The Best Podcast Editing Services
As the world of podcasting continues to grow and evolve, so too does its audience. It’s not enough to put out lengthy, raw pieces of audio as listeners expect quality and creativity.
Podcast editing services are vital for producing professional, well thought out content. But which software is the best option for you? The short answer is that it depends. Any of the tools outlined in this post will do the job, but you have to factor in your skills, budget, operating system and, of course, personal preference.
There are an abundance of podcast audio editing programs out there, and the purpose they serve can differ greatly. If you’re still early on in your podcasting journey, the best advice we can give you is to just begin. Most tools are brimming with useful tricks and tips that you can only truly maximize if you spend time getting to know the program.
We have researched the software to bring you a list of the top rated free and paid podcast editing services on the market. Here they are (in no particular order).
✴ Garageband
As a staple of Apple's audio empire, Garageband has amassed a staggering 50 million users in the 16 short years since its release. Mostly known for its catalog of digital loops and music-making capabilities, it has been well-used by musicians since conception. However, it also serves as a great option for podcast editing for both novice and experienced podcasters alike.
If you own a Mac, Garageband will conveniently come as a standard feature, meaning you can start producing professional-level audio right away. Think of it as an in-built, well equipped creative studio.
It allows you to easily spice up the production of your podcast by cutting tracks, moving around snippets of audio and layering in soundbites. It also houses a number of import options, which make it easier to keep all your audio in one place. Not only can you import sound from other apple devices such as iPhones and iPads, but you can also record your podcast directly into the audio editing software.
When it comes to getting your episodes out to the masses, Garageband offers a range of export features that allow you to:
Share your audio straight to your social networks
Export files to iTunes
Burn your podcast onto a disk
Convert your audio into a variety of formats (ACC, MP3, AIFF)
Another major draw for Garageband as a podcast editing tool is the library of pre-recorded music tracks. You have unrestricted access to a collection of jingles and soundbites that you can freely insert into your podcast to improve its production quality.
Garageband offers both a free and paid subscription package. The free option features a ton of pre-sets and amp simulators and will more than suffice if you’re just starting out. If you’re willing to pay a little extra, you can open your podcast up to a world of editing tools that can give your production that extra professional edge.
✴ Audacity
As a free, open-source podcast editing software, Audacity has been a valuable resource to editors since the early 2000s. If you’re not looking to invest a lot in editing software just yet, this may be for you. Available on both Mac and PC, it is widely trusted and offers functional services to podcasters operating at all levels.
It has a comprehensive selection of podcast editing tools, which allow you to do everything from normalizing audio to filtering background noise. Some other useful features include:
Adjusting levels
Editing multiple tracks
Cutting and stitching audio
Adding music (intros, outros, and ads)
If this isn't enough, Audacity also boasts an impressive assortment of plug-ins, all designed to further polish your audio and give it clarity. In addition to the impressive editing options, Audacity is conveniently equipped with top-quality recording software, which makes the program a one-stop, all-inclusive system.
✴ Hindenburg
Hindenburg Systems are renowned for producing radio-based software. Whereas other programs are catered towards music production, Hindenburg identified a gap in the market and fulfilled the needs of radio broadcasters and podcasters. The function of their systems is perfect for the needs of podcast editing of a higher production value.
One of the key features offered by Hindenburg is automatic audio leveling. The clever program processes the fundamental sound elements of your track and sets them at the ideal volume.
Built with conversational audio in mind, Hindenburg also recognize the painstakingly intricate process of equalization (EQ). To save podcasters hours glued to their keyboards, Hindenburg automatically applies EQ and compresses the voices in your track, making them more pleasant to listen to.
As a show of confidence in the value of their podcast editing software, Hindenburg offers a 30-day trial to those considering their program. Following this, you can choose from a range of subscriptions, depending of the specifics you require. If you can afford to invest some money, this one could be the one for you.
