First up, though, you might be wondering…

What is a Plugin?

In short, a plugin is a tool you can add to a piece of software to enhance it. In the audio world, many of us use a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) as our podcast editing software program. DAWs can do a lot in their default form, but adding a plugin or two can really take them to the next level, as well as help speed up and ease your production workflow. You might think of a plugin in the way you’d think of a photo filter on your phone.

And when we talk about audio plugins, the first company that springs to mind is Waves…

Who or What is Waves?

In short, they are one of the oldest plugin brands out there.  Chances are most of the music, TV shows, or movies you’ve consumed have utilized a tool(s) from Waves during production. They know this stuff inside out, and they have loads of great options for producers of all walks and backgrounds.

My Favorite Waves Plugins for Podcast Production

By now, you might be keen to find out which Waves plugins you can deploy in your own podcasting workflow. The following list is based on my personal preferences within my own experiences. Plugins not mentioned do not reflect their quality in any way.

Editor’s Note – Affiliates Ahoy!

As a quick heads-up, we use affiliate links to products and services we think you’ll find interesting. These help support all the free content we put out. But rest assured, they never impact how we report on or review anything, and we’ll always give you our honest opinion, no matter what!

Clarity Vx for Noise Reduction

I want to start this off with a heavy hitter.  When Clarity Vx first came to market, it blew my mind. This noise reduction tool is VERY easy to use, even if you know little about audio software tools. 

Clarity Vx is a lot harder to “overdo it”. Most noise reduction tools can leave artefacts if you aren’t careful with settings. In a nutshell, artefacts are unpleasant sounds caused by the processing. This can create tubey/muffled-sounding audio or noise bursts. Fortunately, Clarity Vx does a great job of avoiding these issues.

Potential Cons of the Waves Clarity VX Plugin

The biggest con of Clarity Vx, whether the standard version or pro, is that it is CPU resource-heavy.  But it does such a good job that I still recommend checking this one out.

MaxxVolume for Volume Levels

MaxxVolume acts as a “maximizer” and a leveler. This means it boosts loudness whilst evening out any fluctuations. It takes some fiddling to find that sweet spot, but it gets you very close to those elusive internet and podcast loudness levels.  This is my dialogue plugin chain go-to for audio drama and podcast work.

Potential Cons of the Waves MaxxVolume Plugin

A potential downside is that it does take some manual manipulation of sliders to get the best results, so it may feel daunting for people still learning the ropes. 

However, Waves has a “One Knob” series of plugins. They are precisely that – one knob. Those might be worth checking out if manual settings feel too overwhelming.

Vocal Rider for Extra Fader Control

Cue in Vocal Rider. This plugin rides the fader up and down. Vocal Rider can be used by itself, but I think it works best with MaxxVolume or One Knob Louder to glue the audio together a bit more.

Potential Cons of the Waves Vocal Rider Plugin

By itself, it’s sometimes a little choppy if the dialogue has extreme fluctuations in loudness. It also won’t make a recording overly loud to match internet loudness targets of -16lufs or -14lufs.

But, all things considered, Vocal Rider is great for those who don’t necessarily want to muck around with compressors or volume automation. It can really help simplify things for you.

C4 Multiband Compressor

Speaking of compressors… the C4 Multi-band Compressor is a worthy string to add to your bow.

This multi-function tool acts like a compressor, limiter, expander, and even EQ.  You have four bands (or six if you go with the C6). For each “band”, you can edit the frequency range that the band covers and how that band is processed. It’s very much precision mixing. Why is this handy? Say there’s an issue with a resonance that makes the voice less clear than you’d like. You can find where the audio issue exists and process only that issue, leaving the rest of the frequencies of the voice untouched. Or you can sculpt the tone of the voice with precision control.

Potential Cons of the C4 Multiband Compressor Plugin

You may need to learn some new audio terms and their meaning to utilize this tool fully, but it’s not very complex!

Vitamin Sonic Enhancer for Optimal Audio

As the name suggests, the Vitamin Sonic Enhancer is a sonic enhancer. Think of it as an extra “special sauce” applied to your audio.  Moving the sliders “enhances” the lows, low mids, mids, high mids or high-frequency ranges. It features a Punch and Width parameter that can enhance your audio further should the scenario call for it.

It’s not a tool that exists to fix any problem. Its purpose is to simply enhance your audio once you’re 99% done with the mix.

Potential Cons of the Vitamin Sonic Enhancer Plugin

Not so much a downside of the plugin itself but more a fact of good audio practice: Any enhancement tools are there to make good material great and not to make bad material good. So remember how you record at the source is always the ultimate key to great-sounding audio. Master your mic technique and pay attention to your recording environment. Once you have these in place, you can get the best from any sort of enhancer plugin.

Waves Plugins for Podcast Production: Conclusion

Waves have heaps more plugins to their name. I could probably write several articles on tools you can use for each production process! Waves offer various options to try out their software with free time-limited trials or subscription models for monthly payments if you need more time experimenting. You can also obtain a perpetual license should you wish to pick up a few tools at a time.  Waves periodically have sales where you can obtain a perpetual license for $29.99 USD, which is great for indie podcasters and audio professionals just starting their careers!

Remember, if you’re still at the head-scratching stage with audio production, you can always check out our full guide to podcast editing. There, we’ll walk you through it all, starting with the very basics!

• There are many different approaches and many different tools out there when it comes to podcast editing.
• Some podcasters thoroughly comb through their content, cutting out every little mistake and stumble.
• Others do absolutely no editing and release their content as raw as when it was recorded.
• Plenty of options are available for those who’d like to do some editing on their show. These range from software programs and apps to freelancers and production companies who’ll take care of it for you.
• Here, we’ll help you navigate the choppy waters of podcast editing and find the best approach and tools. So let’s get started!

Podcast editing. For complete beginners, it can be an intimidating barrier to launching a show. Many aspiring podcasters procrastinate, worrying about how they’ll actually edit their podcast episodes before publishing them.

But it’s never been easier to edit audio yourself or find someone (or something) else to do it for you.

What’s more, there’s nothing to say that you absolutely need to edit your podcast. Or, exactly how you should do it. It all depends on your own approach, content, and audience.

Let Alitu Take Care of Your Podcast Editing

Alitu is a tool that takes your recording, polishes it up, adds your music, and publishes the episode, all automatically.

Learn more about Alitu

Here, I’d like to run through the various podcast editing options available.

These will depend on your budget, time constraints, and whether or not you prefer to learn new skills or outsource the stuff you’ve no interest in doing yourself.

Just before we jump into part one, a quick heads up. We use the odd affiliate link in this article, which we’d earn a small commission from if you were to buy through it. This is never at any extra cost to you, though – and we only use affiliate links for stuff we recommend and use ourselves!

Alright, let’s get on with this whirlwind tour of podcast editing…

How to Edit a Podcast

At its most basic level, podcast editing is cutting out unwanted bits from your recordings.

In almost all podcast editing software programs, this is done by showing you a visual representation of your audio, known as a waveform. You then find the parts you want to chop, highlight them, and delete them like you’d delete text in a Word document.

Podcast editing can also be done on what’s known as a multitrack. As the name suggests, you’re working with multiple audio tracks here. In a multitrack editor, you’ll drag your clips, trim them, and arrange them into a fully-fledged podcast episode. This is a common way of mixing in different segments, clips, and podcast music.

Then, there’s the production side of podcast editing. This is where you can run effects and processes designed to reduce background noise, boost volume, and gently enhance your audio. This can be done with pre-set effects or plugins. Some audio editing software (like Alitu) will take care of this automatically, so you don’t need to spend time learning it all.

How Long Does it Take to Edit a Podcast?

Unsurprisingly, there’s a big “it depends” answer to this one. Let’s use two different podcasters as an example.

Quick & Dirty Podcast Editing

In the first instance, our podcaster opts for a “Minimum Effective Editing” approach. Here, they’ll build this into their recording process – any time they make a mistake or get interrupted, they’ll click their fingers three times in front of the mic. This creates a very obvious visual marker in the waveform, so it’s quick and easy to chop out later on.

They’ll do a “top and tail”, chop off the unwanted stuff at the beginning and end of the recording, and use pre-sets or automation to add some music and do the production and processing work. If this show is about 30 minutes long, it’ll take no longer than 15 minutes to edit. That’s pretty fast.

Thorough Podcast Editing & Production

In our second example, our podcaster records lengthy interviews where finger-clicking isn’t really an option. They can use a notepad to jot down potential edit timecodes, but they prefer to focus 100% on the conversation. Later on, this lengthy interview will need a full listen-through, which can take double its time. As a ballpark, a one-hour recording will need two hours of editing.

Not only that, but our podcaster likes to go for the “highly produced” approach, layering in music beds for mood and effect. Picking out music from a Royalty Free source and then working it into your content can easily add another hour to your podcast editing.

Production-wise, they might be interested in the granular control and maximum optimisation here, too. This would mean taking each separate recording and manually applying things like Compression and EQ. Again, this can add another hour to your workflow if you really get into the weeds.

Overall, our second podcaster could expect to spend three to five hours editing their hour-long episode.

A Rough Average Podcast Editing Time: One Hour

Both examples are on the extreme ends of the spectrum, and for most podcasters, the reality lies somewhere in the middle. If you wanted the ultimate stab in the dark figure, let’s say that podcast editing takes, on average, around an hour. But there are so many variables, caveats, and exceptions.

What Are the Podcast Editing “Rules”?

