At Home With Rick: Building a Podcast Studio (Part 6)

[@MarleneCurrie-j5e]

Love your enthusiasm Rick - no half measures with you. Yes the TV looks much better without the fireplace. Take care don't work too hard.

[@sarahhastings2457]

Looks amazing! Love how you throw your whole self into doing things. So creative!

[@Krispitt]

It's looking amazing,! I wonder if having the camera at eye level height would be better, as a viewer I felt I was stood up in your room looking down at you. You have to imagine that we are sat in a comfy chair opposite you drinking a glass of wine lol There's one thing I have learnt from watching your videos over the past 7 or 8 years is you always give your projects the full 100% No half measures.👍 😊

[@ninatheambulancecamper]

Definitely not sure of that fireplace, it doesn’t work for me, but that might change once I see an actual podcast done with it. Also, your fill light is causing a distracting shadow on to the fireplace, you shouldn’t be able to see any distracting shadows in that kind of set up. Maybe place the light higher so that the shadow disappears below the chair line, or you could have the lights too bright to start with if the fill light is fighting the key light. The good thing about your walls is they will absorb shadows quite well, so without the fireplace it’s not such a problem. All looking good though mate, mic sounds excellent. I’ve got a Rode NT USB podcast type mic and that sounds brilliant too. I did actually buy it for podcast a couple years ago just never got round to doing anything about it. Probably showed it you.

[@rickvanman]

Thanks for the great feedback, yep still tweaking and figuring things out 😀👍

[@lorenzothreadgill5935]

Hello Rick your set up looks good l like it and the sound is rich really good 😊 take care.

[@selbermachenguru]

The room looks awesome!

[@tenminutetokyo2643]

That is looking spectacular. Awesome job.

[@rickvanman]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@annievennerbeck9384]

The whole thing is brilliant! You look and sound fabulous. Nice job, Rick. I also liked what you said, referring to surrendering to the creative process, (something like)," you have to be in flight to see where to go" . That has stayed with me. Wonderful😃

[@sparkyprojects]

For changing images on the TV, you could just set a green wash on the TV and use like a greenscreen, which is something i did once Having the camera higher than you makes you look small, a bit like a CCTV up in a corner, better to be eye level and a bit more zoomed in.

[@RoonerTheLooner]

You are so funny 🙂 Love it, keep it up.

[@sirlordbabish3873]

Love it Rick. The Sharon Stone reference killed me. Keep it going pal 🙂

[@rickvanman]

😂

[@ValMB818]

Wow what a reveal! Looks so good Rick. I do agree with others about kitty. Maybe place on floor near the plants so you can still have in room for good luck! 👍🏻👏🏆😻

[@rickvanman]

Great idea!

[@livingamadatlife]

Hi Rick, you could just have your TV on with a HD Fireplace video instead of the actual fireplace. The mics are great and your zoomed in shots are much better than the far away shot because the headspace works better. You fill light is better when dimmer it give facial definition which is better than just a flat look. Take a look at other Podcast setups to get the feel you want. You' re doing amazing well done.

[@chrisw443]

Zoom in. Alot. Don't move the camera, zoom in, that way you get DOF despite the tiny sensor. Do a belly up shot that'll still have the fireplace and everything kinda outta focus around you. Then add a desk or table in front of you to put things. Then if you have more people, they can just bring chairs in next to you and you can continue to zoom out as needed. Easy. Peasy. I'd pick one wall and double up the colored lights, have one up top and one on bottom to give nice pillars of color. Give yourself a hair light from the ceiling if you really wanna jazz it up.

[@rickvanman]

Thanks for sharing these great tips 🙂👍

[@MariePauleGauthier-wk3hy]

It is beautiful. Wow am really impress 🥰😇❤🤍. It is so relaxing just looking at the combinations of lights and background. Everything Is lovely👃🌹☘🌼🌼🌷🌱🌺🏵

[@rickvanman]

Thank you 🙂👍❤

[@MariePauleGauthier-wk3hy]

🥰@@rickvanman

[@darranstyler]

Looks very cool

[@jwrtiger]

An adjustable height table might make staging more versatile. Something that can be raised or lower a foot or two. You are pretty talented and could probably make one or modify an existing table. I like the idea of a roundtable, again more versatile and no sharp corners. Also I like your wall treatment... looks good!

[@beck5787]

Ohhhhhhh, Rick. Can I come and hang out? Sooo cool!

[@sylviahopwood9730]

I like the fireplace it creates a warm cosy vibe . The cat is a bit distracting.The plant is nice ,maybe a picture on the wall behind or sime books on a case in the corner .A coffee table may work too.Briliant so far well done .

