With about 66 percent of Kenyans listening to podcasts, the audio format is now truly mainstream. And as the podcasting industry has matured, the activities surrounding audio recording and editing have advanced.
Gone are the days when podcasters were forced to choose between their daily smartphone-produced podcasts with background noise and a complex, costly professional recording rig.
Instead, the latest podcast-recording tools have made it possible to achieve studio-quality sound no matter your recording location. This is possible even if your guests, audio editor, or co-host are in a different room.
The podcast recording software niche is booming as more podcasters strive to record their shows while maintaining an affordable and nimble setup. But to achieve your goals, you must only focus on the best podcast software in the market.
What Makes a Great Podcast Recording Software?
When running or launching a podcast, there’s a lot to consider, including the guests and format.
At the same time, you can’t afford to underestimate or overlook your tech. Your choice of podcast recording software will have a lasting impact, so you must dig down into how you want your podcast to sound today and in the future.
With this in mind, here are the leading considerations to focus on when looking for the best in-house or remote podcast recording software:
- High-quality audio – The primary feature of a podcast recording tool should be quality recording. Your preferred software should record better audio and maintain high-quality files on a desktop, smartphone, or both.
- Ability to incorporate sounds and music – The best audio and video podcast software should have an expansive library of music and sounds to enhance your podcast. It may also integrate with third-party music tools.
- Support – Provided it’s not a free podcast recording software, the tool should offer support via phone, chat, or email, alongside other helpful resources like video tutorials, wikis, and guides.
- Built-in editing tools – Choose a podcast software that lets you edit audio recordings. It’s even better if there’s a mobile version. This isn’t necessary if you have advanced audio editing tools, but having software that integrates with the tool is a plus.
- Simple distribution – You won’t find this in most software, but if you do, it’s a bonus. This feature can submit your podcast to various platforms like iTunes, Shopify, or Stitcher in a few clicks, saving time and expanding your reach.
- Compatibility – You need software that’s compatible with your computer’s operating system and podcast equipment.
- Price – Quality podcasting software is affordable even on a budget. But if you’re just beginning, it’s better to try free software before deciding on the best option based on your experience.
- Ease of use – Numerous tools and features may not always translate to better software. Simplicity helps you focus on your content, so use easy-to-use, accessible software.
Which Are the Best Podcast Recording Software for Kenyan Creators?
Now that you know the main factors to consider, it’s time to explore the best audio and video podcast recording software. Let’s find out!
Anchor
While Anchor is popular for podcast hosting, this Spotify-owned service can aid your podcast recording. You can easily record your audio segments via Anchor’s mobile app or web browser. Moreover, the “Record with Friends” feature enables you to record remotely on the same app.
The platform falls short in its editing features, with its basic editing tools for adding transitions and splitting segments. But you can flag different parts as you record and then assess the sections you wish to edit later on.
Anchor is entirely free and is available on both Windows and Mac desktops. You can also download the Android and iOS mobile versions.
Pros
- Recording and distribution within a single software
- Simplified episode building
- It’s completely free.
- The mobile versions enable podcasting on the go.
- Integration with Spotify music
Cons
- It can only record up to five-minute and thirty-minute segments on Safari and Chrome, respectively.
- Limited editing capabilities
Audacity
Audacity can be an excellent start if you need reliable, free recording software for your podcast. The openware platform provides a range of basic recording capabilities you can access on any desktop device. That said, the software’s interface may seem a little outdated and complicated to navigate, but it isn’t a bad start for free audio recording.
Audacity doesn’t just record audio but also offers editing tools like noise cancelation, simple cutting and trimming, and audio equalization. It’s flexible to handle different file formats but only ideal for audio recording. You should find another software if you’re also producing video podcast content.
Audacity isn’t a browser app, but you can install it on Mac and Windows devices.
Pros
- It’s completely free.
- An excellent variety of editing resources
- Simple interface
- Can record at 32-bit, 44.1 kHz
- Plot spectrum and spectrogram view for analyzing audio frequencies
Cons
- The software can’t record remotely
- It lacks email or live call support
- It has a considerable learning curve
Adobe Audition
One of the most popular professional-grade software for recording and editing podcasts, Adobe Audition is packed with excellent features to simplify your podcasting. For instance, it has specialized restoring or clean-up capabilities and offers non-destructive, precision editing for podcasts.
Unlike Audacity, the admittedly simpler program, this software is absolutely stellar in post-production and can also function as a digital audio workstation. From topping off your audio to placing them at their appropriate positions in your final podcast, Audition excels.
The software costs $20.99 monthly on an annual plan, but you can pay $31.49 if you use the month-to-month plan. It’s also packaged in any Adobe professional product. You need a macOS 10.15 device or a multicore Windows 10 64-bit PC to install it.
Pros
- Professional audio features from an established brand
- Essential sound panel
- Built-in presets to guide new podcasters
- Both single and multitrack recording capabilities
- Advanced compression and noise reduction
Cons:
- It’s costly
- It has a steep learning curve
Hindenburg Journalist
A radio journalist invented Hindenburg Journalist, so you can expect excellent podcasting capabilities from the software. The tool lets you record multiple tracks, hence ideal for interviews. It even has the remote-recording option via Skype, but your internet connection will determine the audio quality.
Notably, the platform’s fair selection of editing features includes tools for sound effects, audio trimming, and noise reduction. Overall, it’s an excellent recorder, but you should find a better option for remote podcast recording.
You can choose between Hindenburg LITE for $99 or Hindenburg Pro for $399. The podcast tool is available for Windows and Mac devices.
Pros
- Simple plug-and-play setup
- Includes extra audio effects and remote recording plug-ins
- It’s easy to publish your content to hosting platforms like Buzprout and Podbean.
- The Clipboard tool simplifies management
- Automatic audio level tool to optimize your recording sound levels
Cons
- A little costly
- Internet connection determines remote recording quality
RINGR
A reliable remote recording platform, RINGR is available as a mobile app and on the web. Its simple recording process and little editing requirements on the user’s end make it one of the simplest to use.
You’ll only need to schedule a call and start recording, and the software will upload the recordings to the cloud once you’re done. Here, the tool automatically syncs and merges your distinct audio tracks into a single polished recording ready for download.
There’s a free and paid version of RINGR. The basic plan starts at $7.99 monthly, while the premium one will cost you $189.99 every month. You can also request a customizable enterprise solution.
The software is browser-based, hence available for both Windows and Mac computers. What’s more, you can also leverage the iOS and Android apps.
Pros
- Conference calling with over four participants
- Premium members enjoy split-track recordings
- Unlimited recording time and storage
- Enterprise dashboard
- Premium members can get as much as 48kHz audio recordings.
Cons
- The basic plan has limited features
- You have limited control when editing
Final Thoughts
All the podcast recording software for Mac, Windows, and mobile devices on this list can deliver the audio quality you want. So ensure you pick one that fits your needs by heeding the consideration factors above.
