10 ways to make your podcast sound great

When it comes to podcasts, the quality of your sound is immensely important. Listeners are more likely to stay engaged and invested in a podcast that provides a pleasurable listening experience, enhancing their overall satisfaction and desire to return for future episodes. In addition, optimum sound quality enhances the perceived professionalism and credibility of the podcast, signaling a commitment to excellence and attention to detail. Investing time and effort into achieving top-notch sound quality is crucial for podcasters aiming to provide exceptional content that resonates with their audience. Here are ten simple ways you can improve the sound quality of your podcast:

1. Invest in a quality microphone: A high-quality microphone is crucial for clear and professional-sounding audio. Look for a microphone that suits your needs and budget, and consider using a pop filter to reduce unwanted plosive sounds. Additionally, consider the difference between dynamic and condenser microphones. If your space is properly outfitted with acoustic treatment, a condenser mic is the way to go for crisp, clear sound. Conversely, if you’re recording in a less than ideal environment, you may want to consider a dynamic microphone as they tend to be a little more forgiving.
2. Find a quiet recording space: Record in a quiet environment free from background noises like traffic or electronic hums. A well-insulated room or a closet filled with clothes can help minimize echo and unwanted noise. If you’re trying to determine where to spend your money and get the most bang for your buck on sound quality, this it it. Buy acoustic panels for your recording space, or build them yourself. Use thick, absorptive material that will reduce echoes and reflections in your recording space.
3. Use good recording software: Choose reliable recording software that allows you to capture audio at a high bitrate and in a lossless format. This will ensure the best possible sound quality during the editing process. Software like Adobe Audition, Reaper, or even Pro Tools will work for this task. By using professional software to record, you will have more options down the road to properly edit your audio and lightly process it to sound great.
4. Avoid excessive post-processing: While some light editing is necessary, excessive post-processing can degrade the overall quality of your audio. Maintain a balance between necessary editing and preserving the natural sound. You want your episodes to sound like a natural conversation. Too much editing can pull listeners out of the conversation by distracting them with harsh cuts, unbalanced audio, bad EQ, you name it. Plenty of things can go wrong. Less is more.
5. Practice proper microphone technique: Maintain a consistent distance from the microphone. Also ensure that you aren’t speaking directly into the mic; instead, point it at the corner of your mouth while the mic is slightly off to the side. The goal here is to ensure that your voice is properly captured, while avoiding all of that air rushing out of your mouth. That rush of air can cause plosives, which are undesirable in any spoken word audio. Also, avoid sudden movements or touching the mic, as this can create unwanted noise. And here’s a tip for measuring proper microphone distance: extend your thumb and pinky (like this: 🤙) and place it between you and the mic.
6. Use music and sound effects wisely: Background music and sound effects can enhance the listening experience, but keep them balanced and avoid overwhelming your audience. Ensure they complement the content without distracting from it. It may be tempting to pull up soundboards and constantly play funny sounds or tracks, but the real substance in your podcast episode is likely the conversations you’re having with guests. Only use these things when they add value to the episode.
7. Pay attention to vocal clarity and enunciation: Speak clearly, enunciate your words, and modulate your voice appropriately. Avoid mumbling or speaking too fast, as this can make it difficult for listeners to understand. It can also make it more difficult to edit your podcast later. Think about the way people speak on the radio. It’s exciting, it’s clear, and you can understand everything being said. If radio hosts mumbled, spoke too fast, etc. they would eventually be out of a job.
8. Prepare and structure your content: Most great interviews start with good prep, so plan and structure your podcast episodes in advance. This will help you maintain a smooth flow of conversation, reducing the chances of awkward pauses or excessive editing. The last thing you want to do is get caught like a deer in headlights in the middle of an episode, with no questions remaining and a guest waiting on your next words.
9. Conduct proper sound checks: Before recording, conduct sound checks to ensure microphone levels are properly set and there are no technical glitches. This will save you time in post-production and help deliver a consistently great sound. It will also help you avoid the dreaded scenario where you’ve completed an entire podcast episode, only to realize that you never hit record… or the microphones weren’t plugged in.
10. Get feedback and continuously improve: Ask for feedback from your listeners and fellow podcasters. Regularly listen to your own podcasts critically and identify areas for improvement. Continuously learning and refining your craft will guarantee your podcast sounds better with each episode.

By following these ten tips, you can significantly enhance the sound quality of your podcast and create a professional listening experience that will keep your audience engaged and coming back for more.

And here’s a bonus tip for you: consider outsourcing your podcast editing to a professional. When you hire a podcast editor, it allows you to put all of your time and energy into recording the episode and having interesting conversations with your guests instead of spending hours in a DAW editing your audio. Additionally, having a fresh set of ears listening to your audio is crucial to ensure all mistakes are found and edited out. Podcast editors can also tweak your audio to make it sound the best it possibly can, by using EQ, compression, limiting, noise reduction, and other techniques used by professionals in the industry when producing podcast episodes.

If you’re ready to hire a podcast editor, check out my audio samples and rates by clicking the button below. I look forward to working with you.