Podcast studio rentals are a new industry that is taking over. Given that most podcasters start with the bare minimum, a professional podcast studio can take the production quality level to another level. Designing the perfect podcast studio involves much more than buying a microphone, DSLR camera, and hitting record.
Read this step-by-step guide, which will take you through the main equipment and setting tips to create a top studio, while incorporating key insights from professional discussions on podcast production.
One of the foundational aspects of creating a successful podcast studio is treating the room itself. The main goal is to ensure that the space has excellent noise isolation and sound treatment that will improve recordings. These are indispensable in recording good-quality audio, along with reducing the need for after-production fixes, if the audio is not good. Ensuring a good room treatment reduces the need for post-production fixes and saves you both time and money.
Noise isolation means reducing any outside sounds inside the room. Whether it be street noise or sounds from the next room, isolating those disturbances ensures cleanliness in your recordings.
Consider the following:
Unlike noise isolation, which focuses on the complete eradication of external and ambient noises, sound treatment is all about refining the acoustics in the room through the reduction of echo and reverb. This makes the sound more crisp and clean, hence a quality production is guaranteed.
Some of the simple solutions include:
Building a podcast studio involves more than just soundproofing a room. You will want proper equipment to make your audio and video professional grade. Here, we break down the most important gear you will be working with.
Your microphone is the most important piece of equipment. There are many types of microphones, although a dynamic microphone is typically preferred by podcasters since they have the ability to handle louder sounds and reduce background noise much more effectively.
Key features to look for:
An audio mixer is key for getting superior sound. It helps clear the raw audio before it reaches the recording console, and therefore it is much easier to adjust at the post-production stage than having to try and adjust an unbalanced level. You can capture higher bitrate audio through an audio mixer, retaining its fidelity and giving you more flexibility in editing.
For podcast creators who incorporate video elements, using cinema cameras rather than standard DSLRs is highly recommended. A cinema camera is designed to record longer without overheating, especially good for podcasters who may record multiple hours at one time.
Key benefits: cinematic cameras have internal fans that help with temperature regulation and thus support recording over an extended period.
A well-lit studio also improves the quality of the video; it contributes to creating a mood. You will want to have a three-point lighting system in order to make it professional:
The key light source is supposed to be placed in front of the face and is used to highlight the face and bring out the features of the subject. It is usually the most powerful light in the entire setup.
Also known as a backlight, it goes behind the subject to help them stand out from the background. This is important to achieve depth and make the subject "pop" on camera.
This fills in the rest of the shot so that areas of the background or subject aren't too dark. The ambient should be soft in order for the shot to remain natural.
Lighting should be adjusted based on both the directorial style and skin tones of the person being filmed. From a bright, neutral setup to a more cinematic, moody ambient, the lighting system plays a vital role in creating the right atmosphere.
If you want to read the full article and gain access to exclusive insights, sign up for Podyx today!
.jpg)
