As a podcaster or aspiring podcaster, you likely understand that sound quality is the most crucial technical factor in creating successful podcasts. If you think that the best way to achieve clear, clean, and noise-free sound is through post-production editing alone, you'd be mistaken. 

The sound should be clear from the initial recording, providing you or your editing software with an optimal base to work from, which results in reduced post-production time.

Since most podcasts are produced indoors, why not set up a proper home recording studio? This way, you will have everything you need to create and record without sound disturbance, plus a private space where you can work undisturbed.

If this idea sounds appealing, keep reading; we will help you set up a home recording studio in a few simple steps. If you're concerned about the financial investment, don't worry: there are many functional, high-quality products available on the market at affordable prices.

Just rely on a good guide, read user reviews, and decide which tool is right for you.

Where is the best place for Home Recording?

First, you need to determine which room in the house is suitable for your podcasting needs. Not all rooms have the right features, and choosing a room superficially could definitely complicate your life! Here are the features to look for:

1. Choose a room that is as set-apart as possible from external noises, such as traffic or neighbors, but also from your family members or pets. A bedroom or a study at the end of a corridor can be excellent choices.

2. If possible, opt for a room that you could soundproof in the future if your podcast requires it.

3. You do not need a substantial amount of space. Even a small corner can be sufficient, provided there is space for your computer, microphone, and other essential devices.

4. Prefer rooms with few echoes or sound reflections. Rooms with carpets, thick curtains, and upholstered furniture help reduce echo, improving the recorded sound quality.

5. Avoid rooms with too many unnecessary electronic devices for your podcast, such as TVs, refrigerators, or air conditioners, as they could generate noise and limit sound quality.

6. Choose a non-square room: parallel walls create a mirror effect that tends to reflect sound, disturbing the audio quality of your recordings. If possible, it is better to opt for a rectangular room.

7. While you can produce your podcast anywhere, select a space that represents you and your podcast's message.

8. Ensure the room makes you feel comfortable.

9. Select a comfortable chair, as you'll spend many hours recording.

Motivational Fact! The very famous entrepreneur Alex Hormozi as of September 2024 has uploaded 754 podcasts to apple. In his career beginning, he recorded those podcasts with his iPhone with a small iPhone lavalier mic attached to it, sitting at the end of a hallway, no windows, no distractions!

How to create a home studio for podcasting

As mentioned, setting up a complete and efficient recording studio does not require a million-dollar investment, just the basic tools that most podcasters have:

• Microphone: You can choose either a good condenser microphone or a dynamic microphone. Condenser microphones are best suited for capturing voice details in an ideal environment, so they are recommended for controlled settings. Dynamic microphones, being more durable, are better suited for varying conditions.

• A microphone arm or stand will allow you to position the microphone correctly and avoid noise created by movement on the table. Don't forget the pop filter, which is placed in front of the microphone to reduce plosive sounds (like 'p' and 'b') that can distort audio quality.

• Headphones: Good quality headphones are not essential, but with headphones, you tend to hear your voice a lot more clearly, plus you have the ability to detect any noises that you don't want in the background, such as your air conditioning, refrigerators, computers, and anything else that might make buzzing noises. You'll be surprised.

• Connectors: Do not forget to purchase good quality connectors. Choose between XLR, USB, TRS, or whatever can meet your podcaster needs. And ensure they are compatible with your equipment.

• Mixer: The mixer plays a critical role in any recording studio; it is used in the direction and control of sound, which might be emitted out of several audio sources simultaneously It provides you with the ability to set the volume levels, add effects, and bring things into balance from multiple microphones and instruments. Using a mixer, you can improve the quality of your recordings, making them clearer and more professional.

• Video Camera: There are different types, DSLR, Mirrorless, Point and Shoot, Digital camcorders. The choice depends on your needs; Canon, Sony, and Nikon are the most popular brands. If your budget is a bit tight, remember that many podcasters successfully use their smartphone camera with a simple lavalier microphone. Tip! If you're using your iPhone, remember having a tripod will allow you to shoot semi-professional and create perfectly acceptable videos. If you want a proper video camera, choose between a DSLR or a Mirrorless camera. Don't quite have the budget? There are still some great point and shoot or even digital camcorders on the market for under a thousand dollars.

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• Professional Lighting: Proper lighting in video podcasting is essential if you are wanting a professional look. Among the most popular with podcasters, softbox lights will diffuse soft light over the subject area, therefore giving out uniformly lit light that greatly benefits the subjects within the video. This type of light restricts shadows and imitates natural light, which is ideal for interviews or a monologue intended for camera closeups. An equally brilliant option would be an LED ring light which is often reflects in your eyes. A ring light helps to avoid shadows from setting on the face; they are also used in vlogging and makeup tutorials. For those seeking more control, variable LED panels would be an option, allowing the user to change the intensity and color temperature in accordance with the location and external light source coming though any windows.

• Desktop Computer, or Laptop: Since you are setting up a home studio, the logical choice for audio storage is a Desktop PC or a Laptop. You could use your phone if necessary.

• Recording and Editing Software: Free audio software is always the best choice if you're using your own sweat equity to edit your audio recording podcast show. Once you have decided to stick with it and become an industry leader in your niche, upgrading to a paid software can save you and your team a substantial amount of time in post-production.  Among the most popular are Audacity (free) or Adobe Audition (paid), which offer numerous tools for editing and polishing your sound bytes. If instead, you want to experiment with innovative editing software with artificial intelligence functions, try PodcastAI. It's not only a time saver, it's a game changer, specially if you want to take your podcasting skills to the next level.

  

• Sound Absorbing Panels and Acoustic Treatment: If echoes or sound reflection becomes a problem in your recording space, sound-absorbing panels or other acoustic treatments can absorb unwanted sounds and improve overall sound quality. For even greater control of the environment, you might consider installing panels to soundproof the studio more thoroughly. While these tools can be beneficial, they are not essential, especially when you're just starting out. The key is to ensure that the room is sufficiently isolated to produce clear sound that doesn't require excessive post-production work.

If you want more details on the tools needed to develop your audio podcast, read our article: Tools for Audio Podcasts - Complete Guide

If you follow some of the tips above, your studio should soon be functional and ready to use. Now use that space to create, plan, and produce your perfect podcast!