There are almost as many articles about how many podcasts there are, as there are podcasts. It's a topic that infects almost every conversation about podcasting. Is it two million? Maybe, it's 250,000 active? Do we count podcasts with only one episode?
Today's piece is about a question in podcasting that is not asked very often by listeners and sometimes by podcasters.
Where are podcasts produced?
A professional studio like at Spotify or Wondery? A local "mom and pop" studio? An in-home studio, which could be anything from a "tricked-out" studio in the basement or office to a walk-in closet for good acoustics.
First, the professional studios like the large podcast networks need no description. They are expensive, well-equipped with professional sound people, producers, writers, and other support people.
When I asked Vox's Switched On Pop co-host Charlie Harding several years ago in a Q&A how he liked working with an established podcast network like Vox, he replied: "It’s tremendous at Vox. They are a fabulous partner. They’ve taken ownership of the production process. That allows us to do more ambitious work. I'm now able to talk with two key expert sources and do more reporting and investigative work and still maintain the essence of the show, which is personality-driven between Nate (Sloan) and I. Before Vox and Panoply, we worked our tail off. I think we produced only 14 episodes, but now we have been producing an episode bi-weekly with few breaks."
Clearly, a professional podcast studio has copious advantages. Since 99 percent of all podcasts are independent in structure, how do indie podcasters produce their podcasts?
We asked some of the best and brightest in the indie podcast world about their studio setup, and received an overwhelming response because, if you don't know this, indie podcasters are a vibrant, collaborative and collegial community.
Matt Gilhooly, creator and host of The Life Shift podcast tells us: " I set up my home office as my studio for all of my episodes. It has been a journey of building pieces bit by bit. I use http://Riverside.fm for all recordings, since all of my guests are remote. I've not had any major issues with this platform, so it is quite reliable, and I'm quite pleased. My office is about 10x9 and is multipurpose for my day job. Carpeting is important to absorb some of the echos, etc. I use a Shure MV7X microphone on a boom arm to move it out of the way. I got myself in-ear headphones, mostly because I did not like how the can headphones looked on video.
"The microphone and headphones are plugged into a Vocaster two unit for leveling and connection to computer. I also recently purchased an Elgato Teleprompter and the Elgato FaceCamPro to try to maintain better eyecontact with my guests. I have about 15 various lights on when recording - some elgato lights, a ring light, and then some mood lighting for the different colors."
CHECK OUT MATT'S SETUP ABOVE.
The Life Shift podcast highlights life-altering moments and humanizes the struggles and triumphs through them all.
I spoke to Laur Hesse Fisher, host of the TIL Climate podcast. This award-winning MIT podcast breaks down the science, technologies, and policies behind climate change, how it’s impacting us, and what we can do about it. Each quick episode gives you the what, why, and how on climate change -- from real scientists -- to help us make informed decisions for our future.
Now I thought that a podcast from MIT would have the most sophisticated podcast studio technology available. However, the genuises at MIT subscribe to an Occam's razor theory of podcasting. Fisher tells me: "We used to record in a studio on campus, but now we do interviews mostly on Zoom and I record the narration in my home office."
Lyndsay Phillips, is the CEO of Smooth Business Podcasting, speaker, guest expert, host of Leverage Your Podcast show and creator of the Podcast Leverage System.
Leverage Your Podcast covers all parts of podcasting – guesting, advertising, launching, producing, promoting, leveraging plus share tips on how to leverage podcasts further to boost visibility, position authority, create content, monetize and simply grow their business.
I've
listened to a number of episodes and found Phillips to be an excellent
host, both as a narrator and interviewer. She has loads of energy. She
excels at explaining complex topics, and she's an excellent motivator.
Yet, Lyndsay is able to create sound quality and production value that match that of an expensive Spotify studio.
Creator / host Whitney Knox Lee of the Impostrix
podcast tells us about her setup: "I use a home studio which is set up in a corner of the guest bedroom. I
use an ATR 2100x mic with the USB attachment, inexpensive close-back
headphones that I bought on Amazon and a cheap ring light. I don't use a virtual background or a green screen because I haven't figured out a
look that I like. I use window curtains on a portable clothing rack to
create an additional wall for my 'studio,' to hide the TV that is right
next to me, and to help with sound."
While the target audience of the Impostrix podcast may be Black women, the intellectual vigor of creator / host Whitney Knox Lee makes the podcast compelling listening for anyone --race, gender, political affiliation -- with an open mind, a willingness to learn, and an eagerness to make life better for everyone.
As Whitney Knox Lee stresses many times on her podcast, "Be validated."
SEE Whitney's Studio setup to the right.
