#5 S3E5 How to Elevate Your Podcast Quality
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Become a Podmaster™ – S3E5
How to Elevate Your Podcast Quality
Is content really king if your audio sounds terrible?
In this episode, Hendrik and Ethan tackle one of the most overlooked—but most essential—aspects of podcasting success: audio quality. Whether you're just starting out or have a few seasons under your belt, your podcast's sound plays a massive role in whether listeners stick around or switch off.
You don’t need to break the bank to sound good. With input from experts at Solid Gold Podcasts and Audiobooks and members of the South African Podcasters Guild, this episode offers practical tips and budget-friendly advice to help you raise your production quality. From mic technique to room setup, editing tools to post-production strategy, we cover what makes the biggest difference—and how to achieve it without needing pro gear or a studio.
You’ll also hear honest discussions around:
Why listeners will forgive bad video, but not bad sound
How mic placement and simple room treatments can drastically improve clarity
The free tools and platforms (like Audacity and Descript) that can elevate your audio
How post-production can transform amateur recordings into professional ones
Why consistency is just as important as quality
Whether production or content matters more—and why the answer might surprise you
Ideal podcast length and how to know when your listeners drop off
Plus, we dig into the trap of flashy video podcasts that look great but fall flat when you hit play. Great sound isn’t about gear—it’s about intention, knowledge, and care.
If your podcast deserves to be heard, it deserves to sound good.
Presented by Baird Media
In association with the South African Podcasters Guild
Find resources, tools, and more at https://baird.media
How to Elevate Your Podcast Quality
Is content really king if your audio sounds terrible?
In this episode, Hendrik and Ethan tackle one of the most overlooked—but most essential—aspects of podcasting success: audio quality. Whether you're just starting out or have a few seasons under your belt, your podcast's sound plays a massive role in whether listeners stick around or switch off.
You don’t need to break the bank to sound good. With input from experts at Solid Gold Podcasts and Audiobooks and members of the South African Podcasters Guild, this episode offers practical tips and budget-friendly advice to help you raise your production quality. From mic technique to room setup, editing tools to post-production strategy, we cover what makes the biggest difference—and how to achieve it without needing pro gear or a studio.
You’ll also hear honest discussions around:
Why listeners will forgive bad video, but not bad sound
How mic placement and simple room treatments can drastically improve clarity
The free tools and platforms (like Audacity and Descript) that can elevate your audio
How post-production can transform amateur recordings into professional ones
Why consistency is just as important as quality
Whether production or content matters more—and why the answer might surprise you
Ideal podcast length and how to know when your listeners drop off
Plus, we dig into the trap of flashy video podcasts that look great but fall flat when you hit play. Great sound isn’t about gear—it’s about intention, knowledge, and care.
If your podcast deserves to be heard, it deserves to sound good.
Presented by Baird Media
In association with the South African Podcasters Guild
Find resources, tools, and more at https://baird.media
Chapters
- 00:00 Cold Open: Gino Arlechino on how long podcast editing takes
- 01:01 Intro: Welcome to Season 3
- 01:23 Big Question: Does audio quality matter?
- 01:34 Why audio quality impacts listener retention
- 02:05 Ethan’s take: You can forgive video, not bad sound
- 02:26 Content vs Quality: Why both matter
- 03:11 Budget-friendly upgrades: Better mic, better space
- 03:49 History of good audio: Lessons from radio
- 04:22 Mic technique: Distance, plosives, and pop filters
- 04:53 The importance of room setup: Avoiding echo
- 05:12 DIY Tips: Curtains, closets, and clever hacks
- 05:27 Post-production basics: EQ, compression, noise reduction
- 05:48 Tools that help: Audacity, Descript, Adobe Podcast Enhance
- 06:34 Expert Clip: Solid Gold on practical audio tips
- 07:59 Don’t obsess over gear—focus on your setup
- 08:52 Good content vs post-production: Finding balance
- 09:35 Podcast types and levels of complexity
- 09:47 Solid Gold promo: Professional audio solutions
- 10:23 SAPG Clip: Content vs production – what matters more?
- 11:36 Quality over time: Why consistency matters
- 12:21 Don’t chase fancy tech—chase better skills
- 13:07 Caution: Video podcasts with bad audio
- 14:32 Ideal Length: What stats and listener habits reveal
- 15:40 Suggested length: 25 minutes is a good start
- 16:41 Consider your listener’s lifestyle and routine
- 17:29 Recap: Key takeaways from the episode
- 18:40 Join the Masterclass: Details on Baird.Media
