What does Podcast Software Do?

Podcasting software can help you create professional sounding podcasts and facilitates publication to your blog, your website or a podcast directory. This is more than what audio editing software alone can do; audio editing programs generally do not support tag and feed creation.

Why Podcast?

Podcasting is not only user generated content, but user generated content in its most intimate and persuasive forms, it is the sound of your voice, the sound of your music or your captured video. In most cases, podcasting is free and podcasts are always portable.

If you have something to share – a message, information, commentary or your art, start with a good podcasting program that can help you create the podcasts you envision

With good podcast software you can:

• Record - Most podcast software can record from a variety of sources including a microphone, from a CD or directly from the computer’s sound card. Some can even record both sides of a VoIP conversation.
• Edit - The best podcast software include audio editors, so you can mix tracks, cut segments of audio, add effects, convert formats and much more.
• Publish - Publishing is what sets podcast software apart from a typical audio editor. Podcast software can help you add tags and descriptions and post to your blog, website or to a podcast directory. After you set up your first post, the subsequent posts can be uploaded quickly and effortlessly.

In this site, you’ll find articles related to podcasting, as well as comprehensive reviews and a side–by–side comparison to help you make an informed decision on which podcast software is right for you. At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don’t Have To.™

What to Look for in Podcast Software

The best podcast software does everything – records, edits and helps with publishing. When looking for podcasting software, select one that has the tools you need for the kind of podcasts you want to create, if you only want to post phonecasts (or voicecasting) to your blog there are services that do just that. If you want to create professional sounding interviews or talk shows, choose a program with advanced recording and editing tools. Or, if you already have audio editing software that you are comfortable using, select a program that helps with publishing.

Below are the criteria TopTenREVIEWS used to evaluate Podcast Software:

Recording/ Importing
We looked at the sources the program can record from as well as the type of audio files it can import. The program should be able to record from a microphone as well as from the computers sound card and auxiliary devices; some even record VoIP interviews. Most programs can import mp3s but the best also have the ability to import other popular file types like aiff and wma.

Editing
The best programs include basic audio editing tools such as the ability to cut segments, mix tracks, convert formats and split tracks. Some include advanced tools like automatic gain controls and recording volume sliders. We also considered the variety of effects and filters the program included.

Publishing
Podcasts are meant to be shared, many programs include publishing wizards that help with tag and RSS feed creation. Some host their own podcast directory or have plug–ins for popular blog services.

Ease of Use
Audio editing and recording can be complex, so podcasting software should be easy to use. Well–designed programs clearly explain features and include helpful tools like drag & drop editing and right–click edits.

Help/Support
The software provider should offer sufficient support for their program, including embedded help as well as online information. It is also helpful if they host an active user forum and provide email support to their registered users.

For the most all–inclusive podcast software we could find, see Propaganda 1.2