So, you want to start a podcast? Great! But before you hit the record button, you need to learn how to edit your audio. Luckily, GarageBand makes editing a podcast easy and fun (yes, I said fun!). In this guide, I’ll show you how to use GarageBand to edit your podcast like a pro. Let’s get started!
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Step 1: Import Your Audio
The first thing you need to do is import your audio into GarageBand. This is easy to do. Just open GarageBand and click on “New Project.” From there, select “Podcast” and click “Choose.”
Now, you’ll see the GarageBand interface. On the right side, you’ll see a section called “Media.” Click on the “Audio” tab and then drag and drop your audio file into the empty space.
Congratulations, you’ve imported your audio into GarageBand!
Step 2: Trim the Audio
Now that your audio is imported, it’s time to trim it down to size. Most podcast episodes are between 30 minutes to an hour, so you want to make sure you’re not including any unnecessary audio.
To trim your audio, click and drag the yellow bars on either end of the audio clip. This will allow you to select the part of the audio you want to keep.
Pro-tip: If you want to zoom in on your audio, use the “Zoom Slider” located in the bottom-right corner of the GarageBand interface.
Step 3: Add Markers
Adding markers to your audio is a great way to keep track of important points in your podcast. This is especially useful if you plan on doing some heavy editing later on.
To add a marker, simply click on the timeline where you want to add it. You’ll see a small purple arrow appear. To delete a marker, just click on it and press the “Delete” key on your keyboard.
Pro-tip: Use markers to indicate where you want to add music, sound effects, or other audio elements to your podcast.
Step 4: Remove Background Noise
If you’re recording your podcast at home, chances are you’ll have some background noise. This can be anything from the sound of your computer fan to traffic outside your window.
GarageBand has a great feature called “Noise Gate” that can help remove background noise from your audio. To use this feature, click on the “Smart Controls” button located in the top-right corner of the GarageBand interface. From there, click on the “Noise Gate” button and adjust the settings until you’re happy with the results.
Pro-tip: If you have a lot of background noise, try recording in a quieter room or invest in a good microphone.
Step 5: Adjust the Volume
Now that your audio is trimmed and the background noise is removed, it’s time to adjust the volume. You want to make sure your podcast is easy to listen to and that your voice is clear and audible.
To adjust the volume, click on the audio clip and then click on the “Volume” button located in the top-left corner of the GarageBand interface. From there, you can adjust the volume level by dragging the slider up or down.
Pro-tip: Make sure the volume of your podcast is consistent throughout. You don’t want some parts to be too quiet and others to be too loud.
Step 6: Add Music and Sound Effects
Adding music and sound effects to your podcast can really make it come alive. GarageBand has a library of pre-made loops and sound effects that you can use, or you can create your own.
To add music or sound effects, click on the “Loop Browser” button located in the bottom-right corner of the
GarageBand interface. From there, you can search for the sound or music you want to use and drag it onto the timeline.
Make the music or sound effect you use fits the mood and tone of your podcast. You don’t want to use a happy, upbeat tune for a serious topic.
Step 7: Edit Your Voice
If you’re new to podcasting, you might not know that editing your voice is a common practice. This includes removing “ums” and “ahs” or other filler words, as well as pauses and stutters.
To edit your voice, use the “Split” tool located in the top-left corner of the GarageBand interface. Click on the timeline where you want to split the audio and then click on the “Split” tool. From there, you can delete the section you don’t want to keep.
Pro-tip: Don’t remove all of your pauses and breaths. It’s okay to have some natural-sounding pauses in your podcast.
Step 8: Export Your Podcast
Once you’re happy with the final result, it’s time to export your podcast. This is the process of saving your audio as a file that you can share with others.
To export your podcast, click on “Share” located in the top-right corner of the GarageBand interface. From there, select “Export Song to Disk” and choose the format you want to use (such as MP3 or WAV). Name your file and choose where you want to save it.
Pro-tip: Make sure you listen to the exported file before sharing it. This will ensure that everything sounds the way you want it to.
Conclusion
Editing a podcast in GarageBand might seem daunting at first, but with a little practice, you’ll be editing like a pro in no time.
Also, visit our blog for more helpful tips and resources.
Related blog: Edit a podcast in Reaper.
