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Upload Audio
Every self-hosted episode needs an audio file before it can be published. Uploads happen on the episode workspace's Media tab.
Uploading and removing a recording are immediate actions. They do not wait for the episode’s black save bar. A toast confirms the upload or removal, and processing progress stays visible on Media. An uploaded recording can still be processing before it is ready to publish.
Supported files
- Formats: MP3, M4A, or WAV
- Maximum size: 500MB per file
MP3 and M4A publish as-is. WAV uploads are converted to MP3 automatically before publishing, and the original is kept as a lossless master; see Audio Processing.
Upload your audio
- Open the episode and go to the Media tab.
- In the Episode audio card, drag and drop your file onto the upload area, or click it to browse.
- Watch the progress bar. You can cancel an in-progress upload with the cancel button next to it.
When the upload finishes, the card switches to the episode player: a waveform you can drag, the review controls below, and a file row naming the file you uploaded with its format, duration, and size.
Externally hosted shows
On a show hosted elsewhere the card is Your recording and the upload is optional. It feeds the transcript, a connected host can receive it, and show.fm never serves it to listeners. It counts against your storage while held and is deleted 30 days after the episode goes live. See Externally Hosted Shows.
Review your audio
The player is there to check the recording, not just to prove it uploaded:
- Play and pause with the round button, or press Space
- Skip 15 seconds back or forward with the buttons either side of it
- Jump anywhere by clicking or dragging the waveform. Left and right arrows nudge five seconds at a time
- Change the speed with the button showing
1×. It cycles 1×, 1.25×, 1.5×, 1.75×, 2×, then 0.75× - Mute with the speaker button, or press M
The waveform is a visual guide to the shape of the recording, not a precise reading of it. Use the elapsed time for the exact position.
Replace or remove audio
The file row under the player carries both actions:
- Replace file: opens the same file picker as the first upload. The new file takes the old one's place, and your original stays in place until the new one finishes.
- Delete: asks first. The confirmation names the file and says what it does and doesn't take, and nothing is removed until you choose Yes, delete.
Published episodes
The audio file is what listeners' apps download. Replacing or removing audio on a published episode changes what your feed serves. An episode can't publish without audio. Deleting the audio keeps your saved transcript. Uploading replacement audio unpublishes that transcript and marks it for review.
Transcription starts here
Once audio is uploaded it's available for AI transcription. If Automatically transcribe new uploads is on in your Podcast Settings, new MP3 uploads are transcribed for you. See Transcripts.
See Replace episode files for updating a live episode and helping listeners with an old download.
How storage works
Audio uploads count toward one storage allowance for your whole account, across all your podcasts:
| Plan | Storage |
|---|---|
| Free | 1 GB |
| Creator | 25 GB |
| Studio | 100 GB |
| Production House | 500 GB |
| Enterprise | Unlimited |
A few things to know:
- Only your current audio files and masters count. Artwork and other assets do not use this allowance.
- Older published versions held temporarily for download compatibility do not use your allowance.
- Converted uploads count both files: the published MP3 and the retained lossless master. See Audio Processing.
- Deleting an episode's audio frees the space immediately (including any master).
- Check your usage any time: the Storage card in Account Settings shows your total audio stored across all your podcasts, including original masters.
If an upload would take you over your plan's storage, the upload is blocked and you'll see an upgrade prompt. Free up space by removing old audio, or upgrade for more room. See Billing and Plans.
Audio best practices
- MP3 at 128 to 320 kbps balances quality and file size well
- Keep loudness consistent: around -16 LUFS is comfortable for most listeners
- Clean up background noise before uploading
What's Next?
- Generate a transcript from your uploaded audio
- Add episode cover art
- Publish the episode