Now that we’ve covered the basics, you’ll realise that there’s no single way you “should” be editing your podcast. Indeed, there are good and bad practices, but it’s entirely up to you if you even edit your show at all.

Obviously, if you want to create a highly produced podcast or audio drama, then, one way or another, that will require a fair bit of editing.

But if you’re recording yourself talking into a mic, and don’t even feel the need for any intro music, then you can get away with no editing at all.

So how do you decide on your own approach? Here are a couple of resources to help guide you.

Beginner

For solo, co-hosted, or interview podcasts, you can get away with very little editing.

• How much editing should I do in my podcast?
• The Minimum Effective Editing approach

Advanced

Documentary and drama-style shows take a lot more podcast editing work. They work brilliantly when done well, but for most podcasters, they are overkill.

• Creating a ‘Highly Produced’ Podcast – full Season of the Podcraft Podcast
• How Do You Edit and Produce an Audio Drama Podcast?

Should I Use a DAW for My Podcast Editing?

The most common podcast editing tool is what’s known as a DAW – which stands for Digital Audio Workstation. It’s just a posh way of saying “audio editing programme”.

DAWs also let you record into them, so it’s basically like having a full recording studio on your computer – providing you have a microphone to plug into it.

The most popular beginner DAW is one called Audacity. It’s popular because it’s absolutely free. And it’s still more than good enough to build your podcast episode with.

But if you’re looking for a more pro-level DAW with almost infinite functions and capabilities, then Adobe Audition, Hindenburg, or Reaper might be more up your street.

Related Article

Best Podcast Editing Software for Podcasters of All Levels

There’s no single “best” podcast editing software option out there, because everyone’s different. In this post, find an option that suits you! Find out more »

Below, you’ll find our complete comparison between Audacity and Audition, which will hopefully help you decide which one (if any) you’d prefer to use.

Beginner

Just looking to choose the best fit for you and your show?

• Best Podcast Editing Software for Podcasters of All Levels
• Audacity vs Adobe Audition – Which DAW Should I Use?
• Reaper Review – a Collaborative Option for Recording and Editing Podcasts

Advanced

Want to learn more about DAW-based audio terms, tools, and techniques?

• Destructive Vs Non Destructive Editing for Podcast Production
• The Audacity Compressor – Fix Your Podcast & Audio Volume Issues
• Audacity Noise Reduction – How to Remove Background Noise
• Adobe Audition Review – Plus My Favourite Audition Tools for Podcasting

What About Podcast Editing Apps & Tools?

Podcast editing is the most common thing we’re asked about here at The Podcast Host.

That led to us developing a tool called Alitu, which practically builds your episode for you. It can take care of the processing, editing, and publishing of your podcast without the need for a DAW. You can also record your show inside Alitu (call recording or solo), and it has extra features like music, transcription, and hosting built-in. That means you can start publishing to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and 100 other places the minute you hit ‘save’ on your first episode.

In short, Alitu is a simple-to-use tool aimed at “non-techy” people, complete beginners, and podcasters who simply don’t have the time to spend editing their podcasts in the more traditional way.

Of course, there are some other great apps out there too. The bottom line is that these days, you don’t need a DAW to edit your podcast. In fact, you can podcast without ever having opened one in your life.

Beginner

Looking for some simple podcast editing tools?

• Alitu: The Podcast Maker App
• Best Podcast-Making Apps: Simplify Your Podcasting Process
• EditPoint – Take a Walk & Produce Your Podcast

Advanced

Or maybe you do prefer more of a DIY approach. In which case…

• Podcast Production Plugins: 4 Ways to Take Your Audio to the Next Level

Should I Hire a Producer to Do My Podcast Editing?

Still got no interest in having anything to do with your podcast editing? That’s perfectly normal. It just means you’ll probably need to hire someone to do it for you.

There is an ever-growing number of producers out there who make themselves available for podcast editing work. These range from freelancers with day jobs to fully-fledged companies employing teams of podcast producers on their staff.

The route you go down will, as ever, depend on your budget. You’ll find loads of excellent freelancers doing great work at a low cost. But, like any other service, there will undoubtedly be a few unreliable folks in the marketplace too.

If you are looking for a producer, then here are some options for you.

Hiring a Producer: Options

• Music Radio Creative will give you an instant quote based on your average episode length and the number of episodes you’d like to commit to.
• There are plenty of podcast editors available for hire on Fiverr. Check out adamglinder and radioorg if you want to go down this route.
• You might also want to see our full guides on what to look for in a podcast production company and how to hire a podcast producer.

Hardware for Podcast Editing

It almost goes without saying, but a capable computer is an essential part of the podcast editor’s toolkit. There are a few considerations when buying a laptop or computer for podcasting, which we cover in our dedicated guides. If you plan to run Pro Tools on your ZX Spectrum, be prepared to drink many cups of tea whilst you wait.

If you’re using a laptop or computer, then it’s an assumption that you’ll be using a mouse, too. But there are much more intuitive and comfortable ways to edit podcasts, especially if you spend a lot of time on production.

Two of our podcast editing experts, Sarah and Dev, have drawn from the gaming world to give them more tangible control over their software and protect themselves from nasty conditions like RSI. Sarah uses the Stream Deck, whilst Dev uses an Xbox controller. And, as you’ll see from our reviews, they like these setups a lot!

Podcast Editing Summary: Your Content. Your Audience

No two podcasts are alike (that’s actually a lie, there are at least 500 “entrepreneur” shows with the words “On Fire” in their title, but we’ll brush past that!), so this all comes down to your own unique approach and aims.

Podcast Editing for the Hobbyist or “Toe-Dipper”

If you’re a hobbyist just looking to chat about a topic close to your heart, taking some time to learn the basics of Audacity is probably the best option for you. Remember, if you’d like to take a course on Audacity (or Audition), you can do that inside the IndiePod Community.

Podcast Editing for the Small Business or Side-Hustle

If you’re someone currently working a day job, but launching your show as part of a side business that you’re serious about growing, then you might be prepared to spend a little money to save a lot of time. In that case, using the “podcast making” app Alitu is likely your best option.

Let Alitu Take Care of Your Podcast Editing

Alitu is a tool that takes your recording, polishes it up, adds your music, and publishes the episode, all automatically.

Learn more about Alitu

Podcast Editing for the Company or Brand Podcast

Or, if you’re an established business looking to get a highly polished and professional-sounding show right out the gate, hiring a producer will be your best option. Just remember that great-sounding audio is more to do with the source material than the editing, though, so hire someone who can advise you on your recording setup and work with you on that front too. Check out our Podcast Producer Directory for a list of options and prices!

• There is a wide range of podcast editing software options on the market today.
• At their core, they all really function and work in the same way.
• For many, the choice comes down to budget. There are free options out there, like Audacity.
• Paid platforms like Adobe Audition are immensely powerful and flexible, though overkill for most podcasters.
• A dedicated podcast editing tool like Alitu is an excellent option for simplicity and automation. And it’s so much more than just editing software, too.
• Read on to find out more…

Is there a single best podcast editing software option out there? Unsurprisingly, no. But, we can tell you some of the best options FOR YOU!

That’s because, although all podcasters have much in common, there are also a lot of individual factors to think about with something like this.

People come to podcasting with different backgrounds, skill levels, experiences, commitments, ambitions, and budgets. And those are just a few factors that might help decide what the best podcast editing software for someone is.

This makes it impossible to recommend one podcast editing software option as “the best”, – so we will offer four recommendations under the following categories.

• Easiest
• Free
• Going Pro
• Advanced

Remember, if you’re looking for a guide to ALL types of software you’ll need to run a show, check out our main Podcast Software article for recording, editing, scheduling & planning software, and more!

Editor’s Note

Our ‘Best Podcast Editing Software’ guide was initially written in 2018. We update this post periodically to reflect changes in technology, our recommendations, and because we’re always learning new things!

The Easiest (& Quickest) Podcast Editing Software Option: Alitu

Are you a complete beginner with no real technical background and no desire to learn about podcast audio editing?

If so, there’s a tool called Alitu that’ll let you record and build your episodes in an incredibly simple way. All you need is an internet connection.

Alitu Price

Alitu pricing: $38 a month (7-day free trial available)

Reasons to Use Alitu

Its user-friendly interface is easier to navigate than your average social media app. And it’s so much more than just an audio editing software package.

You can record your audio in Alitu – either solo episodes or remote conversations – so you won’t need to pay extra for a call recorder subscription.

It’ll then take your raw recording, automatically balance out your audio levels, and do the cleanup and processing for you. It’ll let you add your music, segments, transitions, etc. Then, you can upload your episode via Alitu’s own hosting. That means you can publish directly to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and the hundred other places podcasts are consumed.

Alitu will also create transcriptions for your episode to help you make sure your content is accessible for all.

One Alitu feature that’s going down a storm with users is the Playback Speed settings. This comes in handy when you’ve recorded hours of audio and need to listen through it to find and make any edits. With the Playback Speed feature, this can now be done in half the time. So if you’re in the “non-techy”, “complete beginner”, or “time-strapped” camps (or all three!), be sure to check out Alitu.

Reasons to Avoid Alitu

Alitu is designed to take care of a lot of the tech and audio production automatically. Whilst this is a big pro for inexperienced or time-starved podcasters, it can be seen as a lack of control for others. If you’ve worked with audio before, or, have a decent amount of time to spend working on production, then Alitu may not be your best podcast editing software option.

The Free Podcast Editing Software Option: Audacity

A stalwart in the world of podcasting, Audacity is an open-source audio recording and editing program. Such programs are also known as DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations).

