Plan a pilot, measure and export audio, validate the podcast feed and verify a release in listening apps with a reusable launch checklist.
Write the intended listener, the question each episode answers, the format and who owns editing and publishing. Draft one episode running order with content, introduction, transitions, ads if applicable and outro. Add each duration once in the runtime tool. Choose a release cadence from your actual production capacity.
Choose a recording location and capture a short passage with normal speech, a louder passage and room tone. Monitor through headphones, check the intended microphone and channels, and keep the recording below clipping. If comparing noise, use compatible signal-only and noise-only measurements; the SNR tool cannot measure the microphone for you.
Edit the pilot for clarity, check transitions and listen through the beginning, middle and end. Measure integrated loudness and true peak in your audio software against the actual destination requirements. Use the loudness-gain mode to compare a constant gain change with your chosen ceiling, then remeasure after processing and encoding.
Keep the editable session and a suitable master. Choose a distribution codec, channel layout and bitrate supported by the host and directories. Estimate encoded size from average bitrate, or PCM from its actual stored sample width. Inspect the final file byte size, duration, tags and playback before uploading.
Configure the host with show title, description, language, category, explicit-content information and artwork that meets each directory’s current specification. Validate the public RSS feed and its episode GUIDs, enclosure URLs, media types and byte lengths. Submit or claim the show through the directories you actually intend to support, such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
After the show is available, open its listing on a separate device, follow it and play the released episode. Check artwork, descriptions, links, download behavior and the next-episode workflow. Save the feed URL, listing URLs, release version and measured audio settings with your source files. Download this checklist and your production note for the next release.
Add the planned episode segments and inspect runtime and ad-time share.
Compare compatible signal and noise measurements from the recording test.
Plan constant loudness gain against an explicit true-peak ceiling.
Estimate encoded delivery size or explicitly configured PCM storage.
Calculate the byte-aligned PCM master payload and entered overhead.
Write and download the production brief and release record.
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Apple specifies public RSS access, persistent episode GUIDs, enclosure URL/length/type and support for media access. Validate the actual hosted feed.
Apple publishes supported audio and mastering guidance. Check the requirements for the actual distribution destination and remeasure the exported program.
Keep these task-specific records with the tested version and review date.
| Record | Include | Verify |
|---|---|---|
| Episode | Version, running order, rights, owners | Listen through the exported file |
| Feed | RSS URL, GUID, enclosure bytes and media type | Compare with the actual hosted response |
| Release | Directory links and test device | Follow and play the published episode |
Save the editing project and source audio before applying delivery-specific processing.
Record time spent on the pilot so future commitments reflect actual work.