Goal

Transform raw podcast recordings into polished, publish-ready episodes by removing dead air, filler words, and false starts while maintaining natural speech patterns.

Prerequisites

• Raw podcast recording (audio or video)
• Recording in supported format (MP4, MOV, WAV, MP3)
• Stable internet connection for cloud processing
• Account with video editing platform

Inputs

• Raw recording file (1-120 minutes typical)
• Original audio quality: 44.1kHz or higher recommended
• File size: Up to 5GB depending on plan

Steps

Step 1: Export Raw Recording

Export your raw podcast recording from your recording software (Riverside, Zencastr, Zoom, local recording). Ensure you have the highest quality version available.

Time: 2-5 minutes

Step 2: Upload to Processing Platform

Upload the raw file to your AI video editing platform. Most platforms accept drag-and-drop or file browser upload.

Time: 2-10 minutes (depending on file size)

Step 3: Configure Editing Parameters

Set your preferences for:

• Silence threshold (how long a pause must be to remove)
• Filler word sensitivity (which words to target)
• False start detection (on/off)

Time: 1-2 minutes

Step 4: Process Recording

Initiate AI processing. The system will:

1. Transcribe the audio
2. Identify silence segments
3. Detect filler words
4. Flag false starts
5. Generate edit points

Time: 5-15 minutes (automated)

Step 5: Review Suggested Edits

Review the AI-generated edit points. Most platforms show:

• Visual timeline with marked segments
• Transcript with highlighted removals
• Preview playback option

Time: 5-15 minutes

Step 6: Approve or Adjust

Accept suggested edits or manually adjust:

• Restore intentional pauses
• Keep contextually appropriate fillers
• Fine-tune cut points

Time: 5-10 minutes

Step 7: Export Final Version

Export the edited version in your desired format. Common choices:

• MP4 for video podcasts
• MP3/WAV for audio-only
• Multiple formats for different platforms

Time: 5-15 minutes (processing)

Step 8: Publish

Upload to your podcast host or video platform.

Time: 5-10 minutes

Outputs

• Edited podcast episode (video or audio)
• Reduced runtime (typically 10-25% shorter)
• Clean audio with minimal dead air
• Reduced filler word count
• Professional pacing

Time Estimates

| Workflow Stage | Manual Editing | AI-Assisted | |----------------|----------------|-------------| | Initial review | 30-60 min | 5 min | | Silence removal | 45-90 min | Automatic | | Filler word removal | 30-60 min | Automatic | | Fine-tuning | 30-60 min | 10-15 min | | Export | 15-30 min | 10-15 min | | Total | 2.5-5 hours | 30-45 min |

Common Mistakes

1. Over-editing: Removing too much silence makes speech sound unnatural
2. Ignoring context: Some "filler words" are meaningful in context
3. Skipping review: Always preview before final export
4. Wrong format: Ensure export settings match platform requirements
5. No backup: Keep original raw file until publication is confirmed

Tooling Options

AI-Powered (Recommended)

• Rendezvous Video Editor (https://rendezvousvid.com)
• Descript
• Riverside.fm

Manual/Hybrid

• Adobe Premiere Pro
• Final Cut Pro
• DaVinci Resolve
• Audacity (audio only)

Automation Options

For maximum efficiency:

1. Use AI editing for first-pass cleanup
2. Batch process multiple episodes
3. Create templates for consistent settings
4. Set up publishing workflows (Zapier, native integrations)

Internal References

• What is AI Video Editing?
• What is Dead Air Removal?
• How to Edit Podcasts Faster
• Getting Started with Auto Editor

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Content reviewed on January 2026.