Achieving Studio-Quality Audio in Non-Studio Environments

In this episode of Showmakers, host Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, dives deep into achieving great audio quality outside of professional studios. Barker shares his expertise on selecting the right microphones, optimizing recording spaces, and applying proper mic techniques to ensure clear and professional sound. He also discusses practical tips for remote recordings and the importance of gain staging. Whether recording in office spaces, at home, or on the go, Barker provides invaluable advice to elevate the quality of brand podcasts. The episode concludes with insights on when it is ideal to use a professional studio.

00:00 Introduction

01:06 What Does Studio Quality Mean?

01:49 Four Key Factors Affecting Audio Quality

02:48 Creating the Ideal Recording Space

03:27 Microphone Technique Tips

04:07 Understanding Gain and Levels

04:48 Essential Equipment

06:10 Recording in Shared Spaces

07:23 When to Use a Professional Studio

09:10 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

About Your Host

Ed Barker has been producing and recording podcasts since 2009. After a long career as a corporate marketing and strategy executive (and then a VC), Ed launched Studio 1878 in early 2025 with the goal of making brand and business podcasting much better. Ed is a Brit, working out of Seattle, and podcasting worldwide. 🌎

Studio 1878

A podcast development studio for the modern brand. We believe everyone has a story worth telling. Specializing in business and brand podcasts, we’ll help build your story from ideation to distribution, transforming concepts to real connection with your audiences. We produce our own shows but our core proposition is in helping businesses and creators produce something truly compelling and authentic. We’d love to help you tell your story. 😈

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Essential Guidelines for Success

In this episode of Showmakers, Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, discusses the importance of having a dedicated website for your podcast. Learn when it's essential, what key features to include, and the different ways to build your site. Discover how a podcast website can enhance search visibility, provide a central hub for listener engagement, and convert traffic into subscribers and customers. Ed also covers scenarios where a website might not be necessary and previews upcoming content on achieving studio-quality sound for your recordings.

00:00 Introduction: Do You Need a Website for Your Podcast?

00:33 Why a Podcast Website Matters

01:17 Essential Features for Your Podcast Website

02:03 Bonus Features for Enhanced Engagement

02:30 Building Your Podcast Website: Options and Tips

03:29 When You Might Not Need a Podcast Website

04:01 Conclusion and Next Steps

About Your Host

Ed Barker has been producing and recording podcasts since 2009. After a long career as a corporate marketing and strategy executive (and then a VC), Ed launched Studio 1878 in early 2025 with the goal of making brand and business podcasting much better. Ed is a Brit, working out of Seattle, and podcasting worldwide. 🌎

Studio 1878

A podcast development studio for the modern brand. We believe everyone has a story worth telling. Specializing in business and brand podcasts, we’ll help build your story from ideation to distribution, transforming concepts to real connection with your audiences. We produce our own shows but our core proposition is in helping businesses and creators produce something truly compelling and authentic. We’d love to help you tell your story. 😈

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get Your Show Everywhere

In this episode of Showmakers, Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, breaks down the essentials of podcast hosting and distribution. Learn how to choose a podcast host, the process of getting listed on major platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, and tips for making your content accessible everywhere. Discover hosting options, get insights on uploading audio and video content to YouTube for maximum reach. Tune in next week to explore the importance of having a podcast website.

00:00 Introduction to Podcast Hosting and Distribution

00:34 Understanding Hosting vs. Distribution

01:09 Choosing the Right Podcast Host

02:27 Getting Listed on Major Platforms

03:46 Leveraging YouTube for Podcasts

04:42 Conclusion and Next Steps

About Your Host

Ed Barker has been producing and recording podcasts since 2009. After a long career as a corporate marketing and strategy executive (and then a VC), Ed launched Studio 1878 in early 2025 with the goal of making brand and business podcasting much better. Ed is a Brit, working out of Seattle, and podcasting worldwide. 🌎

Studio 1878

A podcast development studio for the modern brand. We believe everyone has a story worth telling. Specializing in business and brand podcasts, we’ll help build your story from ideation to distribution, transforming concepts to real connection with your audiences. We produce our own shows but our core proposition is in helping businesses and creators produce something truly compelling and authentic. We’d love to help you tell your story. 😈

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to Determine the Perfect Length for Your Podcast Episodes

Welcome to Show Makers! In this episode, Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, addresses the timeless question: how long should a podcast episode be? Barker dissects various formats to help you determine the ideal length for your episodes, emphasizing the importance of delivering value while respecting your audience's time. He explains the necessity of consistency, the impact of audience behavior, and why understanding your listener's habits is crucial. From solo insights to interviews and round-tables, get expert advice on tailoring your podcast length to your content and audience. Tune in next week as Ed discusses the ins and outs of podcast hosting and distribution.

00:00 Introduction to Podcast Episode Length

00:45 Debunking the Myth of Perfect Length

01:20 Matching Length to Podcast Format

02:30 Understanding Your Audience's Behavior

03:37 Consistency Over Length

04:19 Conclusion and Next Week's Preview

About Your Host

Ed Barker has been producing and recording podcasts since 2009. After a long career as a corporate marketing and strategy executive (and then a VC), Ed launched Studio 1878 in early 2025 with the goal of making brand and business podcasting much better. Ed is a Brit, working out of Seattle, and podcasting worldwide. 🌎

Studio 1878

A podcast development studio for the modern brand. We believe everyone has a story worth telling. Specializing in business and brand podcasts, we’ll help build your story from ideation to distribution, transforming concepts to real connection with your audiences. We produce our own shows but our core proposition is in helping businesses and creators produce something truly compelling and authentic. We’d love to help you tell your story. 😈

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Crafting the Perfect Podcast Teaser

In this episode of Show Makers, Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, discusses the importance of having a compelling trailer episode for your podcast. He explains why a trailer is essential, likening it to an audio elevator pitch that helps attract new listeners and allows podcast platforms to index your show. Ed outlines five key elements that make a great trailer: introducing your show, speaking to your audience, setting expectations, showcasing your personality, and inviting action. He provides practical tips on scripting, recording, and updating your trailer to effectively reflect your show's evolving focus. Tune in next week for insights on the ideal length of podcast episodes.

