How to Remove Errors in a Podcast Audio File

Removing errors from a podcast audio file is relatively easy when you know how. The exact procedure will depend to some extent on the recording software or hardware you used to create the recording. But nevertheless, the general procedure remains similar. This article will demonstrate how to remove errors: pops, ems and ers, awkward pauses leading to listener boredom and scratching noises, while just generally tidy up a voice recording using the free audio recording software, Audacity. This software program can run on the Windows, Mac and Linux platforms, which makes it a suitable choice for almost everyone.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Open the Audacity program.
2. Go to Project > Import Audio and import the audio file you intend to use in the overall project. This will probably be the main voice audio file. You could also do this with a music intro file and maybe some general sound effects audio files.
3. Play the audio file by clicking on the "Play" button on the toolbar to listen for errors.
   
4. Stop the playback at the first error, noting the point on the waveform track.
5. Play only that part a few times over until you are familiar with the exact bit that you want to erase (assuming it is an awkward pause, or a piece of unwanted noise).
6. Highlight the bit to be removed by left-clicking with the mouse and holding on the start point (the furthest left point) and dragging the cursor across to the right to cover the area you want to remove.
7. Press the "Delete" key on your keyboard when you are satisfied that the highlighted area is indeed the part you want to remove.
   
8. Click on any part of the waveform track where the end of one sentence and the beginning of the next are too close together without a suitable pause.
9. Go to Generate > Silence and enter a suitable value in the box that comes up. The value will be in seconds. In about half a second, or 0.500000, there should be enough to create a natural pause between sentences that run together.
10. Click on "Generate Silence" to create the silent pause desired.

Tips & Warnings

• If you delete a section, or create a silent pause and the result is not what you expected or wanted, use the Edit > Undo feature to bring the audio track back to where it was before you initiated the original action. At that point, you can try again until you are satisfied with the result.
• Always make a back-up copy of the audio track you are working on. This will ensure that you don't lose your original should something irretrievable happen to the track you are working on. If the worst does happen, simply start using the back-up copy, after creating another back-up copy, of course.

Who Can Help:

• Find Computer, Electrical and Telephone Services Here. Compare Up to 4 Quotes, Free Service & No Obligation.
• Find Electrical Services Here. Compare Up to 4 Quotes, Free Service & No Obligation.