If you’re just starting out on your podcasting journey, it may be helpful to refer to our podcasting glossary. It provides common terminology pertaining to everything podcast related, from equipment to recording and mixing, distribution and more. We have also divided the terms into various categories to simplify your search.
Podcast Recording & Production
Podcast Distribution, Promotion & Monetization
Audio Terms
Bit Depth, Bit Rate & Sample Rate
- Bit Depth: Relates to audio resolution. Bit depth refers to the number of values used to capture the amplitude of a sound wave. The higher the bit depth, the greater the dynamic range or the more detail you’ll hear in the quietest and loudest parts of the audio.
- Bit Rate: Unlike bit depth, bit rate determines the number of bits per second that can be digitally transmitted. It generally relates to the storage of digital audio files and how large these files are. Usually, it’s discussed in the context of compressed file formats, like MP3 and AAC. Much like the frame rate in video, a higher bit rate means better audio quality (but larger files).
- Sample Rate: Sample rate refers to how many times per second an audio signal is captured. A higher sample rate means more digital “snapshots” of each one second interval of audio. Higher sample rates result in more sonic detail.
Crossfade
Crossfades create a smooth transition between two tracks. As one track fades out, the other fades in. With respect to podcasting, it is helpful when merging two cut “track pieces” together, creating a more seamless transition from one section to another.
Clipping
When volume reaches beyond the appropriate threshold/limit and results in distortion. You’ll usually hear it as a crunchy, unpleasant sound.
Compression
Compression reduces the dynamic range of your audio. It makes the quiet parts louder and the louder parts quieter so that everything sounds more consistent and controlled throughout the track.
Dynamic Range
The difference between the quietest and loudest sounds in your recording. A bigger dynamic range means more variation in volume levels, resulting in a more natural and impactful sound reproduction.
Echo
The repeated sound you hear after the original sound. It’s like the effect that happens when soundwaves reflect off a surface and return to your ears with a delay.
EQ (Equalization)
The process of balancing different frequencies in a sound. For example, you may boost the low frequencies of a sound to amplify the bass or reduce the high frequencies to eliminate sharpness.
Fade
Gradually getting louder or softer, like fading out the music at the end of the intro song to your podcast.
Gain
Gain controls the amplification level of your audio signal.
Levels
These are the loudness measurements (Decibels or dB) in your audio. Keeping your track at the appropriate levels is essential to avoid clipping.
Limiter
A tool to keep your audio from reaching beyond the loudness limit thereby avoiding clipping/peaking.
Loudness Delivery Target & Loudness Units (LUFS)
This is a set loudness level used in podcasting and broadcasting to ensure the audio sounds balanced across listening platforms; -16 LUFS or -14LUFS for Spotify. LFUS stands for Loudness Units Full Scale.
Low-Cut Filter / High-Pass Filter
A filter that removes low frequencies from a sound. It’s especially useful when you’re recording in spaces that have low-frequency noises, like the hum of an air conditioner.
Mono vs Stereo
- Mono: A single audio channel.
- Stereo: Two audio channels - left and right.
MP3 File
One of the most common compressed digital audio formats. It reduces the file size but loses some high frequencies and audio quality in the process.
Noise Floor
This is the ambient, typically unwanted noise that exists in your recording, like a hum. It’s a combination of noise from equipment, background interference or other sources. You want to aim for a low noise floor to get the highest sound fidelity.
Normalization
Normalization adjusts the loudness of your audio file so that your audio reaches a consistent and optimized volume. Unlike compression, normalization leaves the dynamic range unchanged.
Peaking
Peaking occurs when the audio signal reaches its highest level and starts to distort. (See clipping).
Phantom Power
A voltage supplied to microphones (primarily condenser mics) through your audio interface or from external phantom power supply.
Plug-In
A software tool that you add to your DAW usually to add effects or manipulate sound. DAW users tend to have a range of plugins for different applications.
Polar Pattern
This determines the direction from which a microphone picks up sound. Depending on the microphone type and model, it will pick up a range patterns such as cardioid (which is most sensitive in front and least sensitive in back) and omnidirectional (which picks up sound equally from all angles).
Room Tone
The ambient/natural sound of a room when it's quiet. Podcasters like to capture room tone in their recordings for consistency and to make the recording space feel realistic.
