Podcaster's Portal: post production

Podcast post production Podcaster's Portal: post production

Post production for audio podcasts

IN THIS ARTICLE

Including music in your podcast
Including sound effects and atmosphere in your podcast
Editing the spoken word
Adjusting sound levels, multi-tracking and mixing audio for your podcast

By Jonathan Halls

My former colleagues at the BBC will roll their eyes when they see me writing about post production for audio.

That's because most broadcasters spend more time in pre-production. That is, getting audio elements ready for the program such as jingles and actuality. With some notable exceptions such as PBS, Radio 4 (BBC) and BBC World Service, most radio is broadcast live so there is not much 'post production.'

Traditionally, post production is something done in television. However, I want to use this term as a catch-all phrase for things you consider after recording the core components of your podcast when you are pulling it all together.

These things are:

Music
Sound Effects
Editing spoken word
Sound levels and mixing

Including music in your podcast

Unless you are making a music program, use music carefully. The best purpose I can see for music in a spoken word, factual podcast is for pacing (especially if it is a lengthy program), and creating mood or atmosphere.

So, my word of advice is avoid using too much music. Often just two or three seconds of a theme or jingle before fading it to a voice over will be all you need to create the mood.

When choosing your music, think about your audience. Often a positive song for one audience may cause another to cringe.

When it comes to voice overs, don’t drop your music level too low, or indeed raise it too high. Remember, the voice is the most important factor, and your music needs to support it. Not overwhelm it.

Sound Effects on your podcast

Sound effects are powerful tools for painting pictures in people’s minds. However, they can also lose their power if not used well.

When you choose a sound effect, make sure your listener will understand it. I played the sound effect of an air raid siren to a young fellow who grew up in the Pacific Islands. He thought it was a truck horn.

Don’t try to use too many special effects. A sure sign of an amateur is using five sound effects when one will do. It’s tempting to over-produce your sound effects. Only use what you need to use.

If you're recording your own sound effects, make sure the sound quality is appropriate. Think carefully about where you place your microphone in relation to the sound.

Your microphone location is where your listener "virtually" stands or sits when hearing the effect. Do you want the sound to be off-mic or on-mic?

Editing spoken word for your podcast

If you’re using a digital editor such as Audacity, you have a powerful tool to tighten your podcast. You can cut out stumbles and cleanly cut in and out of an interviewee’s comments, making it sound smooth and professional. But make sure you edit carefully.

When editing, don’t just edit visually by recognizing shapes on the sound wave in front of you. Listen to all your edits to ensure they sound smooth and natural. Listen out for breathing, intonation and reflection.

Sound levels and mixing

Tools like Audacity make sound correction so easy. When you have finished your podcast, check that the sound levels are uniform throughout the piece.

If it's an interview, you don't want to sound louder than your guest. Or if you have several segments, you don't want one soft and the other booming.

Use the amplification (in Audacity’s Effects menu) and envelope tool to adjust the levels so that they are consistent.

Finally, keep an eye on your music and sound effects levels. They should be as loud as you can make them without their drawing attention away from what is being spoken.

Post Production

So we may not officially have a “post production” for audio or radio. But these are just a few things to consider after you've recorded your pod. Good luck!