✴ Pro Tools
Pro Tools is an all-in-one podcast editing service and recording software. The team behind Pro Tools went all out, packing it full of the latest and greatest editing programs. Featuring everything from cutting to stitching and EQ to leveling, it’s easy to see why Pro Tools is in the conversation for the crème de la crème of audio editing software.
But with all these attractive features comes a hefty price tag. Here are the subscription tiers:
Tier 1 - Pro Tools offer a free version of their software, and it’s available to those who register with the Avid site. Unfortunately, the free tier only contains beginner tutorials and a limited roster of editing tools.
Tier 2 - While the Pro Tools paid subscription is more expansive than its free counterpart, it comes in at $25 a month, making it one of the pricier options for podcast editing software that’s out there.
Tier 3 - Pro Tools also offer a premium subscription service. Listed as Pro Tools HD, this version will set you back $85 per month. However, it is one of the best DAWs (digital audio workstation) on the market.
The professional sound of a Pro Tools podcast is not easily achieved, and those who opt to use this program are often faced with a steep learning curve. If you’re a beginner, this may not be the best starting point for you.
✴ Outsourcing and Automation
We can all agree that Audio editing is a time-consuming exercise. If you don’t particularly enjoy it or you’re finding the learning curve too steep, outsourcing and automation may be the solution.
Both can offer a variety of advantages, especially if your podcast has been suffering the consequences of your editing blues.
✴ Outsourcing
Outsourcing your audio editing to professionals presents several long-term benefits, all of which can have a significant impact on the quality of your podcast. These include:
Time – The major benefit of outsourcing is the time it will free up. By entrusting an audio professional with the job of cleaning up your audio, you can allocate that time to other aspects of your podcast.
Money – Although outsourcing may increase your short-term expenditure, it will open up the opportunity for you to take on more projects and potentially earn more money in the long run. Prices will vary greatly depending on the company and editing package you choose. Make sure to plan your budget carefully and endeavor to stick to it.
Consistency – The people you hire to work on your podcast are audio professionals and will be able to produce consistently high-quality work.
✴ Automation
Automation simply means that you program a computer to do some of your editing for you. For example, the computer may adjust your audio levels and apply a series of pre-programmed edits.
Not only does automation save time, but it also allows you to input a series of editing timestamps, which will make your adjustments more precise. Automation is a popular choice amongst podcasters, as it allows them to produce quality audio, without having to fork out money for a professional to do the work.
✴ Master Files
As a new podcaster, you may want to direct all your efforts into production and can easily neglect the basics. But as any seasoned podcaster will tell you, file organization is a key part of the podcast editing process.
A good filing system can ease up a lot of the stress associated with editing and help to maximize the efficiency of your operation. We suggest you try something like this:
Create a Master Folder – This is where you will store everything to do with your podcast.
Create Sub-folder Episodes – It may seem obvious, but it's important to separate each podcast episode into its own sub-folder. Name these sub-folders sequentially and look to use information that’s unique to the specific episode e.g. Episode number – Title.
Within each episode folder, you can add everything unique to it. This could include things like video clips or sound effects that you do not regularly use.
It may also be handy to store episodes in groups of ten. This way, when you update selective sync settings, you can do so in batches, rather than individually.
Other Sub-folders:
Assets – You'll use this sub-folder to store everything from episode templates to graphics and everything in between. By having all these files in one place, you can find whatever you need right away and drag it straight into your new podcast episode.
Archives – This can be used to store everything you have already done for the podcast project. Think of it as a library that catalogs all your past work.
Segments – If your podcast has different segments, it's worth creating a sub-folder specifically for them. This is where you can store all of your individual recordings, until you're ready to patch them all together.
By employing this basic filing system, you can streamline your entire podcast editing process, saving yourself a lot of hassle when trying to meet deadlines and recover essential files.
✴ Explore Your Podcast Editing Options
There are so many systems available for you to try. It’s nearly impossible not to find one that works for you. Remember to account for your level of experience and budget among others when making your decision on the best podcast editing services for your needs. Get your feet wet and you’ll soon find a good fit.
For additional tips on podcast editing, grab our free complete podcast checklist here.
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