Tracks
The audio layers in a sound project (which you can see as long rectangular blocks on your DAW timeline). A podcast can have one track that contains two speakers, for example, or it can have two tracks with each speaker having their own track. You may also have a third track that contains your intro and outro music.
Wave File
A raw/uncompressed audio file format that doesn’t lose any data through file compression. Because it is uncompressed, it’s a larger file than an MP3, AAC, etc.
Podcast Equipment
Audio Interface
An audio interface is a device that acts as the “go-between” from microphone or instrument to your computer. It translates your analog signal (i.e. your voice) into a digital signal for your computer to process.
Broadcast/Boom Arm
Also called a boom arm, a broadcast arm is a stand that attaches to your desk allowing you to mount your microphone. It usually features flexible rotation and positioning to achieve optimal placement for speaking.
Cloudlifter
A cloudlifter is used to boost hard-to-drive dynamic microphones that need more gain than your interface/preamp can provide. A cloudlifter (or signal booster) allows you to create a sufficiently powerful signal without introducing any distortion or noise.
Condenser Microphone
A condenser microphone is a highly sensitive mic ideally used in studio environments where the space is acoustically treated and protected from outside noise. However, many vocalists, musicians and podcasters are also able to use them in their home studios if there’s little room noise or sound interference. Condenser microphones are known for their remarkable level of detail and wide frequency range; they typically deliver more sonic nuance than dynamic mics. At the same time, condenser mics may be less popular for podcasting, though this is not a hard and fast rule. Lastly, unlike dynamic mics, condenser microphones require 48V Phantom Power to operate and do not exhibit a proximity effect (see dynamic microphones).
DAW
A DAW stands for Digital Audio Workstation. It’s computer software that allows you to record, edit, mix and master your audio production.
Dynamic Microphone
The type of microphone most commonly used in podcasting. An advantage they have over condenser mics is that they are less sensitive to distant sounds, making them more suitable in environments where there is noise interference. This proximity effect also allows them to produce a rich and warm sound on voices when close to the speaker. On the flip side, they have a more limited frequency response than condenser mics and tend to be less sensitive to subtler sonic details. However, partly because of their more deep and robust sound characteristics, they are often the preferred choice for podcasters and other broadcasting applications. Another advantage of dynamic microphones is that unlike condenser mics, dynamic microphones don’t require any external power to operate.
Mixer
In its most basic form, a mixer is a device used to mix multiple sounds together, using faders to adjust volume levels, as well as a wide range of effects for each incoming signal. In the podcasting world, there are dedicated mixers, such as the RODECaster Pro II. These kinds of mixers provide a combination of functions, including multitrack recording to microSD cards or USB, programmable pads that trigger audio and effects, as well as the ability to accommodate phone call interviews. Overall, they can be thought of as an all-on-one solution for podcast recording.
Pop Filter
A pop filter is a shield that you put in front of the microphone to reduce plosive sounds (like “p” and “t”) and other mouth/breath sounds.
Shockmount
A shockmount is a suspension support for your microphone that helps to minimize vibrations.
Signal Booster (see Cloudlifter)
Soundproofing
Soundproofing is the act of making a room resistant to sound reverberation and other sonic artifacts. It dampens vibrations, absorbs any resonance created in the room and generally isolates the room from any unwanted noise.
USB Microphone
A USB microphone can connect directly to your computer via USB without the need for an audio interface. While USB mics tend to be a lot easier to use, they typically don’t sound as detailed and clean as XLR microphones, which require a dedicated interface to convert the analogue source into a digital signal.
XLR Microphone
An XLR microphone uses an XLR connection to send an analog signal to an interface that can convert it into digital form. XLR microphones are the industry standard when it comes to music and broadcast/podcast recording.
Podcast Recording & Production
B-roll
B-roll generally applies to video podcasts. Unlike A-roll footage that includes the main focus of the show, such as the interview host and guest, B-roll is supplemental footage that adds extra context and color to your recording. It’s a great tool for breaking up the monotony of a talking-head scene and showing a more complete story using visual references and illustrations.
Bed
A bed refers to music or sound effects that play relatively quietly underneath the podcaster’s voice while speaking. It can help to create a mood or set the tone of the subject discussed and add emphasis or impact to the speaker’s message.
