PodcastingWorkshopOctober2026.pdf
KIN 4292 Workshop Presentation
Using Adobe Premiere Pro for audio processing
Soundtrack music: https://uppbeat.io
Sound effects: https://freesound.org
Research Commons Audio Studio (with booking link)
Research Commons FilmMaker Studio (with booking link)
Download Audacity (recording and editing software)
Recording at home with GarageBand: https://youtu.be/rHxE5XP7auw
Recording at home with Audacity: https://youtu.be/YsBagxt6zmo
This is an illustrated step-by-step guide to editing and rendering (exporting as mp3 or wav file) a basic podcast using Audacity software. Get Audacity, free for PC and Mac, here: https://www.audacityteam.org/download/
Note: interfaces and positioning of items therein may vary depending on the particular software installation to your individual laptop.
Compression is used to reduce the dynamic range of signals with loud and quieter elements so that both can be heard clearly. Compression allows a fair bit of control but requires trial and error and further understanding (or, alternately, luck) to use effectively. More here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/blog/how-to-use-compressor-in-audacity.
Try the default settings first and otherwise adjust the decibel (db) Threshold (above which compression is applied) to the level where quieter passages are peaking (as indicated in the output audio slider to the upper right of the interface during playback - see below). Unless the dynamic range of a track is needlessly immodest, keep the Ratio (how much compression is applied to sounds above the threshold) reasonably modest - e.g., 2:1 vs 8:1. Don't worry about other settings for now.
Threshold identifies the dB level above which compression or limiting of the audio signal will be applied. Standard practice is to choose the floor of your target range (e.g., if your range is -15dB to -10dB, then choose -15dB).
Ratio is the gain reduction applied to the audio that exceeds the threshold. The higher the ration, the more the compression. 2:1 or 3:1 is typically fine for vocals.
Reduce or boost volume levels of tracks or sections of tracks that you have selected (click and drag the cursor); the default settings are likely good to to optimize the track or section:
To trim a track, place your cursor over the beginning or end of the track so the cursor becomes an arrow pointing both left and right (<->), then click and drag the chosen margin to trim.
To cut or delete a passage of a track, click and drag within a track to select a passage and then cut or delete as you would in a text processing application (e.g., hitting the Delete key; Edit -> Cut).
To split a track (whose resultant fragments can then be moved by placing the cursor in their lighter grey headers, where the cursor turns into a hand), place the cursor where the split should occur and then choose Edit ->Audio Clips -> Split:
Select an entire track (to apply Effects, for e.g.) by clicking in the track's left panel:
To add music to this project, you could create an account at Uppbeat (you will have to give credit when you post the podcast online): https://uppbeat.io:
To add sound effects, you could record your own or create an account at FreeSound (you will have to give credit when you post the podcast online): https://freesound.org:
To import audio files from downloads (e.g., music or sound effects), or other projects:
Audacity allows you to mix a project by adjusting individual tracks' volume (- / +) and left-to-right position panning (L/R) relative to one another so that the end product sounds full and well balanced. You might, for example, center a narrator's voice while panning music or effects to the left or right, or you may have two people in conversation sonically situated to the left and right of one another, simulating a real world situation. A good baseline output volume level might be between -20db and -10db. Monitor volume/decibel output while in playback mode from the readings in the upper right of Audacity.
You can also Mute a track or play it Solo (muting all others) during playback while editing. This can be useful for gauging its current volume, for example. These controls are found to the left in individual track displays:
Select (click and drag) a portion of one track or more to fade in or out:
Equalization (EQ) manages the overall balance of frequencies in a track or passage. You can boost bottom (bass) or high (treble) ends, for example, using Audacity presets:
Export Audacity project in chosen format (File -> Export Audio...). Note that .wav files are less compressed, if at all, and will sound more full when uploaded to a podcasting platform such as Spotify:
Create an account at Spotify for Podcasters (https://podcasters.spotify.com/) or another hosting service and upload your podcast:
This is an illustrated step-by-step guide to recording, editing, rendering (exporting as mp3) and publishing a basic podcast using GarageBand software, free to Mac users.
