If you have a podcast, you need to make sure your audio meets Apple's technical standards. Apple Podcasts remains the largest podcast directory in the world, and shows that do not comply with their audio requirements risk poor playback quality, reduced discoverability, or outright rejection from the platform.
I have been podcasting since 2009, and I learned proper audio production from Cliff Ravenscraft, who was known as The Podcast Answer Man. Thanks to Cliff's training, my show has always been in compliance. But I know many podcasters who are not even aware these standards exist, so let me break them down for you.
Apple Podcast Audio Standards for Compression and Bit Rate
Apple recommends specific bit rates depending on your format. For MP3 files, the recommendation is 128 kbps CBR (constant bit rate) for stereo content and 64 kbps for mono. If you are using AAC format, which Apple prefers, the recommended bit rates are 128 kbps for stereo and 64 kbps for mono as well.
For most podcasters recording spoken-word content, mono at 64 kbps is perfectly adequate and produces smaller file sizes. Stereo at 128 kbps makes sense if your show includes music or you want a wider sound stage. The important thing is to use CBR encoding rather than VBR (variable bit rate), as CBR provides more consistent playback across devices.
Cliff Ravenscraft always recommended 128 kbps CBR stereo, and that recommendation still holds up today. He also advised avoiding the LAME MP3 encoder due to its lossy characteristics, which is solid advice if you are producing a professional show.
Loudness Standards: Understanding LUFS
This is where things get more technical, but it matters. Apple's loudness target for podcasts is -16 LUFS (Loudness Units relative to Full Scale), measured according to the ITU-R BS.1770 standard. LUFS was previously known as LKFS (Loudness, K-weighted, relative to Full Scale). They mean exactly the same thing.
The goal behind this standard is simple. Apple wants listeners to be able to move between podcasts without constantly adjusting their volume. If your show is significantly louder or quieter than -16 LUFS, it creates a jarring experience that Apple wants to eliminate.
Here is the important part: you cannot determine LUFS compliance just by looking at peak levels. LUFS is a psychoacoustic measurement that considers the perceived loudness of your audio based on frequency distribution, not just volume peaks. You need specialized software to analyze and adjust your show's loudness in post-production.
Tools for Measuring and Adjusting Loudness
If you use Adobe Audition, it has built-in loudness measurement tools that support ITU-R BS.1770. The current version supports the -3 revision of the standard, but since the -4 revision only changed rear channel handling (irrelevant for podcast stereo or mono), using BS.1770-3 in Audition is perfectly fine for podcasting.
Other popular tools for loudness analysis and adjustment include:
- Auphonic — An automated audio post-production service that handles loudness normalization, noise reduction, and leveling. Many podcasters use this as their primary mastering tool.
- Hindenburg Journalist — Podcast-focused DAW with built-in loudness targeting
- iZotope RX — Professional audio repair and loudness analysis suite
- Youlean Loudness Meter — Free plugin for real-time LUFS monitoring
- Descript — Modern podcast editing tool with automatic loudness normalization
Quick Compliance Checklist
- Use MP3 or AAC format (Apple prefers AAC)
- Bit rate: 128 kbps CBR stereo or 64 kbps CBR mono
- Target loudness: -16 LUFS (ITU-R BS.1770)
- True peak: should not exceed -1 dBTP
- Sample rate: 44.1 kHz
- Use loudness analysis software to verify compliance before publishing
Why This Matters for Your Podcast
Getting your audio right is one of those foundational things that separates amateur podcasts from professional ones. Listeners may not consciously notice when your audio is properly leveled and encoded, but they absolutely notice when it is not. Bad audio is the number one reason people stop listening to a new podcast.
Take the time to set up your audio workflow correctly from the start. Measure your loudness, encode at the right bit rate, and deliver a professional listening experience. Your audience will thank you, and Apple's algorithms will be more likely to feature your show.
If you want a deeper dive into podcast production, I recommend checking out Cliff Ravenscraft's work. He has moved on from the Podcast Answer Man brand but continues to teach and coach at cliffravenscraft.com.
