What is Normalization?
Normalization is a mathematical process that increases the gain of an entire audio file so that the loudest peak hits a specific target level (usually -0.1 dB or -1.0 dB).
Why Normalization Matters for Podcasters
Normalization is often the first step in processing a raw recording. It scans the entire file, finds the loudest peak, and then turns the volume of the whole file up until that peak hits the ceiling (e.g., -1.0 dB). It ensures the audio is as loud as it can be without clipping. However, normalization is 'dumb'—it raises the volume of everything equally, including background noise. It does not balance the loud and quiet parts (that's what compression does). It is simply a volume knob turned up to the max safe level.
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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.