How Producers and Recording Studios Can Level Up Their Podcasting Capabilities (The NAMM Show)
Recorded live at The NAMM Show 2025, this panel features professionals from across the podcasting and production world including Jenn Liang-Chaboud (Shure), Chris Laxamana (formerly of The Adam Carolla Show, now with Yamaha), DJ Cova (Tweak Music Tips), and Steven Leavitt (The Language of Creativity). Together, they explore how studios, producers, and creators can expand into podcasting from gear setups and remote workflows to building community, monetization, and creator/brand relationships.
Follow Panelists:
Jenn Liang-Chaboud
Instagram (Shure)
Website (Shure)
Chris Laxamana
DJ Cova
Twitch (Tweak Music Tips)
Website (Tweak Music Tips)
Steven Leavitt
Podlink (The Language of Creativity)
Instagram (The Language of Creativity)
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Transcript:
Mike Zimmerlich: Alright, before we dive in, I’d like the panel to introduce themselves and share one podcast they’re currently listening to.
Jenn Liang-Chaboud: My name is Jenn. I’m the Manager of Artist and Entertainment Relations for Shure. I had trouble picking one podcast—it depends on my mood. I listen to This American Life religiously. If I need a good laugh, my guilty pleasure is Scam Goddess.
Chris Laxamana: Hi, I’m Chris. I’m most known for my work on The Adam Carolla Show, where I was showrunner, producer, and co-host from 2010 until last year. I’ve developed numerous podcasts and now work as a producer at Yamaha. A podcast I love is 60 Songs That Explain the ’90s by Rob Harvilla on The Ringer. He dissects old ’90s songs—it’s wonderfully done.
DJ Cova: My name is Cova. I’m a DJ, producer, and mixing engineer. I run a broadcast called Tweak Music Tips, mainly on Twitch. For podcasts, I’d say I listen to Joe Rogan—mostly the short clips—and Omar Elattar. Also, random tech content depending on what I’m interested in at the time.
Steven Leavitt: My name is Steven Leavitt. I’m the host of The Language of Creativity podcast where we explore the inner workings of creative life. I’m also a music producer and help others start podcasts and set up their studios. For podcasts, I liked The Six Figure Home Studio—now it’s The Six Figure Creative Podcast. Also, On Being with Krista Tippett is a personal favorite.
Mike Zimmerlich: Let’s jump into our first question. Jenn, for those starting out in podcasting, what would you recommend as the bare minimum gear?
Jenn Liang-Chaboud: You really don’t need a lot to get started. A basic microphone and something to record with—even your phone—can work wonders. There are mics with built-in apps that are easy to use. You can get a great mic for around $99. But I hate recommending gear without context. You have to think about your podcast style. If you’re doing interviews on the road, you’ll need something portable. If you want a rich voice tone, you’ll need a treated space. Think about your format and what sounds you want to capture.
Mike Zimmerlich: Steve, you’ve been a producer for a while. What did you start with when you first got into podcasting?
Steven Leavitt: I already had a treated studio. But to start podcasting, all you really need are a couple of dynamic mics—SM57s, SM58s, or Sennheiser e835s. I used a Shure SM7B and a SE mic. Dynamic mics are great at cutting out echo. I recorded straight into Pro Tools, but you can use a Focusrite Scarlett or a Zoom H6. The H6 can double as an interface for remote interviews too.
Chris Laxamana: When we started The Adam Carolla Show, it was recorded through a MacBook headphone jack. If the content is strong, people will listen. The message matters more than pristine audio—especially early on.
Mike Zimmerlich: I feel the background noise in live settings can add to the authenticity. What do you think?
Chris Laxamana: Definitely. But if you want quality, record in a treated space. Even a closet with clothes helps. It’s more forgiving in live settings, but consistent quality improves retention.
DJ Cova: I started with a phone and headset. Then a lav mic. Then a Yeti. Later I added virtual routing for effects. Even now, I do a lot with my phone and AirPods. Start basic and upgrade over time.
Mike Zimmerlich: Let’s shift. Say someone already has a studio—what’s different about podcasting?
Chris Laxamana: You have the advantage of great audio. But I recommend adding video. Audiograms don’t perform as well. Short, captioned video clips are more shareable. Even Spotify is pushing video podcasts now.
