Home / Tools / Podcast Studio Setup ChecklistPodcast Studio Setup ChecklistMost sound problems come from the room and levels, not the gear price. Ticks are saved in this browser.Print checklist0 of 16 doneResetRoomPick the smallest, softest room availableAdd soft furnishings or acoustic panels behind and beside youSee: Best Acoustic Panels →Use a portable booth or isolation shield in echoey roomsSee: Best Portable Vocal Booths →Turn off fans, fridges and notificationsGearChoose a dynamic mic for an untreated roomSee: Best Dynamic Microphones →Use an interface for XLR micsSee: Best Audio Interfaces →Mount the mic on a boom arm about a fist awaySee: Best Boom Arms →Add a pop filter or windscreenSee: Best Pop Filters →Monitor with closed-back headphonesSee: Best Closed Back Headphones →LevelsRecord at 48 kHz, 24-bitSet gain so speech averages -18 to -12 dBFSKeep peaks below about -6 dBFSRecord a test and listen back before every sessionExportNormalize to about -16 LUFS stereo or -19 LUFS monoLimit true peak to -1 dBTPExport MP3 at 128 kbps mono or 192 kbps stereo