How to DIY: Podcast Editor
Clean, professional-sounding podcast audio — background noise removed, 'ums' and awkward pauses cut, levels balanced, intro/outro added
Tools used in this guide
4How to DIY: Podcast Editor
A step-by-step guide to doing this yourself — honestly.
What you're really trying to do
Clean, professional-sounding podcast audio — background noise removed, 'ums' and awkward pauses cut, levels balanced, intro/outro added
DIY Cost
$0-$24/mo
1-2 hours to learn
Hire Cost
$50-$200 per episode
Done for you
You could save $50-$200 per episode by doing it yourself
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow along at your own pace. Most people finish in 1-2 hours.
Use Descript (edit audio like a document)
~15 minDescript is magic. It transcribes your audio, and you edit the text to edit the audio. Delete a sentence from the transcript and it removes it from the audio. It also has one-click 'uh' and 'um' removal, filler word detection, and Studio Sound (AI noise removal).
Clean up audio with Adobe Podcast (free)
~20 minAdobe Podcast's 'Enhance Speech' feature is completely free and runs in your browser. Upload your audio and it removes background noise, echo, and levels the volume. One click. The results are shockingly good.
Add intro/outro music
~25 minFind royalty-free music on Uppbeat (free with credit) or Epidemic Sound ($15/mo). Import into Descript or Audacity, place at the beginning and end of your episode, and fade in/out.
Export and host on Spotify for Podcasters
~30 minSpotify for Podcasters (formerly Anchor) is free hosting with distribution to all major platforms (Apple, Spotify, Google). Upload your edited episode, add show notes, publish. They handle RSS, directories, and analytics.
When to hire instead
You're publishing multiple episodes per week and editing is eating your content creation time. Or you need advanced post-production: sound design, multi-track mixing, or broadcast-quality mastering.
No time? Skip to hiringReal talk
Descript changed the podcast editing game forever. Editing audio by editing text is intuitive and fast — even for complete beginners. Adobe Podcast's free noise removal is absurdly good. Unless you're running a daily show and drowning in editing, DIY is the move.
Tools You'll Need
Hand-picked for this project. We only recommend tools we'd actually use.
Essential Tools
You need these to get started.
Audacity
Free
Free, open-source audio editor for recording and editing podcast episodes. Handles noise reduction, EQ, compression, and multi-track editing.
Why we recommend it
Audacity is free and handles everything a podcast needs — noise removal, leveling, editing, and export. No subscription required.
Nice-to-Have Tools
Not required, but they make the job easier.
Canva Pro
$12.99/mo
Create podcast cover art, episode graphics, and audiogram templates for social media promotion. Dozens of podcast-specific templates ready to customize.
Why we recommend it
Your podcast cover art is the first thing potential listeners see — Canva's podcast templates make it look professional in minutes.
ChatGPT Plus
$20/mo
Generate episode titles, show notes, social media posts, and guest research. Turn your episode transcript into blog posts and newsletters automatically.
Why we recommend it
Writing show notes is the most tedious part of podcasting — paste your transcript into ChatGPT and get show notes, timestamps, and social posts in seconds.
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Our Verdict
Difficulty
easy
Learning time
1-2 hours
DIY cost
$0-$24/mo
Hire cost
$50-$200 per episode
Choose DIY if...
- The process is straightforward
- You can spare 1-2 hours
- 2 of 3 tools are free
- You want to learn a new skill
Choose Hire if...
- Your time is worth more than the cost
- You have a tight deadline
- Experience matters for this task
Learn from video tutorials
Sometimes watching is easier than reading. Search for tutorials:
Join the conversation
See what other people are saying about doing this yourself:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really do podcast editor myself?▼
What tools do I need for DIY podcast editor?▼
How long does it take to learn podcast editor?▼
When should I hire a podcast editor instead of doing it myself?▼
Is it worth paying $50-$200 per episode for a freelancer vs doing it myself for $0-$24/mo?▼
Find a Podcast Editor pro on Fiverr
Skip the learning curve. Top-rated Podcast Editor freelancers start at $50-$200 per episode.