With over 3.2 million active podcasts in 2024, just creating remarkable content and being an engaging host may not be enough.

To ensure that your podcast gains success, it's important to guarantee that it also has the best technical quality, particularly with super good audio quality.

Clearly, a sharp sound with no echo and plosive sounds shows a professional touch and will help increase the audience's level of engagement.

This article will explain in detail how to set up a professional podcast home studio that's well soundproofed and acoustically treated.

We'll talk about materials, tools, and tips for maximizing audio quality, and we'll review some of the most popular brands in the current market.

N.B.: We are not part of any affiliate program; links to the manufacturer's site are purely informative with no financial gain involved. What matters to us is the trust of our readers.

What's the Difference Between Acoustic Treatment and Soundproofing?

The first thing to learn, when setting up your domestic podcast recording space, is the difference between acoustic treatment and soundproofing:

• Acoustic treatment: This reduces reverberation and controls how vibrations of sound waves act inside a room to enhance audio quality. When treating a room acoustically, you are going to use sound-absorbing panels that will assist in minimizing echo and reflections.

• Soundproofing: When soundproofing, you aim at both blocking sound from entering the studio and sounds going outside. Soundproofing a studio also requires fiberglass panels or mass-loaded vinyl for sealing of the walls effectively.

Acoustic Treatment: How to Reduce Reverberation for Better Sound

Acoustic treatment minimizes reverberation. Sound waves tend to bounce off hard surfaces, creating a muffled and unclear sound.

Here’s what you can use to reduce reverberation:

A. Sound Absorbing Panels

Acoustic Foam: Lightweight and affordable, it absorbs high frequencies, reducing echo.

• Pros: Easy to install, budget-friendly.

• Cons: Limited effectiveness on low frequencies.

Recommended Product: Udderly Quiet® Pyramid Foam, ideal for home-based studios.

Fiberglass Panels: Absorb both high and low frequencies, offering broader sound absorption.

• Pros: Effective across the sound spectrum.

• Cons: Pricier than foam.

Recommended Product: Soundproof Cow Art Acoustic Panels, customizable for a professional look.

B. Bass Traps

Placed in the room’s corners, bass traps are essential for managing low frequencies.

Recommended Product: Udderly Quiet® Corner Bass Traps by Soundproof Cow for effective bass control.

C. Sound Diffusers

Diffusers scatter sound waves to prevent direct reflections that can muddy audio clarity.

Practical Tip: DIY diffusers can be made with materials like wood and foam.

Recommended Product: Bubos 36 pieces Acoustic Diffusers for ideal triangular diffusion and sound absorption.

Studio Soundproofing: How to Block Sound In and Out

If you want to avoid noise from outside or prevent sounds from leaking, soundproofing is essential, especially if you share living space. Here’s how:

A. Walls and Ceilings

For effective wall isolation, add layers of mass-loaded vinyl or install a double wall.

Mass-Loaded Vinyl: Dense and flexible, it’s excellent for blocking sound.

Recommended Product: Acoustical Surfaces Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV).

B. Flooring

Floors can be soundproofed with specific underlays for isolation.

Practical Tip: Use UnderBlock underlayment to reduce vibrations.

C. Door and Window Seals

Doors and windows are often major sources of sound leakage; soundproofing the windows with specific inserts helps reduce external noise by up to 80%.

Recommended Products: Seal Kits for effective door sealing.

DIY Acoustic Treatment Solutions

If you're on a budget, there are DIY solutions for improving acoustics at. While not optimal, they’re useful in a pinch or for beginners with limited resources:

• Heavy Blankets: Cover reflective surfaces or create a mobile “booth” around the microphone.

• Furniture and Rugs: Adding bookshelves, rugs, and curtains can help with sound absorption.

Practical Tip: Place furniture strategically around the microphone to block early reflections.

Tools and Equipment to Enhance Studio Sound

Specific tools can also help eliminate interference during recording in non-optimized rooms:

Microphones: Choosing the right microphone can make a big difference in reducing background noise. Dynamic mics like the Shure SM7B are less sensitive to the environment than condenser mics, making them ideal for home studios.

Microphone Reflection Shields: Create a barrier around the mic, limiting side reflections. Options like the SE Electronics Reflection Filter RF-X are excellent for reducing reverb and ambient noise.

Portable Solutions: these can include Portable Recording Booths (Foldable booths are ideal for recording in shared spaces) or Mountable Acoustic Panels (Easy to hang and remove, perfect for flexible use).

Choosing the Right Room for Your Studio

Choosing the ideal room for a studio isn’t always an option. As you may know, most podcasts start out with minimal resources, often recorded in a bedroom.

This doesn’t prevent a podcast from succeeding or delivering high-quality sound, but if you have the choice, pick a room with minimal open space. Fewer windows and hard surfaces mean less sound reflection.

Alternatively, consider a closet. Many podcasters use closets since hanging clothes provide natural sound insulation.

Recording Techniques and Environmental Tips

Even if you’re a beginner podcaster, soundproofing your recording space should be a priority.

Not only for your audience, who expect the highest quality, but because editing poorly recorded audio is time-consuming, and if podcasting is your business, time is money.

Optimizing your recording technique can reduce post-production editing needs. If you don’t have access to editing software (check the author's note if you want to know more about it!) you can follow these tips:

1. Mirror Test: To identify reflection points, place a mirror along the walls and observe where it reflects the microphone. Install acoustic panels in these spots.

2. Record in Small Spaces: Reduce echo by recording in small, absorbent spaces with minimal reflections.

3. Close Microphone Distance: Reduce the distance between you and the microphone, positioning it close to your mouth. This minimizes reverberation and environmental noise.

Conclusion

A well thought out combination of acoustic treatment and soundproofing can transform even a home room into a professional studio.

Whether you choose DIY solutions or advanced equipment, every detail contributes to your podcast's final audio quality.

I hope these tips help you create an optimal acoustic environment, improve your listeners' experience, and build audience loyalty.

Now is the time to make your voice a professional and memorable presence. Happy recording!

Still unsure how to choose the best podcast tools for your podcast? If so, read our guide:

Tools for Audio Podcasts - Complete Guide

Author's note

Have you ever wanted to start your own podcast but felt held back by a lack of time or resources? PodcastAI is here to change that.

Our AI-powered podcasting software makes it possible to turn your blog posts, newsletters, or favorite news stories into podcast episodes—using your own voice, with hardly any effort.

From writing episodes to producing show notes, creating cover art, and adding transcripts, PodcastAI handles it all.

Plus, it automatically publishes your podcast on platforms like Apple and Spotify, while generating social media clips and even a custom website for your show.

Whether you’re a content creator, small business, or agency, PodcastAI empowers you to connect with your audience and grow your brand without the time-consuming hassle.