Acoustic treatment means improving the sound quality of a room. It reduces echoes, reverbs, and other unwanted sound reflections by using acoustic panels, bass traps, diffusers, and other sound-absorbing materials.
Affiliate marketing is promoting products on your podcast and earning a commission whenever someone buys through your referral links.
An aggregator is a platform that keeps track of your subscribed podcasts and plays them. It also auto-downloads news episodes based on your subscriptions.
It is the time a compressor takes to start reducing the signal when it exceeds the set limit.
If the attack time is set too fast or small, the audio may sound unnatural and rushed. If it’s too slow or bigger, the compressor may not control sudden loud sounds.
Attenuation is reducing the audio signal.
Audience is a group of listeners who regularly tune into your podcast episodes. They may also subscribe or download your podcast.
Audio drift occurs when an audio goes out of sync with a video or multiple other audios. It happens when you record multiple tracks on different devices or software.
An audio file stores sound or music data digitally.
Audio format is the type of audio file. WAV, MP3, AAC(M4A), and FLAC are popular audio formats.
The audio quality and file size depend on the format you choose.
An audio interface is a tool to connect mics and other input/output to computers. It converts analog signals to a digital form and provides better sound quality.
Though not essential in every situation, it’s necessary to use an interface with XLR mics.
Bandwidth is the data used when your listeners play or download your podcast episodes. You get a monthly limit based on your hosting plan.
Bit depth is the number of bits used for each audio sample. It represents audio-loudness level, with the common range being 16-32 bits. The more bits, the better the audio quality.
Bit rate is the number of bits(data) transferred when a listener plays or downloads your podcast. It’s measured in kbps. A higher bit rate means better quality but larger files.
Bumpers are short music clips used for transitions in podcasts. Usually of 15 seconds or less, they are combined with voiceovers sometimes. Bumpers smooth out sudden transitions.
A Call to Action urges listeners to take some action. (e.g. share this podcast with friends). Clear CTAs increase your audience’s engagement.
Cardioid Microphones are unidirectional. They capture sound from the front with high sensitivity but reduce side noise and completely eliminate rear noise.
A channel is a collection of podcast shows from the same creator.
Chapter markers are the timestamps for podcast chapters. They allow your listeners to directly jump to a specific section and easily navigate your podcast.
Clipping is the distortion of sound waves that occurs when audio levels are too high beyond the maximum limit. Due to clipping the waveform beyond the specific limit gets cut off. That makes your audio output noisy.
Co-hosted is a podcast format where multiple hosts run your podcast.
The Straight Talking Guide to Launching Your First Product by Mark Asquith
Compression is reducing the dynamic range(from loudest to softest sound) of your audio file. It makes the volume consistent throughout the audio. Use compressors to reduce sudden loud levels or amplify quiet sounds by narrowing.
Condenser mics are highly sensitive and capture a broader range of frequencies than dynamic mics. Hence, they are best for the studio and quiet environment.
Creative Commons license allows free usage or distribution of copyrighted work, under specific guidelines.
Podcasters can use creative common licensed music or other content as per guidelines and avoid facing legal actions.
Crowdfunding is raising funds from listeners to support your podcast's costs.
A digital audio workstation (DAW) is the software for audio recording, editing and mixing. It’s used in both professional and home studios.
Audacity, GarageBand, Logic Pro, Adobe Audition
Deadair is the long duration of silence during your podcast. It may lead to losing the audience’s attention.
Practice to avoid a block of thoughts or you can use an editor to shorten long pauses.
Decibel is the unit used to measure sound level.
A diaphragm is a thin membrane made of coil, metal ribbon, or sheet. It’s used in your mic to capture sound. When sound waves hit the diaphragm, it vibrates and generates electrical signals.
Dynamic mics, condenser mics, ribbon mics
The size of the mic's diaphragm. The diaphragm size varies according to the mic. However, small diaphragms are usually of 0.5 inches, while large diaphragms average around 1 inch or more.
