Pody Method 4: Editing Workflow — DIY vs Pro Editor
4. Editing Workflow
Quick answer: A podcast episode needs two editing types: (1) Content editing — cutting repeats, silences, "uhms". 1-2 hours, can DIY. (2) Audio editing — Loudness normalization to LUFS=-16, background noise removal, per-mic EQ. 1-2 hours, requires expertise. A pro editor charges ₪200-450 per 30-min episode in 2026. Rule: if your hourly opportunity cost is below ₪150/hour, edit yourself.
The two you can't mix
Common mistake: doing content cuts and audio fixes in parallel. 4x slower than doing them sequentially. Always: content cut first (rough version), then audio fix (final). Changing content after audio fix invalidates the audio work.
What to edit yourself
- Repeats (you said something, paused, restarted) — cut the first
- Silences over 3 seconds
- "Uhms", filler words when chained
- Laughs, coughs, loud background noise
- Pre-placed ad reads
What to hand to a pro editor
- Loudness Normalization (whole episode at LUFS=-16 unified — needs dedicated software)
- Background noise removal (FFT-based denoise, not Audacity)
- Per-speaker EQ (improves clarity 30-40%)
- Dynamic compression (evens volume between speakers)
- De-essing (removes harsh "ssss")
- Final mastering
Where Pody fits
Pody offers a marketplace of pro podcast editors with open portfolios, reviews, and transparent pricing. ₪200-450 per 30-min episode, delivered in 48-72 hours.