Mastering audio clip selection

What you should know.

If you’re polishing up your content, little extra audio magic can take it from good to great. Adding the right sound clips at the right moments keeps your listeners hooked, and it makes your episodes more dynamic. But how do you know what to use and where to put it? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered.

Let’s break down everything from choosing the perfect clips to seamlessly weaving them into your show like a pro.

Choosing the right audio clips

Before we go into the specifics of audio clip selection, we want to call attention to a couple of tools included in Adobe Podcast.

The first is Enhance Speech which automatically optimizes audio clips you upload, improving voice clarity for most recordings. With Studio, you can record directly through a browser or upload your own audio files to take advantage of the text-based editing feature, as well as access tons of curated, royalty-free music we’ve baked in.

While Adobe’s curated music clips don’t require any extra licensing or authorization, you’ll need to consider the copyright status of material you choose to scrape from the web. Recordings, music, sound effects, and other audio elements often require licensing, so look into each item you plan to use. (Hint: Adobe Stock has endless options of images, music, and sound effects, and you can access it through the Adobe Express Premium that’s bundled with your Adobe Podcast Premium subscription.)

As you search, you’ll want to make sure you’re looking for clips that align with the context and purpose of your podcast. Keeping everything consistent is a good practice for branding efforts, but know that it’s ok to tailor your sound as you learn about your audience. Like anything else, clarity should always be an important factor in the selection process.

PRO TIP: Adobe Podcast Studio now makes creating clips easier than ever. All you have to do is highlight the section of your transcript you want to turn into a clip and click Export Clip in the toolbar. To learn more, click here.

Ensuring high-quality audio

For the clips you select, try to upload lossless audio formats like WAV. For those concerned with storage space, FLAC formats typically take up less real estate than WAV which can be helpful for creators who plan to accumulate a large library of audio clips.

Just remember: don’t let your library get unorganized—making folders and renaming files has been a fixture in computer use for decades, and content creation is no exception.

Consistency will be useful for creators in delivering a branded experience that helps build trust, plus it’s much easier than scouring the web for unique sounds to use in every episode. Just make sure your clips match the tone of your content, and adjust the balancing to prevent elements from overpowering each other.

Quick tips for seamless editing

How you edit will depend on a few factors, like how well you tackled the pre-production process, in addition to the clarity and flow of your recording. Here’s a few tips:

• The way you structure your story should support how it plays out, but it won’t always be perfect in the first draft. Tightening up long pauses, cutting filler words, and removing unnecessary tangents can help keep the pacing sharp and your audience engaged.
• Timing is crucial for storytelling, no matter the type of clip you use. Start with a brief, engaging introduction to your clip. For longer clips, consider replaying segments at different points in the discussion to maintain audience engagement.
• Use Studio's text-based editing to easily upload and add clips and sound effects to the right place. You can incorporate your own uploads or choose from our library.

Make creating your content easier with Adobe Podcast

Mastering audio clip selection is all about balance—choosing the right sounds, ensuring top-notch quality, and seamlessly blending everything together. With Adobe Podcast, you have the tools to make the process effortless, from text-based editing in Studio to Enhance Speech for crystal-clear audio.

Whether you’re refining an episode or crafting your next big hit, Adobe Podcast helps you sound your best. Start exploring today and bring your podcast to life with the power of perfectly placed audio.