Large-diaphragm mics are more suitable for lower frequencies and quieter sounds. It gives a richer and warmer sound. Whereas small-diaphragm mics are more responsive and capture higher frequencies more accurately.
Direct download allows you to store and play a podcast episode on your device. You don’t need to stream it online.
Podcast distribution is the process of making your podcast available across podcast player platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
You need to host your podcast using an RSS feed and then share that link across platforms. Refer to podcast hosting and RSS sections.
Double-ender is a way of podcasting where both host and guest record their audio locally. Then, both tracks are mixed and synced in the post-production phase.
Double-ender ensures high-quality recording, but it also means more complexity and larger files.
It allows you to auto-insert ads into your podcast episodes. Instead of adding the same ad in all your episodes, you can target relevant and separate ads based on your audience groups.
Instead of placing an ad permanently in your episode, you can also swap the old ad with the new one using the DAI technique.
Dynamic mics are most suitable for louder environments and live vocals as they are less sensitive to noise. Hence, they can handle rough and loud sounds without distortion. They don’t need external power to operate.
Condenser mics are more expensive and more sensitive than dynamic mics. Moreover, condenser mics need external power. But the dynamic range of a condenser mic is wider than a dynamic mic. Hence, if you need more detailed and clear audio in a proper set-up, condenser mics can be a better option.
Dynamic range is the difference between the quietest and loudest parts of your audio. It’s measured in decibels(dB). An extremely wide range may sound unnatural, while a very narrow one may make your audio unclear.
Echo is the repeated sound reflected from room objects or tech issues. It’s common in a set-up with hard surfaces.
Use headphones, sound absorption panels, or editors to remove echo.
Embedding means adding a podcast player to your website. You only need to copy a code and place it on your site. Listeners can directly play your episode there.
Episode keywords are specific terms related to your topic. They are added to your episode's metadata and description. They make your episode more discoverable and increase traffic to your podcast.
Equalization is the process of adjusting audio frequencies to improve sound quality. You can use an equalizer to balance high or low audio levels as needed.
Field recording is the process of recording your audio outside of a studio.
Figure-8 microphones are bidirectional. They capture sound equally from the front and back but dismiss noise from the sides.
Free Lossless Audio Codec or FLAC is an audio file format which uses lossless compression. It guarantees the same quality as WAV(uses no compression) but with a smaller file size.
Free Lossless Audio Codec or FLAC is an audio file format which uses lossless compression. It guarantees the same quality as WAV (uses no compression) but with a smaller file size.
Gain is adjusting your audio signal’s input level before processing it so that it doesn’t get distorted or noisy after the processing. It’s the ratio between the input volume and the output volume.
Volume is the loudness of your audio signal and it doesn’t adjust the tone of your sound. Whereas, gain adjusts the tone of your sound before it gets processed.
Gain staging balances audio input levels throughout the audio. It ensures your sound level is neither too loud causing distortion nor too quiet below the background noise.
A guest is an expert in a particular subject who is invited to your episode to share their knowledge, stories, and insights.
Headphones are devices to listen to audio and are worn over your ears. Using headphones while recording may help you leave out external noise, echo, and other unwanted sounds.
It also helps you monitor your voice and audio quality while recording.
Headroom is the gap between your system's average and .max audio level it can handle. It prevents distortion when the audio signal goes beyond the average point unexpectedly.
If you are recording a podcast at -6dB and the maximum limit is 0 dB, then you have a headroom of 6dB(-6dB to 0dB). It means, even if there’s a sudden spike in the signal(e.g. laughter), it can still go up by 6dB without causing any clipping or distortion. So, even if the level goes up to -1dB or -2dB during the recording, you will still be safe from distortion.
A high-pass filter(or low-cut filter) lets high-frequencies pass through but reduces low-frequency sounds below a set point. It clears ambient noise, breaths, hums from podcasts.
A podcast hosting service stores your podcast files. It creates RSS feed links to help you make your podcast publicly available.
