Help Center

We are here to help you. You can find help information for frequently asked questions below. If you need to reach us urgently, you can email us at auxbus@libsynsupport.com.

Frequently asked questions

Creating a Podcast

What is the difference between a show and an episode?

Show refers to the whole podcast series and episode refers to each entry into the series. The collection of all the episodes makes up the show.



What’s Show Content? Why does it go in my Show?

Auxbus has been designed to save you maximum time. One of the ways you can save time on each episode is by reusing your Intro, Outro, and Call-to-Action. Many podcasts reuse these chapters for each episode, so Auxbus automatically handles this for you. If you don’t want to use reusable Show Content and you want to create a different Intro, Outro, or Call-to-Action for each episode, just add Other chapters to your episodes.



Why does Auxbus have me plan before building (recording) my episode?

You can create better quality content and save yourself a lot of time when recording by taking time on the front end to prepare. Auxbus is all about saving you time while creating professional content, and this technique of planning first, and recording second is a well-known approach used by the world’s best podcasters, radio and TV show hosts, and journalists.



What’s the best order for chapters in my podcast?

Auxbus automatically creates a recommended layout of Chapters: Teaser, Intro, Opener, Main, Call-To-Action, Closer, Outro. This is a great place to start, which is familiar and comfortable for your listeners. It’s totally fine to modify the order, remove, or add chapters if you’d like something different.



Does each episode need to have the same chapters?

You can have different layouts of Chapters in each episode if you like, but many of the best show have a consistent layout from episode to episode.



Does each episode need to be the same length?

Absolutely not. Podcasts are highly flexible. It’s fine if they differ from episode to episode. However, it’s best if your episodes are roughly the same length. If you tend to average 20 minutes, it’s fine if one episode if 15 and the next is 23, but use 60-minute episodes only for special occasions so your listeners can come to expect a consistent length from your show week to week.



Equipment

What kind of microphone do I need for Auxbus?

Auxbus can work with professional microphones, USB microphones, wired or Bluetooth wireless headphones and headset, and even your computer’s built-in microphone.



What’s the best type of microphone for podcasting?

In order from best to worst… - Professional microphones sound great and can give the best possible sound quality. However, they require a USB interface or mixer to connect to your computer and can be complicated and intuitive to use as a beginner. Because of this, they’re the least portable option. Examples are the Shure SM7b or the Electro-Voice RE20 - USB microphones can sound quite good, and connect directly to your computer without needing an interface or mixer, but they usually can only be used one at a time, so they’re best for solo podcasters. Examples are the Blue Yeti or the Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB - Wired headphones use very tiny microphone elements, and they tend to sound better than Bluetooth headphones’ microphones, but they have limited sound quality due to their microphones’ size. Examples are Apple EarPods and Marshall Mode - Wireless Bluetooth connections limit the sound quality of your mic, but are very convenient. Examples are Apple AirPods and Jabra Elite - Built-in microphones are convenient because you don’t need any equipment, but they produce the worst sound quality of all. Auxbus recommends only using a built-in microphone in case of emergency because built-in microphones are often located near noisy computer fans, and are difficult for you to get close to!



How do I connect a professional microphone to Auxbus?

To use a professional microphone with your computer, you’ll need a USB interface or mixer. We recommend interfaces as they tend to be simpler, with less complication that isn’t that useful for podcasting. One interface we like is the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. You’ll connect your microphone to the interface using a microphone cable with XLR plugs. One end has a female plug with three holes, which plugs into your microphone, and the other end has a male plug with three pins, which connects to the input of your interface. Your interface connects to your computer with a USB cable, which should come with it. Follow your interface manufacturer's instructions to set it up, install software drivers if necessary, and set levels. In Auxbus, you’ll select the name of your interface (or mixer) in Build > Your Microphone > Settings, and that will enable Auxbus to record all the microphones that are connected to your interface. Connect your headphones to your interface or mixer, rather than your computer for the best sound. You might need a Y-splitter cable, or you can use a headphone amplifier to offer your co-hosts and guests their own headphone level control.



How do I connect a USB microphone or headset to Auxbus?

To use a USB microphone with your computer, connect with a USB cable, which should come with it. Follow your microphone manufacturer's instructions to set it up, install software drivers if necessary, and set levels. In Auxbus, you’ll select the name of your microphone in Build > Your Microphone > Settings. Connect your headphones to your mic, rather than your computer for the best sound.



How do I connect a wired headset or headphones to Auxbus?

To use a wired headset or headphones with your computer, simply plug it in the headphone jack. Some headsets will have two separate plugs for the headphones and microphone, which you may need to use with a dual-to-single Y-adapter to plug in if your computer has a single combination jack for both headphones and microphone. If your computer has two separate jacks for headphones and microphones, and your headset has a single plug, you might also need a single-to-dual Y-adapter to make the connection. In Auxbus, you’ll select your computer’s headphone connection in Build > Your Microphone > Settings.



