One of the best ways to take your podcast to the next level is by finding a quality local podcast studio. If you're like us, the earliest days of your brand include the torture of recording audio in closets and under blankets to get the best sound with the fewest resources. Well, take this as a sign that it's time to give yourself some breathing space without sacrificing production value. Keep reading for the top three things that make a good podcast studio.
1) Soundproof Studio with Sound Dampening
When looking for a podcasting studio, make sure the space can reduce echo, reverb, and outside sounds. You'll need both soundproofing and sound dampening to produce the best quality audio (click here for our blog post on the importance of both). Because of this, we suggest avoiding photo studios. Photography prioritizes natural light over soundproofing (of course - you don't record sound for photography). That means photo studios often have many windows and hard surfaces. Video studios, on the other hand, are perfect for recording podcasts. Because recording audio is such a crucial part of videography, video studios (like the AWV Studio!) are dedicated to making your audio as crisp and clear as possible. Recommended ambient noise in a studio when recording sound is 25-30db (for reference, a refrigerator running is 40db... so, even your kitchen at home would be too loud). Get a studio that has no windows and plenty of sound dampening, such as carpet on the floors, felt on the walls, and foam on the ceilings. When retrofitting our South Philly studio space, we made sure to include all of these features. We even have double 5/8th drywall with soundproof insulation, and, when tested, our ambient noise was at 30db.
2) Production Gear Rental
While you likely already have your own podcasting gear for your home studio, renting a professional podcasting studio opens up the opportunity to improve quality and expand your content creation. One of the best ways to grow your reach is by switching from audio-only to video podcast (click here for our blog post on the details why). Making the switch can be tricky, but using a studio that offers gear rentals eliminates all the guesswork. Make sure they offer both lighting and camera rentals so that you don't have to invest in new, pricey equipment. And in addition to your own audio gear, studios that offer rentals can grant access to more microphones, a sound mixers, and higher quality equipment all-around. Many studios also offer furniture so that you can have a pre-made set when you arrive. Renting the right gear from the right podcast studio will both make your life easier and drastically improve production quality. At the AWV studio, we have all the features above! We even offer a "Podcasting Kit" (which includes two RODE NT2-A microphones and a RODECaster Pro II) that can be added to any of our studio rentals for a flat fee. Additionally, we offer a lighting kit, furniture, seamless paper backdrops, and a live streaming kit.
3) Studio Rental Rates That Fit Your Needs
Social media algorithms love consistency, and podcasts thrive when they publish on a consistent schedule. Establish a schedule that works best for you and your brand, and then find a studio that can accommodate. Do you tend to record just one episode at a time, multiple times a month? Look for a studio that offers membership deals. The AWV studio offers monthly subscriptions that include 20% off studio rentals plus free gear rentals. Or, maybe you batch-record multiple episodes in one day. Find a studio that offers discounted day rates, as opposed to just hourly rentals (we offer this, as well!). Do you need a flexible filming schedule? Look for a studio with wide availability--ours is open 7 days a week! We know how hard growing your own small brand can be. We at AWV are dedicated to providing all the right tools at the right price to make that happen! Check out our website here to find out more about renting the AWV studio to up your podcast game.
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