Listen to podcasts in half the time

There are ways to save your time on listening to podcast – either not listen to it at all, or make it play faster – Nev shares his tips on saving time on listening to podcast, by increasing the playback speed on Windows Media Player:

“So, how do you listen to podcasts faster?”

The answer: use software that can alter the speed of playback, along with pitch correction. The cool thing about pitch correction is that it enables you to speed up audio without everyone sounding like chipmunks on helium.

I’ve tried a bunch of things (detailed below) and the best software I’ve found for doing this so far is Windows Media Player. Since version 9, WMP has contained an option called “Play Speed Settings“. Go to the View menu, Enhancements submenu and select Play Speed Settings. You’ll now see a slider that can alter the playback speed. Simply slide it around to change the speed on the fly.

At first, and depending on the people speaking, you may only be able to handle a 1.4x speedup. Try that and then, as you listen, gradually ramp up the speed. In no time you should find listening at 2x is quite easily understandable! It only took me one 30 minute podcast to ramp up to this doubling in speed and find it comfortable.

Also iPod has similar option for audiobook in the option menu. You probably need to get used to the speed. Though after a while your ear and brain should get used to the brain and find it digestible and comfortable.

Listen to podcasts in half the time – [Nev's blog]