Finally, Kenyan policy advisor, researcher, writer and artist Tracy Kadessa is the creator / host of Equity, Equality, And Inclusion Dialogues podcast, where listeners can hear action oriented conversations on equity, equality and inclusion.
As a host, Tracy excels with a cheery, supportive, and professional demeanor. There is a
breezy formality about her hosting delivery that can disarm listeners.
Possibly because of her legal background and expertise, Tracy knows
her way around a successful interview.
Tracy explains her setup: "Home Studio +Online Studio( Riverside or Zencastr). I use a V8 sound card with a condenser mic myself and record over the above online studios with guests. The online recording platforms, while not perfect, go a long way in giving you a little of what you'd have gotten in a physical studio."
Another option is a local studio, and, according to the U.S. Chamber Of Commerce, podcast studios have increased in number by 250 percent in the last four years. Just like hiring any vendor, ask for references and check with podcasters who have used the studio before signing anything.
There is another option and that is a remote studio. For instance Cast Craft is a remote Texas-based podcast studio.
Cast Craft explains: "Previously this agency was a social media marketing agency, but I wanted to find something that
resonates, so I started this podcast production agency with the
aim to help podcasters in creating and developing high quality audio and video."
Cast Craft has a studio that is fully remote (they're completely online based) and their team
comprises independent personnel who are skilled enough to create and
develop a podcast while working remotely.
Cast Craft explains: "My first advice is to have decent audio and video quality because if you don't have any of the two, no one's going to listen to your podcast. Secondly, your podcast should arouse some kind of curiosity, excitement, suspense, thrill, and it should also include some controversial elements (controversy is the key to go viral)."
There are numerous podcasts about studio setup and equipment recommendations. PodMatch is one I recommend. It was created to serve podcasters in their podcasting journey on either side of the microphone. Managed by a team led by Alex Sanfilippo, PodMatch has a video on its landing page that walks podcasters through Alex's home Office / Home Studio setup, which is a valuable resource.
One of the most recognized podcasting experts is Joe Casabona, who is a podcast systems coach helping busy "solopreneurs" take back their time. Joe is also the host of the Streamlined Solopreneur podcast. Each week, Joe talks about how you can build a better business through smarter systems and automated processes. He does this by bringing on expert guests, and sharing his own experience from years as a busy solopreneur parent — so that being a solopreneur feels…less solo.
Joe knows podcast studio setup.
Finally, Danny Brown asks aspirational podcasters to invest only 60 seconds with his superb One Minute Podcast Tips.
His May 27th episode -- How to Make Your Podcast Recordings Sound Better -- offers can't miss advice on sound quality. Danny offers listeners his equipment setup in the notes of the every episode.
My equipment:"Shure SM7B dynamic micTZ Audio Stellar X2 condenser micRodecaster Pro II audio production studioSony MDR-7506 Studio Monitor HeadphonesJOBY Wavo Boom ArmElgato Wave Mic Arm Low Profile."
For aspirational podcasters and indie podcasters looking for change, there are several strong options for recording a podcast. If you're lucky, good, or a celebrity, your podcast is bankrolled by a large podcast network like iHeart, and recording, editing, posting, and marketing all handled by the network.
Most podcasts, however, are produced by hard-working and talented independent podcasters. These creator/hosts are writer, editor, sound engineer, technology expert, financial analyst, and marketing pro all packaged inside one overtaxed, sleep-deprived human body.
Check out the recommendations given by some talented indie podcasters in this article. Or you can use a local studio if it is properly vetted. With technology gains, you can now use remote or virtual studio like Cast Craft Studio.
Finally, check out two podcasting essentials experts, Joe Casabona and Danny Brown. These two gentlemen are committed to helping indie podcasters succeed.
I'll end with a podcast studio story that still tickles me me today. About six years ago, I was a guest on a sewing podcast. I don't know anything about sewing but I had written a few episode scripts for the lovely creator host, so she wanted me on a show as a thank you.
Anyway, she recorded in this large walk-in closet in her home. We recorded the episode without a problem and were ready to walk out when we found that the closet door had locked behind us. We were trapped. She called her daughter who had a key to the house but she was in Allentown, Pa two hours away. With 120 minutes to spare, we recorded another episode, entirely impromptu, on the history of sewing needles. Did you know that iron needles weren't invented until the 14th Century?
Tracy F. Kadessa says: "Home Studio +Online Studio( Riverside or Zencastr). I use a V8 sound card with a condenser mic myself and record over the above online studios with guests. The online recording platforms, while not perfect, go a long way in giving you a little of what you'd have gotten in a physical studio.
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