How do I connect a Bluetooth wireless headset or headphones to Auxbus?

To use a Bluetooth wireless headset or headphones with your computer, follow the manufacturer's instructions to make the connection. Once paired to your computer, in Auxbus, select your headphone’s name in Build > Your Microphone > Settings.



How should I set up my room for recording?

Close and off-center! 1. Get close and stay close to the microphone. Ideally, for most podcasting applications, the microphone should be between a finger and a fist’s distance from your lips. Stay there! Once you have your position, learn to stay still for the best sound. 2. Keep it off-center. When people make consonant sounds like “p”, “b”, “t”, and “s”, we produce a blast of air. You can experience this for yourself by placing you hand right in front of your mouth and saying the word, “pop.” When these blasts of air hit the microphone, they overload it, which is unpleasant to listen to. By positioning the mic off-center, near the corner of your mouth, the blast of air misses the mic, but you still sound great. 3. Get it on a mic arm or stand and avoid touching it or knocking it. Ideally, sit with good posture, and bring the mic to where you feel comfortable. Don’t crouch down to the mic – bring it to you. You can work handheld, but be careful to avoid making noise as you handle the mic.



Can I share a microphone with my guest?

We’ve all seen on the news when a reporter is speaking into a microphone and then pointing it at their subject in an interview to capture their answer. These journalists are highly trained and have specialized equipment. If you attempt this technique, you risk missing the beginning or end of what your interviewee has to say, poor sound quality, or handling noise. For these reasons and more, Auxbus strongly recommends one microphone per person.



Do I really need to wear headphones?

Yes! If you don’t wear headphones, you don’t know if you’re recording well. In headphones, you can listen to your sound quality and notice if you’re too far away from the mic and in the case of interviews, hear your guest. Additionally, without headphones your mic will pick up your computer’s speakers, slightly later than you speak, and this will create echo, or even worse, feedback. Auxbus strongly recommends that you and all guests always wear headphones. If you’re using a professional microphone, connect your headphones to your interface or mixer, rather than your computer for the best sound. You might need a Y-splitter cable, or you can use a headphone amplifier to offer your co-hosts and guests their own headphone level control. If you’re using a USB microphone, connect your headphones to the mic, rather than your computer.



Publishing

How should I launch my podcast for the best results?

Auxbus has analyzed over 25,000 podcast episodes and found that shows that launch with a batch of content have the most successful launches. For this reason, we suggest when you first launch your show, create at least three to five episodes—or better yet 10—and publish them ALL at the same time for maximum impact.



How often should I create new episodes?

For most shows, a weekly cadence is a great place to start. From there, you can determine how frequent or infrequent will work best for your audience. You might find daily shows a good fit, two per week, six per month, or something else.



What’s the best day and time to publish episodes?

Auxbus research shows that episodes released Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings, between 5 and 7am in your largest listener time zone perform the best. We suggest avoiding the weekend for most shows.



How do I make sure my podcast is on Apple, Google, Spotify, etc?

We will help you get your podcast on these podcast listening apps! Read our blog on how it is done here.



How do I download my podcast episode file?

You can download your episodes by following these steps. In Episode Studio, go to the episode you’d like to download and click Launch. If you’ve already published it, then the Download button appears beneath where you can listen to the episode.



General

What is Auxbus?

Auxbus is a simple & affordable podcast solution that lets you plan, record, launch and distribute all in one place. It is truly the only podcasting tool you need. Designed for those just starting to podcast, those without any audio experience, or those looking to streamline their process, Auxbus is the fastest and easiest way to podcast.



How can Auxbus help experienced podcasters?

Auxbus replaces the need for all the apps you are currently using – it is your planning, editing, interviewing, recording, and hosting software all-in-one. Auxbus allows you to do all your planning and recording within the browser and then automatically assembles your episodes for you so you do not have to edit them. We also handle distribution to all major listening platforms like Apple, Google, Spotify and more.



Do I need to use a podcast hosting company?

Nope. Auxbus will handle that for you. If you have a current host that you are set on sticking with you have the option of downloading your completed episodes to take over, but we would love to help you move your show to Auxbus, making the process even simpler for you.



Does Auxbus give me a sharable link for my show and episodes?

Yes it sure does. Auxbus creates a show page for you in which you can download, email or share your show or individual episodes. You can also find an embeddable web player on this page as well that can be added to your website.



Can I use Auxbus on my phone?

Right now Auxbus is not mobile-compatible. However, you can always upload files you recorded with your phone while creating your episodes in our desktop experience. So if you are out in the field and you come across a great opportunity for recording you can record it on your phone or recorder and upload the file later.



Check out our how-to articles