Audio Production

Bitrate measures how much audio data is encoded per second, expressed in kilobits per second (kbps). Higher bitrates preserve more audio detail but create larger files—the fundamen...

Clipping occurs when audio signal exceeds the maximum level a digital system can represent (0 dBFS), causing harsh distortion. The waveform's peaks are literally "clipped" off, cre...

Audio compression (dynamic range compression) reduces the volume difference between the loudest and quietest parts of a recording. This makes speech consistently audible without ex...

A DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) is software used to record, edit, and produce podcast audio. DAWs range from free, beginner-friendly options to professional systems used in major...

EQ (Equalization) adjusts the balance of different frequency ranges in your audio. For podcasts, EQ typically means reducing low-frequency rumble, enhancing vocal clarity in the mi...

Gain staging is the process of setting optimal audio levels at each point in your signal chain to maximize sound quality and minimize noise. In podcasting, proper gain staging ensu...

ID3 tags are metadata embedded directly inside MP3 audio files. Unlike RSS feed metadata that apps fetch from the internet, ID3 data travels with the file itself—displaying correct...

LUFS (Loudness Units Full Scale) is the industry standard measurement for perceived audio loudness. Unlike simple peak measurements, LUFS considers how humans actually perceive vol...

Mono audio uses a single channel, while stereo uses two independent channels (left and right). For podcasts, this choice affects file size, bitrate efficiency, and whether spatial...

MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer III) is the universal audio format for podcast distribution. It uses perceptual coding to compress audio by removing frequencies that human ears don't easily...

A noise gate automatically mutes audio when the signal falls below a set threshold, eliminating background noise during pauses in speech. It "opens" when you speak and "closes" dur...

Podcast editing is the post-production process of refining raw audio recordings into polished episodes—removing mistakes, balancing levels, adding music, and optimizing audio quali...

A podcast intro is the opening segment of an episode that introduces your show to listeners, typically including music, a brief show description, and sometimes the episode topic or...

Sample rate is the number of audio samples captured per second, measured in Hertz (Hz) or kilohertz (kHz). It determines the highest frequency that can be accurately reproduced in...

WAV (Waveform Audio File Format) is an uncompressed audio format that preserves complete audio fidelity. While too large for podcast distribution, WAV files are ideal for recording...