-> Based on the plan you choose for a hosting service, you will have monthly or annual limits to data usage.
-> You can host your own podcast however, a hosting platform makes the whole process easier for you.
A hybrid podcast combines multiple podcast formats in a single episode. E.g. you can have a panel podcast along with the storytelling format. Hybrid podcasts may require more time and cost resources.
The Last Podcast on the Left
ID3 tag or metadata stores info on audio files when you submit your podcast. It includes title, author, description, genre, keywords, and other info about your show.
An in-person interview is the type of podcast format where the host and guest record a podcast in the same location.
Input level is the volume of your audio source. It indicates how well your recorder captures the sound.
Try to maintain a balanced input level. An extremely high level distorts your voice, while a very low level creates noise when you amplify.
Interview is a popular podcast format where the host holds a one-on-one discussion with a guest on certain topics.
The Joe Rogan Experience
Podcast intro, added at the beginning of your episode, usually includes short intro music, content-teaser, podcast info, and CTA. It must be engaging to keep listeners tuned.
A podcast jingle is a catchy and short tune, used in the podcast intro. It hooks your listeners and helps you create the brand identity for your show.
Kbps or Kilobits per second is a unit to measure bit rate.
Lavalier mics are smaller, portable, and clipped to clothing(near the neck or the collar for a clear voice). They're budget-friendly for beginners but may pick up background noise.
Level is the volume of audio sources.
Limiting is reducing the input signal when it approaches a threshold level. This avoids distortion in your audio.
Hard limiting starts reducing the input level once it hits the maximum limit. Whereas, soft limiting gradually lowers the gain as it nears the peak or threshold.
Limiting smoothly reduces gain and avoids hitting the maximum level. On the other side, clipping harshly cuts off soundwaves above a threshold and causes distortion.
A compressor adjusts audio by softening loud parts and enhancing quiet ones. Whereas, a limiter stops peaks to prevent distortion and maintain sound quality. Though similar to a compressor, a limiter's high ratio ensures a strict sound ceiling.
Live streaming is broadcasting your podcast in real-time. It’s a more raw format of podcasting.
Local recording allows podcasters to record an episode directly on their local devices. They don’t need to record it online.
A low-pass filter(or high-cut filter) allows low frequencies to pass through but reduces high-frequency sounds above a set level. It softens unwanted noise from equipment, hisses, or sharp sounds.
LUFS (Loudness Unit relative to Full Scale) is a unit to measure the loudness of your audio. It sets and measures the average loudness throughout your audio. It saves listeners from adjusting the volume often.
Rather than applying the same loudness for the whole recording, it sets an average loudness level for the entire episode.
M4A, also known as Advanced Audio Coding(AAC), is an audio file format supported by Apple devices. Its file size is smaller than MP3 but it provides better quality than MP3 even at lower bitrates.
Both AAC and MP3 use lossy compression. AAC is mostly compatible with Apple devices, whereas MP3 is widely supported.
Mastering is the final step of your podcast editing. It adjusts the volume level of your entire track and keeps it consistent. It uses limiting, compression, and equalization to enhance the final audio quality.
A mic, or microphone, is a tool used for recording your podcast.
Condenser, dynamic, lavalier, omnidirectional, bi-directional, and more to add to the list.
Mic level is the low voltage generated by your mic when it captures sound. Before recording or further processing, amplify it to line level(refer to preamplifier). If not handled properly, it may lead to noisy recording.
Mic techniques are best practices for using microphones, which may include how to handle or position mic, choose the right angle, or use pop filters. This will give you a clear recording.
A podcast mixer combines multiple audio sources and balances the sound levels of each file individually. Audio mixing includes equalization, compression, setting audio levels, and more.
-> Podcast mixing is done before mastering, whereas mastering is the final step of your podcast editing phase. Mixing improves the sound quality of individual tracks or signals, while mastering focuses on the sound quality of the entire audio.
