Audio Cleanup for Journalists
Updated October 2026
For journalism, the audio must be clean, but it must also be true. Clean gently, keep the original, and check every quote against the recording.
The short version
- Keep the original recording, unaltered, as the record.
- Clean gently so the speaker still sounds like themselves.
- Check every quote against the original before you publish.
- Note what you changed, if the story needs that transparency.
Keep the original
Store the original recording as received, with its date and where it was made. Work only on copies. If a question comes up later, the original is the record.
Clean gently
Field recordings have wind, traffic and room noise. Clean enough to hear the speaker, and no more. A speaker who sounds like a different person is a problem for the story, not a success. The wind guide and the interview guide cover the common cases.
Check the quotes
A transcript helps you find quotes, but speech models can mishear names and technical words. Check every quote against the audio before it goes out.
Be open about editing
Cutting ums is normal. Changing what someone said is not. Keep the meaning, and note any editing that matters to the story.
Clean the recording, keep it true
Tunedzy cleans field recordings on your PC, transcribes them for quote-finding and keeps the original untouched.
Free tools for this
Frequently asked questions
Can I edit an interview for length?
Yes, with care. Do not change the meaning of what was said, and keep the original.
Should I tell listeners about edits?
It depends on the story and the outlet. Follow your newsroom’s rules.
Is the transcript reliable enough to quote from?
Use it to find the quote, then check the audio before you publish.
Keep going
How to Clean Up an Interview Recording
How to Remove Wind Noise From Audio
How to Edit a Podcast by Its WordsAll guides and comparisons · Tunedzy Go on your phone · Pricing