Audacity Price

Audacity pricing: Free

Reasons to Use Audacity

Audacity is your best option if you’re a complete beginner, not looking to spend any money, but have some spare time to learn the basics of podcast editing.

The fact that Audacity is free makes it the most commonly used DAW in podcasting, too.

But being free isn’t its only appeal. It’s also packed with enough features to build any podcast episode you like.

The latest version has also introduced non-destructive editing, which is a big step forward for the platform. It used to be that when you cut stuff out in Audacity, it was gone for good. But now the software works the same way as most other podcast editors – your cuts are “hidden” rather than deleted entirely.

We have a huge, in-depth course on how to use Audacity, from beginner to pro, inside our IndiePod Community. But you’ll also find enough free tutorials out there to get you up and running if you’re working with no budget whatsoever!

Reasons to Avoid Audacity

Though the software has improved recently, it’s still a very “retro” looking platform that’ll be intimidating and confusing to beginners. Even experienced audio producers find its layout a bit baffling at times.

The Pro Podcast Editing Software Option: Hindenburg Journalist

Hindenburg Journalist is a DAW designed explicitly for podcasters and radio journalists.

Hindenburg Journalist Price

Hindenburg Journalist pricing: $99 (one-off) 

Reasons to Use Hindenburg Journalist

The Hindenburg website says the program’s “focus is on storytelling.” and “The design and features are tailored spoken-word productions.”

This actually makes it a little cleaner and less intimidating than its more advanced alternatives. 

With Hindenburg Journalist, you can assemble complex documentary-style episodes with multiple elements without being an audio production master. 

If you’re interested in learning whether Hindenburg is your best podcast editing software option, check out our more in-depth look at this tool.

Reasons to Avoid Hindenburg Journalist

Hindenburg Journalist falls into a nice spot on this roundup where it’s on the simpler side to use, and yet, still offers a lot of control. You’d get much more flexibility with Audition, though with added complexity. Alitu, on the other hand, will give you loads more features (hosting, call recording, etc.) but less control on the audio production side.

An alternative to Hindenburg at the Pro-level option is Reaper, and you can read our full Reaper review to get the lowdown on that software, too.

The Advanced Podcast Editing Software Option: Adobe Audition

Audition is a stalwart in the podcast editing software Pantheon. I learned on it back in 2010 and still use it to this day.

Adobe Audition Price

Adobe Audition pricing: $20.99 a month

You can also get Adobe Audition as part of an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription, giving you access to their photo and video editors, along with many more of their apps. Heads up that our link here is an affiliate, so we’d earn a commission should you decide to buy through it (at no extra cost to yourself!).

Reasons to Use Adobe Audition

Adobe Audition is an excellent podcast software option for someone who wants complete flexibility and control over their projects.

This DAW has everything you need to achieve a level of mastery in audio editing and production.

I use it for high-quality audio multi-track editing, piecing separate tracks together (voices, music, sound effects, etc.) to produce audio drama soundscapes. Audition’s advanced tools make it a stand-out option if you’re prepared to spend some time and money on getting first-class sound quality.

Reasons to Avoid Adobe Audition

Unless you’re an experienced podcaster or audio editor, Audition can be a steep learning curve. I’ve also found it buggy and glitchy these past few years. I’m not convinced Adobe support it in the way they once did.

You can read my full review of Adobe Audition here, where I run through some of my favourite features for producing podcasts. That’ll give you a glimpse into how this advanced software looks, feels, and performs.

Podcast Editing Software FAQ

We’ve covered the main recommendations. But you might still have many questions about podcast editing software before making a final decision. Let’s take a look at some frequently asked questions.

What Your Podcast Editing Software Can (And Can’t) Do

First up, why might you want to use podcast editing software in the first place? In what ways can it help you? And what sort of things are beyond its power?

Double up as Podcast Recording Software

Podcast editing software typically doubles up as podcast recording software. This is handy because it means you only need one single platform to record and edit your podcast.

One exception here is if you’re recording remote conversations with interviewees or co-hosts. Most podcast editing software packages don’t have a remote call recorder feature (with one exception being Alitu). If you’re using something other than Alitu to edit your episodes, then you’ll want to use dedicated call recording software too. After each session, you’d then download your audio and import it into your podcast editing software to begin working on it.

Edits & Editing (Cutting Stuff Out)

People use podcast editing software for two main reasons. The obvious one is the editing out of mistakes and unwanted segments. This is literally where you cut out surplus content from the finished episode. For a deeper dive here, check out our ultimate guide to podcast editing.

Cleaning Up & Fixing Volume Levels

Another critical use of podcast editing software is a process known as “post-processing”. This is where you clean up any background noise, ensure that volume levels are consistent throughout, and that the overall volume of the episode is within generally accepted podcasting standards.

Audio Quality: Repair, or Enhance to Studio Standard?

Your podcast editing software can be a powerful tool. But it isn’t magic. Nor is it a substitute for good practices in the recording process. If you hear a podcast with great audio quality, the main factors at play are that the podcaster has a decent level of gear, is using it in the right way, and has taken the recording environment into consideration. Be sure to get your house in order on these fronts, and everything else will fall into place.

Add in Music

Any podcast editing software you choose will enable you to add music to your content. The challenge here is sourcing which music you’ll use and steering clear of copyright infringement. For what it’s worth, if you decide to opt for Alitu, then you’ll have full access to its podcast music library.

Background Noise

The cleaning up of “background noise” is a bit of an ambiguous term too. Editing software can easily clean up consistent sounds like the hiss or hum underneath the vocals caused by things like equipment, fans, or AC units. However, background noise like people shouting, doors slamming, and phones ringing aren’t so easy to remove. With a bit of know-how and the right tools, you can certainly have a stab, but often this type of audio surgery can leave audible flaws in the voices we’re trying to listen to.

Podcast Production Software Vs Audio Editing Software/Digital Audio Workstations

You can use any audio editing tools or software for your podcast, but dedicated podcast production software also exists nowadays.

For years, podcasters used equipment and software built – first and foremost – for music production.

As podcasting continues to grow, though, we’ve seen technology created specifically for the medium. Hardware-based examples of this are audio interface devices like the Zoom PodTrak P4 and Rode Rodecaster II.

Using pro-level software like Audition will give you tonnes of flexibility, including the ability to add and mix in all sorts of audio effects. But for most podcasters, this is overkill, and can add unnecessary complications.

Dedicated podcast editing software like Alitu, on the other hand, was tailor-made for podcasters. That means it has a suite of features for podcasters that stretch beyond the editing and production realm – from call recording to hosting and transcriptions built-in!

Podcast Editing Software Vs Hiring a Podcast Editor?

You’ve really two options when it comes to editing podcasts – you can learn to do it yourself, or you can hire someone else to do it.

If you work with a dedicated podcast editor, you can pay them to turn your source files and audio tracks into fully mixed and mastered episodes.

An additional benefit, alongside not having to do this work yourself, is that you can get feedback from an actual qualified human. Your podcast editor might send you a note along the lines of “Please turn off those noise gates”, “Buy yourself a pop filter”, or “Stop recording in that cave”.

It’s in their interest that your source material sounds as good as possible because they can polish it up even better. If you record low-quality audio, on the other hand, no producer or production software will be able to make it sound decent.

Whilst getting that human feedback from a podcast editor is a big plus, there are downsides to outsourcing, too. It’s a lot more expensive, for starters. And you’re also now relying on someone else to get your show ready and out on time.

There’s no right or wrong approach here – only what works best for you and your budget. If you’re interested in hiring a podcast producer, then check out your range of options, linked there. Or, if you’re set on finding the best podcast editing software to do it yourself, hopefully, this guide has helped you choose one!

Publishing Content: Uploading Your Files

Regardless of which editing process or software you use, you’ll eventually need to upload your finished episode files and make them ready for the world to hear.

In order to turn audio files into a podcast that can be found and subscribed to on platforms like Apple and Spotify, you will need a podcast hosting account.

There are loads of great podcast hosting providers out there. Once you sign up for one, you fill out your show’s description, add your cover art, and upload your very first episode. Then, you can start submitting your podcast to all the major listening apps and platforms.

Recording and editing podcasts, as well as uploading and publishing them, can all happen in one single place now, too, with Alitu. Hosting is the latest tool to be added to its arsenal, so you only need to work in one single place if you’re keen to save time, money, and, streamline your workflow.

But, as I’ve said, there are a lot of great podcast hosting options out there too, so check up our roundup if you’d like to do some shopping around.

Best Podcast Editing Software – Which Version?

As mentioned at the start, everyone is different, and it’s impossible to pick one single best podcast editing software option. It all depends on where you are at this moment in time in your podcasting journey.

There will always be exceptions, but on a general level, here’s a summary of my recommendations.

Looking to save time, avoid learning anything about audio editing, AND have access to a remote call recording, transcriptions, and hosting built into your editing software?

Looking for a free option, but are prepared to invest some time in learning audio editing?

Alternatively, if you can afford to spend some money, as well as a little time, you can learn the streamlined DAW Hindenburg Journalist, which is designed with audio storytelling in mind.

Or, if you want long-term flexibility and no limits on your quest for audio production mastery, check out Adobe Audition.

It’s also worth noting that – like whatever microphone you use – your editing software is just a means to an end. The quality of your podcast will ultimately be decided by its content, and no editing software or DAW can guarantee you growing an audience.

That said, none can hold you back from growing one, either!

