This week Spotify unveiled their latest development in their buildout in the podcast and audio world, Soundtrap.
The big piece they unveiled for podcasts is a transcript and audio sync that allows you to delete audio straight from the transcript.
I specialize in narrative so this was very appealing. The program has a free trial that allows for 30 minutes of audio.
I uploaded my interview with artist Billy Strings from Pickathon in 2017. I already have a transcript for it from Amazon’s AWS service which is now offered for free in the next year if you using Auphonic, but it fit in right at that 30 minute mark.
First looks:
An online software at this point, it feels like a fusion between Garageband and Canva(an online graphic design tool). Uploading was very simple. The transcript took about an hr to be created and as advertised, you can absolutely delete audio straight from it.
The program also has audio integration including a large library of royalty free loops that come with a couple of levels of the subscription.
Soundtrap is making waves for podcasting but it’s main application when you enter the site is music production.
For podcasting, the delete tool is great, but it hasn’t really fleshed itself out yet to truly be effective for storytelling.
Where it can improve:
First, there is not an option for using plugins. This means that you cannot do audio clean up in here.
Second, it does not have space yet for clip saves. In narrative, being able to save small chunks and then reassemble them is important. Hindenburg and Audition are still far superior for both of these first two reasons.
Third, there is not yet a way to edit the transcript other than deletion. This means you can’t make a quick script and note when voices change without listening.
Final take:
Overall, it’s a pass for this editor currently. My current stable of programs are more effective. That being said, I hope they continue to develop this technology and I’m interested in seeing where it develops in the next year. If they are able to integrate plugins and clip save or if other programs are able to develop this technology themselves, it would be a wonderful tool for storytellers.
