What is Gain?
Gain is the input volume level of a microphone. It controls how much the signal is amplified before it enters the processing chain or recording software.
Why Gain Matters for Podcasters
Gain is often confused with volume, but they are different. Volume is output (how loud it is coming out of the speakers); Gain is input (how sensitive the mic is to the sound source). Setting the correct gain is the first and most important step in recording, known as 'Gain Staging.' If the gain is too low, the recording will be quiet and hiss-filled (low signal-to-noise ratio). If the gain is too high, the audio will clip and distort. On an audio interface, the gain knob controls the preamp. The goal is to set the gain so the meter dances in the 'green' or 'yellow' range, averaging around -12dB to -18dB digital.
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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.