Audio Mastering 101: Make Your Podcast Sound Pro

# Audio Mastering 101 The difference between amateur and professional audio isn't expensive gear—it's mastering. ## What Is Mastering? Mastering is the final polish on your audio. It ensures: - Consistent volume across episodes - Clarity on all playback systems - Professional loudness levels ## The Three Essentials ### 1. EQ (Equalization) - Cut the mud (200-400Hz) - Add presence (2-5kHz) - High-pass filter at 80Hz ### 2. Compression - Ratio: 2:1 to 4:1 - Attack: 10-30ms - Release: Auto or 100ms ### 3. Limiting - Target: -16 LUFS for podcasts - Don't over-limit (keeps dynamics) ## Tools We Recommend - **iZotope RX**: Industry standard - **FabFilter Pro-L 2**: Best limiter - **Waves plugins**: Budget-friendly