Frequently asked questions
If your question is not here, phone or WhatsApp +27 71 460 8706.
- Can two people record?
- Yes. The room is 4.44 m by 2.77 m and seats two at the desk. There is one Rode PodMic and one Canon R50 camera. For a two-voice podcast, share the mic or bring a second microphone. The M-Track Solo has one XLR microphone input, so a second XLR mic needs its own interface. A USB mic plugged straight into your laptop is the simplest option. More than two on camera is a squeeze, but you are welcome to bring team members to sit off camera, within reason.
- Do I need to bring my own laptop?
- Yes. The studio does not supply a computer. The camera and microphone connect to your laptop by USB. The camera also records to an SD card, so bring one if you want an in-camera recording as well.
- What software do I use?
- Anything that accepts a USB microphone and a webcam. OBS, Zoom, Riverside, Teams, Descript, QuickTime, Audacity and GarageBand all work. The camera appears as a webcam through the capture device, and the PodMic as a USB audio input through the M-Track Solo. Test your setup at the start of the session, not the end.
- Can I bring my own microphone, camera or lights?
- Yes. There is a spare tripod for a second camera, and mains and battery power for lights. Your own equipment is at your own risk, and the fixed studio equipment should not be moved or re-rigged.
- Is the studio soundproof?
- No. It is a quiet room in a private house, set back from the road, so traffic is not heard. It has a curtain and soft furnishings. It is not a treated booth. The air conditioner can be switched off while you record. Spoken-word recordings come out clean in normal conditions. If you need a silent floor for voice-over, book an hour to test first.
- What happens during load shedding?
- A 1000 W portable power station powers the camera, lights, audio interface and capture device, so recording continues. Bring your laptop charged. Internet may be affected during an outage, so bring mobile data as a backup if you are streaming or on a live call.
- Is someone there to operate the equipment?
- The room is set up to your brief before you arrive, and we walk you through the equipment at the start. After that the session is self-service. That is what keeps the rate simple and the room private.
- Do you edit?
- No. You leave with your raw files. If you want a recommendation for an editor, ask.
- What is the minimum booking?
- One hour. Two hours suits most podcast episodes, because setup, a test recording and the episode itself fit comfortably.
- Can I extend my session on the day?
- If the next slot is free, yes. Tell us before your time ends and pay by card for the extra time. If you leave more than 10 minutes after your end time without arranging this, the next slot is billed.
- Is there parking?
- Yes. There is gated parking for at least four cars inside the property. The gate instructions come with the address when you book. The studio is attached to a private house, so please keep noise down outside.
- Can I do headshots or product photos?
- Simple ones, yes. The Canon R50 with its kit lens, the Godox key light and the bookshelf or a plain white wall give a clean headshot or a small product shot. It is not a large photo studio with backdrops and strobes.
- How do cancellations work?
- Cancel 24 hours or more before your start time for a full refund, or move the booking once at no charge with the same notice. Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice carry a 50% charge. A no-show is charged in full. No charge applies if the person booked is hospitalised or dies. Full details are in the booking terms.
- How do I pay?
- Payment details are sent when your slot is confirmed. Full payment confirms the booking. Extensions on the day are paid by card.