What is Automatic Gain Control (AGC)?
Automatic Gain Control (AGC) is a feature in recorders or software that automatically adjusts the volume levels to keep the audio consistent, boosting quiet sounds and lowering loud ones.
Why Automatic Gain Control (AGC) Matters for Podcasters
Automatic Gain Control (AGC) is a circuit or algorithm found in many digital recorders and conferencing software (like Zoom). Its goal is to maintain a steady volume level without the user having to adjust knobs manually. If a speaker whispers, AGC boosts the signal; if they scream, AGC lowers it. While this sounds helpful, it is often discouraged in professional podcasting. AGC can raise the 'noise floor' (background hiss) during moments of silence because it is desperately trying to find a signal to boost. It can also cause a 'pumping' effect where the background noise swells and drops unnaturally between words. Most audio engineers recommend turning AGC off and setting levels manually to ensure a clean, professional recording.
Ready to get started?
Fix audio pumping and background noise caused by AGC with our AI Audio Cleaner.
Try AI Audio Cleaner →Related Terms
ID3 Tags
ID3 tags are metadata embedded directly into MP3 audio files that store information like the episode title, artist name, album name, and cover art. They help podcast players display the correct information about your episodes.
Metadata
Metadata is descriptive information about your podcast episode that helps platforms, players, and search engines understand what your content is about. It includes titles, descriptions, tags, and embedded file information.
Background Noise / Noise Floor
Background noise (also called noise floor) is the unwanted ambient sound present in your recording, such as air conditioning hum, computer fan noise, or room echo. It can distract listeners and make your podcast sound unprofessional.
Transcription
Transcription is the process of converting spoken audio into written text. For podcasters, transcriptions make content accessible, improve SEO, and enable repurposing into blog posts or social media content.