So choose something, learn it, and use it to the best of your ability. But don’t let it distract you too much from the work that matters most – creating engaging episodes that people want to listen to.

Let Alitu Take Care of Your Podcast Editing

Alitu is a tool that takes your recording, polishes it up, adds your music, and publishes the episode, all automatically.

Learn more about Alitu

When I started editing full-time, I found that I often had to navigate through multiple menus with the mouse to find specific functions. Sure, there were hotkeys, but I only have so much capacity to remember all the different combinations of the ctrl, shift and alt buttons to get things done. I also had to use my mouse for very detailed tasks like adjusting individual track volumes or plugin parameters. These are things I wanted more tactile control over.

More Control, You Say…

One night, while I was streaming, a viewer in chat mentioned that they used an Xbox controller to help them with their Photoshop work. Curious about whether or not it would work for audio editing (and the possibility I could get a new game controller as a work expense), I looked into the idea, did some experiments, and now I swear by it.

Adding a game controller to my audio workflow is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and now I’m going to turn this little soapbox The Podcast Host has given me and use it to tell you why you, yes you, need a game controller in your audio editing workflow.

But… Why a Game Controller?

So, some of you nerds may ask, ‘Why a game controller? Why not just buy a mixing desk or a control surface?’. And it’s a fair question. You could buy a mixing desk; there are some very good ones out there. Some of the more expensive ones have mechanised faders, which adjust to your tracks’ volumes, too. This means you have a physical, tactile representation of your levels, allowing you to mix a lot more by feel than by numbers on a screen.

But here’s the thing. I reckon there is a non-zero chance that if you edit audio, you also play video games, so there is a pretty good chance you already have a game controller. And there’s a good chance it’ll work with your computer. I had a cheap, off-brand Playstation controller when I started experimenting with this idea, and it worked really well…until it broke, after which I upgraded to a standard Xbox controller.

Video game controllers also don’t take up much desk space, as your average soundboard does. Most modern controllers use Bluetooth, saving you a USB slot, too. Sometimes it can be quite a fiddly process to try and get a mixing desk or control surface working in your DAW, whereas a game controller – at least the way I use mine – works by assigning hotkey parameters to the controller buttons. There’s no menu-diving into the backend of your software to get going straight away.

Remember that slightly odd sentence about mixing by feel rather than by numbers? You can get that same tactile feeling from using an analogue stick instead, and you can calibrate your controller’s sensitivity to be as granular as you could possibly imagine.

Okay, so How Do I Set up a Video Game Controller to Edit Podcasts?

By means of a demonstration, here is a layout of how I use my Xbox controller in Reaper.

As a side note, I only really use Reaper as my DAW due to the sheer level of customisation options and setups for different workflows. But many other audio editing solutions are available.

Once I had my controller plugged in, I pulled up a list of Reaper hotkeys and used a program called AntiMicro. AntiMicro allows you to map keyboard inputs to the controller and set it up for audio editing. It took a bit of trial-and-error to figure out which functions were the most useful, but to give you a brief rundown:

• I use the vertical D-pad to scroll through tracks (usually ctrl+alt+up/down) and the horizontal D-pad to snap to markers on the timeline within the project (usually the square brackets)
• I use the left analogue stick to control individual track volumes (usually ctrl+up/down) as well as a vertical zoom (usually ctrl+mouse wheel)
• I use the right analogue to scrub through the project timeline as well as horizontal zoom (which are usually mapped to the arrow keys)
• I use the right shoulder buttons to quickly toggle two editing functions I frequently use: snap-to-grid (usually alt+s) and ripple editing (usually alt+p)
• I also have the select button mapped to open Reaper’s built-in media library (usually ctrl+alt+x), where I have a database of my sound effect library, meaning I don’t have to open four hundred folders in Windows Explorer.

Video Game Controller Editing: Shortcutting the Shortcuts

Using a controller, I can quickly perform essential editing functions in my DAW without memorising a load of keyboard shortcuts (and becoming a finger contortionist in the process).

It feels a lot more intuitive, and I spend less time trying to find the mouse on my screen and more time doing the work. It also just… I don’t know… feels better. For some reason, adjusting parameters with an analogue stick feels a lot better than adjusting a virtual representation of the same parameters, whether an image of a dial or a fader.

Adding a game controller to my audio editing workflow has really been a boon to my work. I work faster, and feel more focused and plugged into what I’m working on. So, if you happen to have one lying around, maybe give it a try.

…just remember to close AntiMicro after you’re done. Otherwise, it will ruin your gaming experience. 

• Descript, like all podcast maker apps, offers a simple way to start podcasting.
• Recording and editing are non-destructive.
• Transcription happens at the recording stage, or when you upload your audio file to the app.
• Overdub, the synthesized voice feature, is unsettlingly accurate.
• Descript emphasizes a recording’s text, using a word-processing-style editing interface.
• Video editing has templates that can save hours of time, and a script-based interface that’s easy to understand.
• Filler word removal: at all price tiers Descript takes out “um” and “uh.” At the pro level, Descript can pinpoint and remove up to eighteen filler and/or repeated words.
• Read on for the full review, including screenshots, pricing, and final thoughts.

Descript can be referred to as a podcast-maker app. There are a few similar tools on the market, as you’ll see in our dedicated roundup. What sets Descript apart, though, are its text-based editing and stable of pre-recorded AI voices. The Overdub feature garnered the most attention initially; users can edit the text to create new words in their own voice. This empowers people who can’t verbalize but still want to make a podcast. Since its inception, Descript has grown along with its users. They’ve expanded their audio editing features and include video recording and video editing features, with templates and stock scenes. In this Descript review, we’ll go over the pros and cons to find out if this app is right for you. 

In the interest of full disclosure, we here at The Podcast Host have a sister company that runs a podcast maker app, Alitu. However, we’re always committed to fair and impartial reviews, no matter what the context. After all, there’s never any “one size fits all” option in podcasting.

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So, Who is Descript For?

Podcast-maker apps like Descript or Alitu are geared towards folks who’re either new to podcasting, or short on time. Or, both.

Most new creators have no desire to spend time learning detailed podcast editing software or DAWS (i.e., Audacity or Logic). Though if you are interested in those, we have a roundup of the Best Podcasting Software. These are tools that you would use to customize all aspects of the audio editing experience. In the long run, they’ll give you greater flexibility and control. But the trade-off is a steep learning curve, as well as a whole load of trial and error.

So, now that we know who it’s for, what does it actually do?

What Projects Can Users Make with Descript? 

Originally, Descript was a great program for recording, transcribing and editing audio files in English. Now, with Descript, you can: 

• Use automatic transcription to clarify podcasts or videos in over 23 languages
• Record, edit and polish audio or video
• Use templates to make videos with aspect ratios to fit social media or YouTube
• Include high-quality stock video footage
• Use video effects and green screen layers
• Use many different voices to bring your creation to life
• Train an Overdub voice to match yours, so you can make podcast episodes in your own voice simply by typing

Again, Descript has evolved through working with customers. Their Discord Community, Creator HQ and live events help them add and change features to improve the editing process. 

Descript Review: Recording and Audio Editing

You can record your own voice in Descript, or import an audio file (no call recording as of yet). Descript transcribes it and saves it as one track.

Descript uses non-destructive editing. If you make a mistake while editing, it’s okay: your original version is backed up in the library. You won’t do permanent damage to your sound files. 

Essentially, you edit your audio in Descript the same way that you would edit a document. Along with this, you can see the waveforms and tracks at the bottom of the screen.

You can add some sound polishing options, such as reverb, EQ or compression.

Descript Review: Automatic Transcription

Since Descript’s editing process is text-based, transcription is the first step after recording your audio or video files. The transcripts are fairly accurate, but correcting the audio recordings is easy if necessary. Just click on the word you want to fix, select “Correct,” and type in the right word. 

Descript Can Produce an Episode With Your Content and a New Voice

Maybe you want to keep your podcast separate from your day job, or you have other reasons for needing privacy. Maybe, like Roger Ebert, speaking your mind has gained you a following, but physical health issues require a shift to nonverbal communication. Descript has a list of voices to choose from, once you’ve entered the text you want the voice to speak. Choose how you want to build your composition: either record audio, upload a pre-recorded audio file, copy and paste the text from another document, or start writing. 

Then you can select the Speaker from a list of nine different voices. If you have multiple speakers, you’ll need to select their Speaker labels to match their new lines of dialogue.

The Overdub voices are available in English, and some have different emotions.

Changing Audio With Descript’s Overdub

Nancy, the Descript voice, can’t seem to pronounce “baba ghanouj” correctly, so I decided it would be better if she suggested yogurt.

Can Descript Remove Filler Words? 

Yes. Vocal sounds that Descript doesn’t recognize or can’t transcribe (such as laughter or other disfluencies) show up on the recording track with a black waveform. If you know the word, you can highlight it and correct it. 

If you use words like “um” or “uh,” which Descript recognizes, those words get a blue underline. In the upper right corner of the screen, select the image that looks like stars, and choose “Remove Filler Words.”

Descript shows a list of filler words in your composition and provides the options to delete, ignore, or correct each one.

Descript removes “um” and “uh” at all price tiers, including free. At the Pro level, Descript can pinpoint and remove up to 18 filler or repeated words. Got a guest who can’t stop saying, “So he was like” or “and I was like?” Not anymore.

Descript Review: Video Editing Features

Descript has a step-by-step walkthrough in their Support system, plus a video tutorial. For the sake of brevity, I’ll show you the key features that make Descript’s video editing features different from other podcast maker apps.

