Are you starting a podcast but not sure which audio recording and editing software to use? Well, you're in luck.
Podcasting is one of the fastest-growing forms of content creation, and there are so many great reasons to start your own show. Whether you want to share your knowledge with the world, build a community around your brand, or make money from advertising, podcasting is a great way to do it.
In fact, new podcasts are created every day on a variety of subjects. And with the number of resources available today, it's never been easier — or more affordable — to launch the podcast of your dreams!
First, a quick recap: What is a podcast?
Podcasts are simply an episodic series of digital audio files (usually MP3s) that are published online for fans to download and listen to on their device of choice.
They typically cover a specific topic or theme, such as business and marketing, and often feature interviews with experts in the field being covered in each episode. Some podcasts may also include music or narration between episodes as well as interstitials between segments within each episode.
Podcasting has existed for decades, but it's only recently started to become mainstream thanks to Apple's decision to include it in its iTunes app store. Since then, many people have started their own podcasts as a way to share their stories and engage with like-minded people.
What is the easiest way to record a podcast?
If you're new to the game, you're probably asking yourself, "what is the easiest and most effective way to record a podcast?“ The answer is simple: use podcast recording software.
No matter what sort of content you choose to share with others through podcasting, the next step is finding the appropriate equipment that will allow you to record high-quality audio files effortlessly.
To run a fun and successful podcast, it's crucial to have a reliable audio recording and editing program for you and other operational members of your team. Without some type of computer-controlled software, you won't be able to record audio files and edit segments correctly.
Podcast recording software lets you record audio directly into a digital format that's ready to be uploaded and published on the internet. It can also function as an audio editor that allows you to edit your audio recordings and add music or other sound effects if needed.
Whether you're an expert or a beginner, podcast production software will help you create podcasts that sound professional and engaging. Not only will this save you lots of time and effort, it will also ensure that everything is perfect before publishing your show.
10 best podcast recording software in 2023
Podcast production is more manageable than ever before. With the right software, you can get your show up and running in no time at all.
There are multiple ways to record, tweak, and publish podcasts, so choosing the right software can sometimes be a tad overwhelming. But no worries! If you're searching for the best podcast recording software, look no further.
In order to help you make a knowledgeable decision about which solution is right for your show, we've rounded up our top 10 picks.
Here are our top picks:
Let's get started!
1. Riverside.fm
- Price: $24/month
For the best podcast recording software, Riverside FM is considered the go-to production platform for thousands of prosperous podcasters.
Start recording podcasts that you can be proud of with up to seven guests at a time, regardless of their location or the strength of their wifi connection. Since everything is captured locally with Riverside, you'll get studio-quality results every time!
Featuring HQ uncompressed 48kHz WAV audio and up to 4K video resolution for each guest, your podcast episodes will always look and sound fantastic — even with remote recording.
Since Riverside.fm is a browser-based service, and not reliant on wired signal strength, users may readily subscribe to their podcasts with only one click from a single URL — without downloading and installing anything. Really, it's that simple.
You can even play pre-loaded clips during live podcast sessions, which makes shows more fun and entertaining! Overall, you will spend less time in post-production since all your clips are automatically recorded and synchronized. Thanks to Riverside's comprehensive AV recording platform, excellent podcasting is now more straightforward than ever.
2. Buzzsprout
- Price: $24/month
Serving the podcast hosting industry since 2009 and preferred by over 100,000 podcasters, Buzzsprout is one of the only companies offering a totally free plan with unlimited associate accounts.
Check out Buzzsprout if you're searching for an all-around exceptional podcasting platform. Along with robust editing features that allow you to get the most out of your podcast recordings, they provide helpful free learning resources to get you started.
Each episode's first 90 days of listenership is measured using an analytics dashboard that's simple to use. The dashboard also helps you to further understand your audience by allowing you to track the specific regions from which your fans are tuning in.
Lastly, the ability to upgrade to 128k stereo optimization for greater sound makes audio quality even better.
3. RedCircle
- Price: $30/month
An all-in-one platform to manage every part of your podcasting business, RedCircle comes fully equipped with advanced monetization options that allow for faster revenue generation.
Use the RedCircle Ad Platform (RAP), solicit donations from listeners, or sell subscriptions for unique content. You have complete command over how your material is monetized.
When you work with RedCircle, you can expect to be paid within a few days rather than weeks or months. With their Stripe integration, you can swiftly and securely accept payments directly to your bank account.
Best part? All of the stuff you create is yours to keep. You have complete control over how, where, and when commercials, cross-promotions, intros, and updates appear in your program. Contracts are simple, and there is no exclusivity.
4. Podbean
- Price: $0-$99/month
Another well-known podcast hosting platform, PodBean, has been in operation for almost a decade now and is still going strong.
Podbean is regarded as one of the top solutions available on the market today. The Daily Telegraph trusts it, as does True Crime Garage, and uses it to power its broadcasts.
