Have you ever wondered what software someone uses to record their podcast? It’s important to pick the right software for your podcasting needs. With so many options available, it can often be challenging to choose. That’s why I’ve compiled this list of three of the best options for recording podcasts. These are based on my years of experience podcasting and other podcast stats I’ve looked at.
1. Logic Pro X
Price: $199,99
Compatibility: macOS
Seasoned podcasters don’t need a special introduction to Logic Pro X, because this DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) has been one of the highest praised audio editing software product in the industry for decades. Unsurprisingly, Logic Pro X’s audio recording features are too powerful for most podcasters, as they are aimed at professionals who design sound for full feature movies and similar demanding projects.https://www.youtube.com/embed/Bm401-LhMp0
Adding sound effects, vintage EQs or simulating acoustic spaces are only a few among countless podcast editing tools Logic Pro X offers. However, producing podcasts with this DAW requires previous audio editing experience, so if you are new to podcasting it may take some time before you start feeling confident using Logic Pro X. Keep in mind that you can only use Logic Pro X on Mac computers that support 10.13.6 or later versions of the macOS.
Pros
- Offers professional audio recording tools
- A rich selection of plug-ins and sounds
- Supports 24-bit/192kHZ audio recording
- Over a thousand stereo or surround audio tracks can be added to the timeline
Cons
- Demanding technical requirements
- Only available on Mac computers
2. Adobe Audition
Price: $20,99 per month as a single app, free trial available
Compatibility: Windows, macOS
Audition has been a part of Adobe Creative Suite from the beginning, and over the course of the last couple of decades, it has established itself as one of the best audio editing software products on the market.https://www.youtube.com/embed/JSWMVmRoHHs
This DAW is equipped with a broad range of audio recording and editing tools that enable professionals to create soundtracks for different types of projects. A brief look at the Audition’s list of features will leave you wondering if there is anything this audio editing software cannot do since it enables its users to manipulate their recordings and all other types of audio files in any way they want. So, you shouldn’t look much further than Adobe Audition if you are looking for a software that allows you to record and edit each new episode of your podcast.
Pros
- Powerful Reverb and DeNoise effects
- Supports high-quality recording on more than 32 tracks
- Projects created in Adobe Premiere can be opened in Audition
- Offers batch processing features
Cons
- Provides more audio editing tools than most podcasters need
- Aimed only at professional users
3. GarageBand
Price: Free
Compatibility: macOS, iOS
This recording studio is a popular option among podcasters because it offers a wide range of audio recording features for free. GarageBand allows you to record songs on more than 250 tracks, take multiple recordings and select the best one or share the podcasts you record to SoundCloud.https://www.youtube.com/embed/xhesskgmIsQ
In addition, this DAW makes mixing and mastering audio files look easy, and enables podcasters to polish their audio files before sharing them with their audience.
Moreover, GarageBand is equipped with a visual EQ that features 8 different color-coded bands that are arranged from bass to treble. The rich library of plugins this recording studio offers enables you to make your podcasts more diverse and dynamic so that you can surprise your listeners in each new episode you share online.
Pros
- Excellent podcast recording capabilities on all macOS and iOS devices
- Offers advanced audio editing tools
- Provides a wide range of file sharing options
- More affordable than most podcast recording software products
Cons
- Requires at least basic level of audio recording and audio editing experience
- Not available on a PC computer and Android devices
4. Hindenburg Journalist
Price: Free trial available, pricing plans start at $95
Compatibility: Windows, macOS
Accomplished podcasters, audio recording professionals or journalists can use Hindenburg Journalist to record conversations, interviews or create solo audio recordings. Besides recording new material, Hindenburg Journalist lets you import and edit all audio files regardless of their bit rates or sample rates.https://www.youtube.com/embed/55yDL8hWQn8
The Voice Profiler tool creates EQs automatically and improves the quality of your recordings by balancing the highs and lows. Hindenburg Journalist is equipped with all audio editing tools you’re going to need to remove the mistakes you make during a podcast or apply fade-in and fade-out effects. Uploading podcasts directly to Loudness, Libsyn or Soundcloud directly from Hindenburg Journalist requires you to just select one of the available platforms. Optionally, you can add host, show and RSS details, set loudness levels or choose a new file format for your audio files.
