How to Set Up a Live Podcasting Station in the Workplace

Starting a company podcast is no small venture, but it can be a rewarding one. 

Say you’ve already determined you want to start a podcast, and have all of your gear – how do you set it up? If you’re hosting a podcast, not only do you need equipment, but you also need a podcasting station to store your setup. This is especially true if you hope to try your hand at live podcasting. 

If your company podcast launched during the lockdowns, you may be wondering where to record now that you’re returning to the office. While it’s possible to keep pre-recording or live streaming from home, it may not be ideal for those who need to be in the office or others who want to regain a steady work-life balance. 

Why not set up your podcasting station at the office? 

Whether you’re transporting a remote podcast station or kickstarting a new company podcast, there are some things to keep in mind. Fortunately, we’ve created this guide to help you out. 

Here are the three main steps to set up a live podcasting station in your workplace. 

What is live podcasting, and why do it? 

Before we break down how to set up a podcasting station for live streaming, let’s first look at what live podcasting is in the first place and why you might consider it. A livestream podcast is just what it sounds like – it’s live. Similar to a radio show, live streamed podcast episodes aren’t pre-recorded and edited; they happen in real-time. 

Over the past decade, livestreams have grown in popularity across all media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube. Live broadcasts help to boost community engagement since they create a two-way conversation between content creators and their audiences. 

In the workplace, livestreams are great for webinars, virtual conferences, training sessions or discussion panels. So if you’ve never considered live streaming you should! 

So where and how do you set up your live podcasting station? We’ve broken it down into three easy steps. 

1. Choose a location! Find a quiet space or room.

If you’re concerned that your workplace doesn’t have the facilities or budget for a professional setup, don’t worry. You don’t need to have a professional recording studio to record your live podcast. 

Just find a quiet room in your workplace building. Ideally, this should be a space with low to no traffic. Also, avoid spots with noisy vents and HVAC units. While those spots are typically unoccupied, they’re also pretty loud. 

A small to medium-sized room with carpet and furniture works best as the soft surfaces will absorb any excess sound. Consider sound-treating hard surfaces like drywall or metal cabinets as these can cause unwanted echoes that can be picked up in your recording. 

Sound treatment panels are often made of foam or densely packed felt. They are relatively cheap and can be purchased at a local hardware store or online. To install them, follow the instructions on the package and stick them to the walls or other hard surfaces. 

2. Gather and set up your equipment and materials. 

Before you gather your materials and recording gear to set up your podcasting station, determine your total podcast budget and factor it in. Your setup could cost you anywhere from $100 to over $1000. 

It’s always better to buy quality equipment upfront than to have to replace cheap stuff later. So,  if you’re just starting out or have a tighter budget, we recommend getting a kit. These will ensure you have good quality equipment and don’t forget anything. 

Here’s a list of things to have:  

Microphone 

A good quality microphone is essential for podcasting, particularly in a live setup. Live broadcasts don’t leave much room for fixing audio levels, especially if you’re streaming solo. 

A quality mic will increase the sound quality of your podcast and ultimately boost your authority in the podcasting space. Listeners are more likely to tune into a professional-sounding podcast, and this is especially true if you are trying to attract potential customers and expand your existing client base. 

On average, mics cost anywhere from $50 to over $200. There are two types: USB vs. XLR. USB mics can plug directly into your computer, while regular XLR microphones require extra cables and an interface.

Pop filter

Good microphones tend to amplify some of the harsher sounds in our speech, so, along with your microphone, it’s also a good idea to get a pop filter. They are inexpensive but useful. 

Headphones 

If you don’t already have over-the-ear headphones, invest in a pair. These will assist you in ensuring your sound quality is up to par during recording, live streaming and editing. While over-the-ear headphones are ideal, in-ear headphones can work well too as long as they can isolate sound. 

Office equipment 

You will need a desk to store all your gear and recording equipment. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it should at least be sturdy. Placing a mic on a wobbly table will affect the audio of your recording or livestream broadcast. Also, get yourself a comfortable chair to sit on while you record. 

3. Invest in live podcasting software.

Once your live podcasting station is set up, you will need a software platform to host it. Be aware that not all hosting platforms allow live streaming so double-check before committing to one. 

Podbean allows you to livestream your audio podcast and even engage with your listeners during the broadcast. 

Increased engagement 

Listeners can send comments and messages during the stream for increased engagement. This allows you to interact with your audience in a much more personal way. Your podcast listeners will feel much more connected to one another and included as a part of the podcasting experience. 

Remote guest and co-hosting features

Need to invite a co-host remotely? The Podbean app allows you to invite a co-host or a guest from anywhere across the globe. Similar to a radio show, guests can call in and join the live broadcast. 

This works really well for Q&As and interviews. And, if your guest also has a quality microphone, your listeners won’t even be able to tell you’re in different locations! 

Pro tip: When inviting a guest or a co-host for a livestream, run a soundcheck to set audio levels before you go live. It may not always be possible for call-in guests, but for planned speakers, make sure their mic volume level matches your own.  

Conclusion

A live podcast is a great way to boost engagement for your company podcast. With these three steps, you should be able to set up a podcasting studio right in your workplace. 

Podcasting, even live podcasting, isn’t complicated when you have the right tools. Podbean’s enterprise solution will help you produce the best company podcast to modernize your communications. 

Whether you’re starting an internal comms podcast or a branded company podcast for customers, Podbean will help make your podcast the best it can be. To start your free trial, click here.