Overview

Gain Staging for Podcast Recording is a core skill for podcasters who want their show to sound professional. Setting input gain to peak at -12 to -6 dBFS. This guide explains both the principles and the practical settings.

How to Apply

1. Record at 48 kHz / 24-bit to Pody's upload standard.
2. Apply this technique in your DAW (REAPER, Logic Pro, Audacity, or Adobe Audition).
3. Reference standards: Target -16 LUFS for podcast delivery, -1 dBTP ceiling, 96-128 kbps MP3 output.
4. A/B test: Compare before/after in monitoring headphones.
5. Upload to Pody — auto-distribution to Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, Podcast Index.

Why Pody Handles the Backend

• Archive-first storage: Master files permanently backed up to archive.org — never lose your work.
• Auto-distribution: Upload once, distribute everywhere.
• Studio marketplace: Book Israeli recording studios with treated rooms.
• NIS pricing with VAT 18%: Free / Pro ₪47/mo / Max ₪97/mo.

FAQ

What DAW should I use for Gain Staging for Podcast Recording?

REAPER (cross-platform, $60), Logic Pro (Mac, $200), Adobe Audition (subscription), or Audacity (free).

Do I need a plugin for this?

Most DAWs include built-in tools. Premium plugins (FabFilter, iZotope RX) offer cleaner results.

What's Pody's recommended setting?

Target -16 LUFS loudness, -1 dBTP true peak ceiling, 48 kHz / 24-bit recording, MP3 128 kbps stereo or 96 kbps mono output.