What is Lossy vs. Lossless?
Lossless audio (WAV) preserves 100% of the original data but creates huge files. Lossy audio (MP3, AAC) removes imperceptible data to create smaller files suitable for streaming.
Why Lossy vs. Lossless Matters for Podcasters
This is the difference between your master file and your distribution file. **Lossless formats** (WAV, FLAC, AIFF) are like the original film negative; they contain every bit of audio data captured. You should always record and edit in lossless formats to maintain quality. **Lossy formats** (MP3, AAC) are like a JPEG image; they use psychoacoustic algorithms to delete sounds the human ear can't hear (like quiet sounds masked by loud ones) to shrink the file size by 90%. You distribute podcasts in lossy formats so listeners don't burn through their data plans, but you archive your work in lossless formats.
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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.