SOUND IT OUT SPREAD OUT
QOverhaul Overcast
In Overcast (iOS), you can
swipe artwork right in the
playback screen to access
tools that shorten silences,
boost voices in talky shows
and intelligently speed up
playback. Settings can be
defined globally or by podcast.
QPut a rocket up Pocket
Although Overcast pioneered
such adjustments, they’ve
since spread. In Pocket Casts
(Android, iOS), tap the effects
button to access options to
adjust speed, trim silences
and boost volume. In this app,
effects are applied globally
until disabled.
SONY
WH-1000XM3
We keep banging on
about these cans — and
for good reason. They’re
comfy and sound superb,
and they’ll work wired if
you need to plug into an
interface. There are lots
of other fine options; just
don’t use the buds your
phone came with.
£248 / sony.co.ukBLUE YETI
This chunky mic has
a stand that could brain
an ox, and build quality
that could survive an
explosion. But also you
get multiple recording
modes and zero latency.
It’s suited to everything
from multi-person
recordings to breathily
intimate vocals.
£120 / bluedesigns.comAKORD
POP FILTER
When you make a ‘p’ or
‘b’ sound, you’re firing
a blast of air at your mic,
resulting in a loud thump.
The solution used to
be an old pair of tights
stretched over a bent
coat-hanger; now it’s
a pop shield.
£6 / amazon.co.uk53
HANDY
HARDWARE
QImport and export
If you hop between apps or
platforms, check whether
your podcast app is capable
of OPML export before you
get too invested. If it does,
you’ll be able to send your
subscriptions list to another
app or service rather than
starting from scratch.QPlay your own files
Pocket Casts lets you listen to
your own files, so you can take
advantage of its effects and
playlists. In profile, tap Files
and ‘+’ to import from the file
system or cloud services.
Castro in its pro form has
similar functionality.QCustomise skips
Want to blaze past boring
bits? Then use skip buttons.
These will jump a podcast
forwards and backwards by
set amounts that can usually
be customised. Set your
back-skip to five seconds
to fine-tune your position
if you overshoot.QDownload shows
Most podcast players stream
by default — great when you
have a decent signal, buffering
hell when you haven’t. But
these are small files, so have
your player download them.QCreate playlists
Explore your player’s tools for
queuing shows. Pocket Casts
lets you quickly add items
to a list, Overcast has smart
playlists that can prioritise
favourite shows, and Castro
(iOS) has you pick the best
and discard the rest.SAVE A BIT
OF TIME