-> The end result of a mastered audio is more polished and complete than a mixed podcast.
Monetization is generating revenue from podcasting. Pick a method as per your podcast format and audience.
Sponsorships, paid subscription models, joining advertisement networks, affiliate marketing, crowdfunding, premium content, selling courses related to your topics, and many more to consider.
Single-channel audio.
MP3 is an audio file format that compresses files (i.e. smaller file size) and still provides decent audio quality. It’s a popular format amongst podcasters as it’s compatible with most of the devices.
It uses lossy compression and hence, it loses some data while compressing. Hence, it affects the audio quality.
A multitrack is a recording where multiple individual tracks are combined. They can be edited separately and mixed afterwards. It’s effective when multiple speakers are recording individually or located at different places.
It’s the background music used in your podcast. You can also use it while transitioning topics in the episode.
The narrative podcasting format uses a storytelling approach. You can choose a non-fictional or a fictional format based on your podcast niche.
Noise cancellation is the process of removing background noise, breath sounds, mouth sounds, or any unwanted noise from your recording. It improves the audio quality.
Noise floor is the background hum or static noise in a recording, often from podcasting equipment, surrounding sounds, or electric noise.
A noise gate is a tool(either software or hardware) that leaves out audio signals below a specific threshold. It helps you reduce unwanted background sound.
Podcasters adjust audio levels to keep the volume to a standard point. Unlike compression, it doesn’t change the tone of the sound but only raises or lowers the overall level.
Off-axis refers that the mic is not placed in front of the speaker, rather it’s placed at a certain angle. Off-axis setup helps you reduce high-frequency sounds, pop or breath sounds, and harsh noise.
Omnidirectional mics capture sound equally from all directions. They are useful when you want to record with multiple guests simultaneously but don't have a complex mic setup.
On-axis means placing your mic directly in front of your mouth or other audio sources, at a zero angle. It gives you a clear sound and makes your sound brighter.
If you need to capture high-frequency sound but your mic is less sensitive to it, use the on-axis technique.
A podcast outro is an episode's closing section. It should include key takeaways, your next episode’s info or content-teaser, and a clear CTA.
Overdubbing is recording or layering a new audio track to an existing one.
Pacing is the speed at which you speak in your podcast. Adjust your pace as per your audience. Slow down or speed up your speech when needed, or use simple sentences to make your podcast sound clear.
In a panel podcast format, a host invites multiple guests to discuss a certain topic. It creates a more raw and live environment.
Lateral with Tom Scott
It occurs when you proceed near the maximum level of an audio signal(sound wave). Unlike clipping, it doesn't distort your audio but warns that your audio is approaching the max limit and may distort.
Perceived loudness is how loud a sound feels to your ears, rather than the actual volume. It happens due to the range of frequency or the duration of sound.
Inconsistent perceived loudness creates an unpleasant listening experience. Use LUFS to measure perceived loudness and keep it consistent throughout your podcast.
Let's assume, your podcast has a soft-spoken guest explaining a topic. It is followed by some loud background music. Even though you may have set both of these sounds at the same volume level, the background music feels louder. This occurs because human ears are more sensitive to certain frequencies.
It is the direct power supplied to operate some microphones such as condenser mics(mostly through XLR cable).
A plosive is a popping sound and it is created when your breath sounds hit the mic and create low-frequency distortions in your audio.
Common consonants that cause plosives: p, b, d, t, k, g
A plug-in is an added software to your audio workstation (Reaper, Audacity, etc). It offers extra features, not present in your current tool, and makes podcasting tasks simpler for you.
--> Commonly known as VST plugins
--> Plug-ins can be used for noise reduction, leveling, compression, noise gating, and more.
A podcast is an audio or video show having a series of episodes, usually around a certain topic. Listeners can stream or download episodes on their devices whenever they want.
Podcast analytics is the data and statistics on how your podcast is performing. It includes no. of plays, downloads, avg. listening time, subscribers, revenue generated, and more.
