Audio Visual Considerations

Podcasting has become the dominant medium for sharing ideas, stories, and experiences with top performing podcasts rivalling traditional media in influence and shaping election discourse.

The proliferation of affordable audio and video equipment has made hosting and sharing podcasts incredibly easy. Today, individuals, brand, organisations, and everyone in between now serve as part or full-time podcast hosts. There is even a book which, while providing advice on creating a successful podcast, pokes fun at this phenomenon: Everybody Has a Podcast (Except You).

While UT Consulting is yet to jump on the podcast hosting bandwagon (fortunately), we have had plenty of experience designing, documenting, and project managing the fit out of professional podcast studios. As the podcast space has become more commercial and competitive, a high-quality product is the standard expected by listeners and advertisers.

In this blog, we’ll discuss the audio visual technology being deployed in professional podcast studios and walk you through how you can ensure your podcast is recorded and broadcast to a commercial standard.

Audio vs Video: Defining the Podcast Studio

Once considered a predominantly audio-only format, today’s podcast listeners also include a dedicated share of viewers. The incorporation of video into the podcast format has allowed for clips and short-form videos to be shared through social media platforms like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and TikTok. The promotion and marketability of a podcast are heavily driven by clips taken from much longer conversations (replacing the sound bite), and engagement is increasingly contingent on building reach through algorithmic video sharing.

Accordingly, most professional or commercial podcast studios must include video recording, which introduces a range of equipment considerations. Podcast studios have evolved beyond just a set of microphones and instead rely on a suite of technology working in harmony to capture sound, video, adjust lighting, and various control or broadcast systems. These technologies serve as the backbone of any high-quality recording space and enable professional podcasters to output clear, immersive content, that can be aesthetically clipped, edited, and shared.

Subsequently, when UT Consulting is engaged to design a podcast studio, we make considerations early in the workshopping process to assess whether the production output will involve audio, video, mixed content, or if the content will be captured on user devices or another platform that allows for more detailed editing. Studios that focus on combined formats or that feature livestreaming require integrated systems that, while complex from a design perspective, must be intuitive to control. We have provided an overview of podcast studio equipment, listed in order of priority:

Podcasting Audio Equipment:

High-quality sound is critical for producing content people want to listen to, watch, and share. For a professional podcasting environment, the quality of the audio equipment is the number one priority. Equipment considerations are as follows:

  • Microphones: For a professional setup, microphone selection should align with the functional requirements of the studio and the expected recording quality outcomes. A combination of dynamic and condenser microphones, along with DI (direct injection) boxes for possible instrument inputs, provides versatility for capturing a wide range of audio sources. An addition of one high-end microphone for each guest will ensure high-quality capture during recording. Microphones should be paired  these with shock mounts, boom arms, and pop guards that prevent unwanted noise and vibrations.
  • Headphones: High-quality headphones are necessary for both the hosts and the production team to monitor sound levels and ensure audio is being captured correctly. Over-ear headphones are popular for their clear sound and comfortable fit during prolonged discussions.
  • Mixing Console: A digital audio workstation (DAW) or physical mixing console should be incorporated for managing sound levels, effects processing to clean up vocals, controlling microphone inputs, and balancing various audio sources. DAW’s also allow production to easily switch between microphones and adjust audio settings for each individual voice.
  • Soundproofing and Acoustic Treatment: To ensure high-quality recordings, the studio must be treated to minimise external noise interference and reduce sound reflections. Acoustic panels, bass traps, and diffusers should be strategically placed around the studio to absorb sound and create a controlled environment. Soundproofing is equally important, especially if the studio is in a noisy location. Window treatments, door seals, and thick carpets can all help minimise sound leakage.
  • Prosumer Equipment: For podcast studios catering to entry-level users, consider prosumer-grade equipment as a practical choice. While it has some limitations, its intuitive design and cost-effectiveness make it well-suited for spaces where ease of use is a priority. Since professional musicians and music producers typically rely on commercial recording studios for high-end production, a prosumer setup strikes the right balance between accessibility and performance for podcast creators.

