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Podcast Studio Hire: What Equipment and Facilities Do You Really Need?
Note: River Wey Studios was Re-branded to Tannery Film Studios at the end of 2023.
A successful podcast needs more than an interesting conversation. Clear sound, flattering lighting and a comfortable recording environment all influence whether viewers and listeners stay engaged.
It is possible to record a basic audio podcast at home with a microphone and laptop. However, branded interviews, business podcasts and video-led productions often need a more professional setup.
Before booking podcast studio hire, it helps to understand which equipment and facilities are essential, which are useful extras and how the right studio can simplify the entire production.
Start With the Type of Podcast You Are Creating
The equipment you need depends on the intended result.
An audio-only conversation between two people requires a relatively simple arrangement. A filmed interview with multiple guests may need several cameras, professional lighting, attractive backgrounds and enough room for a production crew.
Consider:
- How many people will appear?
- Will the podcast be audio-only or filmed?
- Do you need individual close-up shots?
- Will guests join remotely?
- Are you recording one episode or several?
- Do you need short social-media clips?
- Should the set reflect your brand?
- Will clients or production staff attend?
Planning these details early helps the studio prepare the right space, crew and equipment.
Professional Microphones
The microphone is one of the most important pieces of podcast equipment.
Dynamic broadcast microphones are often used for spoken-word recording because they can capture the presenter’s voice while reducing some surrounding noise. Each speaker should usually have an individual microphone so that levels can be controlled separately.
The complete audio setup may also include:
- Microphone stands or boom arms
- Pop filters or windscreens
- Headphones
- XLR cables
- An audio interface or mixer
- Separate recording channels
- Backup recording equipment
Microphone positioning matters as much as the microphone itself. A professional sound recordist can monitor levels, detect unwanted noise and make adjustments throughout the session.
Tannery Film Studios can arrange camera, sound, lighting, grip equipment and accessories through its on-site hire network. Production crew and freelance specialists can also be provided when required.
A Suitable Recording Environment
A visually impressive room is not automatically suitable for podcasting.
Hard, empty spaces can create noticeable echoes, while nearby traffic, air-conditioning systems and other activity may interrupt the recording. A studio does not always need to be completely soundproof, but it should provide a controlled environment where external noise and reverberation can be managed.
Studio 2 at Tannery Film Studios has been treated to reduce external disruption and reverb. Its ceiling includes acoustic treatment, while the skylights are designed to reduce noise and can be blacked out when required.
For productions requiring absolute silence, it is still important to discuss the sound specification with the studio before booking. No responsible studio should promise complete sound isolation unless the space has been designed and tested as a sound stage.
Cameras for a Video Podcast
Video podcasts provide more opportunities to distribute content across YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and other platforms.
A simple video production might use one wide camera showing all participants. A more polished setup will normally include:
- A wide establishing shot
- Individual close-ups of each speaker
- A side angle or moving shot
- A monitor for checking the recording
- Suitable lenses and tripods
- Synchronised sound
- Sufficient memory and battery capacity
A multi-camera arrangement makes the final edit feel more natural. It allows the editor to cut between speakers, remove pauses and create shorter clips without relying on a single static shot.
Studio 2 provides approximately 2,000 square feet of total space, including a main shooting area of around 1,400 square feet. This gives production teams room for cameras, lighting, audio equipment and different seating arrangements without making the set feel cramped.
Lighting That Flatters Every Guest
Good lighting can make an ordinary podcast look like a professional programme.
At minimum, each presenter should be clearly visible without harsh shadows, glare or large differences in exposure. A standard interview setup may use a key light, fill light and backlight for each participant.
Additional practical or decorative lights can add warmth and depth to the background. Lamps, coloured lighting or illuminated brand elements can help turn a functional recording into recognisable visual content.
The available electrical supply should also be checked before the shoot. Studio 2 includes a 63-amp distribution box, three-phase power and a range of 32-amp, 16-amp and standard sockets. Electricity is included within the published studio hire fee, while additional lighting and grip equipment can be arranged in advance.
A Background That Supports Your Brand
Podcast sets no longer need to consist of two chairs against a blank wall.