Descript’s Script & Scene Editor vs. Timeline Editing

If you’re used to editing on a timeline, like in Adobe Premiere, iMovie, or Final Cut, you’ll have to learn a whole new paradigm to use Descript’s video editing features. Instead of a timeline, Descript uses Scenes and Script. The script is like a Word document, and the Scenes are like PowerPoint slides.

In the App preferences, change the default project type from Audio to Video. Descript divides the screen so that your Script is on the left and your Scene is on the right. 

If you try to add an audio file to a video project, Descript will ask, “Did you want this project to be audio-only?” and vice versa. You can, however, record or write dialogue in a video project.

Descript Review: Video-first podcasting or audio-first?

And now, here’s what I learned the hard way.

If you upload your video first and that file has audio, Descript will transcribe and commit to keeping that audio for your project. If the audio is a dog barking, Descript knows it’s a disfluency and doesn’t transcribe it, but it leaves the audio. So, that blank transcript counts as the script, which you’re supposed to use to navigate the video interface. Don’t even try to change its mind. If you don’t want to use the audio from the video clips you use, detach and delete the audio in another software or app before uploading it to be safe.

If you record your own audio in the Descript composition first, or if you write it in that composition and use one of the Overdub voices, Descript will allow that to be the audio for your podcast episode.

Even though video takes primary importance in a video project, once you’ve opened the composition, get the words into it first before you add the pictures. The words are what Descript uses to help you navigate the composition.

Script & Scene Vs Sequence or Timeline

In the video editing interface, Descript displays the scene rail (list of video clips) down the left, the script second from the left, the scene (video clip) that you’re actively working on second from the right, and on the far right, the properties of the scene you’re working on. The audio waveform is at the bottom of the pane.

To start a new scene, add a / to the text.

Descript has a sequence editor, which enables you to detach audio from video and then edit one or the other. But, Descript emphasizes, “to get the most out of Descript, the Script Editor should still serve as your primary location for editing.” Getting to the sequence editor requires patience. Once you have several scenes in order in your script, slide your mouse down to the bottom of the Script pane. On the dividing line between the Script and Scene panes and the waveform, if you hit the right spot, your cursor might turn into a toggle handle like this: . Once you have that, click and grab the edge of the pane and pull up. This will show you all the layers in your composition: the video clips and the audio track.

Voilá: it’s like pulling up a bedspread to reveal a timeline editor hiding under the bed, I mean, a sequence editor. Then, when you click on layers, you can edit them in the pane to the upper right.

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Descript’s Video Templates Are Really Fun

Descript’s templates can save you a lot of video editing time. They can add images and text, adjust to different aspect ratios or fit multi-camera video podcasts. They can even overlay snow or rain.

These video editing templates ensure all the layers are lined up properly so everything fits together and the medium doesn’t distract from your message.

Descript Overdub

Overdub is the feature that makes Descript seem like sorcery. You can copy and paste a text document into the editor, select an Overdub stock voice, and voilà, instant dialogue. 

To go a step further, here’s where Overdub is unusually innovative. You can create a pre-recorded voice based on your own voice and speech patterns.

This has some great applications. For example: 

If I want to change a word or a sentence in something I recorded yesterday but don’t have time to re-record it, I can type in different words. My Overdub voice will make it sound like me, saying the new words I typed in. 

I can copy and paste old blog posts or things I’ve written into Descript. Then, I can select my pre-recorded voice to make audio files.  

Descript is very careful to note that users can only make an Overdub voice of their own. You have to provide voice information, so you have to read a few pages of text. This can be anywhere from ten to ninety minutes: they recommend ten to thirty. 

For this Descript review, I read the recommended ten. The Overdub voice that came out sounded enough like my own voice to whack me with the Uncanny Valley stick and make me run screaming from the room. 

Spot the difference between the two Lindsays. I deliberately left in mouth noises and traffic from outside the open window.

If you want your Overdub voice to have emotion or attitude, you can record different styles. You record the sentence you want to be “happy” in a “happy” voice. Then, Overdub will use that information for other sentences you designate as “happy” in the future.

This really is a tool that can save you tons of time if you hate your voice or don’t want to record. But, the price difference is steep. If you need to use words outside of the 1000-word vocabulary, Descript replaces them with the words “jibber,” or “jabber,” and wow, is it surprising how embarrassing that is.

Descript Pricing

These prices below are the rate for an annual plan; you save 20%.

Free: This version lets you record and transcribe one hour of audio per month. Customers can export one watermark-free video per month with a 720p resolution. This tier includes filler word removal for ‘um” and “uh”, an Overdub vocabulary of 1000 words, and the stock library provides the first five results per search.

Creator: For $12 a month, you get everything in the Free version, ten transcription hours a month, unlimited watermark-free video export with a 4k resolution, and the video stock library provides the first twelve results per search.

Pro: For $24 a month, you get everything in Creator, plus 30 hours of transcription per month, and the filler word removal takes out up to 18 filler or repeated words.

Enterprise: The price isn’t advertised; you can contact them for pricing based on your company’s needs. You get everything in the other pricing structures, a dedicated account representative, higher usage limits, advanced sharing controls, a Master Service Agreement, Security Review, invoicing, and live onboarding and training.

Transcription accuracy can be improved for an additional fee of $2 per minute.

Descript Review: Summary

Descript, like any other product or service, has its pros and cons. One big plus, though, is that it certainly makes podcast recording and editing accessible.

Descript made me focus on the text on the screen, not the sound of the recording. The Overdub feature can be a useful asset. If I’d recorded the full 90-minute training document, I could have made the Overdub voice sound more natural. I could train it to sound like my voice in different emotional states. But, by the time I put all this effort into it, I may as well record the script myself. 

This is a good tool if you’re mainly concerned about the text of your podcast and what’s spoken and transcribed. The video templates and features are really attractive, and they make the video features easy to use. Working on this Descript review shows me it’s an excellent tool for doctors, lawyers, journalists, or people who need a lot of dialogue recorded and transcribed quickly. It’s good for people who need to take text and make it into something people can listen to, quickly, too. The voices are pretty good. But, naturally, they’re not quite the same as a living human voice. You’re likely to make something which matches whatever this year’s popular aesthetic is on Instagram and YouTube, not something unique.

• Value for price: 5/5
• Usage for Podcasts Specifically: 4/5
• UI: 4/5
• Ease of Use: 4/5

More Podcast Make App Options

As mentioned at the beginning of this Descript review for full disclosure, we also run our own podcast make app, Alitu. Alitu automates the technical parts of podcast creation, and gives you simple but powerful drag-and-drop tools to do the rest. You can also publish and host your podcast in Alitu, which isn’t something Descript offers at the time of writing.

There are also a few other great podcast maker apps on the market, too. You’ll get a look through them by clicking the link to our dedicated roundup.

One thing is for sure, it’s never been easier to create a podcast with all the innovative and simplified tech options out there. So whether you opt for Descript, Alitu, or one of the others, you’ll likely free up more time to spend creating great content for your listeners. And there’s nothing more important than that when it comes to growing an audience!

What is a Stream Deck?

Not come across the Stream Deck before? Here’s a quick rundown of what it is and does.

The Stream Deck is a physical device with buttons. How many buttons depends on the model. Each button can be assigned a hotkey command (ctrl+C, for example), a series of hotkeys, or a plethora of other tasks. You can make multiple profiles for different software, which the Stream Deck will automatically switch to when opened.

Editor’s Note

This post uses affiliate links to products we think you’ll find interesting and useful. We’d earn a small commission, should you choose to buy through them, though never at any extra cost to yourself. Affiliate income helps support all of the free content we create for you!

These buttons are assigned in software of the same name. Its UI is drag and drop – making it super easy to work with!

So now that we know what a Stream Deck is, let’s kick on and find out how (and why) we can use one for our podcasts.

In this article, I will:

• give a brief explanation of RMD/RSI from a registered physiotherapist.
• describe how the Stream Deck can help you as an editor.
• provide some configuration considerations for a Stream Deck.

What is Repetitive Strain Injury?

First off, I would like to state that I am not a medical professional, and the following is me paraphrasing from a local physiotherapist I talked to about RSI. 

So, what is RSI, and how does it happen? In a nutshell, RSI occurs when we use repetitive motions for extended periods, like clicking a computer mouse, trackpad, and keyboard usage.  Basically, any action that you do over and over again over extended periods can trigger this.  Even cell phone usage!

And what does RSI do to the affected area? Again, in a nutshell, it can cause tendons to be overworked. This causes inflammation, which can thicken and lead to scar tissue creation.  This creates even more inflammation and results in pain.

Bottom line? RSI is something we want to steer clear of at all costs, so any tools that can help us make smarter movements when podcasting is worth our consideration. The Stream Deck is one of those tools.

How Can Using a Stream Deck Help You Work on a Podcast Faster

The Stream Deck from Elgato is highly customizable, and it’s not just single hotkeys that are programmable! A user can program a series of several hotkeys strung together into a single button rather than inputting each hotkey one at a time.  Additionally, you can program other functions from multiple software (more on this later).

The Stream Deck embraces the saying, “work smarter, not harder”.  You may think manually inputting hot/quick keys doesn’t take up much time, but these micro-movements can really add up!

Thinking About Efficiency with the Stream Deck for Podcasts

Editing is like a puzzle.  An approach you took last time may not work for what’s in front of you.  The more familiar you become with your DAW of choice, the easier these choices will become for editing a podcast, be it either a talk show or an audio drama.  This will also make it easier to program a Stream Deck or make multiple “profiles”.   Think about what processes you are repeatedly doing, and are they done in succession?  

