We have all been listening to podcasts because they're trending. In fact, many of us have wanted to start our own podcast on an interesting podcast topic, but were always afraid that it would not sound equally good. The editing is important to turn your raw recording into proper episodes, and using the right podcast editing software can make a huge difference. However, not everyone knows the right podcast editing techniques. It is important as it helps create a better listening experience for your audience. So, with this article, we are sharing the right software, equipment, and a step-by-step guide to editing a podcast!
If you are just starting a new podcast, you need some must-have equipment unless you are going for AI podcast editing. Some of them include:
A podcast is not like a regular audio track because the audience wants to connect with their hosts to see their reactions, expressions, and real-time emotions. This visual connection deepens engagement and builds trust. For this reason, the audio recording software isn't enough to edit podcast audio, and you need a good camera like OBSBOT Tail 2, which captures crisp 4K footage and perfectly frames the podcaster and the guest both. In simpler words, it helps you create a professional video podcast without needing extra assistants.
Key features:
Now that you know about the camera, we are sharing the five top tools for high-quality podcast editing.
Audacity is the world's most popular free and open-source audio editing and recording software. It's trusted by millions of creators for everything from podcasts to music production. The latest version, Audacity 3.7.5, introduces improved AI-powered plugins for noise suppression, music separation, and transcription. With its easy-to-use multi-track editor, broad format support, and growing community, this podcast video editor remains the go-to choice for beginners and pros alike.
Alitu is an all-in-one podcast editing and publishing platform. It is designed to simplify every stage of the production process. From recording and cleanup to final publishing, it automates the technical tasks so creators can focus on storytelling. With AI-powered tools for audio enhancement, built-in transcription, and one-click publishing to platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, Alitu helps you produce professional episodes up to three times faster.
GarageBand is Apple's free, all-in-one music and podcast editing software. It turns your device into a complete recording studio. It features an extensive sound library with loops, virtual instruments, and built-in lessons for guitar and piano. GarageBand offers professional-quality audio tools like visual EQ, compression, and mixing. These features are available in an intuitive interface perfect for both beginners and creative professionals.
Hindenburg PRO is a professional podcast editing and storytelling platform created specifically for spoken-word creators. It is designed for journalists, podcasters, and audio storytellers. It simplifies recording, transcribing, and editing through a clean and intuitive interface. Its "edit-by-transcript" feature lets users edit audio like a text document. At the same time, built-in auto-levels, EQ, and loudness standards ensure polished results ready for radio or podcast publication.
Adobe Audition is a professional-grade podcast editing and audio production software. It is built for precision, restoration, and studio-quality mixing. It offers advanced multitrack, waveform, and spectral editing tools for creating, repairing, and enhancing audio. From removing background noise to mastering full episodes, Audition provides a seamless workflow with Adobe Premiere Pro and other Creative Cloud apps. This makes it the top choice for professional editors and content creators who demand good sound and automatic podcast editing.
For this walkthrough, we'll use Audacity. It is one of the most popular free tools for podcast editing.
Import your recorded audio tracks into Audacity by opening the File menu. Click on the Open button.
Use Audacity's Noise Removal tool, located in the Effects menu, to remove background hum or microphone hiss.
You can also try other effects from here, such as fading, pitch, tempo, and more, as you can see in the list.
Tips: Listen through once as a "story editor" to check flow and pacing.
Use EQ to enhance vocal warmth or clarity. For this purpose, you've to click on EQ and Filters, and then click on Graphic EQ.
Tips: Avoid over-editing and aim for a natural, balanced sound.
Tips: Try royalty-free music from platforms like Epidemic Sound or Pixabay.
Export in MP3 format (128–192 kbps) for podcast platforms. You've to click on the Export as Audio button.
Tips: Save a project file separately for future edits.
Podcast editing is the process of cleaning, enhancing, and arranging audio recordings to create a polished, professional-sounding episode.
Rates vary. This is because the freelance editors typically earn between $30–$100 per hour, depending on experience and project complexity.
For beginners, Audacity and GarageBand are great choices. For professionals, Adobe Audition or Hindenburg Journalist offer advanced features.
ChatGPT can't directly edit audio, but it can help you write scripts, plan editing steps, and recommend tools and techniques.
Not at all! With practice and the right software, podcast editing becomes intuitive and even fun.
Mastering podcast editing is one of the most rewarding parts of podcasting because it turns raw recordings into a polished, professional show that listeners love. Once you learn the basics of cleaning audio, balancing levels, and adding transitions, it becomes a creative and enjoyable process. The right software and patience can turn even a simple recording into something engaging and memorable. Remember, good editing isn't about perfection but clarity, flow, and storytelling. With consistent effort, your podcast will sound more professional, attract loyal listeners, and reflect the passion you put into every episode.