[@rickvanman]

Thanks for the tips!

[@MarcusTDM]

Get a better stand from curry’s. I’ve got one that has a glass stand and mounts the telly using the wall mount holes on the back. Makes it higher, a lot more sturdy and you can twist the tv round if you want to. The set up looks great as it is Rick. As you said you want to be able to change it up from time to time so have that set up as one option and have a table and chair set up as another option. The room looks great in any case.

[@MotoGoYo]

Great to see you setting up. I know this is a first stab but I know you also like to perfect things, so... Just a few things on framing and lighting Rick... I would suggest moving the lights height down to just above your eyeline to avoid the under-chin and facial / bodyline shadowing. A little more fill light or move the key light a 'little' more square-on with the camera. I would also place a small natural-colour-temperature floor upplight behind the seat to remove the fill-light head shadowing on the fireplace. The skin tones are also slightly too saturated for a natural look. Not sure if that's a post prod change added or needed, or the camera has a picture profile set. In regards to framing, the camera angle doesn't look right looking down on you in a seated position. The viewer typically (in a seated-framed talking head shot) would be at your eyeline level. And of course, you know about the rule of thirds and so I'm assuming you were going wide at 4k to allow some margin in post production to close-in. I'd suggest closing-in more in prod to somewhere near the final frame you want to achieve which will retain more of the 4k image quality. Just in terms of set dec, I would just consider whether the light coloured seat competes too much with the background. It's difficult for the viewer to naturally settle on the what's most important in the hierarchy of the frame. I would use the plant to mask of the plug sockets area. On the mic arm, I'd recommend having the mic pin pointing upwards (ideally black taped to avoid bright-spot reflection) and the body of the boom arm lower in show to be less dominant in shot. So the mic sits above rather than hangs below the assembly for this type of framing. Regarding the acoustic treatment... be mindful that adding a hard-surfaced table under the mic will negate a significant amount of benefit from treating the walls. Faster reverberation will occur. Apologies for not catching these sooner but a great mic that requires no (or very minor) room treatment would be the Heil Pro 40 and would suit the style of vocal delivery you like. If you become aware of that after testing, you can place a sound blanket on the table to reduce/remove that. Though equally you don't want the room to sound too dead. Hopefully all these points will be helpful in your setting-up steps...

[@rickvanman]

Wow, some great information there, thanks for sharing. 😊👍

[@WormsEyeView]

Wow. That cardboard box pile is a junk modellers paradise

[@rickvanman]

😂

[@1sweffling]

You have accomplished a great deal and it looks good Rick but be careful about the table! A fireside chat would not work with it unless it is just a low coffee table. Anything taller would remind me of an office/interview in my opinion.

[@rickvanman]

Great feedback Thanks

[@theadventuresoflario]

Well that's looking and sounding superb. Not sure on that fireplace, I don't think it needs it... think it would look better with the large plant to your right side.

[@GeorgeMonaghan]

I think the room looks mavelous Rick. A table with some props always helps as now there seems to be too much "headroom" in the shot until you cut in. You do look too small in the frame so the table would help to lower the viewpoint. You could always bring in the fireplace if you had an invited guest as that would look great. Sound is excellent considering there is still another wall to get sound absorption done. Well done, great work and layout Rick.

[@rickvanman]

Thanks for the great feedback, George 😊👍

[@didisinclair3605]

Loving this adventure!! I'm thinking the height of the fireplace and the height of the chair might want adjusting; both white, and just a few inches difference in height, doesn't harmonize. I like the other suggestions, of having the camera at eye level with you, like we are just sitting opposite to you. Get a good rest and the creative wheels in your fine brain will rev up!!!

[@Brummiejohn200]

The room looks great with the lighting as it is but I would loose the fire and the cat on top It draws the onlookers eye away from you sitting in the chair and I agree a desk or table would work better. Atb John.👍

[@normatrodd6666]

Well perfection personified Rick , I think the fire looks good certainly cosy. I’m not keen on the little chap waving ( he irritates me and distracts a bit ) but I could get used to him I suppose. The lounge actually looks much better without the fire. You do look very tired, try to rest now and then you will really enjoy what you’ve done, it’s lovely. Well done xx

[@rickvanman]

Thanks Norma, yes I’m starting to agree with you and everyone regarding the cat 😂

[@stewved]

I think the camera should be closer to your eye-level as if I was sitting in another chair with you in the room. It almost looks like I am standing up in the podcast room at the end there. It is looking really good though and I also see the Mother-in-law's tongues arrived too!