Additionally, Podbean, like Buzzsprout, makes it simple to publish your podcast via a variety of different platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Play.
Hosting a podcast on the PodBean platform is free. If you're just getting started, you can upload a few episodes for no charge to see how they perform.
This is a swift way to get your podcast off the ground and earning money in no time. Whether you're a total rookie or a skilled podcaster, this platform can assist you in achieving your podcasting goals.
5. RSS.com
- Price: Starting at $4.99/month
Numerous podcasters depend on RSS.com because of three key advantages: limitless storage, robust analytics, and a complimentary podcasting website that supports and showcases your brand.
With so many convenient features, you can be confident that RSS's platform will be able to handle any future expansion of your brand. RSS.com also makes managing your podcast painless by providing a wide variety of operational tools that help you interact with your audiences, such as episode planning and social media integrations.
Additionally, podcasters that use RSS.com tend to like how simple it is to get started. In fact, most users can be up and running in about five minutes.
6. Adobe Audition
- Price: $20.99/month
Another user-friendly platform in the Adobe suite is Adobe Audition. You get automatic access to it if you already have a Creative Cloud subscription.
Audition is intended for podcast audio production and editing. It has numerous refined capabilities for noise reduction, intelligent compression, EQ, and other features. 'Batch processing' is one of the most valuable of those features. With this practical function, you can give one file many effects while also giving several other files the same effects.
Separate microphones allow you to record on more than one track at a time—providing you with more control and versatility. Individual EQs and post-production processing treatments can be assigned; gain levels for each person's voice can be specified in the application as well.
You can start studying the fundamentals of the software thanks to the abundance of lessons on YouTube posted by knowledgeable creators—making Adobe Audition a superb option for practicing podcasters.
Consider Adobe Audition your one-stop audio editing software solution, packed with capabilities for novice and advanced users to enhance their shows.
7. Logic Pro
- Price: $200 one-time fee
An industry standard for audio editing and content creation, Logic Pro, has a plethora of helpful features and a UI resembling GarageBand. As a result, migrating to Logic Pro won't be a problem for Mac users.
High performance is a hallmark of Logic Pro. All the necessary information is provided on a single screen, which makes the program straightforward to use.
Conveniently, Logic allows you to enable powerful tools while also quickly hiding the entire feature set. Doing this prevents a cluttered workspace and develops a customized user experience.
A one-time payment of $200 will get you Logic Pro. Your access never expires, and there are no recurring subscription-based costs.
8. Pro Tools
- Price: $0-79.99/month
Once regarded as the gold standard in the industry for podcast editing software, Pro Tools offers all the capabilities you could possibly need for pro audio recording and editing.
Over 20 plugins are included in the free version, which is ideal for beginners just getting started. The most expensive versions of this software are designed for more experienced users, and it incorporates automatic capabilities that save time on editing.
A free "standardized toolset" is available from Pro Tools First to get you going with podcast editing. The monthly fees for the commercial versions range from $29.99 for the basic program to $79.99 for the more sophisticated "Pro Tools Ultimate." Beginners should choose the free edition because it introduces you to the fundamentals.
9. Audacity
- Price: $0
Many podcasters begin with Audacity, a free, open-source digital sound recording, and editing tool. This application includes all the fundamental tools you need to edit and clean up your audio.
After editing is complete, you have the option to export your work in a variety of file formats. Users have the option of recording in 16-bit or 24-bit sound quality. It's capable of converting and combining any audio files, regardless of their sample rate or format.
It has one-click access to many great features like pre-programmed EQ curves (AM Radio, Telephone, 100Hz Rumble). Audacity's recording software is continually updated to ensure that it performs at its peak.
10. Garageband
- Price: $0
GarageBand, categorized as a DAW (digital audio workstation), is a fantastic choice for newbies because it syncs with all of your Apple devices, allowing you to work on your podcast recording anytime and from any location.
Most people think it‘s just a music production tool, however it makes podcast recording a breeze thanks to its user-friendly interface. Apple's pro sound effects and vast loop library are also included.
With GarageBand, you have access to a variety of mixing and mastering tools, all of which are intended to enhance your podcast recording experience. Using the built-in toolkit, you can create separate tracks, add intros and outros, and make changes to ad spots. Even seasoned podcasters will find it a useful platform.
Are podcasts hard to record?
The answer is a resounding no! Podcasting has indeed become one of the most popular ways for businesses and individuals alike to share their stories with the world — and it's pretty easy.
It only takes a little time and dedication, and voila! Even the equipment required for recording a podcast is relatively minimal — all you need is a good mic (a USB mic is fine) and great software (like the ones highlighted above).
Podcasting is an exciting online medium—allowing unobstructed access to a wide audience without the help of TV or radio. In fact, according to Google analytics, people spend 1.5 hours per day listening to podcasts on average!
So gear up and get started launching your first podcast episode today.
Happy podcasting!
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