00:00 Introduction to Show Makers

00:13 The Importance of a Trailer Episode

01:04 Key Elements of a Great Trailer

01:31 Crafting Your Trailer Script

02:03 Recording Tips for Your Trailer

02:42 Updating Your Trailer

03:04 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

About Your Host

Ed Barker has been producing and recording podcasts since 2009. After a long career as a corporate marketing and strategy executive (and then a VC), Ed launched Studio 1878 in early 2025 with the goal of making brand and business podcasting much better. Ed is a Brit, working out of Seattle, and podcasting worldwide. 🌎

Studio 1878

A podcast development studio for the modern brand. We believe everyone has a story worth telling. Specializing in business and brand podcasts, we’ll help build your story from ideation to distribution, transforming concepts to real connection with your audiences. We produce our own shows but our core proposition is in helping businesses and creators produce something truly compelling and authentic. We’d love to help you tell your story. 😈

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mastering Your Podcast Description: How to Hook Listeners

In this episode of Showmakers, Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, discusses the importance of a podcast description. He explains its dual role in positioning and discovery, and offers a five-part structure for crafting an effective description. Key points include starting with a strong hook, defining the value, clarifying the format, injecting personality, and incorporating a call to action. Ed also covers the role of SEO and common mistakes to avoid. Enhance your podcast's reach and relevance with these practical tips.

00:00 Introduction

00:39 What Does a Podcast Description Do?

01:31 Five Elements of a Great Description

02:48 SEO Considerations

03:45 Common Mistakes to Avoid

04:30 Closing and Next Episode Preview

About Your Host

Ed Barker has been producing and recording podcasts since 2009. After a long career as a corporate marketing and strategy executive (and then a VC), Ed launched Studio 1878 in early 2025 with the goal of making brand and business podcasting much better. Ed is a Brit, working out of Seattle, and podcasting worldwide. 🌎

Studio 1878

A podcast development studio for the modern brand. We believe everyone has a story worth telling. Specializing in business and brand podcasts, we’ll help build your story from ideation to distribution, transforming concepts to real connection with your audiences. We produce our own shows but our core proposition is in helping businesses and creators produce something truly compelling and authentic. We’d love to help you tell your story. 😈

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Effective Strategies for Naming Your Podcast

In this episode of Showmakers, host Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, discusses the importance of naming your podcast effectively. He explains how a good podcast name does more than sound clever; it helps with discovery, signals the show's content, and makes it easy to remember and share. Ed outlines two main naming approaches: descriptive and keyword-rich names for better searchability, and branded or metaphorical names for more identity and flexibility. He also provides a checklist to test potential names and highlights common pitfalls to avoid. Lastly, Ed gives actionable advice on brainstorming and validation for selecting the perfect podcast name.

00:00 Showmakers Episode 5 Naming Your Podcast

00:00 Introduction to Show Makers

00:32 The Function of a Podcast Name

01:14 Two Effective Naming Models

03:24 Common Naming Pitfalls to Avoid

04:18 Naming Checklist

04:59 Practical Naming Process

06:02 Closing and Next Episode Preview

About Your Host

Ed Barker has been producing and recording podcasts since 2009. After a long career as a corporate marketing and strategy executive (and then a VC), Ed launched Studio 1878 in early 2025 with the goal of making brand and business podcasting much better. Ed is a Brit, working out of Seattle, and podcasting worldwide. 🌎

Studio 1878

A podcast development studio for the modern brand. We believe everyone has a story worth telling. Specializing in business and brand podcasts, we’ll help build your story from ideation to distribution, transforming concepts to real connection with your audiences. We produce our own shows but our core proposition is in helping businesses and creators produce something truly compelling and authentic. We’d love to help you tell your story. 😈

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Essential Podcast Gear: What You Really Need to Get Started

In episode four of Showmakers, Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, outlines the essential gear you need to launch your podcast, whether on a budget or with a bigger investment. He breaks down the must-haves and nice-to-haves in microphones, headphones, interfaces, and software. Ed provides specific recommendations for budget, mid-range, and pro-level setups, and offers crucial tips for creating a good recording environment. Finally, he shares advice on selecting and using recording and editing software effectively.

00:00 Introduction to Showmakers

00:08 Essential Podcast Gear

01:30 Microphone Options for Every Budget

03:32 Optimizing Your Recording Environment

04:14 Choosing the Right Headphones

04:57 Interfaces and Mixers Explained

05:41 Simplifying Podcast Software

06:54 Editing and Publishing Tips

08:53 Additional Accessories

09:59 Conclusion

About Your Host

Ed Barker has been producing and recording podcasts since 2009. After a long career as a corporate marketing and strategy executive (and then a VC), Ed launched Studio 1878 in early 2025 with the goal of making brand and business podcasting much better. Ed is a Brit, working out of Seattle, and podcasting worldwide. 🌎

Studio 1878

A podcast development studio for the modern brand. We believe everyone has a story worth telling. Specializing in business and brand podcasts, we’ll help build your story from ideation to distribution, transforming concepts to real connection with your audiences. We produce our own shows but our core proposition is in helping businesses and creators produce something truly compelling and authentic. We’d love to help you tell your story. 😈

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.