DJ Cova: Agreed. Video is essential, but don’t neglect audio. Bad audio kills retention. There are affordable, high-quality mics now. Your phone and a $59 mic can go a long way.
Steven Leavitt: Fixing bad audio is nearly impossible. Wear headphones when recording. Listen for mic placement issues. Clipping is hard to fix. Start with good sound and you’re halfway there. Tools like Waves NS1 or Descript Studio Sound help, but only if the original is decent.
Jenn Liang-Chaboud: Practice mic technique. There are now USB versions of pro mics like the SM7B. Some have built-in DSP for echo cancellation or EQ. Make it easy for guests who aren’t audio pros.
Mike Zimmerlich: What are the pros and cons of virtual versus in-person interviews?
Chris Laxamana: In-person is ideal. You can’t replicate the timing and energy virtually. Virtual is convenient but less organic.
Steven Leavitt: I had a five-second delay on one interview—that ruined the flow. I prep tech-challenged guests in advance. Set up like a living room. Make people comfortable and the tech disappear.
DJ Cova: My show is live-streamed, so I deal with these issues all the time. Echo cancellation, volume control—some platforms help. But poor audio from a guest can still be a nightmare.
Mike Zimmerlich: My show is mostly virtual. But when I can do in-person, I prefer it. It’s smoother. But I have redundancies—cloud backups, etc.—for virtual mishaps. How do you prepare your space when hosting in person?
Chris Laxamana: Have a mobile rig ready. Go to the guest if needed. For in-person, make sure video looks good. That’s key for promotion now.
Steven Leavitt: Don’t burn the interview in small talk before recording. Build rapport, but save the good stuff for the show.
Jenn Liang-Chaboud: I sometimes pre-interview guests to understand what excites them. It helps with energy and direction.
Chris Laxamana: Also, go back and listen to yourself. Learn your verbal tics, pacing, and how you can improve.
DJ Cova: And don’t interrupt people! Seriously, listen more than you talk.
Steven Leavitt: Do test interviews. Get used to your cadence. Record a few before launching publicly. That helps shake off nerves.
Mike Zimmerlich: I don’t send questions ahead of time. But I go over my talking points with guests beforehand. That way they’re comfortable, and sometimes they naturally segue into my next question.
Chris Laxamana: I stopped pre-interviews. Too many guests would tell me what they don’t want to talk about. I’d rather research and feel it out live.
Jenn Liang-Chaboud: Know your guests’ habits. If they move a lot, change the mic. Some will never stay on-mic, so adapt your gear accordingly.
Steven Leavitt: I’ve had guests ask for a different mic. Flexibility matters.
Mike Zimmerlich: Let’s get into software and plugins. What do you use?
Chris Laxamana: We’ve used everything. Audition is great. Compress your audio to avoid volume issues. Treat it like a radio show—make the listener avoid adjusting volume.
Steven Leavitt: Set your average output level. People won’t crank the volume while driving. Reduce hiss, hum, and background noise. Tools like Waves NS1, Studio Sound, etc., help. But start with the best source possible.
Jenn Liang-Chaboud: Better audio improves auto-captioning accuracy too.
Mike Zimmerlich: I use SquadCast and Descript—they’ve saved me in a few situations. Their cloud backups and transcription features are invaluable.
Chris Laxamana: Make sure your content is short and compelling. Captions matter—assume most are watching on mute. Descript is great, but don’t overuse its silence removal feature. It can feel unnatural.
Steven Leavitt: Descript is a game-changer for editing. But yes, it needs a built-in de-esser! Still, it’s super helpful.
DJ Cova: Start with good gear. I use a Rodecaster and SM7B. Get the source right, then tweak it as needed. Set it and forget it.
Mike Zimmerlich: We’ve got about 10 minutes left—any audience questions?
[Audience Q&A – summarized technical questions on syncing audio/video, gear recommendations, captioning tools, and editing platforms.]
Mike Zimmerlich: Unfortunately, that’s all the time we have. Thank you all so much for being here. If you’d like to talk with us more, please step outside so the next panel can come in. Thanks again!
Chris Laxamana: Thank you very much.
Mike Zimmerlich: Thank you.