You're facing repetitive audio editing tasks. How do you ensure your output maintains consistent quality?

In my experience this has been one of the larges time savers and contributions to consistent work quality. Tools like Keyboard Maestro, SoundFlow, and macro pads like the Elgato Stream Deck will not only make you faster and more comfortable, the systems you can create with them will help keep your work solid when doing repetitive tasks.

I find that typical media editing for podcasts, radio, TV/Film, social media, etc, is pretty simple when you constantly do it. Most video & audio software used are pretty diverse for delivering quality content even right outta the box. Pay attention & Know what good audio sounds & looks like. Industry Standard equipment like mics, preamps, & audio interface tend to easily optimize recordings into great sound with a few minor adjustments. Note that Compressions & Limiters, Gates & Expanders, & EQ are the 1st tier of quality audio content. These FX most of the time can be used to lightly touch the original content sound if you understand them. Editing dead space is also standard in a scenario that the project allows you to do that.

Using a template and getting some of the basics out of the way helps to get started on the right foot. Taking frequent breaks help to keep you ears fresh.

Having a solid balance between your personal / work life and to find the correct time and you’re ability. I believe it depends on the way you structure your progress between each project and don’t go too far ahead of yourself but to match your quality and consistency to the best of your ability.

I like to use automation just for the simple fact it’s a time saver. Then after all of the other editing and mixing is done I do the “car test” and play the recording in the car to get a fresh new way to see if everything sounds balanced. If it does, great! If it doesn’t and you know what to fix, then go in and fix it.

When working with the same theme on a digital project that is bass and drums heavy; I zone in on editing the peaks of the bass and drums first and make a template of only that foundation. I can use either track separately later, or replace either track to a different combo, which will speed up the process.

Save templates for each audio use case type such as music genre, voice over, sound design, mixing, master etc. to remain more consistent

I only use a template in a topicalized way. Like, if you're mixing an album, it might be wise to make a template that gives consistency to the whole. You can also use a "spoken word / podcast" template vs a music mixing template or a composing template.

Templates are huge! Even if they are super simple. Things like having the correct sample/bit rates, input/output routing, shortcuts for most used plugins, color coding tracks, etc can be a huge time saver in the long run.

Template creation definitely starts you off ahead of the game even if changes are made for a projects unique needs... Where templates are a good starting point changes will always be made

Definitely this. I’ll often jump around within a project to ensure consistent levels and sound. Also, keeping an eye on the VU meters, and other spectral graphs, can be super helpful.

The best way imo to get a consistent output is keep a reference work handy. This is the best way to check against your ears getting fatigued across a long term project.

Absolutely, flat-response studio monitors and some good (dare I say) Sennheiser 770s and periodic breaks every 2 or 3 hours can make a big difference in quality.

In addition to all the above I would have to say using measurement tools to help bring consistency. While various sounds can differ if one happens to be looking for something consistent we can emulate the frequency envelopes for example

I would even go so far as to say, show it to complete strangers as well, not necessarily someone off the street, but someone who doesn't know you that well, who is unfamiliar with your work, and is therefore unbiased.

Honestly, one of the most important things to do is TAKE CONSISTENT BREAKS!!! Especially when the task is mundane and the pile of work is large, audio editors tend to want to go heads down and power through. Don't. This is where you will make mistakes that will be difficult to QA out of your basket of deliverables. Set yourself a cadence, could be thirty mins on, five mins break or an hour on, fifteen off, what ever works for you. For me, I am way more efficient, effective and creative when I work in 20-30 min blasts, and then a few mins off. And dont just stare at another screen for your break, get up, take little walk, refill coffee or water, something to give your ears, eyes, hands and mind time to recuperate.

There are some mundane tasks that don’t require too much concentration and can be done with others in the room, but when doing comping, cleanup, fades, preliminary mix, stemming, and naming files I prefer to work solo and get into a workflow where I can really concentrate and take breaks as needed.