Podcast microphones and room layout

Format drives the setup

A solo monologue, a two-person interview or a panel up to four voices each needs a different mic layout. At Sipopojexadvisory we use a table setup with broadcast mics and pop filters, tuned for conversation rather than music SPL. Describe your format (length, number of voices, live or edited later) via contact so we schedule the right room and engineer.

The service includes basic editing: level balance, clean starts and stops, not heavy sound design unless agreed separately.

Dynamic or condenser

Dynamic mics (classic broadcast types) handle plosives and some room noise; they suit untreated living rooms or office corners. Large-diaphragm condensers capture detail and air but reveal HVAC, street noise and laptop fans faster — fine in our treated studio, harder at home without care.

Always use a pop filter or foam windscreen and keep roughly fist to one-and-a-half fists distance. Do not let guests lean into the capsule; level swings are harder to fix than steady distance.

Room and acoustics at home

Hard floors, big windows and bare walls add echo that sounds cheap on headphones. Add textile: curtains closed, rugs, a bookshelf behind the speaker. Avoid recording next to a fridge, printer or open window to a busy Amsterdam street — traffic rumble is hard to remove cleanly.

If home stays noisy or boomy, consider a session with us: 3 rooms, separate live and control areas, and 8 headphone sets for monitoring during recording.

Several voices at the table

Each speaker gets their own channel; that keeps editing and crosstalk manageable. Place stands so everyone sits comfortably without arms knocking. Avoid talking over each other on purpose if you know a line will be cut — it burns edit time.

For remote guests on video: record locally (double-ender) when possible; internet-only audio is a fallback. In the studio we record everything in sync, up to about ninety minutes per episode within the episode rate.

Monitoring and levels

Hosts hear themselves in headphones at a modest level; too loud makes people speak softly. Engineers leave headroom so laughter does not clip. A short soundcheck before the real talk saves restarts.

Share jingle lengths, intro/outro timing and export format (WAV 48 kHz or MP3 for hosting) upfront. Consistent loudness across episodes helps listeners; we normalise within sensible limits in basic editing.

Rates and series

Hourly Podcast recording: €88. One episode up to ninety minutes: €255. Six episodes in one package: €1,385 — useful with a fixed schedule and the same crew.

Book with a 30% deposit; free cancellation up to 5 days ahead. Business invoices: payment within 14 days by agreement. For cost planning on music intros see planning your mix budget.

What to bring

• Outline or question list, not a full script unless you need a prompter.
• Water for everyone; avoid crinkly bottles near mics.
• Phones on airplane mode, notifications off on laptops.
• Logo or show notes for metadata — not required to record.

Studio access: From Wibautstraat metro station (M51, M53, M54) it is about an 8-minute walk via Wibautstraat and Linnaeusstraat. Trams 3 and 7 stop at Ruyschstraat, roughly 2 minutes on foot. The entrance is at street level next to the bicycle racks.. Hours: Monday–Friday 10:00–19:00, Saturday 11:00–17:00, Sunday closed..

Next steps

Test your home setup with a short recording and headphones; if you hear boom or noise, improve the room or book the studio. To book: contact form or 020 244 1893. Files and archive policy: session files and rights. General questions: FAQ.

Sipopojexadvisory works with makers in Amsterdam and nearby; we do not expect audio experience — we do expect you to know your format and audience.