Podcasts have become popular media over the last few years and the industry has grown substantially! Now, 78% of Americans have listened to podcasts, with 28% listening to them on a weekly basis! With numbers like these, it is clear that podcasts are integrating themselves into the future of media, becoming an easy avenue for people to express opinions, be creative, and even earn a little extra cash. Perhaps because of this, some schools and public libraries are creating podcast studios to give their students and patrons a place to record. Creating a podcast studio is easy. Here are some things to consider about where and how to set it up.
Where to Set Up?
Location is important when creating your podcast studio. The space does not have to be big - some professional podcasters work in a space the size of their closets, if not their actual closet! But the space does have to be chosen with deference to sound quality. Since schools and public libraries are populated spaces, choose a room that is the least affected by external noise. Perhaps pass over a room facing the high school sports stadium for a room in a quiet hallway.
Inside the room, you want to create a space with lots of soft surfaces. Soft surfaces absorb sound, whereas hard surfaces cause sound to bounce off, and it lowers the sound quality.
Hanging acoustical wall panels will help create a soft room, in addition to giving podcasters a place to hang their notes.
Stick-on colorful acoustic panels are even easier to set up on the wall and ceiling.
In addition to reducing background noise and echo within a space, acoustic panels can improve the overall sound quality.
Even a few panels, placed correctly, can mitigate unwanted noise and reverberation.
Plus, they look great on a wall serving a dual-purpose as a work of art!
How to Set Up?
Once choosing the location of the podcast studio, make the space functional for podcasters. If it is within the budget, you can provide podcasting tech. But if it is too expensive, you can still create a functional place for podcasters to set up their equipment. Running a podcast requires a bit of equipment, so the room will need a sturdy desk or table.
A multimedia desk table that is equipped with power and USB ports will allow podcasters to plug in all of their gear. Some multimedia desks, like this one, will let you set up a monitor at the end for presentations in case the students or patrons are using visuals.
For quick behind the scenes communication, a whiteboard table is an excellent add to your podcast studio. They not only provide an extra surface to support laptops and equipment, but podcasters can use them to quietly and discreetly relay information, talking points, or hot topics to guests and collaborators.
Recording a podcast can take some time, so you will need to provide comfortable seating for users. A versatile stool that is height adjustable and allows the podcaster to comfortably lean into their microphone is ideal.
Create the Perfect Podcast Studios in Public Libraries and Schools
With podcasting only becoming more popular and creating podcasts becoming easier, podcast studios in public libraries and schools are sure to be in high demand! Good thing setting one up is possible! Feel free to browse any of Worthington Direct's furniture for your podcast studio or contact us for a quote.
