Podcasters are creating some fantastic material and I really like to listen and learn from it, and to be entertained by it. The one common problem I have found with every single podcast is the sound level. The interviews and the discussion is usually at one level, and then there is the sound/music between segments. It feels like the decibel level jumps from 20 to 120 ( I know I am exaggerating just a little). I swear my eardrums are still hurting after listening to a couple of excellent shows done by Andrew MacNeill (FoxShow – with David Stevenson) and the new OzFoxRocks by Craig Bailey and Scott Scovell in the last couple of hours. It is not just the two Fox Podcasts with this problem, it is other ones I have listened to over the last few months. Today I just found some time to jot a post down on the blog.
This is a little gripe, and definitely not something that stops me from downloading and listening to the shows. I don’t want to discourage you from listening to the recordings. In fact, if you are not listening to these two podcasts you are missing out on great information.
I don’t know how you capture and listen to podcasts, but I download them to my PC using FeedStation (module of FeedDemon), copy them to a SD memory card, and then plug them into my SanDisk MP3 Player. I then listen to them while I drive around to clients or when I am traveling. So when one of these podcasts raises the level of the sound I typically don’t have my hand on the sound wheel, I have them on the steering wheel. So the pain I feel is instant and unavoidable.
So please podcasters, level out the sound level for everyone. It will make listening to your podcast a much better experience. My eardrums and teeth fillings thank you in advance.
Great post Rick and yes, it’s tough.
It would be really nice to see some generic standard levels on the types of audio we get in.
How was the David Stevenson interview on the FoxShow – sound-wise?
I’ve been trying to keep the show around a .5 sound level with occasional bursts to 1.0 sound level and then reducing the sound of the music AFTER leveling everything out.
I’ll check with the groups at techpodcasts.com and see what they’re finding works as the best sound level as well.
The sound level on all the interviews is fine. It is the sound level jump when the music is play that is painful.
So are you saying the music is played twice as loud as the discussions/interview? Ouch. I am guessing the sound level can be different depending on the actual cut you are playing.
If you want a beta tester for a sound check let me know I would be happy to help out.