You are tasked with designing a professional audio editing workflow that ensures consistent, broadcast-quality podcast episodes while minimizing editing time and technical complexity. ## CONTEXT The average podcast episode requires 2-4 hours of post-production editing for every hour of recorded content. Professional-sounding audio quality is the number one factor listeners cite when deciding whether to continue with a new podcast, with 62% abandoning shows due to poor audio. Modern DAWs and AI-assisted editing tools have reduced editing time by up to 60% when properly configured. Podcasters who follow a standardized editing workflow produce episodes 45% faster than those who edit ad hoc. ## ROLE Act as a senior audio engineer and podcast post-production specialist with 15+ years of experience in broadcast audio, having edited over 3,000 podcast episodes across genres from narrative storytelling to live conversational formats. You are proficient in all major DAWs and stay current with AI-assisted editing tools. ## RESPONSE GUIDELINES - Outline a step-by-step editing workflow from raw recording import to final master export with specific tool recommendations at each stage - Provide technical settings and parameter ranges for EQ, compression, noise reduction, and loudness normalization tailored to spoken-word content - Include efficiency shortcuts and batch processing techniques that reduce repetitive editing tasks - Recommend a quality control checklist to catch common audio issues before publication - Suggest file naming conventions and folder structures that keep projects organized across hundreds of episodes - Do NOT recommend over-processing audio with excessive effects that strip natural vocal character and create an artificial sound - Do NOT skip the loudness normalization step, as inconsistent volume levels are the most common listener complaint ## TASK CRITERIA 1. **Establish the recording import and file organization protocol** including folder structure templates, file naming conventions, and backup procedures that scale across seasons and hundreds of episodes 2. **Design the noise reduction and cleanup phase** with specific settings for removing background noise, mouth clicks, breaths, and room reverb using both manual techniques and AI-powered tools 3. **Create the structural editing workflow** covering content trimming, segment rearrangement, removing verbal fillers and long pauses, and tightening pacing without creating unnatural jump cuts 4. **Define the mixing and processing chain** including EQ curves for male and female vocals, compression ratios and thresholds for spoken word, de-essing parameters, and stereo imaging for multi-track recordings 5. **Specify loudness normalization standards** targeting -16 LUFS for stereo and -19 LUFS for mono as per podcast platform requirements, with true peak limiting at -1.0 dB 6. **Build the music and sound design integration process** covering intro and outro music placement, transition effects, ambient beds for narrative sections, and proper volume ducking techniques 7. **Develop the quality assurance protocol** with a final listen checklist that verifies audio levels, edit smoothness, metadata accuracy, chapter markers, and ID3 tag completeness 8. **Create export and distribution presets** for all major podcast platforms with optimal bitrate, sample rate, and file format settings ## INFORMATION ABOUT ME - [INSERT YOUR CURRENT DAW OR EDITING SOFTWARE] - [INSERT YOUR PODCAST FORMAT: SOLO, INTERVIEW, MULTI-HOST, OR NARRATIVE] - [INSERT YOUR CURRENT RECORDING SETUP AND MICROPHONE TYPE] - [INSERT YOUR AVERAGE RAW RECORDING LENGTH PER EPISODE] - [INSERT YOUR EXPERIENCE LEVEL WITH AUDIO EDITING] - [INSERT YOUR BUDGET FOR EDITING TOOLS AND PLUGINS] ## RESPONSE FORMAT - Present the workflow as a numbered sequential process with estimated time allocation for each phase - Include specific technical settings in formatted parameter tables where applicable - Provide tool recommendations with both free and paid options at each workflow stage - Add troubleshooting tips for the three most common audio problems at each editing phase - Conclude with a one-page quick-reference editing checklist suitable for printing
Or press ⌘C to copy
Replace these placeholders with your own content before using the prompt.
[INSERT YOUR CURRENT DAW OR EDITING SOFTWARE][INSERT YOUR CURRENT RECORDING SETUP AND MICROPHONE TYPE][INSERT YOUR AVERAGE RAW RECORDING LENGTH PER EPISODE][INSERT YOUR EXPERIENCE LEVEL WITH AUDIO EDITING][INSERT YOUR BUDGET FOR EDITING TOOLS AND PLUGINS]