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Before Editing Checklist

Before you begin to edit your podcast, there are a few things you should consider:

  • Transfer your audio files to your computer and place them in a folder.
  • Sort through your audio files, renaming the files accordingly.
  • Create backup copies of your unedited audio files in a separate folder.
  • Use headphones instead of solely relying on your computer’s speakers.
  • Keep your script nearby – This will act as a guide as you edit.
  • And of course, downloading and installing an audio editing program. But which one?

Choosing an Audio Editor

There are plenty of audio editing tools that you can use. Consult the graph below to choose a software package that will work for you.

Chart with three columns and four rows. The three softwares discussed are Reaper, Audacity, and Adobe Audition. All work on Mac and Windows, Audacity also works on Linux. Audacity is available for free and at Lyons New Media Centre. Audition is only available at Lyons. Reaper can be accessed at Lyons and through a free 60 day trial.

Links to resources in the chart:

Adobe Tutorials on Audition

LinkedIn Learning Course on Audition

Reaper Videos

Reaper User Guide

Audacity Manual

Audacity Frequently Asked Questions

Learn to Edit Audio on Audacity

Audacity is a free audio editing software. Because of its accessibility, it’s our preferred platform. Watch the video below to learn how to use the program. Elaine will show you how to cut out unwanted noises, reduce background noise, add background music, and more.

View the original here.

You can also watch three video tutorials by Veronica, which overview:

  • i) Audio Editing Basics (Downloading Audacity, Importing Audio, Cutting Audio, Reducing Noise, and Normalizing Audio Levels)
  • ii) Inserting Clips (Finding Clips, Converting to MP3, Editing Clips, Inserting Clips to Your Recording)
  • iii) Inserting Music and Exporting Your File (Finding Music, Editing Music, Fading Music In and Out, Inserting Music to Your Recording)

Video One: Audio Editing Basics

View the original here.

Links:

Video Two: Inserting Clips

View the original here

Links:

Video Three: Inserting Music and Exporting Your File

View the original here.

Links:

Many podcasts use music at some point in the episode. If you do not have the budget to hire a composer, browse repositories like Pixabay and the YouTube Audio Library for audio that you can legally use in your show. Note that the YouTube Audio Library cannot be linked because it is accessed through the “Creator Studio”–which simply means that you need a (free) YouTube account to access the files.