Podcast analytics is a great way to understand if your podcast is engaging your listeners and how to improve your content. You can use a podcast analytics tool to track these details.
A podcast artwork or podcast cover is an image or logo representing a podcast. A simple and clean cover reflects your podcast’s core and grabs listeners’ attention.
A podcast directory is a platform that lists available podcasts(via RSS feed) and categorizes them. Listeners can search, play, and download podcasts from these directories.
Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio
Hosting services store your podcast files and provide their shareable links. Directories list your show for listeners to find and subscribe but don’t store files.
A podcast format is how you structure or layout your podcast and present it. Having a format makes it easier to plan and script your podcast.
A podcast network is a brand or network that produces, distributes, and promotes a collection of podcasts. Podcast networks help you get sponsorships, advertise your podcast, and boost your revenue.
Podcast networks help you connect with expert podcasters or communities of your podcast niche.
A podcast niche is the main theme or a narrowed-down topic of your entire podcast show. You can create a series of episodes to cover various subtopics of your niche and target a certain audience.
Podcast production can be seen as a podcasting lifecycle. It involves several stages of podcasting, including planning themes, recording, editing, distribution and more.
Pre-production, production(recording), post-production
The gradual disappearance or end of a podcast as episodes become less frequent or cease altogether.
Polar patterns depict the directions where the mic will be more sensitive to sound signals and the directions that reject sound. Different mics have different patterns and it decides the audio quality.
Omnidirectional, unidirectoinal, bidirectional, cardioid, figure-8
A pop filter is a small screen or shield that blocks popping sounds or heavy breath sounds when you record. It’s usually placed in front of the mic.
The stage after the podcast recording is called post-production.
Podcast editing and mixing, adding background effects, creating transcriptions and show-notes, hosting a podcast and promoting it.
Pre-production is the stage where you start preparing for your podcast before the recording.
Deciding podcast theme, choosing a podcast format, researching the topic, scripting your episode, and inviting a guest if any.
A preamplifier, or preamp, is a tool that boosts weak electrical signals from the mic or other audio equipment. It is usually used to increase the mic level to the line level so that the signal can be processed.
A promo is a short promotional clip of your podcast episode. Promote your newly launched episode with the promo clip, create hype, and reach a larger audience.
Publishing your podcast means making your podcast publicly available for listeners. It involves creating an RSS feed from a hosting service and uploading it to directories (e.g. Spotify).
A reflection filter is a tool placed around your mic that absorbs unwanted sound reflection. A reflection filter prevents your mic from catching echoes and reverbs.
You must choose a reflection filter according to your mic’s polar pattern and room setup.
It is the time a compressor takes to stop reducing the signal once it falls below the set limit.
If the release time is too quick, the volume may fluctuate abnormally. If it’s too slow, your audio may sound suppressed and dull.
Remote recording allows podcast guests and hosts to record an episode even if they are in different locations. They can use dedicated software, or record locally and then mix their tracks later.
Reverb is the reflection of sound waves from hard surfaces and your mic captures it repeatedly. Usually, it’s more common in small studios. It creates an echoing effect.
--> Use absorption materials, record in a room with sound-proof objects, or add several sources near the mic and create diffusion. --> Note: Removing 100% reverbs makes your audio sound unnatural.
Use tools like Cleanvoice to automatically reduce/remove reverbs from your podcast.
A ribbon mic is less sensitive to harsh sounds and offers smooth highs and rich lows. It’s popular for vocal recording but it’s not suitable for every audio source.
RSS feed is an XML file that contains info about your podcast and is used for publishing your podcast. It comes up with a sharable link to submit to directories and other platforms.
Podcast name, description, episode title, cover art, summary, subtitle, language, podcast genre, publishing date, podcast duration, file size, etc.
RSS feed updates details automatically whenever you add a new episode or content.
Run-time is the duration of your podcast episode.
A sample is the volume level of the sound wave taken at a specific time.
