AUDIO / PODCAST EDITING

INTRODUCTION

Podcasts are a great way to communicate, share, entertain, and inform. They are also convenient as people can listen to them during their commute or whenever it’s convenient for them. 

I am well qualified to edit your podcasts as I have personally recorded, edited, and produced hundreds of podcasts during my time at Hewlett-Packard. I was also the lead in creating our team’s podcast service line where I setup the process for recording and editing.

Check out the other tabs on this page to learn more about my podcast editing process as well as examples of raw audio recordings turned into polished podcasts.

If you would like to work with me to edit your podcasts, or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me via the CONTACT button in the top menu.

I look forward to working with you!

Tim Stück

THIS IS THE GENERAL PROCESS I USE WHEN EDITING AUDIO FILES FOR PODCASTS

NOTE: All audio editing work is done in Adobe Audition.

 

STEP #1: DOWNLOAD / RECEIVE RAW AUDIO FILES

I can download / receive the raw audio files in a number of ways based on your preference. It is best if you zip the audio files. Some common ways for me to receive audio files are:

  • Dropbox (most common)
  • Google Drive shared link
  • Server download link

 

STEP #2: REMOVE UNWANTED AUDIO SEGMENTS

Care is taken to maintain a natural flow of conversation when unwanted audio segments are removed. I typically remove the following unwanted items from the audio:

  • “um’s” and “uh’s”
  • unwanted words and long pauses
  • false starts
  • Other items you request

 

STEP #3: NOISE REDUCTION

  • Remove or reduce breath sounds
  • Reduce sibilance (unpleasant tonal harshness that can happen during consonant syllables like S, T, and Z)
  • Reduce plosives (low-end kaboom created when the voice talent pronounces a B, P or T sound)
  • Remove or reduce background noise (computer fan, cell phone, creaking chair, etc…)

 

STEP #4: AUDIO ENHANCEMENT

  • Apply EQ to bring out certain warmer voice frequencies and reduces “boxy” or harsher voice frequencies
  • Apply Compression to reduce the dynamic range so that lower volume words will be heard as effectively as louder words
  • Normalize audio to change the overall volume (similar to gain) while keeping the dynamic range the same

 

STEP #5: ADD MUSIC and/or ADVERTISEMENTS

Typically, you will already have picked out the type of music you want for the intro and outro. If requested, I can also select appropriate music based on the type of podcast, but keep in mind this will require additional time.

  • Add intro / outro music track with fades
  • Add requested advertisements during certain portions of the podcast

 

STEP #6: FINAL MIXDOWN

This is where the multiple tracks are merged into a single track and saved as a WAV file. I typically set the mixdown to the following:

  • WAV file
  • 16 bit
  • 44.1 kHz
  • Mono (unless stereo is specified)

 

STEP #7: EXPORT TO MP3

The WAV file is then exported to an MP3 with the following settings:

  • File Type: MP3
  • Bit rate: 128 kbps (alternatively 64 kbps or 96 kbps)
  • Sample Rate: 44.1 kHz
  • Channels: Mono
  • -16 LUFS (standard perceived loudness level for podcast audio)

 

STEP #8: ADD ID3 METADATA

  • All pertinent ID3 metadata will be added to the MP3 including podcast series name, title, author, etc..
  • A podcast graphic will be added if requested
    • Generally, you will supply the podcast / MP3 graphic
    • If you would like me to create a graphic for the MP3 / podcast, I can do that but it will add time to the project

 

STEP #9: MP3 UPLOAD

  • I will upload the edited audio / podcast file to wherever you’d like, such as Dropbox or your podcast hosting provider (i.e.Libsyn, Blubrry, Buzzsprout, etc…)
  • I will keep the edited and raw audio files for 6 months on a secured NAS device in case you want further edits to that same audio at a later time

 

To view my podcast examples, click the “PODCAST EXAMPLES” button at the top of this page (next to the “MY PODCAST PROCESS” button)

PODCAST EXAMPLES

Both of these podcast examples contain an Edited Version and an Unedited Raw Recording so that you can hear the difference between the two versions. The focus of these examples is to give you an idea of the quality of editing I can do for you and your podcasts. 

Note that you can also listen to these two podcasts in the PORTFOLIO section.

 

EXAMPLE #1

Type of Podcast: Interview style / Informational
Interview Recording: via Skype (note that audio quality can vary when recording audio from Skype)
Podcast Series: Health & Wellness
Episode Title: New American Government Dietary Guidelines
Duration: 4 min 26 sec
File Type: MP3
Encoding Specs: Mono, 128 kbps @ 44.1 kHz
Music Track: Intro / Outro

EDITED VERSION

 

UNEDITED RAW RECORDING

 

 

EXAMPLE #2

Type of Podcast: Solo style / Informational
Podcast Series: IT Trend Watch
Episode Title: Security in Virtualized Data Centers
Duration: 3 min 27 sec
File Type: MP3
Encoding Specs: Mono, 128 kbps @ 44.1 kHz
Music Track: Intro / Outro

EDITED VERSION

 

UNEDITED RAW RECORDING