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Creating a podcast: Recording, editing and publishing

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tagsglossar, audio, medien

2 min read

Creating a podcast: Recording, editing and publishing

In short: A podcast needs a concept, a decent microphone, quiet recording conditions, a clean edit and an RSS feed through which listener apps find the episodes.

In more detail: Podcasts are audio shows on demand. Technically they are simple: audio files plus an RSS feed that apps (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts, Overcast) subscribe to. The effort lies in content and discipline.

In Depth

Concept

  • Topic and target group: for whom, how often, how long (15 to 45 minutes)?
  • Format: solo, interview, two-person conversation, narrative podcast.
  • Name, cover (3000 × 3000 px), short description, episode plan (seasons).
  • Script or bullet points, introduction (hook), clear structure, ending with a call to action.

Technology and recording

  • Microphone: USB microphone (for example Rode NT-USB, Samson Q2U, Audio-Technica) or dynamic XLR microphone with audio interface. Dynamic microphones pick up less room echo.
  • Room: quiet, with carpet, curtains, furniture (avoid reverb); pop filter, distance 5 to 15 cm.
  • Headphones while recording. Level: peaks around −12 to −6 dB, do not overload.
  • Software: Audacity (free), Reaper, Audition, GarageBand, Descript (text-based editing), remote: Riverside, Zencastr, Cleanfeed or local tracks.

Editing and export

Remove mistakes and pauses (do not overdo it: natural speech flow), reduce noise, equalise loudness (around −16 LUFS stereo / −19 mono), music subtle, intro/outro short. Export as MP3 (128 kbit/s) or AAC; maintain chapter marks and ID3 tags (title, description, cover). Publish show notes with links and sources.

Publishing and law

Podcast hosts (Spotify for Podcasters/Anchor, Podigee, Podbean, Libsyn, Buzzsprout) store the files and supply the RSS feed that you submit to Spotify, Apple, Google/YouTube. Law: imprint (website/host), privacy, music and samples only with licence (GEMA-free music), guests agree in writing to publication, label advertising (avoid covert advertising, “advertisement”), observe quotations and personality rights, youth protection. Without profit as a hobby or business/tax if you earn. Minors: involve parents.

See also: Microphone, Audio formats, Imprint, Copyright, MIDI and DAW