In layman's terms, think of a “sample” as a dot on the sound wave. When several samples are combined in sequences, it forms a sound wave.
Sample rate is the number of times samples are captured in a second. A higher sample rate means clearer sound. It’s measured in samples per second or Hertz(Hz).
A mobile phone uses 8kHz for phone calls. For podcasting, 24kHz is usually good enough. However, 40k+Hz provides excellent quality, hence, most podcasters use a sample rate of 48kHz.
SEO is the practice of optimizing your content to drive more traffic from search engines. Learning basic SEO will help your podcast reach more listeners and rank higher.
Write podcast titles your audience is searching for, add keywords to your podcast description and show notes, and reuse transcripts.
Show notes are additional information given for each podcast episode. Show notes may include summary, guest info, chapter markers, and links to relevant resources.
Use keywords in your show notes and improve your podcast’s visibility.
Podcast summary gives you a brief overview of the episode. Whereas show notes also provide detailed references, chapter names, and other information.
An audio signal is the information you record and capture as sound waves. You can further edit and broadcast this signal.
A solo podcast is a single-host podcast format. It’s the simplest form of podcasting but requires you to have a good grasp of a subject or topic.
Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History
When a sponsor (usually a company or a product) pays you for advertising their product or service in your podcast, it's referred to as sponsorship. You receive a certain amount whenever listeners make a purchase or take certain actions from your referral link.
Stingers are music clips used for transitions in podcasts. They are similar to bumpers but are not more than 5 seconds.
Streaming a podcast allows the audience to listen to the podcast without downloading it. They can stream it on their devices, on a website, or other streaming platforms.
When listeners subscribe to a podcast, they automatically receive new episodes in their feed.
You can monetize your podcast using a paid subscription. You can choose to make your podcast content available only to subscribers or early access to your new episodes.
Syndication is publishing your podcast across several platforms or directories. You need to submit your RSS feed to these platforms for syndication.
A teaser is a short clip of your podcast episode’s content and it’s used to promote your podcast on several social platforms before the launch.
Create a teaser that makes your listeners curious about your upcoming show or an episode, give a preview of what you are going to discuss in the next episode, and make them subscribe to your show.
A track is a single layer of audio and it contains recorded sound. It can also be edited, mixed, and published.
It’s a word-by-word written version of your podcast/spoken content.
Reuse transcripts for your blogs, video content, social media posts, or newsletter. It will help you boost your SEO and engage more listeners.
Uploading is transferring or submitting your podcast episode to a hosting platform.
After you upload your podcast episode, you can create an RSS feed and publish it publicly.
USB microphone is a stand-alone mic that connects directly to a computer via USB port. It’s easy to set up and ideal for beginners but it may lack the audio quality of XLR mics.
Vocal mics are built to capture voice while rejecting background noise. Condenser mics work great as vocal mics as they are more sensitive and have a broad frequency range.
Voiceover is the narration added to your podcast after recording. Voiceover usually describes what to expect in the podcast.
A VU(Volume Unit) meter displays audio output levels. It’s not essential for podcasting but can be useful in a complex setup. It helps in avoiding noise and distortion.
A VU meter is used with amplifiers or tape recorders. It helps you avoid overloading, noise and distortion.
A WAV file is a high-quality audio file format. It doesn’t use any form of compression. Hence, it retains the original audio quality but results in a larger file size than MP3 or AAC.
Waveform is a visual representation of your podcast audio. It indicates the volume level over time. Waveform helps you observe noise and distortion and makes editing easier for you.
A windscreen is a mic cover that stops wind gusts and harsh breath sounds from hitting the mic. It’s useful for noisy and windy outdoors.
It comes with a foam, fur, or basket/blimp style.
XLR cables connect various audio equipment together, like mics to mixers or amplifiers (not limited to). A 3-pin cable is the most popular version. XLRs are widely used for professional recordings as they reduce external noise and provide high-quality audio.
Many popular mics like dynamic mics, condenser mics, or ribbon mics use XLR cables.