I use a variety of software for recording, editing, and producing podcasts. Just like many real world disciplines where you have a different tool for a different type of job, so it goes for podcasting.
Here’s my list of software I use for podcasting – current as of October, 2017.
Logic Pro X
Logic Pro X is the main app I use for editing all podcasts. I make use templates so I can have intro/outro music, EQ settings, and other show details already configured when I start to edit for clients or myself.
I also use Logic Pro X when I record my podcast like Daily(ish) or anything in person like this session at 7shifts here in Saskatoon:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BSJVlelDhqp/
Adobe Audition
I keep dabbling in Audition because I know lots of other podcasters who swear by it. I generally use it to try to clean up really bad audio as it has some pretty powerful noise/clipping reduction filters.
RX 6
RX 6 (or whatever version is current) is the secret weapon in the fight against noise, hiss, reverb, and terrible microphones. RX is a series of effects you can plugin to Logic Pro or other editing apps – or just use as a standalone tool to cleanup an audio file.
It’s not cheap if you’re into podcasting at the hobby level, but if you make any money from podcasting/audio production, it’s worth every penny.
Auphonic Multitrack Processor
Once a podcast is edited, EQ’d, and otherwise massaged I export it and run it through Auphonic to get loudness normalization before sending it off to the internet or a client.
Audio Hijack
I think Audio Hijack is one of the coolest and most powerful apps on the Mac for an audio nerd. It can be used to route audio from anywhere to anywhere else – and make sure it gets recorded.
I primarily use it when recording live streams for the @U2 podcast on our Twitch channel so that I can get sound effects and intro music onto the video stream but also get the audio recorded for later in editing.
Loopback
Create virtual audio devices to take the sound from applications and audio input devices, then send it to audio processing applications. Loopback gives you the power of a high-end studio mixing board, right inside your computer!
Loopback is to modern Mac audio routing what Soundflower was to a previous generation – only it looks much nicer. This, along with Audio Hijack, make almost anything possible with audio on a Mac.
mimoLive
mimoLive is the app I use for sending a live video feed to Twitch (or YouTube/Facebook if we wanted to). I use a bare minimum of what mimoLive is actually capable of but it could be used for broadcasting live sporting events, concerts, or anything where you want to have a couple of cameras, overlay text, bring in callers from around the world, and all sorts of other multimedia fun.
Gameshow
Not strictly podcasting related, but I use Gameshow to stream any gaming I do on my personal Twitch channel – generally Minecraft with one of my kids. Gameshow works very similar to mimoLive in that it allows you to capture what’s on your computer screen and share it with the world. It’s focused a bit more on the gaming side with support for services like Streamlabs that Twitch streamers use to interact with their audience.
How About You?
These are the tools I use for podcasting – but I know there’s a ton more out there. What do you use? Which ones do you have questions about? Feel free to leave a comment below or tweet me a question on Twitter.
Lovely list here, kinda gives me confidence to buy Auphonic desktop version. Can’t find any other way to quickly get LUFS to -16! Been messing with this for a while, finally just think that Auphonic is the way!
Also, do you use RX on single channels, or on the whole podcast once it’s bounced down? I’m currently using de-noise just on my vocal channel, find it super effective!!!
Anyways, thanks again, lovely stuff!
Warmly
Nate
Hey Nate – thanks for the comment and popping by to read.
I dig using Auphonic a lot – Adobe Audition has gotten a lot better from what I’ve seen at handling this but it’s still nice to throw an episode through Auphonic and just know it worked. My only hesitation in recommending Auphonic desktop right now is that it seems like they’re due for a new version – it’s just been awhile since they’ve updated in a major way and I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re working on some sort of direct plugin for Logic/Audition but I have nothing to base that on other than a gut feeling. The desktop version works great on High Sierra so it’s certainly safe to purchase from a technical standpoint.
I use RX on single channels. I hadn’t thought of doing it on the master but that could work I suppose if everything is noisy or has too much reverb. But generally the edits I do are for podcasters in two very different styles of rooms/mics/etc. so I feel it’s better to EQ/fix them individually.
Have fun! The music sounds great!
Chris.
Great post. If programs like Audition etc… are specifically made for audio, why not skip a step (i.e. Logic Pro etc…) and record directly into Audition and edit from there?
It’s perfectly fine to record directly into Logic Pro / Audition – I do it sometimes, particularly for solo podcasts I do. Sometimes I need the flexibility of an Audio Hijack / Loopback to route audio other places AND record. Plus Logic Pro / Audition loads up plugins and settings that I don’t necessarily need (but might be nice to have) when recording, taking up system resources. Again, not as big a deal on a modern, loaded up computer – but I’d rather run minimal where possible.
Thanks for stopping by!
Chris