What Does a Podcast Editor Actually Do? A Behind-the-Scenes Look

"Editing" sounds simple from the outside — cut the bad parts, keep the good parts. But there's a lot more happening behind the scenes between a raw recording and a finished episode. Here's an honest, behind-the-curtain look.

Step 1: Reviewing the Raw Files

Before any cutting happens, an editor listens through the entire raw recording — checking for technical issues (clipping, dropouts, sync problems between multiple tracks) and getting a feel for the episode's flow.

Step 2: The First Edit Pass

This is the part most people picture when they think of "editing":

• Removing long pauses, dead air, and filler words ("um," "uh," excessive "like")

• Cutting mistakes, false starts, and tangents that don't serve the episode

• Tightening the pacing so conversations flow naturally without feeling rushed

  
  

Step 3: Leveling and Mixing

Once the structure is locked in, the focus shifts to how everything sounds together:

• Balancing volume between speakers so no one is louder or quieter than another

• Applying EQ to make voices sound clear and natural

• Reducing background noise, hums, or room echo

• Blending in music, sound effects, or transitions if the show uses them

  
  

Step 4: Mastering

The final pass ensures the episode meets loudness standards for podcast platforms and sounds consistent with previous episodes — so listeners never have to adjust their volume between shows.

Step 5: Quality Control

A final listen-through (often by a second set of ears) catches anything that slipped through — an awkward cut, a level that's slightly off, a stray noise.

Step 6: Export and Delivery

The finished file is exported in the correct format and specs for your hosting platform, along with anything else included in the service — show notes, timestamps, or audiograms.

What Surprises Most Podcasters

The biggest misconception is that editing is mostly about cutting mistakes. In reality, leveling, mixing, and mastering — the parts that affect how the show sounds, not just what's said — are where most of the actual skill and time investment happens. It's the difference between an episode that's "edited" and one that's genuinely produced.

Curious what this process would look like for your show? Reach out to Mix at 6 Studios — we're happy to walk you through it.