Podcasting is an amazing way to connect with your audience. Your audio file will play in their ears while they are driving or doing chores around the house. However, audio files don’t need to stay in their current state forever. You can make changes to it along the way to ensure the best podcast possible.
Podcast editing is the process of producing podcasts. The podcast editor makes tweaks to the show content. Podcast editing software is used to record live shows or edit existing podcasts.
What Podcast Editing Software Can Do
Recording
Most podcast editing software options will come with the ability to record audio. It’s a great added feature because it saves you money: you can record and edit your podcast all in the same place.
The only exception to recording audio is recording any calls or external interviews. If you plan to record remote conversations or conduct interviews over the phone, you will need to find dedicated call recording software. Once you record the call elsewhere, you will need to import the audio into your podcast editing software and then edit it.
Editing
Podcast editing software has two main functions: editing mistakes or mishaps, and removing (or adding in) unwanted segments. You will want a podcast software that will be able to cut out content and rearrange segments to take your podcast from initial recording to a finished, refined podcast.
Volume Levels
Post-processing is one of the most important parts of editing your podcast. Post-processing is the process during which you clean up background noise and make sure you have consistent volume levels throughout the entire audio recordings. It’s one of the best ways to make sure your product sounds professional, and your volume levels are within industry levels.
Editing software can also help clean up background noise, or inconsistent noises like hissing or humming alongside your vocal track. Noises like this can be caused by a number of things like a running air conditioning unit, fans, and more. However, it’s important to note that no editing software will replace bad recording practices. Furthermore, removing noises like slamming doors, ringing phones, or shouting may not be so straightforward. In some cases, getting rid of that type of background noise will not be possible, even with the right skills. Your audio may be left with flaws and inconsistencies in the primary vocal tracks.
Pro Tools
Considered an industry standard for podcast editing software, Pro Tools has any feature you can imagine for recording, editing, and mastering audio files.
Key Features:
The free version comes with over 20 plugins, perfect for newbies just starting out. This software has automated features that save on editing, and the pricier versions are optimized for more advanced users.
Pricing:
Pro Tools First offers a free “streamlined toolset” to get started with podcast editing. The paid versions cost $29.99/month for the standard software and $79.99/month for the more advanced “Pro Tools Ultimate”.
Ease-of-use:
This software can be as simple or as complex as your needs require. The free version provides you with the basics, making it a good choice for beginners. Once you get a hang of it, you can easily scale to the more advanced premium features.
Reason(s) to buy it:
The $29.99 standard version provides a great value, whether you’re a beginner or a pro. You get plenty of features at your disposal, with new ones added regularly.
Drawbacks:
It takes some time to get used to doing podcast editing with Pro Tools if you don’t have much experience. We recommend trying the free version first to gauge your comfortability if you’re new to podcasting.
Adobe Audition
With this podcast editing software, you can add music, segues, and fades. Adobe Audition offers numerous audio templates and presets. You can save templates and run them automatically as scripts.
Key Features:
Adobe Audition has excellent noise reduction features and advanced audio track restoration and compression. This podcast editing software is known for its batch-processing capabilities, which allow you to apply the same effects to multiple files at once.
Pricing:
Adobe Audition is a little on the pricey side. If you pay in advance you’ll save a little, and a year of Adobe Audition will cost you $239.88. A monthly subscription costs $20.99/month. Since it’s a part of Adobe’s Creative Suite, you may already have access to it if you’re a subscriber.
Ease-of-use:
The app best suits experienced podcasters looking for extensive features, such as batch processing capabilities, especially beneficial if you have an established format for your show.
Reason(s) to buy it:
Think of Adobe Audition as your one-stop-shop audio editing software, full of features for intermediate and advanced users to take their show to the next level.
Drawbacks:
New users should expect a learning curve with Adobe Audition, as this podcast editing software comes with many advanced features.
Logic Pro X
Logic Pro X podcast editing software comes with comprehensive features that give you total control over your audio quality as well as music production.
Key Features:
This software produces professional-grade audio quality. You can save time on post-production work by streamlining your editing process using Logic Pro X’s automated features.
Pricing:
The price of $199 may seem like a lot to some to invest in podcast editing software. The features are worth the price for more advanced podcasters who know how to use them.
Ease-of-use:
It’s easy enough to figure out how to use the more basic features of this software, but you’ll need more knowledge to take full advantage of all that Logic Pro X has to offer. Beginners may want to start out with different podcast editing software.
Reason(s) to buy it:
Advanced users will love all the professional editing features available. The software offers the perfect combination of editing and automation capabilities, making it a formidable tool when in the hands of an experienced user.
Drawbacks:
Like GarageBand, Logic Pro X is only available to Mac users. Also, this software isn’t made specifically for podcast editing.
Audacity
Audacity may not have some of the high-end capabilities of other podcast editing software, but it’s a great value for beginners (it’s free!).
Key Features:
This free podcast editing software lets you record audio and make edits so you can remove unwanted sounds like coughs or noises created by moving mics in your digital audio workstation. You can also add music, intros, outros, sound effects, or even ads.
