Built Not Born Podcast · 28 February 2025
We're Launching a New Podcast Studio for Hire
Chris and Helen reveal the thinking behind their new purpose-built podcast studio, from acoustics and flexible sets to DIY hire and full production support.
Episode guide
About this episode
In this episode, Chris and Helen record from the middle of a building site rather than their usual podcast set. The reason is the announcement of a new purpose-built podcast studio, created after repeated conversations with people who liked the look of their existing show and were interested in starting podcasts of their own.
The new room was being built around lessons learned from their original podcast setup. Chris explains that the construction included double-thickness walls, acoustic insulation and acoustic plasterboard, with further soft furnishings and sound treatment planned to help control reflections and create a better recording environment.
They also wanted the studio to be adaptable rather than tied to one fixed visual identity. The plan was for two different looks, one darker and more cinematic and another brighter and cleaner, alongside movable furniture and RGB studio lighting that could be adjusted to suit different brands.
The production setup was designed to cover a range of formats, from one person speaking to camera through to a four-person podcast. Chris describes a three-camera setup, dedicated podcast microphones, audio mixing equipment and a separate edit room planned next door.
A key part of the design was keeping the technician outside the recording room. Chris and Helen had heard from people who felt uncomfortable having an unfamiliar audio or video operator sitting in the room while they recorded. Their answer was to run the necessary cabling outside so the team could monitor and adjust audio and video without becoming another presence in the conversation.
The episode also sets out two planned ways to hire the studio. The DIY option would give clients access to the room and equipment while they supplied their own memory cards and handled editing, audio, syncing and social content themselves. The full production option would hand more of the process to the team, including recording support, editing, colour grading, audio mastering, a finished YouTube video, podcast publishing and social media clips.
Beyond the studio itself, Chris and Helen discuss why podcasting had become useful to their own businesses. They had found that listeners and viewers could spend time getting to know their personalities, values and expertise before ever making contact. For them, that deeper familiarity made podcasting part of the wider marketing journey rather than simply another piece of social content.
Key takeaways
What you'll learn
- The new room was designed specifically for podcast recording, using double-thickness walls, acoustic insulation and acoustic plasterboard to improve sound control.
- Chris and Helen planned two different visual looks, with movable furniture and RGB studio lighting so the space could be adapted to different brands and recording styles.
- The setup was intended to support everything from a single presenter to a four-person podcast, with three studio cameras and dedicated podcast audio equipment.
- Technicians would monitor audio and video from outside the recording room, helping less experienced presenters feel more relaxed while still receiving production support.
- Two service models were planned: a DIY option where clients take away their own recordings, and a full production option covering recording, editing, audio mastering, publishing and social clips.
- Chris and Helen explain why they see podcasting as a way for potential customers to get to know the people behind a business before making direct contact.
Questions from this episode
Frequently asked questions
Why did Chris and Helen decide to build a dedicated podcast studio?
They had received repeated interest from people who liked their existing podcast setup and wanted to start podcasts themselves. They also wanted to take the lessons from their original studio and build a room specifically around podcast acoustics, production and client use.
What podcast studio hire options were they planning?
They described two options. The first was a DIY hire model where clients use the studio and equipment but take away their recordings and complete the post-production themselves. The second was a full production service covering recording support, editing, audio mastering, publishing and social media clips.
How many people could record in the studio?
The planned setup was intended to cover formats from a single presenter through to a four-person podcast.
Would a technician be in the room during recording?
No. The plan was for the technician to monitor and adjust the audio and video from outside the room, reducing the feeling of being watched while still providing technical support.
Why do Chris and Helen see podcasting as useful for business marketing?
They believe a podcast gives potential customers more time to understand the people behind a business, including their personality, values and expertise, before deciding whether to make contact.