The background can communicate the tone of the programme before a guest even speaks. A business podcast might use a clean, contemporary set, while an entertainment, fashion or culture programme may benefit from something more textured and atmospheric.
Studio 2 offers a distinctive industrial warehouse aesthetic with exposed brick, a large reclaimed-wood feature wall and a smooth white finish. Black drapes and blackout options can also transform the space into a darker, controlled set.
These different surfaces can provide several looks during one booking. A production team might record the main episode against one background and then capture introductions, promotional clips or photographs in another area.
Colourama backgrounds, flats, plinths and custom set-building services can also be arranged. Tannery Film Studios works with local set builders who can create more detailed branded environments when a standard background is not enough.
Reliable Internet Access
Fast internet is essential when a guest is joining remotely, a client is monitoring the recording, or footage needs to be uploaded immediately.
A suitable podcast studio should offer:
- Stable high-speed Wi-Fi
- Wired Ethernet connections
- Capacity for live streaming
- Reliable video-call performance
- Secure client viewing
- Fast transfer of large media files
Studio 2 provides gigabit Wi-Fi and Cat6 ports, with stated speeds of up to 1Gbps for uploads and downloads. A public IP connection can also be arranged with advance notice where a production requires it.
Strong connectivity is particularly useful for live podcasts, remote interviews and productions with directors or clients working from another location.
Comfortable Space for Guests and Crew
Podcast recording sessions can take longer than expected. Guests may need time for preparation, sound checks, makeup, rehearsals and repeated takes.
A professional venue should therefore offer more than the recording floor.
Useful facilities include:
- A private waiting or breakout area
- Hair and makeup facilities
- Changing space
- Toilets
- A kitchen or refreshment area
- Comfortable client seating
- Parking
- Easy access for equipment
Studio 2 is a self-contained unit with its own kitchenette, toilets and upstairs mezzanine. The mezzanine includes a breakout space, a hair and makeup area, changing facilities and a client area overlooking the main studio through an internal glass wall.
The studio also includes on-site parking, with eight spaces allocated to Studios 1 and 2 and more available by arrangement. Its loading-bay door makes it easier to bring in equipment, furniture, props and set pieces.
These practical details can make a substantial difference when presenters, guests and crew are arriving separately.
Do You Need a Production Crew?
Some clients arrive with a complete production team and only need the studio. Others have a strong podcast concept but need support turning it into finished content.
Depending on the project, professional support may include:
- A producer
- Camera operators
- A sound recordist
- A lighting technician or gaffer
- Hair and makeup artists
- Set builders
- Photographers
- Editors
Using experienced crew can reduce technical mistakes and allow the host to concentrate on the conversation.
Tannery Film Studios regularly works with in-house and freelance production professionals. It can arrange filming, photography, lighting, sound, grip and additional crew according to the scale of the production.
Which Facilities Are Essential?
For a straightforward podcast, prioritise:
- Clear microphones and separate audio channels
- A quiet, controlled recording environment
- Reliable cameras and sufficient power
- Consistent lighting
- Fast internet for remote guests or uploads
- Enough space for presenters and crew
- Comfortable preparation and breakout facilities
Decorative sets, multiple camera angles and specialist crew may not be essential for every recording. However, they can considerably improve production value and provide more useful content from the same session.
Choose a Studio Around the Production
The cheapest room is not necessarily the best-value podcast studio.
Recording in an unsuitable location can lead to poor audio, unattractive visuals, delays and additional post-production work. A professional studio provides controlled conditions, reliable power, production facilities and access to the equipment and expertise needed to complete the project properly.
Tannery Film Studios is located in Send, between Guildford and Woking, with access to the A3 and M25 and extensive on-site parking. Studio 2 offers a large, self-contained setting for filmed podcasts, interviews and branded content, with textured backgrounds, sound treatment, blackout options, gigabit connectivity, production spaces and equipment hire.
Contact Tannery Film Studios to discuss your podcast format, guest numbers, visual style and technical requirements. The team can help you select the right studio setup and arrange the equipment, facilities and crew needed to create professional content that looks and sounds worth sharing.
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