Podcasting Video Equipment

For video podcasts or live streaming, having a well-designed and managed video equipment ensures the quality of your footage is aligned with your audio quality. Key components of the video setup include:

  • Cameras: PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) cameras offer flexibility in capturing dynamic shots. These cameras can be preset to focus on different angles and participants, making them ideal for multi-person podcasts. Ideally, you’ll need at least two cameras: one focused on the primary host(s) and another capturing wide-angle shots.
  • Lighting:  Lighting is often the unsung hero in a podcast studio. Proper lighting is essential, particularly for video podcasts, as it ensures subjects are clearly illuminated and reduces shadows or harsh glares. The lighting setup should not only serve aesthetic purposes but also contribute to the overall mood of the studio (Studio Lighting Blog – Coming Soon)
  • Video Switching and Streaming: For larger setups or more demanding professional applications, you may require a video switcher to manage multiple camera feeds. For professional live streaming, video switchers allow you to toggle between different cameras, images, and even graphic overlays for a polished final product.

Podcasting Control Systems:

With multiple components in play, control systems are essential for managing both audio and video feeds.

  • AV Consoles: These are the central hubs of your podcast studio. A digital AV console allows you to control microphones, adjust lighting, switch between camera angles, and manage all connected devices. These systems should provide an intuitive interface for seamless operation during a recording session.
  • Web-Based Control: For larger studios, consider a web-based control system that allows operators to manage the entire AV setup remotely via tablet or smartphone. These systems offer flexibility and control over camera movements, light adjustments, and audio mixing from any location within the studio.
  • Control Interfaces: Simplified control interfaces, whether touchscreen panels, wall-mounted keypads, or mobile apps, ensure that everyone can operate the system without deep technical knowledge.

Podcast Physical Design

The location, layout, signage and practical connectivity are another key aspect of ensuring your podcast studio is easy for users to access and control.

  • Studio Location: Choosing the right location for a podcast studio is key to ensuring a distraction-free recording environment. Ideally, the studio should be positioned away from high-traffic areas like kitchens or communal spaces to minimise background noise. Additionally, installing blinds or frosted film on internal windows can help reduce visual distractions from people passing by, allowing users to stay focused on their recordings.
  • Studio Layout: A podcast studio’s layout should ensure that each component is placed efficiently, with minimal space wasted. Every piece of equipment, from microphones and cameras to lighting fixtures and consoles, must be easily accessible while maintaining an ergonomic and functional setup that is considerate of the host’s and guests’ comfort during long recording sessions. There are also safety consideration which must be made to ensure cables are effectively managed and trip hazards are minimised.
  • Signage: Clear external signage is essential for managing a podcast studio, ensuring users are aware when a recording is in progress. Room booking panels or “Recording in Progress” lights help prevent interruptions and create a focused recording atmosphere. For added efficiency, these indicators can be integrated with the studio’s control interface, automatically activating when the space is in use.
  • Connectivity: The studio should be equipped with ample USB and HDMI ports for connecting guest devices, laptops, and external monitors. For multi-user environments, networking capabilities should support multiple devices working simultaneously, such as guest speakers connecting remotely via video call, or syncing to cloud-based recording services.

Designing your Podcast Studio

Creating a podcast studio involves carefully selecting the right AV equipment and ensuring that each component works in unison to deliver a high-quality user experience. Lighting, audio, and video systems must be selected with both functionality and ease of use in mind. Additionally, ensuring your studio is equipped with proper control systems and maintenance processes will contribute to the success and longevity of your setup.

By investing in the right technology and design, you can build a podcast studio that meets the growing demands of modern content creators while providing an immersive experience for both creators and audiences alike.

For more detailed guidance on selecting the appropriate equipment for your podcast studio, feel free to contact us at info@utconsulting.com.au or call and speak with our team at: +61 3 9601 6555.