Compression is used to reduce the dynamic range of tracks with loud and quieter elements so that both can be heard evenly and clearly. Compression allows a fair bit of control but requires trial and error and some understanding to use correctly. GarageBand comes with a compressor plug-in (remember to select your track first):
Threshold identifies the dB level above which compression or limiting of the audio signal will be applied. Standard practice is to choose the floor of your target range (e.g., if your range is -15dB to -10dB, then choose -15dB).
Ratio is the gain reduction applied to the audio that exceeds the threshold. The higher the ration, the more the compression. 2:1 or 3:1 is typically fine for vocals.
GarageBand allows you to mix a project by adjusting individual tracks' and regions of tracks' volume as well as create fades in and out. This is done through "Automation" - Press both the command button and letter a at the same time to invoke automation. Tracks will dim and a yellow through line will appear in each track. You can click and drag the yellow line up or down to raise or lower track volume, and you can click on points on the yellow line to create markers that will isolate actions between markers along the line. . This requires a bit of exploration to get the hang of, but a quick tip for raising just a region of a track's volume is to create double markers on either side, drag the yellow line between upward or downward as desired, and adjust (drag) the points on either side to create fades:
A good baseline output volume level might be between -15db and -10db. One limitation of GarageBand is the absence of living metering or measuring of volume output, but you can download metering plugins, such https://youlean.co/youlean-loudness-meter. Once installed (run it from your Downloads folder), the meter can be activated from the Plug-ins for the selected track:
Adjust left-to-right audio panning (L/R) of tracks relative to one another so that the end product sounds full and well balanced. You might, for example, centre a narrator's voice while panning music or effects to the left or right, or you may have two people in conversation sonically situated to the left and right of one another, simulating a real world situation. You can also Mute a track or play it Solo (muting all others) during playback while editing. These controls are found to the left in individual track displays:
To add music to this project, you could create an account at Uppbeat (you will have to give credit when you post the podcast online): https://uppbeat.io:
To add sound effects, you could record your own or create an account at FreeSound (you will have to give credit when you post the podcast online): https://freesound.org:
To import audio files from downloads or other folders, click (select) and drag the file into the GarageBand project:
Rename your tracks so that you can identify what's what at a glance by clicking on the name to the left of the track:
To select a track, click on its grey non timeline region to the left and it will appear a lighter grey than other tracks:
To trim a track, place your cursor over the beginning or end of the lower half of a track so the cursor becomes left and right pointy brackets on either side of a square bracket < [ >, then click and drag the chosen margin to trim:
To split a track (whose resultant fragments can then be moved by placing the cursor in their lighter grey headers, where the cursor turns into a hand), place the cursor where the split should occur and then choose Edit ->Split Regions at Playhead:
To cut a passage of a track that you want to delete or else move elsewhere (to another track, for e.g.), follow the process for splitting the track at both the beginning and end of the intended selections as explained above. Then click in the now independent passage to select it and do what you need to do (e.g., to delete, hit the backspace button, to move it, click and drag, etc.)
Equalization (EQ) manages the overall balance of frequencies (the tone) in a track. You can adjust low (bass), mid, and high (treble) ends of frequencies generally, for example, using GarageBand Controls as illustrated above.
You can exert far more control over a track's tone, however, by toggling to the EQ interface when a track is selected, clicking the Analyzer button to the bottom left to analyze the track's frequency distribution during playback, and selecting frequency regions in the interface to boost or suppress by selecting the points that appear upon mouse over and dragging them up, down and sideways:
EQ can take time to understand and use effectively in balancing a voice track on its own and in relation to other voices, music, and sound effects. One thing to remember is that two tracks with similar tones when played simultaneously will be difficult to distinguish clearly from one another, and so adjustments to dominant shared frequency ranges in one or the other can balance the overall mix. To learn more: https://youtu.be/wjYeKBCYlmY?si=Gu_mcLAEP5rTAQ9V
Render your GarageBand project as a MP3 or Wave file. Note that .wav files are less compressed, if at all, and will sound more full when uploaded to a podcasting platform such as Spotify::
Create an account at Spotify for Podcasters (https://podcasters.spotify.com/) or another hosting service and upload your podcast:
Last modified on October 7, 2026 16:12