Podcasting has never been more popular. It seems everyone has one these days, from celebrities of all stripes to everyday internet heroes. If you’re considering starting your own it’s important to have the right plugin toolset to create the best audio experience possible.
Like radio, podcasting is a form of broadcasting. And as such there are technical elements that need to be just right. Like the most essential VST plugins for music production, here we dive into the best plugins for podcasting.
No matter whether you’re assembling your podcast in a DAW or website plugin, great audio is key to a great final result. These are our top plugin choices for podcasting and why you need them in your audio toolkit.
Equalization - Initial Audio Dynamic EQ
Let’s start with the most basic - but extremely useful - plugins for podcasting. Equalization. There’s not as much EQ needed as there is in music production or sound design, but having a good EQ is a must-have.
You can certainly use a basic EQ like the stock plugin that comes with your DAW, but why not step it up a notch? Initial Audio’s Dynamic EQ is a great, next-generation option. Each of the 16 bands have individual compressors that let you cut or boost frequencies with the Threshold control.
This gives you a level of control over the dynamics that standard equalizers just can’t pull off. It’s great for de-essing and taming resonant frequencies from the recording environment. The metering shows movement of the main frequency curve and clearly displays what’s happening with frequencies - cut or boosted.
Level metering gives a readout of how loud each band is, and the frequency analyzer shows a global view of the prominent frequencies in the source content. Thirteen skins let you pick the color of the GUI you prefer.
The biggest benefit to using a dynamic equalizer for podcasting is it does most of the work for you. Compression is an added bonus. Dynamic EQ is precise, accurate, great bang for the buck, and especially useful for podcasters who don’t want to get too “in the weeds” with audio processing.
Compression - McDSP 6030 Ultimate Compressor
Like EQ, compression is another one of the most useful tools in audio production and podcasting is no different. Podcasters don’t need to get too crazy with it, but it’s great for adding balance and cohesion to signal levels.
What sets McDSP’s 6030 apart is that you get 10 different types of compressors in a single plugin. This is great for adding different tonalities to the audio, whether it’s the gentle leveling of an optical compressor or the speed and color of a FET model like an 1176.
There’s a simple three knob control set (Ratio, Threshold, and Output) and a listen mode that lets you hear exactly how the compression is affecting the audio. Keeping your signal levels in check won’t be an issue with the 6030, whatever flavor you use.
And if you’re looking for a great free option, check out the Klanghelm DC1A
Noise Reduction/Noise Gate - Waves X-Noise
Nothing ruins a good podcast like noise. Environment, wind, background, hum, hiss, buzz. Whatever form it takes it’s one of the most annoying parts of the process, but unfortunately you will probably have to deal with it from time to time.
X-Noise uses a “noiseprint” modality built to simplify the de-noising process. It learns the audio and tracks down noise for you based on how you have the controls dialed in. The amount of reduction is focused through Reduction and Ratio controls, and Attack and Release smooths it out.
Difference mode lets you hear only the noise, and a spectral display provides a frequency-based visual readout. Noise reduction is an art, and you can save two profiles to A/B them. You can even isolate sections of audio to hunt down interstitial track noise.
The best way to deal with noise is before the audio is captured. That’s not always an option, but with a good noise reduction plugin it’s not really much to worry about anymore.
De-esser - McDSP DE555 HD
Let’s be real - essing is annoying. Sometimes you can EQ it out of the signal, but if you have to deal with it, the best way to address it is to use a de-esser. The process can be hit or miss, with an element of trial and error.
DE555 HD streamlines the de-essing workflow with precision, flexibility, and a transparent equalization profile. Intelligent signal analysis works on any signal level, so there’s no more endless threshold adjustment.
The Ratio and Release controls let you fine tune the amount of de-essing, and HF (high frequency) Only mode only takes away sibilance and leaves the remainder of the source audio unaffected.
A frequency chart gives you a visual readout of the sonic profile and how DE555 is affecting the overall signal. Level meters show you input and output levels and the amount of gain reduction that’s happening.
De-essers are useful for close micing situations commonly found in podcasting. Some microphones have more high end that produces sibilance, some voices have more of it naturally. With a good de-esser like McDSP’s DE555 you can smooth out your dialogue quickly and easily.
Limiter - FabFilter Pro-L2
Limiting prevents the signal from clipping that ruins an otherwise great signal. Transparent and loud is what Pro-L2 does, and it’s great for finalizing the output volume to give your podcast a polished and finished sound.
Eight limiting algorithms each have their own distinct sound all designed to provide clarity and volume without distortion or “pumping” from too much compression. Audition Limiting lets you zero in on the differential between input and output signals, and Unity Gain lets you listen to what Pro-L2 is doing without level differences and anomalies like the Fletcher Munson Effect.
The metering is very accurate and offers true peak level and loudness readouts in real-time. If you need to put the final touches on your podcasts and make sure volumes are compliant with industry standards a limiter is a must-have plugin. And nothing does limiting better than the FabFilter Pro-L2.
Dialogue Isolate/Extractor - Acon Digital Extract Dialogue
Similar to noise reduction, this plugin takes the concept a level up. In essence it’s a noise reducer powered by AI and separates dialogue from all types of background noise that can plague an otherwise great interview.
Trained on thousands of voice recordings and noise sources, the algorithm works in real time to automatically pull the dialogue from the noise. It has a few simple controls over Sensitivity across three bands (low shelf, peak, and high shelf) and Attenuation for balancing the noise to dialogue without removing it altogether.
Solo Noise mode does just that, and the GUI is svelte with readouts of the frequency spectrum, spectral level, and sensitivity curve. It’s ideal for field recording but is a great choice regardless of what environment you’re recording in.
Metering - Youlean Loudness Meter
Meticulous metering is a must-have for podcast production, but not just any metering will do. Sure, you can keep an eye on your levels in your software, but why not use a tool to do the heavy lifting for you?
Every type of audio has strict and distinct level standards to meet, so an accurate tool to measure that is invaluable to maintaining compliance. It doesn’t just measure volume either. Through dynamics monitoring it helps you keep your output files from being too squashed. This works hand-in-hand with a limiter (if you use one) to put the final professional polish on any podcast.
It’s easy to use, and there are a multitude of presets for all areas of audio that include standards of the streaming platforms your podcast is likely to find its way to. And if you need something specific you can save custom presets.
The dynamics graph is extensive and shows you exactly what’s happening with the audio. It can even detect if the mix is too compressed.
No metering plugin is as extensive as Loudness Meter. It’s simple, but very effective. The presets are very useful, and there’s even a free version you can use to try it out and upgrade to the Pro version if it fits your workflow.
Summary
Podcasting is more popular than ever, and it's clear it's not going anywhere. Anyone can throw up a microphone and create their own, but what separates professionals from amateurs is a specific focus on creating the best audio quality possible.
Just because podcast creators aren’t dealing with full-frequency mixes doesn’t mean they shouldn’t have a carefully curated set of processing tools. Learn how to use them, focus on creating amazing content, and watch the subscriber count blow up.
Happy ‘casting!