iZotope Releases VEA, an AI Voice Enhancement Assistant for Podcasters

Hours Categories Tools

One of the hardest things to do for lots of podcasts is clean up audio. There are a lot of variables: environment, equipment, how you’re addressing the mic, external sound sources, and more. That alone usually makes hiring an editor worth it.

But veteran audio engineering company iZotope has released a tool that might help: an their AI Voice Enhancement Assistant, VEA:

VEA is an AI audio enhancer that takes any voice recording and makes it more powerful, more polished, and more professional. This easy-to-use tool is perfect for podcasters and content creators of all skillsets, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro.

It supports both Mac and Windows, and integrates with a number of other audio editors, so it should slot right into your workflow.

AT just $29, it’s definitely worth a look.

Check out VEA

Give Your Listeners the Gift of Clear Audio with Riverside

Give Your Listeners the Gift of Clear Audio with Riverside

Hours Categories Tools

Back when I started my podcast, if I wanted clear, uncompressed audio that didn’t have that random robot voice you’d get from an unstable connection, I’d need to do a few things:

  1. Use Skype + eCamm Recorder1 to record my audio cleanly.
  2. Send my guest clear instructions on how to record their audio with either Quicktime on the Mac, or Voice Recorder on Windows.
  3. Walk through the process with my guest to make sure they’re getting clean audio (that is, audio with no echo).
  4. Still record a backup, just in case.
  5. Give my guests a place where they could upload the audio.
  6. Painstakingly sync the audio when I combined them in GarageBand or Audacity.

Things are different now. Many podcasters use Zoom, which does a pretty good job of managing audio and internet connections — and even gives you the ability to record separate audio tracks.

But you’re still subject to compression and bad internet connections…which could mean choppy audio.

That’s why today’s advent tool recommendation is Riverside.

At the beginning of Podcast Advent, I recommended Descript as an all-in-one tool, allowing you to record with Squadcast, then move to editing and publishing in Descript.

A question I get from coaching clients and students when I mention this is, “what if I don’t want to do any editing?”

I think you only want to record great remote interviews/conversations, Riverside is the better bet.

They have a ton of features to make it easy for you to log on and just press record, with video, or audio only.

They also generate transcripts for you, and have a fantastic feature for video called “AI switching,” where they’ll help you make clips from your recording, and automatically switch to who’s speaking. This can be incredibly helpful if you’re testing a short form video strategy.

It’s been one of the main drivers of my podcast for years, and while you can’t eliminate problems completely with any product that requires two people to be connected on the internet, Riverside has been incredibly reliable.

I’ve used it as a host, a guest, and as a producer — which allows me to sit in on, and manage, the conversation without actually being recorded. Producer mode is fantastic!

If you’re looking to level-up your recordings this year, check out Riverside. They have a free plan if you want to give it a whirl.

Check out Riverside.fm
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One EASY Way to Improve Your Podcast Audio in SECONDS

One EASY Way to Improve Your Podcast Audio in SECONDS

Hours Categories Tips

A podcast with bad audio is pretty much dead on arrival. These days, with affordable mics and a higher expectation from listeners, you don’t need to sound like NPR, but you do need to sound decent. Now, thanks to Descript, you can sound WAY better with the click of a button. Here’s how.

In This Video You’ll:

  1. Learn how to record a track directly into Descript
  2. Apply Studio Sound to a built-in iMac Pro (2017) mic
  3. Hear the difference between the raw recording and the enhanced recording
  4. Adjust Studio Sound effects to make the recording sound as natural as possible while still improving the quality.

All for free!

Check out Descript

Podcast Booster Blueprint

Use my 10-year podcasting journey to put your podcast on the right track. 

Get my free Podcast Booster Blueprint now. In this email course, I’ll walk you through 5 changes you can make in minutes to:

  • Attract and keep your ideal listeners
  • Skyrocket your downloads
  • Start making money (now) 

No hacks. Only Real actionable tips I test for you. 

    Podcast Do’s and Don’ts

    Podcast Do’s and Don’ts

    Hours Categories Tips

    When I became a parent, there was no shortage of advice from anyone who had a kid at any point in their lives. From the most common, “sleep when the baby sleeps,” to the less common (but way more useful), “take the baby with you the first 2 months of their lives because all they do is sleep,” I was bombarded with a seemingly endless list of all the things I should and should not be doing as a freshly minted dad.

    And while podcasting isn’t the same thing as being a parent, there is that same firehose of advice from everyone from people who started a podcast this week to people who’ve been doing it for 10+ years. This advice comes from a good place, but it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

    Want to cut to the quick? Click: Do’s | Don’ts

    Why This List is Different

    When I started podcasting, I documented my journey. I wrote down the questions I had, and the answers I got. I made note of the hard parts, and the advice I didn’t get that I should have.

    As a podcast coach, I check in with my students and clients. I ask them what they are struggling with. And I ask them what their revelations are, as they happen.

    This list is the culmination of all of that — my 10+ years experience, and the new problems facing podcasters in 2023.

    Podcasting Can Be Hard

    As you start your podcast, you’ll be faced with tons of decisions to make, like format, if you should have video, what kind of gear to buy, and more. These lists should make it easier, without overwhelming.

    Here are some dos and don’ts to help make your journey a little smoother.

    Grow with Podcast Swaps (FREE Template)

    Using Podcast Swaps, I more than doubled my monthly downloads for my already popular podcast, How I Built It, from 34,000 downloads per month to 71,000 downloads per month.

    This Podcast Swap Outreach Database was integral to the process, and you can have it completely for free, in Airtable or Google Sheets:

      Podcast Do’s:

      • Determine the purpose of your show (why are you starting it?)
      • Research your topics and guests
      • Send it to more than just Apple Podcasts
      • Send it to YouTube, even if it’s audio only.
      • Record a few episodes before officially committing to see if you like it
      • Make the audio quality as good as you reasonably can
      • Encourage engagement with your audience (ask for feedback, reviews, etc)
      • Have a website to share episodes
      • Start building your list as soon as possible. I recommend ConvertKit.
      • Grab the social media profiles
      • Consider Mini Podcasting
      • Have fun

      Podcast Don’ts:

      • Sweat the Audio Quality too much (it should be listenable, but you don’t need to sound like NPR)
      • Feel like you need video (but consider it when it makes sense)
      • Be afraid of experimenting.
      • Stagnate. Change up the format from time to time!
      • Assume it will make you rich
      • Assume you will get thousands (or even hundreds) of downloads in the first week
      • Make your intro music too long (DO get to the good stuff)
      • Make it an hour long pitch (DO add value for your listeners so they trust you)
      • Get discouraged. Podcasting is a bit of a grind so make sure to have fun.

      A Few More Resources

      Just in-case you need a little bit more:

      1. Start a Podcast for less than $100
      2. 3 Ways to Make Money With Your Podcast — and How to Plan Ahead
      3. 5 Episode Ideas to Record Your Podcast FAST

      And hey…if you want some pointed feedback, I have some, get in touch. I offer 1-on-1 coaching.

      And Happy Podcasting!