Fret not if this seems overwhelming! I’ll show you a basic Stream Deck setup shortly and give you some ideas for programming for working on your podcast.

Basic Stream Deck Setup for Podcast Usage

The user interface is straightforward and user-friendly. Once you have created a new “profile” in the settings menu, drag “hotkey” into an open space, name the hotkey, and enter the keystroke the software uses to execute the command.

For multi-action commands (a series of different Stream Deck functions or hotkeys in succession), drag and drop Mult-Action from the side to an open button.  You’ll see a blank window to drag and drop the hotkey from the side menu and assign said hotkey.  The order in which the hotkeys will be executed is from top to bottom.  

Common Examples of Using a Stream Deck for Podcasts

Here are some use cases you might be familiar with, and how using a Stream Deck can help.

Fixing & Repairing Audio

Sometimes we run into recordings that don’t have healthy recording levels.  Before you start editing, you may want to do a little pre-edit prep so that you can hear any issues that may need some manual editing.  If the audio is too quiet, you will likely miss issues that require manual fixing but will be prevalent in the final mix.

I will use Audacity for these examples since it’s easy for anyone to access, but these can be applied to any DAW.

One idea for optimizing your time in the prep stage is to program the Stream Deck to Select-all-tracks, then Loudness Normalization, then High-Pass Filter and Clip Fix.

For Audacity, there are some functions such as Loudness Normalization and Clip fix that need to be assigned first to a hot key of your choice, and can then be inputted into a Stream Deck.

This four-series of hotkeys into a one-button press on a Stream Deck will boost your audio to a more comfortable listening level. It’ll also remove unnecessary “rumble” in the lower frequencies, and repair clipping as a “blanket” fix start point.  You will most likely need to make finer repairs later on, but it’s a great start.

Juggling Software & Windows

Sometimes we have multiple windows open, but we don’t always need to see every window simultaneously.  A computer’s operating system does have a built-in hotkey to toggle these, but sometimes flipping through multiple windows is a time sink.

With the Stream Deck, you can program one of the buttons to maximize and minimize a specific software. 

For example, if you use Microsoft Word to follow a script or notes and pin Word to the taskbar, you can re-create this trick in the Stream Deck.  Say you pin Word, and it shows up as the second icon. If you program Win+2, it should maximize and minimize Word using that assigned button.  You can do this for any software or a browser that you may use in your workflow but don’t necessarily want left open on the screen all the time.

Keyboard Shortcuts

There is a programmable function called a Hotkey Switch.  Like a light switch, it’s either “On” or “Off”.  A handy practical application would be copy/paste, or cut/paste.  The first button click would execute the copy command, and the same button would execute paste in the next press. 

Think of commands you always use back to back, and this will give you some initial ideas to lessen your hand movements!

Stream Deck for Podcasters: Conclusion

Yes, I am a Stream Deck user for my audio work.  When I made the switch, I was shocked to realize how many micro-movements I used. Between executing hotkey commands with mouse movements, this added so much time lost. Not to mention sore wrists when repeating it for hours on end! 

You can get pretty complex by stringing together hotkey commands based on what you’re trying to accomplish.  The great thing about the Stream Deck is that it’s so customizable that the experimentation can seem endless.  Or, at the very least, the customization allows the Stream Deck functionality to evolve with you and your DAW use!

By speeding up your workflow and lessening the time it takes to work on a podcast, you run less risk of giving yourself RSI.  But, most importantly, always remember to get up and stretch regularly!

Honestly, with the right approach, you can remove most of the tech stress from the process. Instead of worrying about normalisation, noise reduction, compression or bitrates, why not let a fancy computer brain take care of it for you?

Well, let’s delve into one way to do exactly that. Ready to take a look at how to make a podcast with Alitu, the Podcast Maker app? Let’s go!

What is Alitu?

Alitu is a web-based app which aims to make it as easy as humanly possible for you to create a podcast, from recording, to editing, to publishing.

You start by uploading your audio, or recording a call right into the app.

Then, Alitu cleans up your audio, performing processes like noise reduction and volume levelling, before popping it into the episode builder.

You can set up your theme music so it’s added automatically. Fades are added between sections, and you can drag and drop in regular clips, such as adverts or segment intros. You can edit clips here, too, to remove any mistakes.

When you click ‘Preview My Episode’, Alitu creates your final file, perfectly optimised in the right format for podcasting, and you can publish it directly from inside your Alitu account and push it out for the world to hear.

Alitu also gives you the option to download your shiny new episode and then publish it to your hosting platform of choice. You don’t need to use Alitu’s own hosting if you don’t want to

What Makes Alitu Unique?

Alitu is unique because it simplifies the process, but also offers you as much control as possible over the content and the distribution. So, while some podcast maker tools handle hosting, too, and really cut down on editing options, Alitu gives you control over both.

For example, Alitu has a full editing tool – simplified and podcast specific, compared to normal audio editors.

And for publishing, it has its own hosting built-in, or, links directly to nearly all of the most popular podcast hosting platforms. Even if your favourite host isn’t listed, it’s super simple to download your finished episode, from Alitu, and then upload it directly.

Alitu can also save you a lot of time in the editing phase because you can listen back through recordings at up to double the speed. That means if you’re combing through an hour-long interview to find bits to chop out, it’ll literally take you half the time!

One final feature, loved by many Alitu users, is the ‘video export’ option, where you can create a video version of your episode, right inside the app. An image, a title and a moving waveform are laid over your audio, so you can use it on YouTube, or any other social platform.

What’s New With Alitu in 2022?

New features for podcasters are being added to Alitu all the time. It’s in a constant state of enhancement and improvement

Two of the latest features we’re really excited about are hosting and transcription.

• Podcast hosting – now you can have one single place to record, edit, publish, and distribute your show.
• Alitu will transcribe your episodes for you – a much-requested feature, now in Beta, that’s essential for accessibility, discoverability, and growth!

How to Make a Podcast Episode in Alitu

Let’s take a look at the process, to show you how Alitu works. Nothing like a proper case study to give you the full rundown!

Here’s my episode plan, for today:

1. Episode intro – just me, recording solo
2. Main content – guest interview via online call
3. Sponsor slot
4. News segment – me and a co-host, recording in person

You might not need to do all of these, but it’ll help me show you all the different ways there are to get audio into Alitu. Let’s get making!

Step 1: Recording My Interview

So, I start by scheduling a call with my guest and sending them an Alitu call recording link.

At the right time, I pop onto the link, as do they, and I see the call recording screen, like so:

Here, I can record my call, with all the normal features you’d expect. I can mute my mic if I need to. I can get the invite link again, to invite more people. I can lock the room, so no one else can enter. And I can type things into the call chat if I need to share some written info with my guest.

Once the call’s done, I hit ‘End Call’ and the recording is finished up. At this point, Alitu will clean up the recording – applying noise reduction, volume levelling, hum reduction – and pop it into my library for use in any episode in future.

Step 2: Creating the Episode

Now, I’m ready to put the episode together. So, I click ‘Add an Episode’ on the Alitu dashboard. This takes me to the episode details screen. This set the ID3 tags for the episode, and the info carries over onto your Podcast hosting platform, once you publish.

If you don’t have this all ready right away, though, you can add it or change it later, so let’s move along!

Next, we add our recordings to the upload screen. This is where we put clips into the app, in various different ways. The first option is to upload directly, as you’ll see below.

But clicking ‘Add Your Audio’ shows the other methods, including recording into the app and adding from your library.

So, I can start by adding my call recording, from above, into the episode first. I click ‘add’ above, on the latest call recording. In the library, you can rename these files, so you can make them a bit easier to find and keep a track of, too.

Next, I want to record my episode intro right into the app. I’ve got a bullet point script I made for this, based on the call we recorded, so I pull out the script and hit record.

Final one, I upload a pre-recorded news segment, made using my Tascam DR05, in person, with a friend. To do that, I just click on the upload box, and select the file from my computer, or drag it right from my desktop into the Alitu window.

You can do this with any externally recorded clip, from a Zoom call to a conference presentation, and Alitu will clean it up and add it to your episode, just like the rest.

At this point, you can even merge clips, if you happen to have a recording which is split for each participant. You often get these from double-ender type tools, which record each speaker separately. As long as the clips are synchronised (meaning each is the same length and the speakers are in sync) Alitu can clean them up separately, and join them together for you.

Now, I click upload, and the files are all on their way into Alitu, to be cleaned up!

Step 3: Episode Builder for Music & Extra Clips

The episode builder is where you add theme music, rearrange your clips and add any regular clips from your library (such as adverts, segment intros, music transistions, etc). You can also access editing, here, but I’ll show you that next.

For the episode builder, you can see that my theme music has been added automatically and a fade is added from music to voice, both for the intro and outro music. You can edit the music length and fade length using the little round fade icons. And, you can add new clips to the timeline using the + icon.

So, I’ll start by adding my sponsor slot for the week. I recorded that weeks ago since it’s running on my show for two months. I just add it in from my library, then, I can drag it into the right position. I can also add our musical transition for the new segment in the same way, so I end up with seven clips on the timeline.

And that’s the episode constructed. Music is added, fades are in, and all clips are included. Almost ready to publish!

But, first, there were a couple of things I need to edit out…

Bonus: Free Music Library

Quick Aside: It’s worth noting that Alitu includes a big free music library which all Alitu members can use within their podcast, with no limit. Each track has a number of variations, including full-length theme music and short two to ten-second transition clips, stings or bumpers. There’s even a loop, for each track, so you can create voiceovers with a music bed behind it of any length.

