Podcasting Hacks

Add Special Effects

Use plug-ins to create unique sonic effects in your podcast.

Today’s digital editing tools [Hack #50] make creating sound effects or altering the feel of your sound a snap. How many or how much of each effect you use depends on the type of sound you are going for. For a voice podcast, you should probably go with just a slight reverb to add some depth to your voice or to simulate a larger space. A music show might use all of these effects at various times.

Understanding effects starts with understanding wet and dry. An effect is referred to as wet when it’s fully applied to the target signal. It’s dry when it’s applied sparingly. A signal that’s processed heavily is often referred to as wet.

Reverb

When you talk, your voice is reflected back at you off the walls, the floor, and the ceiling. The shape and size of the room, as well as the texture and materials of the walls and the floor, all add to the room’s sonic character. For example, your shower is very active and has a lot of reflectivity because of the tight space and the materials on the walls. A closet will be less reflective because the clothes will deaden the sound.

This effect is known as reverberation, or reverb for short. Using a software reverb adds a simulated space to a signal. Simple filters allow you to control just the size of the room, and more complex commercial filters actually simulate complex spaces such as Carnegie Hall. Specialized packages even include hardware that can sample a space ...