Editing
Podcast editing, which is done in the postproduction phase, refers to the process of trimming your recording and cutting together segments to create a cohesive narrative.
Episode
Podcasts are separated by episodes much like chapters in a book. Each episode is a digital file of a certain length that is ideally released on a regular basis. All these episodes combine to constitute a podcast show, which often (though not always) revolves around a particular theme, subject or format.
Export
Exporting involves transferring a podcast project/episode from your DAW to a file format that can be uploaded onto a podcast hosting platform.
Intro/Outro
The opening and closing parts of your podcast. The intro hooks the listener and usually has opening music followed by an introduction from the host(s) and often the topic about to be discussed. The outro wraps things up and often features outro music.
Jingle
A typically catchy tune or piece of audio that can become the theme song for your show.
Mastering
Mastering is the final polishing of your podcast. After trimming and cutting all your segments together into a seamless timeline and doing a basic mix of your tracks and levels, you will be doing some final touches, such as adjusting overall EQ and setting the overall loudness of the show to meet the standard for audio required by podcast platforms.
Mix Down
Combining all your tracks, including podcast speakers, music and effects into one final track.
Multitrack Recording
Recording multiple elements, such as host, co-host, remote guest and music, all on separate tracks to give you more control over the editing process.
Noise Reduction Software
Software tools that minimize or eliminate unwanted sound from your recording, such as sounds from your AC or interruptions, such as cars from outside.
Podcast Format
A podcast format refers to the structure in which you present your podcast. Examples include, an interview format, co-hosting format, solo host format, documentary format, etc.
Post-Production
This is the editing and mixing process after the podcast has been recorded. It includes trimming and cutting dialogue together, cleaning up audio, mixing levels and making the file ready for publishing.
Remote Recording
This is the process of recording podcast participants who are in a different location. They can call in or join via zoom and be recorded using the appropriate hardware/software.
Sound Pads
Push pads typically found on a podcast mixer that trigger sounds like stings and podcast intros or effects, such as clapping or laughter.
Sting
A short musical transition that is often used between segments to help break up the show and introduce the next segment.
Video Podcast
A podcast that records both audio and video. A video podcast can be published onto video platforms, such as YouTube.
Podcast Distribution, Promotion & Monetization
Affiliate Marketing
Promoting or advertising products or services and earning a commission for the sales that your podcast generates.
Analytics
The data and statistics that illustrate your podcast’s performance, such as the number of listeners, their locations and the number of downloads for each episode.
Audio Transcription
This is your podcast audio transcribed into text. It can help with Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and makes your content more accessible to all.
Directory
A list of podcasting platforms where listeners can find and subscribe to your show, such as Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Distribution
The process of distributing your podcasts to various platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, etc. so that you can achieve maximum listenership.
Hosting Platform / Site
The platform you use to upload and store your podcast episodes.
Metadata (ID3 Tags)
This is information that you “attach” to your podcast file, including the title, artwork, descriptions, episode number, season number, etc.
Monetization
The way you make money from your podcast, whether through advertising/promotion, subscription (e.g. Patreon) or merchandise sales.
Pre-Roll & Post-Roll
- Pre-Roll: Ads or promos that play before the episode begins.
- Post-Roll: Ads or promos that play once the episode ends.
RSS Feed
Stands for Really Simple Syndication. In its simplest terms, it’s a URL feed that contains all the information about your podcast, including the title and episode details. Every time you add and publish a new episode on your hosting platform, your RSS feed updates and sends it to the directories you’ve distributed your podcast to. This is how your new shows automatically appear on listening platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
SEO
Stands for Search Engine Optimization. Effective SEO involves strategic use of content to help your podcast rank higher. An example of this would be to research and use certain keywords in your episode title and show notes that would best reach your target audience,
Show Notes
A written summary of your podcast episode, with essential details and links. For example, if a listener is accessing your podcast through Apple Podcasts, they would see your show notes on your episode page.
Subscription
When listeners sign up or follow your show to automatically receive your new episodes. Sometimes, subscribers pay to have access to certain episodes.
Uploading
Adding your podcast episodes to your hosting platform so they can be distributed to podcasting platforms for listeners to access.
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