Quality sound can be hard to get right. Poor use of space, bad insulation and lack of acoustic treatment are just some of the key elements that can drastically decrease the quality of your podcast.
Whilst there are ways to offset these interferences through post-production, this can often lead to hours of work and a final product which is far from perfect. Instead, address these issues early with proper planning and design which will not only save you time and money in the future, but also ensure your professional podcast studio is working for you, not against you.
In this blog post, we’ll go over the five most common mistakes in professional podcast studio design and discuss how you can avoid these pitfalls, and be well on your way to creating a world-class recording space.
1. Not Allowing Enough Space In Podcast Studio Design
When designing a professional podcast studio, allocating sufficient space is essential. Without breathing room for all the equipment and furniture, the professional environment will be compromised.
This is especially true if guests are expected to join the podcast later down the line. Allowing ample space for personnel to feel comfortable is key for ensuring the best atmosphere.
You should also design with the future in mind. Whilst your podcast studio might have humble beginnings, as your audience grows, so too might your production. Planning ahead with more room than initially required is wise so that your professional podcast studio can grow comfortably over time.
2. Not Properly Insulating Your Podcast Studio Space
Creating a professional podcast studio requires effective insulation in order to ensure that outside noise won’t interfere with the recordings. If there’s no insulation, surrounding sounds such as traffic or a busy office can be heard in the context of the podcast, leading to distracting and unintentional noises.
To ensure your chosen space is fit for professional podcasting, investing in similar sound-proofing methods used in music studios is advised to create a conducive environment for interviews and meetings over audio.
This kind of attention to detail will allow each conversation to capture its full context, allowing hosts and guests alike to have an enjoyable experience.
3. Bad Acoustic Design In Professional Podcast Studios
Undoubtedly the most important element of any podcast – sound quality will be one of the key things that separates you from your competitors. Whilst poor sound design doesn’t have to mean your content is bad, it can definitely have a negative effect on your listener’s experience.
Time and time again, we have seen professional podcast studios incorporating lacklustre acoustic design or cutting corners on developing acoustic treatment.
Poor acoustics can lead to echoes and reverberation which lower the overall quality. To achieve a perfect balance, you need to take reverberation out of the room but still leave voices sounding natural and warm rather than flat.
It’s not just about soundproofing the walls, but also incorporating audio panels and diffusers, as they help absorb or diffuse sounds such as footsteps and breathing that would otherwise be picked up by the microphone.
4. Having An Over-Reliance On Post Production
Post-production is a huge asset to any form of media. The issue however, is an over-dependence on being able to edit out any inconsistencies.
When designing a podcast studio, reliance on post-production should be limited. Post production can help fix mistakes but producers shouldn’t have to rely on it – with the correct acoustics within the room and sufficient insulation to block out outside noise, your podcast will be set-up to create stunning sound quality time and time again.
Not only will this streamline your podcasting process, but it will save you money in the long run by decreasing the amount of post-production needed.
5. Not Thinking About Video Format Podcasts (VODcasts)
With the popularity of podcasts skyrocketing since 2020, more and more companies are looking at ways to develop their podcast offering. Video podcasts are becoming increasingly more common, allowing people to engage with your content through a video format.
Video podcasts not only make your content more engaging, but also help to develop your brand identity. To allow for video capabilities either now or in the future, you should ensure your podcast space is designed with video in mind.
Having the tools necessary to easily record quality video content can make a world of difference in furthering your reach. Make sure to accommodate space for video equipment such as lights, camera, and tripods into your podcast studio design so that you are never left unprepared when the need arises.
Conclusion
These are just five of the most common mistakes in podcast studio design. Lack of space, lack of insulation, reliance on post production, and bad acoustic design can all lead to subpar recordings. When planning and designing your professional podcast studio, consider reaching out to design and build consultants who can help you from start to finish with your recording space.
Sound Zero offers a complete design and build consultancy process for podcast and music production studios.
From conception to completion, you are supported by your Sound Zero technical consultant to bring your creative vision to life through a 5-step process including consultation, site visit, 3D modelling, manufacture and installation.
If you’re looking to design and build an in-house professional podcast studio for your business, do not hesitate to get in touch! Or alternatively, give us a call on 020 3984 2000.
