The Hidden Costs of Bad Audio
Your story might be strong. Your interview might be brilliant. But if the sound quality is poor, most listeners won’t stick around to hear it.
In journalism and publishing, we work fast. Guests are busy. Deadlines are tight. Perfection isn’t the goal - but clarity matters more than most people realise. And poor audio doesn’t just sound bad. It breaks trust, disrupts flow, and can quietly tank an otherwise great show.
So what’s the real cost of bad sound? And what can you actually do when you can’t control everything?
🎧 Why audio quality still matters (even when speed comes first)
If you’re producing a podcast under pressure; a daily news round-up, a breaking story, or a time-sensitive reaction piece - you’re not always going to get studio-quality audio. Most journalists are out and about, using phones, AirPods, or whatever they’ve got on hand. They’re using Zoom because it works. It’s quick. They know it. And frankly, they don’t have time to try out something unfamiliar or troubleshoot mic settings.
That doesn’t mean sound quality doesn’t matter. It just means we have to meet people where they are and make smart decisions in the moment.
Bad audio has real impact:
Listeners drop off before the good stuff lands
It can lower trust in what’s being said
Sponsors and editorial teams notice when things feel unpolished
It affects discoverability: shorter listens can hurt podcast rankings
🧠 So what can you do in the moment?
When a journalist or contributor dials in on the move, you don’t have time to panic - you’ve got one shot. So how do you get the best possible sound, even when working with less-than-ideal setups?
Here’s what I listen for and suggest - quickly, kindly, and confidently:
✔️ Ask them to find a quiet spot (yes, it matters)
Avoid background noise where possible: cafes, kitchens, wind, roads.
“Is there somewhere quieter you could step into, just for a few minutes?”
✔️ Listen for echo
If it sounds like they are in the bathroom, ask: “Are you in a hallway or large room? Could you move somewhere with softer furnishings, rugs, cushions and curtains?”
✔️ What’s your mic picking up?
Sometimes you can hear more than they realise. Mention any distractions - passing cars, beeping notifications, echo - and guide them to see if they can fix it.
✔️ Use headphones if they’ve got them
No external mic? Not ideal but also not a deal breaker but headphones, headphones are really a must to avoid bouncing sound and nasty feedback.
✔️ Acknowledge the context — and use it to your advantage
Sometimes, the fact that someone’s on location adds value. If they’re standing at the scene of a protest or reporting from a live event, the background sound can add to the atmosphere.
You can even lean into it with scripting:
“Joining me now from the scene…” or “You might hear some background noise – we’re speaking to Bill live, just outside the courthouse.”
🛠️ When you can’t fix it live, use AI - Carefully!
While I’d never recommend relying on the old cliché of “fixing it in post,” tools like Adobe Enhance and other AI plugins have become incredibly helpful for improving poor-quality recordings. They won’t create studio polish from thin air, but if the message is clear and intelligible, they can often make audio usable even from a phone on a busy street.
But these tools aren’t magic. They’re tools. And like any tool, you need to know how to use them well.
Don’t just run it through Enhance at 100% and hope for the best. Over-processing leads to unnatural, robotic voices - especially in interviews.
Learn to find the sweet spot: set Enhance (or any plugin) to the point just before you can hear it “kick in.” You want it helping, not taking over.
🎧 The real skill is using your ears. Learn what to listen for, how to dial it in, and when to stop.
👂 Good audio = a good experience
The truth is, high-quality audio sends a message: “We care about your experience.”
It’s not about being pedantic. It’s about being respectful of listeners’ time and attention - especially when your content is meant to inform, inspire, or influence.
As an editor and producer, I’m not here to chase perfect conditions. I’m here to help teams make the best of what they’ve got, improve wherever possible, and make sure the final cut sounds right for the audience it’s meant for.
🛠️ Need help?
Whether you’re dealing with a messy Zoom interview, noisy field tape, or just don’t know where to start with improving your podcast sound - I can help.
I work with publishers and production teams to edit and enhance audio content so it’s clear, clean, and credible - even when it started out rough.
For more about getting the best recording environment check out my Substack, Stop Rewind Play.