Step 4: Editing out Silence & Mistakes

When I was recording my call, I know we had a bit of a chat at the start, to introduce each other, and then again at the end, when I thanked the guest for coming on. I want to edit these out.

So, I find the call recording on the episode builder and click edit. This is what I see.

I can easily click around on the clip and play any part, to find the sections I need to edit. I can zoom in for the detail, and then I click and drag to select sections to edit out.

This is commonly used to edit out the silence at the start and end of each clip, as well as any big mistakes within a recording, or noises, silence, etc.

The end result, after you’ve made a few edits, might look like this.

To finish up, click ‘Save all Edits’ and you’re taken back to the episode builder. Now that we’re finished editing, we can export the episode!

Remember, too, that you can listen back through any audio file in Alitu at 1.25x, 1.5x, or even 2x speed. This means you can edit your show in half the time it would take with most other audio production packages!

Step 5: Publishing Your Episode

You have a few options when it comes to publishing.

Alitu has its own podcast hosting built in, which includes everything you need, from full download stats to a hosted podcast website.

Or, you can also connect to a bunch of the most popular hosting sites, as shown in the screenshot below.

Once you’re connected up, then a ‘Publish to XYZHost’ button appears below the preview player, and you can publish with just a few clicks using that.

If you’re wondering about hosting, you can check out our favourite podcast hosting platforms here.

So, now, I’ll just click ‘Publish with Alitu’ and send the episode right over. Done!

Alternatively, I can download my finished episode, and upload it anywhere else I like. This is useful if you use a hosting platform that Alitu hasn’t integrated with yet, or you want to publish elsewhere, like Soundcloud.

Finally, there’s the option to publish a video version of the episode, using the ‘Create Video’ button. This produces a visual version of your episode by adding a background image, your title and a moving soundwave. You can publish this to YouTube or even make a video podcast.

New: Alitu Will Transcribe Your Podcast Episodes

Providing written episode transcriptions is an essential part of your show’s accessibility and growth. Podcast transcription can be expensive, though, and you can easily end up paying upwards of $20 per episode.

The good news? Alitu will now automatically generate transcripts for you, at no extra cost. This is yet another feature we’ve been excited to add to Alitu’s many offerings, and the feedback has been great so far.

Summary: How to Make a Podcast in Alitu

And there you have it! How to make a podcast episode in as little time and with as little stress as possible, using Alitu.

Get a 7 Day Free trial of Alitu now

Here’s a summary of what Alitu does to help you make your podcast:

• Audio cleanup, including noise reduction, hum reduction & levelling.
• Upload external recordings, including double-ender clips
• Record yourself or a call, right inside the app, ready for editing
• Adds theme music and fades
• Free music library, with full-length tracks, stings & loops
• Add a teaser clip before your theme music
• Edit podcasts in half the time by changing the playback speed
• Create pro-sounding music-backed clips using the Music Clip maker
• Access your library of regularly used clips, such as ads or segment intros
• Podcast specific audio editor to remove silence & mistakes
• Split clips to insert another in-between
• Add id3 tags/metadata and send that to your host
• Creates the final file – correct format, bitrate and standard loudness
• Transcription – auto-generates a written transcription of your episode
• Publish direct to your hosting provider (including Buzzsprout, Captivate, Transistor, & more)
• OR, host your podcast via Alitu’s dedicated podcast hosting
• Create a video version of your podcast for YouTube and elsewhere

And remember, if you’re still at the stage of launching your show, then be sure to check out our full How to Start a Podcast guide. That’ll take you through everything else you need to know, from planning, to equipment, to promotion.

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Why Does Mastering Matter to Your Podcast Listeners?

If you’re a musician, you’re probably familiar with what mastering means in that medium. Jonathan Hurley, Minister of Education for Hindenburg Audio, explains, “In music, the mastering process takes place after the final mix. It makes sure that the song is not skewed to one side when coming out of speakers. Perhaps most importantly, it’s to make sure that the song is optimized to play in all the formats that it will be played on.” Even if you’re not a musician, you can see the connection to podcast audio with this explanation. Balancing audio levels is important in audio. And that’s a large part of what mastering does.

The truth is, your listeners will usually notice your audio quality when it sucks. If the quality is consistent and easy to listen to, they’ll absorb and enjoy your content. For example, I’m sure you’ve heard (and been annoyed with) podcasts where:

• The volume was too low, and you could hardly hear what they were saying
• The volume between speakers was very different, and you had to keep adjusting the volume on your player
• There’s a constant static noise bed that’s distracting
• Other unwanted noises distract from what’s being said
• The voices may be muffled; there might be too much echo or other voice
• distortions exist

Are You Already Mastering Your Podcast Audio?

If you’re already using an AI mastering service like Auphonic to level, normalize, or fix any sound issues, then the answer is yes. This is also true if you’re using Alitu to edit your podcast. You can record and host your podcast on Alitu as part of this all-in-one podcast creation platform but focusing on the mastering side of it includes automatic noise reduction and volume leveling.

You can do many of these tasks in most Digital Audio Workstations (DAW) as well. But interestingly, not all of them. For example, you can set your LUFS in Hindenburg, Audacity, and some other DAWs. However, you can’t do this in Logic Pro. Logic users need to use a separate app to set their LUFS. If you’re using a DAW that doesn’t allow you to set your LUFS, you can use Youlean or Waves’ WLM Loudness Meter to do this. LUFS means loudness units relative to full scale. In other words, making the loudness consistent throughout the entire audio file. If you really love diving in deep with tech stuff, check out Izotope RX instead.

As you can see, how you master your podcast audio in each DAW is quite different. But if you set your LUFS levels, do any compression or EQing, use an expander/limiter, or adjust loudness, you’re already mastering.

What’s the Difference Between Mixing and Mastering?

Many editors define mastering in relation to mixing because the two are so intertwined. David Sais, CTO of KaSa Media Productions, thinks of it this way. “During the mixing phase, you handle all the big adjustments, set levels between tracks, equalize (EQ) on each individual track, add compression on each individual track, etc. Whereas mastering involves handling everything as a combined file. This includes setting the level for the combined file, and doing small tweaks with EQ on the combined file.”

In the music space mixing and mastering are two separate final stages of audio production. But in podcasting, they aren’t always separate tasks. This feeds the confusion when we talk about mastering podcasts.

Some DAWs used for editing podcasts allow you to mix and master in the same step (when you render) and some don’t. Like all creative tasks, it’s complicated.

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What’s Mastering?

As with everything in podcasting, there are many ways to achieve a task.

LUFS Is the Tip of the Podcast Mastering Iceberg

Chris Curran of Podcast Engineering School clearly explains in this Daily Goody post that: “In podcasting, the main role of mastering is to set the final audio level of the episode to -19 LUFS (if mono) or -16 LUFS (if stereo).” This is very clear and has a numeric goal that’s easy to shoot for. But, just like Chris said, this is “the main role of mastering.” It gets more complex.

Sweetening Podcast Audio Is More Than Volume

Despite the potential differences between music and podcasts, the type of tidying up you can do in both mediums is really similar. Matt Cheney, Founder and Chief Audio Monkey at KULT Media explains what mastering in both mediums can include.  “Maximizing the dynamic range, sweetening and smoothing the frequencies, preparing for digital distribution, and ensuring consistency between the tracks.” 

Podcast Mastering Is Super Quick

One potential difference between mastering in music versus podcasting is the time to complete the task. If we don’t include the audiophiles who love spending an hour or so on fine-tuning one small clip, mastering is usually a quick process in podcasting.

In fact, it’s usually the last 10-20% of the editing process. Freelance Producer, Eryn Levine, warns that the mastering phase, “… is NOT the time to make drastic changes. Use mastering to make sure the podcast is a seamless experience using compression and occasionally a gate to smooth out audio levels and add clarity.”

What Does Mastering Podcasts Look Like?

The reason for mastering is the same in music production and podcast production, but in podcasting, it’s usually a much simpler process. What needs to be done technically in podcasts is quite different. Handling a few vocal tracks versus many instrumental tracks can require different processes and tools.

The most important thing about mastering your podcast is that it does NOT have to be complicated.

If using Auphonic or Alitu work for your podcast workflow, then do that. That’s what I did with this audio clip that was accidentally recorded with my webcam mic instead of my Samson Q2U microphone. I used Auphonic to make the volume higher and more consistent. You can see how that looks by comparing the bottom input waveform to the top output. Auphonic raised my voice up so that it can be heard better on all devices and platforms.

If you prefer to set your LUFS in your DAW, render and call it good, that’s fine. The important thing is that you make a conscious choice on how much you can and want to do in your mastering phase. The following examples are for folks who want more information, but they’re not meant to be examples of how complex to make things.

Specific Examples of Mastering Podcast Audio

If the variety in mastering techniques is of interest to you, check out the following detailed examples from these seasoned podcasting folks:

• How I Process Podcast Audio, Bandrew Says Podcast
• How to Mix Spoken Word Vocals in 2 Minutes, Joe Gilder-Home Studio Corner
• The Tireless Podcaster: 3 Keys to a Regular, Easy, Long Haul Podcast, The Podcast Host (33:44 to 46:25 cover leveling, noise reduction, and more in Audacity)

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Put Your Best Audio Forward

Your audio quality can leave a good or bad impression. The audio quality is your ONLY means to make an impression. I know you’re wearing all the hats in your podcast: producer, editor, guest scheduler, show notes writer, and so on. Time is limited. But if you’re going to spend the time to capture these audio moments, it’s worth it to take a little more time to make sure it’s easy for listeners to consume your content.