Pricing:
Audacity is completely free, making this a great choice for beginners to get started.
Ease-of-use:
Although it may take some time to figure out the layout, the presets make it simple to get the hang of podcast editing quickly. You’ll also find free tutorials in the online community to help get started. You can conveniently use Audacity with a Windows PC, macOS, or Linux device.
Reason(s) to buy it:
If you’re a beginner or intermediate, this free podcast editing software will provide everything you need to edit your podcast episode and improve sound quality.
Drawbacks:
Audacity doesn’t come with features typically included with other premium software. For example, the software lacks automated features, so you need to manually edit each audio file. Additionally, Audible does not have publishing capabilities, so you have to upload your audio files manually elsewhere once you edit them.
GarageBand
With GarageBand, you can use real-time editing effects to improve your sound quality, which reduces the time that you spend editing your audio after recording.
Key Features:
You can tweak and morph recordings in many different ways, including changing the pitch and velocity of tracks. Since GarageBand is Mac exclusive, you can add tracks to your podcast using an iPhone or iPad.
Pricing:
GarageBand is totally free to use, which makes it an outstanding choice given the number of features. However, you have to be a Mac user to enjoy this free podcast editing software.
Ease-of-use:
The user-friendly interface comes with many built-in features, including pre-recorded loops and synths to easily create background music. It doesn’t take long to figure out how to use the software effectively for editing and sound manipulation.
Reason(s) to buy it:
This high-quality podcast software is one of your best choices for beginners. You can use your Mac systems for all of your podcast recording and editing. GarageBand will provide you with everything you need to get started on learning the ropes at no cost.
Drawbacks:
GarageBand is only available to those who use Mac systems, a deal-breaker for Windows or Linux users.
QuickTime
If you have a Mac and are planning to produce podcasts with it, you can use Apple’s default video and audio editing application, QuickTime. It’s free, and you can record and edit audio files, then export them when you’re done. QuickTime is easy to use and, as the name implies, is perfect for quick edits.
Features:
- Trim audio files
- Combine multiple audio files with the drag-and-drop feature
- Use your Mac as a podcast recording device
Compatibility: macOS
Pros:
- Free on any Mac
- Simple to use
Cons:
- Limited features
- Mac only
- Geared more toward video editing than audio editing
Reaper
Reaper is the DAW with the most features for the lowest price. The digital audio production application allows you to record, edit, process, and mix audio and MIDI tracks. This software is known as the “lightweight” option because you can install and run it from a USB, meaning you don’t have to install the application on your computer’s hard drive.
Features:
- 64-bit internal audio processing
- Supports third-party plug-ins and extensions (for added sound effects)
- Customizable skin and layout
- Audio and MIDI routing with multichannel support
Compatibility: macOS, Windows, Linux
Pros:
- 60-day free trial and discounted license fee only $60
- Fast startup
- Customizable UI/UX
Cons:
- Somewhat clunky plug-in integration
- No mobile app
- Fewer online tutorials/help resources than other popular DAWs
Alitu
Alitu was designed specifically for beginning podcasters. Its primary functions are recording and editing podcasts, and users don’t need much technical knowledge to get started. With an editing process that’s almost fully automated, the $28 per month may seem worth it to beginners. Although Alitu makes editing podcasts a breeze, the audio quality isn’t up to the same standards as other software on the list.
Features:
- Automatic audio cleanup
- Drag-and-drop editing tools
- Upload audio files of any type
- Publish straight to podcast hosting provider
Compatibility: web-based
Pros:
- Web-based application for use anywhere
- Very easy learning curve
Cons:
- Web-based means it’s less effective for longer recordings
- Audio quality is lower than other beginning-level DAWs
- No mobile app
Anchor
Anchor isn’t a podcast recording software or DAW but rather a podcast-making app. What’s the difference? Anchor is dedicated solely to podcasts. It’s also a podcast hosting platform, so you can record, edit, and publish your podcast all within the same app, from anywhere. Anchor’s new Record With Friends tool also lets you record calls for your podcast with up to five guests. Anchor is a good choice for hobby podcasters who want an all-in-one tool, but businesses trying to launch a podcast for their brands may struggle with its limited capabilities.
Features:
- Pushes uploaded podcasts directly to Spotify and Apple Podcasts
- Monetization options on the Anchor platform
- Free unlimited hosting
- Analytics from Spotify
Compatibility: Android, iOS, web-based
Pros:
- Free
- Easy to learn
- Unlimited podcast hosting
- All-in-one tool
Cons:
- Automatic upload to Apple Podcasts puts it under Anchor’s account, so you have to upload manually anyway
- 250 MB file size upload limit
Conclusion
Podcasting is no longer the new kid on the block. It has taken the world by storm and is becoming one of the most popular forms of media consumption. That’s why podcasters everywhere are looking for solutions like Podcast Editing Software to help them improve their quality.
Podcast editing is one of the trickiest aspects of podcasting, but not because it’s an incredibly difficult process, but because there are so many choices available for how you can edit your podcast. Most people think that you have to purchase an expensive piece of software in order to edit your podcast, but this isn’t the case. Anyone can edit their podcasts.