CRJ - Audio Editor Basic Guidance

Project: Audio Mastering & Distribution (Mobile Recordings)

Goal: Transform high-end mobile recordings into studio-quality tracks (Spotify/Apple Music ready). Eliminate gaps, master levels, and distribute via DistroKid.

Phase 1: Transfer & Organization

Moving files from Mobile to the Workbench.

  1. Lossless Transfer
    Do not send files via WhatsApp (it compresses audio). Use Google Drive, Dropbox, or a USB cable.
  2. Naming Convention
    Rename raw files immediately.
    Format: YYYYMMDD_Subject_Language_RAW.wav (or .m4a)

Phase 2: Editing (The "Cleanup")

Removing unwanted gaps, repetitions, and "ums" using AI.

Why Descript? We use Descript because it transcribes the audio. To delete a repetition, you simply highlight the text and press "Delete". It is 10x faster than manual wave editing.
  1. Import to Descript
    Drag your file into Descript.
  2. Enable "Studio Sound"
    In the right sidebar, turn on Studio Sound. This uses AI to remove the "room echo" typical of mobile phone recordings.
  3. Remove Filler Words
    Click the "Actions" button (Sparkle icon) -> "Remove Filler Words". This automatically cuts out "um," "uh," and stutters.
  4. Shorten Word Gaps
    Click "Actions" -> "Shorten Word Gaps". Set it to shorten any silence longer than 1.0s to 0.5s.
  5. Manual Cuts
    Read the transcript. If a sentence was repeated, highlight the bad version in the text and delete it.

Phase 3: Mastering (The "Polish")

Ensuring the volume meets Spotify/Apple Music standards (-14 LUFS).

  1. Export from Descript
    Export the edited file as a high-quality WAV (not MP3 yet).
  2. Upload to Auphonic
    Go to Auphonic (AI Mastering).
  3. Select "Adaptive Leveler"
    This ensures the voice volume stays consistent, even if you moved away from the phone microphone while recording.
  4. Target Loudness
    Set Target Loudness to -14 LUFS (Standard for streaming).
  5. Process & Download
    Auphonic will output the final "Mastered" file.

Phase 4: Distribution

Uploading to global platforms.

  1. Prepare Metadata
    Before uploading, ensure you have:
    • Cover Art: 3000 x 3000 pixels (JPG).
    • Track Title: English (and native script if supported).
    • Artist Name: Standardized (e.g., Dr. Vamshi Krishna Ghanapathi).
  2. Upload to DistroKid
    Log in to DistroKid.
  3. Select Services
    Check boxes for Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon, etc.
  4. Upload Mastered File
    Upload the file generated by Auphonic (Phase 3).

Tool Stack Reference

PurposeToolWhy use it?
EditingDescriptEdits audio by editing text; removes silence/gaps automatically.
MasteringAuphonicFixes volume levels specifically for Mobile recordings & Spotify standards.
DistributionDistroKidFastest upload to all streaming platforms.