Key #7 to Clean, Professional Audio: Processing Techniques

Yesterday, I shared Key #6 — your recording settings — and why they quietly shape almost everything about your audio quality.

If you missed that one, here’s the quick recap:
→ If your input level, bit depth, project rate, and recording channel aren’t set correctly… even the best mic can’t save your audio.

(Read the full post here if you need it: https://blog.master-editor.com/p/the-6-key-to-clean-professional-audio-correct-recording-settings-998b)

Now let’s move to Key #7: Audio Processing Techniques.

Because once your raw recording is clean, that’s not the finish line.

That’s the starting point.

Why Processing Makes the Difference

The key difference between amateur and professional audio often comes down to one thing: the right processing technique.

The entire audio engineering industry is built around it.

If it were truly possible to get great audio by clicking around randomly, we wouldn’t need engineers, producers, or post-production experts.

But we’re not here to talk about the importance of engineers.

We’re here to talk about your audio.

And the truth is — how you process it could be the reason a client books you…

Or the reason your audiobook gets accepted or rejected by ACX.

A Simple 2-Step Framework

Think of audio processing in two clear steps:

Step 1: Get your raw audio to a minimum standard.

This means increasing volume, reducing background noise, using a high-pass filter, removing clicks or heavy breaths — just basic clean-up.

Step 2: Make it sound as great as possible.

This step involves tools like EQ, compression, and sometimes subtle mastering work. It’s more advanced, but it builds on Step 1.

For now, just focus on Step 1.

You’ll be amazed how much better your voice sounds by simply applying a small, intentional chain of effects, in the right order and proper configurations.

And that’s exactly what I show you how to do in my courses and walkthroughs — whether you’re using Audacity, Adobe Audition, or TwistedWave.

Coming Up: Key #8 – Noise Reduction (Done Right)

In Key #8, we’re going to dig into noise reduction — one of the most misunderstood tools in audio editing.

Because if noise reduction is overdone, it can completely ruin your sound.
No plugin or process can fix what it removes.

So here’s something I’m offering (no strings attached):

✅ If you want to know whether your noise reduction settings are okay —
Just send me your configuration or a screenshot of what you’re using.

It doesn’t matter if you’re using native effects or 3rd-party tools like iZotope RX or Waves Clarity — I’ll take a look and let you know if something looks off (or confirm that it’s good to go).

Just reply to this email. I’ll personally review it.

Want to speed things up?

» Get Full Access to My Courses & Tools

» Book a 1-on-1 session before the price jumps — still $497 for now

Talk soon,
Akhtar (Master Editor)