In this episode of Podcasting in 3 Easy Steps we start to look at editing. And we've asked one of our talented friends, Micky Curling to share his thoughts. Mickey runs Mix Broadcast and he's an audio engineer and sound designer. He's worked on award winning shows like Fight of the Century and Jamie Cullum's show on BBC Radio 2 and he's got lots and lots of experience putting together documentaries as well and music shows. 

In 'How to edit your podcast (the bigger picture)' Micky talks about more than just where make edits; chopping out speech and gaps. Micky chats through the reason we do it and why how you edit really matters.

In 3 easy steps: 

1. Think of editing as a multistage process. The first edit stage isn't going to be dealing with every erm you encounter. You're going to want to listen to the interview, make notes, mark the recording, what are the outstanding bits, are there obvious cuts. If you cut that section in the middle, does something later in the interview no longer makes sense. It's only after you've made those really big editorial cuts those big editorial decisions that you then want to go back over and tidy it.

2. It's really important that you remember the power you hold in your hands. You can very easily make your guests say something that they didn't. Even innocently changing the structure of an answer for clarity can end up misrepresenting someone, you've got a moral and often a legal responsibility to make sure you're not changing the fundamentals of what your guest is trying to convey.

3. When you're editing, don't lose the essence of the person that you're trying to edit. We're humans and we think, we ponder, we breathe. In podcasts, I think you've got a more intimate relationship with the listener. They've got time, you've got time. So let people breathe. Let them think, let them be human beings. It's about retaining the soul of the person that you're editing.

Resources 

You'll find us @story_publishing or @decibelpodcast

Details of our next masterclass coming soon