• What is immersive audio, and why utilize it in audio drama?
• How Boom-it can help
• How to Use Boom-it
• And more!

Read on to see if Boom-it from HAL can assist you with immersive dialogue for your audio drama!

Boom-it was provided by HAL for review purposes.

What Is Immersive Audio & Why Should I Utilize It in Audio Drama?

When most people hear “immersive audio”, they think video games and or VR (virtual reality) headsets.  However, any medium can have immersive audio.  Immersive audio means that the listener is, well…immersed in the experience.  This can be done in various ways.  To simply define it, the audio is dynamic rather than static, and best simulates how we hear naturally.

How we hear naturally in a nutshell:

• The tone of the sound changes based on changes in distance from the listening source
• The amount and timing of natural reflections/reverberation based on the physical location
• The tone of the sound changes in how it is absorbed by air and objects it may be travelling through
• How the sound “moves” and how our ears interpret this movement while you are the listening perspective that is moving, and the sound around you remains static.

Dialogue recorded in studio can be tricky to mimic natural acoustics, but, when done correctly, your audio drama’s immersion will level up!

Dynamic: moving/changing

Static: remains the same

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Introducing Boom-it

“Boom-it, a plug-in designed to transform dull voice-over or ADR studio takes into lively on-set recordings. In the context of editing and mixing dialogue, it dynamically changes the color and perceived position of the voice”, – HAL

What does this mean?  Any time you move away from a microphone, closer, or towards the side, the tone changes, and sometimes you get a reduction in perceived loudness (volume).  Guess what? Sometimes you DO want this in audio dramas! This is super handy for “found footage” style where there is a set recording device that is static, and when characters or sounds move, it should sound off-axis and or further away!

Key Features of Boom-it

• Easy to use – move the 3D character to change the perceived head tilt and angle of your voice recording.
• The Distance slider allows you to place the microphone at the desired distance from the sound source.
• The Studio Mic module is designed to cancel out the effect of the original microphone, so as to end up with a flat response recording.
• Use the Set Mic module to choose the mic you want to emulate, from famous shotgun mics to standard lavaliers.

Additionally, HAL provides a very simplified manual PDF to help you get on your way with their plugin.

Boom-it UI

The UI is wonderfully simple.  Even if you don’t understand the mechanics of recording, everything is visual, which makes it very easy to figure out what it’s doing.

Boom-it in Action for Immersive Dialogue in Audio Drama

The example below is an excerpt from episode five of Fawx and Stallion, where the character McMurphy needs to “dissolve” into the background, but the listener still needs to hear him to signal that he hasn’t left the room.

As you can hear, the voice actor is upfront and clear, with healthy recording levels.  Unfortunately, this is not what the producers want! Let’s see if Boom-it can help.

The majority of the settings in Boom-it are automatable.  I was easily (and quickly) able to achieve an effect of the character melting into the back by automating the distance to increase over time. Additionally automating the head rotation angle setting, I was able to simulate a person turning their back from the scene’s main perspective.  No messing around with EQ bands needed!

Boom-it Proximity Effect Attenuation Module

For this test, I used a Shure SM 58.

Before:

After:

Less is definitely more here. At 18.2%, quite a bit of low-end mud was filtered out and almost on the tinny side.

Boom-it Mic Simulation

I found the Set Mic Module doesn’t have a huge tonal difference.  However, it helps using a boom mic as the simulator to lessen the feeling of a close recording.  This lessens the amount of manual manipulation needed to recreate placing a character into the scene.

Before:

After:

Other Notable Features of Boom-it

The gain compensation is nice when manipulating the distance so that I can make up for the loss of perceived volume within the plugin.  Being able to adjust whether the boom is up or down (and its angle) is helpful in achieving movement effects in a timely manner. This effect gives us a sound closer to how we naturally hear.

Boom-it Liveliness Module

This creates fluctuations as if a person is moving around a mic source constantly.  Liveliness Module may be helpful for found footage or a character self-recording themselves in-story.  It’s also a less-is-more feature, as the tone and volume fluctuations may end up being distracting for a listener.  This effect can be better controlled by automating the distance, head tilt, mic tilt, and angle parameters.

What Boom-it Doesn’t Do

Boom-it will not replicate the reverb of a specific location such as a forest, cave, hallway, etc.  This will still be up to the user to create, using other tools and techniques.  It would be neat to see this added to Boom-it in future releases to allow for a one-stop shop for creating a more immersive dialogue experience from studio recordings.

Conclusion: Boom-it Review

There are a few audio plugins on the market that help the user create natural sounding distance to create immersive dialogue.  However, Boom-it adds extra features, such as simulating which mic to use (that has its own polar pattern characteristics), in addition to all the angle manipulations. 

If some of these terms seem confusing to you, fear not! The majority of the parameters have a visual correspondent that moves to show you, in real-time, what it’s doing. HAL’s site also breaks each parameter down further on the product page.

It would be nice to incorporate convolution reverb to really create immersion for your dialogue and make it sound as if it’s in a specific location. But, as is, Boom-it can assist in the majority of the work to help a studio recording sound more natural for distance and perspective changes for tone.

It takes the guesswork out while achieving the same results as using an EQ or other means. This software is helpful for those who don’t have much audio engineering knowledge or want to achieve 90% of the distance effect quickly for immersive dialogue for audio drama. 

Boom-it is priced at 99€ as an introductory offer for a limited amount of time. The regular price is 149€.

• Ease of Use: 5/5
• UI: 5/5
• Functionality: 4/5
• Price for Functionality: 4/5

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Evaluating Old Content

Podcasts vary in theme and episode style, so giving you a step-by-step process to evaluate your content isn’t going to be helpful. But I can tell you what to look for when you re-record old podcast episodes.

1. Popular Episodes

I know what you’re thinking — everyone’s already heard our most popular episodes. You could be right (though you might be surprised), but they’re popular for a reason.

If you take a look, your most popular episodes probably have searchable titles, interesting concepts and bring in a trove of new listeners. If they’re more than two years old, it could be worth a revisit.

I’m a firm believer that repeat content isn’t a bad thing. With a new spin and fresh life, it can be a fun flash-to-the-past for your listeners. I don’t know about you, but there are several podcast episodes I can listen to on repeat.

2. Topics That Could Use an Update

Let’s say you run a true crime podcast, and the Bacon Axe Murderer (not a real serial killer, that I know of anyway) is suddenly caught.

You covered his episode in season three, but the break in the case makes it worth a revisit. Instead of jumping in with a 10-minute recap, it might be worth re-recording the old episode (with updates) as a new piece of content.

3. Content That Went Under the Radar

Once, in the middle of a between-season break, we published an episode we called the “lost episode of Hatley Castle.” It was an episode that I’d lost track of until coming across it by chance.

I should have waited until the next season, but I dropped it as a “bonus” instead. However, due to the break, it slid under the radar and still remains one of our lowest to date. Episode anomalies like this can easily be revisited.

4. Content That Provides an X-Value

This last point is case-by-case. It’s OK if there aren’t any that meet this criteria. Here we’re looking for episodes that stood out for a reason unrelated to the above. Perhaps they were mentioned in a blog or linked in a newsletter. Essentially they had an unpredictable element that got your podcast noticed for another reason.

What Can You Do With Old Episode Content?

Once you’ve decided what content you’d like to revisit, it’s time to figure out what you want to do with it.

But before we get into your options, it’s important to point out what we’re not doing — we are not republishing the old episodes as-is with a new date.

Can you do this? Absolutely. But that’s not reviving an old topic; that’s filling a gap for the week.

1. Update and Re-record Old Podcast Episodes

The easiest choice is to re-record the content.

You’ll want to ensure you update it, as a lot can happen between the original release and now. It’s also worth noting that you want the re-recorded content to provide a fresh, new outlook on the topic.

So, take the time to listen back to the old content and update your script accordingly. Have there been any new developments? Has your opinion changed?

2. Paywall Old Episodes

Whether you re-record old episodes or not, you always have the option to drop them behind a paywall. This could include a single payment to “unlock” all earlier episodes, it could be a per-episode fee, or you could bundle certain topics together.

Keep in mind this only works as an income-earning opportunity if the content is high quality or interesting enough for people to want to pay for it. Plus, you need to remind people that the option is there (you’ll want to discuss it).

If you are going to paywall episodes, make sure you let everyone know what you’re doing. Be upfront and clear about what they can pay to access. You can paywall content through a platform like Patreon. Or you can add a “buy now” button to your site or podcast player page.

3. Repurpose as Something New

This final option comes highly recommended by everyone: repurpose your old content into something new. This could be as simple as a blog post or a video tutorial. However, to get more podcast content, I recommend bundling or breaking down topics.

For example, some of our early episodes were listicles — “most haunted beaches” or “haunted hotels in Las Vegas.” In the updated versions, we broke them down into their individual stories.

But the reverse — bundling content into listicles — is possible too. This requires more work than the first two options, but it results in recycled podcast content that truly feels fresh.

Ready to Revive?

If you have a large back catalog of content, I would highly recommend you take a look to see what opportunities you might be missing out on. With years of past content, it’s possible you have easy opportunities staring right in your face — little work required.

There are endless possibilities when you re-record old podcast episodes and give them new life. It just takes a little creativity! Just make sure you space out your recycled content. You should still continue to put out fresh content too.