How to Record a Podcast: Pro Audio Fast
If you’ve ever watched someone talk about podcasting for 45 minutes and the only actionable takeaway was “buy this $600 mic,” this is the opposite of that.
The best way to record a podcast is not magic gear. It’s consistency. Same room. Same mic position. Same levels. Same workflow. Do that, and you’ll sound professional even if your studio is also your guest bedroom and there’s a laundry basket just out of frame.
This is the setup I use and the process that keeps me from disappearing into a rabbit hole where I’m “optimizing” forever and publishing never. The process can get better and better over time, but the most important part is to just start somewhere and get MOVING!
The goal
Pro audio that sounds clean, warm, and intentional. Fast enough that you will actually keep doing it.
Step 1: Fix the room first (because the room is the real microphone)
I record in a treated room. Carpet on the floor, black drape, and enough furniture to kill reflections. The room is roughly 20' x 40', which is more space than most people have, but the principle is the same in a small room:
Add soft stuff. Rugs, curtains, blankets, couches, anything that absorbs sound.
Avoid bare walls and big empty corners.
If your room is lively, move closer to the mic rather than cranking the gain.
You don’t need a perfect room. You need a room that doesn’t sound like a bathroom. Do some test records and play it back. What does it sound like?
Step 2: A simple audio chain you can trust
Here’s what I use:
Mic: Shure SM7B
Recorder: Zoom H6 (SM7B straight in, no Cloudlifter)
Boom arm: Gator Deluxe desk-mounted broadcast boom arm
Format: WAV 48kHz / 24-bit
Compression: minor compression inside the H6
This isn’t the only way to do it, but it’s a solid “set it and forget it” setup. The SM7B is forgiving, the H6 is reliable, and recording 48k/24-bit gives you clean headroom.
Mic placement that fixes 80% of problems
Put the mic close. Think a fist to a hand-width away.
Aim slightly off-axis so plosives don’t explode your waveform and peak into distortion.
Don’t move around like you’re dodging bees. Consistency beats charisma.
Step 3: Lighting that looks good without buying film gear
My lighting is literally IKEA-level simple: warm bulbs with paper shades.
I use 2700K bulbs with IKEA paper lamp covers, which keep the light soft and flattering without making it feel like a corporate webinar. This is the shade:
https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/gullsudare-pendant-lamp-shade-white-handmade-90603869/
The point is not “perfect cinematic lighting.” The point is having a consistent look that doesn’t distract from your face. Lots of light in the room will make you look better on camera. Match all fixture color temperatures. If there are fluorescent “office” lights - shut them off.
Step 4: Video setup (two angles, fast switching)
If you’re doing video podcasts, the best upgrade you can make is not more cameras. It’s a workflow that makes editing painless.
My setup:
Cameras: Blackmagic Pocket Cinema 4K (two angles)
Lens: 25mm
Switcher: Blackmagic ATEM Mini Extreme ISO
You can do this with one camera too. Two angles just makes it feel more professional and helps pacing when you cut.
Step 5: The workflow that keeps you publishing
I edit in Premiere Pro on a 14" MacBook Pro. For thumbnails and stills I use Photoshop. The site is on Squarespace.
The key is this order of operations:
Record clean audio
Sync audio to video in Premiere using multicam
Cut the content first
Only then go back and polish (minor EQ, levels, color consistency)
Export and publish
If you do “polish” before the cut, you will become the type of person who owns fourteen LUT packs and hasn’t uploaded in three months.
A fast pre-record checklist
This is the stuff that prevents pain:
Mic in the same spot every time
Levels checked (no clipping)
Record in WAV 48k/24-bit
Lights on and consistent
Quick test recording, then listen back for 10 seconds
That’s it. If you pass this checklist, you can hit record and stop thinking.
The simplest version of this setup (if you’re starting)
If you don’t have the space or gear, here’s the priority list:
Make your room less echo-y
Put a mic close to your mouth
Record clean audio (don’t clip)
Use one light source that makes you look human
Build a workflow you can repeat weekly
People don’t subscribe because your noise floor is impressive. They subscribe because you show up. They keep listening because you are genuine, and real. The production doesn’t always matter.
Bonus: this setup also works for real estate content
This same studio setup is perfect for real estate videos too: quick market takes, neighborhood vibe checks, and short clips that build trust before someone ever DMs you. If you want to see how I’m using it, follow along on Instagram. And if you’re in the Portland area and want to talk real estate, my official home base is Cody Maxwell Homes.
