"We went from zero listeners to a syndicated show across 14 platforms in under 90 days. The Credible Chord team understood podcast distribution at a level we hadn't encountered before."
— Fiona Brennan, The Harbour Collective
Why does this hub exist?
Podcasting has its own language — compression ratios, LUFS targets, RSS validation, dynamic ad insertion, waterfall release strategies. We built this glossary because our clients kept asking the same questions. Now, every term we use in production is defined, contextualised, and linked to the service that delivers it.
73
shows launched through our studio since 2021
"The glossary alone saved our team hours of back-and-forth. When Credible Chord says 'loudness normalisation', we now know exactly what that means for our final master."
— Declan Rourke, independent producer
The Podcast Production Glossary
Every term below is one we actively use in our studio workflow. Select a letter to jump, or scroll through the full index. Each definition links to the service or production phase where it matters most.
A
Audio Levelling
The process of normalising volume across all speakers and segments so listeners never need to adjust their device. We target -16 LUFS for stereo podcasts, -19 LUFS for mono.
Ad Insertion (Dynamic)
Server-side ad placement that swaps audio segments based on listener geography, time, or episode age. We configure DAI through hosting platforms during our distribution setup phase.
B
Bitrate
Measured in kbps, bitrate determines audio fidelity and file size. Our standard export is 128 kbps CBR for speech-dominant shows, 192 kbps for music-heavy formats.
Bumper
A short branded audio segment (typically 3–8 seconds) used to transition between segments. We compose custom bumpers during the branding phase of every new show.
C
Compression (Audio)
Reducing the dynamic range between the loudest and quietest parts of a recording. Not to be confused with file compression. We apply multi-band compression during mastering.
Cold Open
Starting an episode with a compelling clip or statement before the intro music. A narrative technique we recommend for interview and storytelling formats.
D
De-essing
Targeted frequency reduction that tames harsh sibilance ('s' and 'sh' sounds) without dulling the overall vocal. Applied per-speaker during our editing pass.
E
Episode Metadata
Title, description, chapter markers, and ID3 tags embedded in each file. Proper metadata directly affects discoverability on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and search engines.
L
LUFS (Loudness Units Full Scale)
The broadcast standard for measuring perceived loudness. Spotify normalises to -14 LUFS; Apple Podcasts uses Sound Check. We master to platform-specific targets.
M
Mixdown
Combining all individual audio tracks (host, guest, music, SFX) into a single stereo or mono file. The mixdown is the last creative step before mastering.
R
RSS Feed
The XML file that distributes your podcast to every directory. We validate feeds against Apple and Spotify specifications before submission.
S
Show Notes
Written companion content published alongside each episode. We offer show note writing as part of our full-service production track.
W
Waterfall Release
A distribution strategy where episodes are released to premium subscribers first, then to free platforms after a delay. We configure waterfall logic through hosting dashboards.
Production Tracks — Not Packages
We don't sell tiers. We map your podcast to one of three production tracks based on format complexity, release cadence, and your team's capacity. Each track uses the same studio and the same engineers — the difference is scope, not quality.
Track A: Capture
You record, we edit and master. Ideal for solo hosts or established interview shows that need consistent post-production.
Track B: Construct
Full production from script consultation through final master. Includes sound design, music licensing guidance, and distribution setup.
Track C: Command
Ongoing production partnership. We manage your entire podcast operation — recording coordination, editing, publishing, analytics review, and growth strategy.
From Concept to First Episode
The timeline below reflects our typical engagement. Some shows launch faster; narrative series take longer. We adjust based on format, not artificial deadlines.
Week 1–2: Discovery & Format Design
We define your show's editorial angle, target listener, episode structure, and release strategy. This phase includes competitive analysis of existing shows in your space.
Week 3: Brand & Audio Identity
Intro/outro composition, bumper creation, cover art direction, and tone-of-voice guidelines. Your podcast gets a sonic signature before a single episode is recorded.
Week 4–5: Pilot Production
We produce a full pilot episode — recorded, edited, mixed, and mastered — so you can hear the final product before committing to a series run.
Week 6: Distribution & Launch
RSS feed creation, directory submissions (Apple, Spotify, Amazon, Google, Pocket Casts, and more), metadata optimisation, and launch-day coordination.
Week 8+: Ongoing Production
Recurring editing, publishing, and quarterly growth reviews. Track B and C clients enter a sustained production rhythm from this point.
Our pilot episode process has a 94% client approval rate on first delivery. When revisions are needed, they're typically tonal adjustments rather than structural rework.
Capability Matrix
Not every podcast needs every service. This matrix maps what's included in each production track and what's available as an add-on.
| Capability | Track A | Track B | Track C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio Editing & Cleanup | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Loudness Mastering (LUFS) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Intro/Outro Composition | Add-on | ✔ | ✔ |
| Script Consultation | — | ✔ | ✔ |
| Sound Design & SFX | — | ✔ | ✔ |
| RSS & Directory Setup | Add-on | ✔ | ✔ |
| Show Note Writing | — | Add-on | ✔ |
| Analytics & Growth Review | — | — | ✔ |
| Dynamic Ad Insertion Config | — | Add-on | ✔ |
| Guest Booking Coordination | — | — | ✔ |
Why mono still wins for most podcasts
Stereo sounds impressive on paper, but mono files are smaller, stream more reliably on mobile networks, and sound consistent across all playback devices. We default to mono for speech-only shows and reserve stereo for narrative or music-integrated formats.
The myth of "podcast SEO"
Audio isn't crawlable. What is crawlable: your episode titles, descriptions, show notes, and transcript pages. We optimise the text layer around your audio, not the audio itself.
Our lead engineer has mixed over 600 podcast episodes across true crime, business, wellness, and fiction genres. Format versatility is a core studio value.
Hosting platform guidance
We don't lock you into a specific host. We evaluate Buzzsprout, Transistor, Captivate, Podbean, and others based on your analytics needs, monetisation goals, and budget.
When to invest in transcription
Transcripts improve accessibility and create indexable content. For shows targeting organic search traffic, we consider transcription essential. For private or internal podcasts, it's optional.
"After switching to Credible Chord's mastering workflow, our average listen-through rate jumped from 58% to 79%. Listeners were finishing episodes they used to abandon halfway."
— Niamh Gallagher, Tides & Trades Podcast
Is Professional Production Right for You?
You likely need us if…
- Your podcast represents a brand, business, or public figure
- You've launched but listener retention is below expectations
- You want to monetise and need broadcast-quality audio
- You're producing a narrative or fiction series with complex editing needs
- You need consistent weekly output but lack production bandwidth
You might not need us if…
- You're recording a casual hobby podcast with no growth goals
- Your budget is under €200/month and you're comfortable with DIY editing
- You need video production — we're audio-only specialists
- You want a one-time setup with no ongoing relationship
Start a Conversation
Tell us about your podcast — or the one you want to create. We'll respond within two working days with an honest assessment of how we can help.
Direct Contact
Phone: +353 28 47997
Email: [email protected]
Address:
5691 Marta Knolls
East Dortha, Kentucky
D83 7J1A, Ireland