Pros
- Simple audio recording setup
- Supports all types of audio files
- Generates EQs automatically
- Allows podcasters to upload audio files directly to Soundcloud, Loudness, and Libsyn
Cons
- More expensive than most podcast recording software products
- Features only basic audio editing tools
5. Audacity
Price: Free
Compatibility: macOS, Linux, Windows
Podcasters have been using Audacity to record their podcasts for decades. Even though Audacity’s interface may look a bit outdated, this cross-platform audio recorder and editor is still one of the best podcast recording software products you can find.https://www.youtube.com/embed/xl-WDjWrTtk
You can use Audacity to record live audio through a microphone or a mixer, as well as digitize audio files from other media. In addition, Audacity lets you choose if you want to create 16-bit, 24-bit, or 32-bit audio recordings. Each podcast you record can be easily edited, so you can cut or delete parts of recording you don’t want to include in the final version of your podcast. This iconic podcast recording software allows you to import or export nearly all types of audio files, but, you can’t upload your podcasts directly from the software to a podcast hosting platform.
Pros
- Offers a wide array of audio recording options for free
- Captures high-quality audio files
- Rich audio effects library
- Supports all of the most commonly used audio file formats
Cons
- Equipped with basic audio editing tools
- Outdated interface design
6. Zencastr
Price: Free, pricing plans start at $20,00 per month
Compatibility: web-based
Having new guests for each new episode of your podcast can be difficult at times since their schedules can be too busy. Zencastr resolves this issue by enabling its users to conduct interviews online.https://www.youtube.com/embed/Docf0lbifBM
You just have to send a link to your guest and this web-based podcast recorder will capture the interview in lossless 16-bit 44.1k quality. Zencastr separates tracks per guest which prevents quality drop-offs throughout the recording. The app’s Soundboard lets you add intros and outros to each new podcast your record in just a few clicks. All interviews you record with Zencastr are edited automatically, so you don’t have to spend time adjusting the file’s audio levels. However, the free version of Zencastr offers only limited capabilities, since you can only invite up to two guests and record the maximum of 8 hours of audio each month.
Pros
- No installation process
- Captures remote interviews in studio quality
- Zencastr enables users to voice chat directly from the app
- Offers 10 hours of automatic post-production each month
Cons
- The free version of Zencastr offers only limited capabilities
- Sharing an audio file recorded with Zencastr directly to a podcast hosting platform is not possible
7. Alitu
Price: $28,00 billed monthly or $280 billed annually
Compatibility: web-based
This online platform simplifies the process of creating a podcast by offering automatic audio editing services. You just have to upload the files you would like to edit and the Alitu is going to improve their quality.https://www.youtube.com/embed/I_2MstuaKuk
The app’s theme maker lets you create soundtracks for your podcasts, while the id3 tags are added automatically to each audio file you process with Alitu. In addition, you can create a solo recording from the app, and post them on Podbean, Libsyn, Blubrry and other podcast hosting platforms. Even so, Alitu’s automatic audio editing features are not powerful enough to compete with more advanced and more affordable podcast recording software products. The app’s selection of audio filters and plugins is also quite limited, especially when its price is considered.
Pros
- The short and simple podcast production process
- Support for a broad spectrum of audio file formats
- Uploading podcasts directly to Libsyn, Buzzsprout or any other podcast hosting platform is easy
- Excellent noise removal capabilities
Cons
- Adjusting file’s audio settings manually isn’t an option
- Offers limited audio recording and editing features at a high price
8. ProTools
Price: Pricing plans start at $29,99 per month
Compatibility: Windows, macOS
This is probably one of the oldest DAW software products on the market, and certainly one of the best. ProTools is a professional audio recording and editing software that offers all features you can need while recording a new episode of your podcast.https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xm-J6Xf4xow
Mixing multiple tracks or adding effects to your recordings are only a few out among the countless options you are going to have at your disposal if you choose to make your podcasts with ProTools. Furthermore, you’ll be able to collaborate with other members of your team through the cloud or share your work via the Avid Link app. The audio recording features ProTools offers can be overwhelming for newcomers to the world of podcasts, so if you don’t have previous audio recording experience it is better to opt for a less demanding podcast recording software.
Conclusion
Do you know how to start a podcast? If you’re asking yourself this question, it seems like you haven’t done much research to figure out how. Although starting a podcast is super easy, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t know the best software for recording podcasts. Why? You might ask. Well, because there are benefits to using the right equipment, and it will really help boost your podcasting “street cred” in the eyes of other podcasters.