Back to blog
2026-01-10 • Tools, Workflow, Guide
GarTools Playbook 1: Mastering the Media Toolkit
Audio Quality Playbook
Audio quality is the fastest way to make content feel professional. This playbook focuses on voice clarity, stable loudness, and consistent exports for podcasts, interviews, and tutorials.
Goals
- Clear speech
- Balanced loudness
- Minimal noise
Workflow
- Clean the source (trim, remove long silences)
- Enhance for clarity and balance
- Export a master file
- Create smaller versions only after the master is verified
Practical settings
- Reduce noise gently before boosting volume
- Avoid extreme EQ changes in one step
- Monitor peaks to avoid clipping
Common issues and fixes
- Harsh sibilance: reduce high frequencies slightly
- Room noise: use light noise reduction and re-check clarity
- Inconsistent levels: normalize then re-check peaks
QA checklist
- Listen to first 10 seconds and a random middle section
- Check volume consistency across sections
- Confirm export format and naming