“Smart Speed is a dynamic silence skipper that works on top of any speed you choose in the app. Smart Speed quickly analyzes a downloaded episode and, as you listen, it skips tiny portions of near-silence that you're unlikely to notice, giving you "free" speed and letting you save time without making voices sound crazy or robotic.”
-Federico Veticci
“The combo [of Smart Speed a level correction tool called Voice Boost] and made everything sound tighter and more professionally produced — levels were fixed, joke timing got better, amateur speakers sounded more confident, and it made amateur-produced shows (my favorite kind) easier to listen to.”
-Marco Arment (from the same article)
The app (Overcast) seems pretty well made and thought through. The idea that all jokes are improved by removing pauses... well... not so much...
"Smart Speed is a dynamic silence skipper that works on top of any speed you choose in the app Smart Speed quickly analyzes a downloaded episode and as you listen it skips tiny portions of near-silence that you're unlikely to notice giving you "free" speed and letting you save time without making voices sound crazy or robotic" Federico Veticci "The combo [of Smart Speed a level correction tool called Voice Boost] and made everything sound tighter and more professionally produced levels were fixed joke timing got better amateur speakers sounded more confident and it made amateur-produced shows my favorite kind easier to listen to" Marco Arment The app Overcast seems pretty well made and thought through The idea that all jokes are improved by removing pauses well not so much
Smart speed sounds like a good feature for people who need to get through podcasts quickly. If have no doubt that, as Arment says, it is “able to save a substantial amount of time without making conversations sound unnatural.” That doesn't mean the only work of a producer is to remove micro-silences. That doesn't mean you've unlocked the secret to humour.