Inside the Podcast Studio
The podcast studio in the Nido R. Qubein School of Communication lets students record their own regular podcasts on a RødeCaster Pro audio console. Up to four people can record in the room, with two more remote guests joining by phone or computer.
Next door, the vocal booth works as an “audio closet” for any project that needs clean sound, from podcasts and audio interviews to voice-overs for video projects.
Both spaces support instruction in the School of Communication, and students reserve studio time through the school.
The four-person recording table in the podcast studio.
What Students Learn Behind the Mic
The studio is set up so anyone can record a good-sounding show, and students learn the same steps working producers use:
- Reset the board before every session so it starts from a clean setup
- Set the gain for each microphone until the levels sit in the green, then ride the sliders as speakers get louder or softer
- Record straight to a microSD card, or into Audacity on the studio computer
- Bring in a remote guest by bridging a phone over Bluetooth, and steer guests toward Zoom or Webex on a computer for better audio than a cell call
Media production student Jack O’Donnell records a podcast interview in the studio.
Access to Innovators Podcasts
Through HPU’s Access to Innovators program, industry leaders who visit campus sit down in this studio for podcast interviews hosted by students.
Sellers Shy, CBS Sports
Student Ethan Parker recorded an Access to Innovators podcast with CBS Sports’ lead golf producer.
Sean Suggs, Toyota
Journalism major Jake Vesey interviewed the former president of Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina.
Teena Piccione, Google
Student Emmi Yates recorded a podcast with Teena Piccione during her visit to mentor students.
Neen James, Expert in Residence
Business analytics major Alex Muravski recorded a podcast with the attention and communication expert.
Students Behind the Shows
Students also launch podcasts of their own.
- Sports media graduate Wendell Epps hosted “The Sports Student” and recorded an episode with Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall.
- History and political science student Mac Mollins created “Dialogues with The Past.”
- HPU’s Psi Chi chapter launched “Cognitive Conversations” to make psychological research accessible to the public.
- Sports media students host sports talk shows on HPUR, the student internet radio station.
“This led to creating some unique opportunities for myself, most notably interviewing former NBA player and current ESPN analyst JJ Redick on my podcast and doing a one-on-one interview with Hall of Fame sportscaster Jim Nantz,” Wendell said.
Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall records a podcast with Wendell Epps.
Start Your Podcast
Communication students record shows, interviews and voice-overs here. Explore the programs that use the studio most.
Media Production Journalism Sports Media
To reserve the studio, email Michelle Devlin at [email protected].