressor doesn’t have to work as hard and gives you a much more natural even sound.
5. Use effects to enhance your audio: Effects like EQ, compression, and noise reduction can help to enhance the quality of your audio and create a more polished final product. If you have multiple channels of audio, use some mastering process to finish off the full edit
Pro Tip 2: Use templates! Set up a template with your plugins and processing you normally have need of to help save time. The more you work on your podcast the more refined the process becomes meaning you don’t have to spend countless hours each episode doing the same thing every time. This way you can focus on creating!
By taking careful time to edit your podcast properly and give it the attention it deserves, you can create a professional and engaging podcast that will keep your audience coming back for more.