[@ecowomble1781]

The fireplace and cat are a distraction. It reminds me too much of an office. The mic sounds too deep and soft, quite hard to hear. If you want a fireplace and chair the perhaps a book shelf and fireside chair, or cosy cottage look would work better. A desk is a good idea. But I think in general you are over engineering it. I don’t think the studio has to be so much work. The main thing about a podcast is the content. Many people listen while doing other things anyway so never really watch what’s going on on screen. Hope that’s useful feedback? Love your channel. Keep going Rick..

[@rickvanman]

Great feedback, thanks for sharing 😊👍

[@johnwebster2263]

Hi RVM, you need a neon " ON AIR' sign and some library books wall paper in the back ground, in my humble opinion.

[@rickvanman]

Nice Idea, Thanks 👍

[@ninatheambulancecamper]

@@rickvanman I’ve got one that used to be in Nina if you want it

[@FilmPunk]

Fireplace will be 1500K light, it won't work with coloured backdrop. Just my 2c. I'd bring the tripod down to eye level. I'd also turn down the coloured lights until the hot spots are gone. Just my opinion but i'd put the fire on the right if you want to use it, I wouldn't tho. TV would be better with a window video playing on it. Need to separate yourself from the background. Come in front 5 ft or more. Then you'll fill the frame more and look a bit less Sharon Stone ;-)

[@rickvanman]

Brilliant tips! Cheers Mark :)

[@FilmPunk]

@rickvanman Anytime 👍

[@DanFury1]

Hey Rick. Setup looks great and mic sounds amazing. What camera are you using for the podcast? Looks very nice. One thing I’d say is on your wide shot you have quite a lot of headroom, framing might be better if you were a bit tighter or lower. I also found the cat on the fireplace to be a bit distracting, kept pulling my eyes. Looks and sounds amazing though. Can’t believe how well it all came together when you switched to ‘podcast cam’, looks incredibly pro

[@bsmith6646]

Agreed, you can have the longer shots maybe from the side but tighter closer head shots as Rick did in some of the footage would work best

[@rickvanman]

Thanks for the great feedback. I was using a camcorder for this particular video, but I’ll be using a better camera for future use 😊👍

[@petemoring67]

SCRAP!! That Waving Cat Rick ... That'll drive Everyone MAD!!! .... OH! by the way ... Have you cleared things with the BBC?? .... I think the producers of the Val Doonican Show might be issuing you with a 'Cease & Desist' letter very soon 🤣😂🤣

[@rickvanman]

😂😂

[@andyb410]

Ideas for podcast: Directors commentary over some of your old video series, i e. Van builds, allotments etc. Unintentional ASMR is good fun also, but the videos need to be a couple of hours long.

[@rickvanman]

Thanks for the ideas and feedback 😊👍

[@SeaShoreAnnie]

You have done a fantastic job Rick, start to finish, amazing. The sound is great. I liked the angle you showed at 17 - 45 which was a bit closer. From an introvert's point of view i would definitely need a table in front of me. I really like the fireplace there even if its not always on show, maybe get rid of the cat & maybe a nice clock with a small cactus plant each side, just an idea to dress it a bit more but as you say you are planning on switching the set around which is a great idea too, or maybe a digital photo frame, im probably thinking way too old fashioned but i don't have a clue what modern gadgets there are🥴 Give your brain a much deserved rest & i am sure it will be amazing when you get going. The thing that worries me most is a lot of guests requesting to come round, see that would make me hide behind the sofa & pretend i'm not in😂 Will most of your guests be online or in person? Are you prepared for the consequences if it is hugely successful & as an introvert do you think you will cope with gifting so much of your time to others? If thats too personal just ignore it lol😂 You've done so well, you should be so proud of yourself Rick. Annie🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@rickvanman]

Thanks for the great feedback, Annie. Not too worried about guests as at the moment, looking at doing solo podcasting. Interviews may be later, but not yet 😊

[@supersonicsid]

The plug socket need to be out of shot Rick

[@harrywhitleyofficial]

Hi Rick, back with another tip or two. The pod mic is great, but I would seriously think about getting a cloud lifter to boost the gain on the mic, it can be really noisy if you’re gunning the gain on your interface. Also, I would invest in a pop filter for the pod Mic because it’s inbuilt one is not that great… The cheap gear4music SubZero Single Channel Microphone Booster will work great for lifting the level so it’s clean

[@harrywhitleyofficial]

Just wrote that without listening to the recording at the end. There’s a definite gain noise in the recording that a cloud lifter will shift. Even the sm7 has this issue of the mic level being low

[@rickvanman]

Thanks for the tip! Ordered one :) 👍

[@WormsEyeView]

Where did you order you nice big plants from?

[@rickvanman]

Amazon

[@twinsgran]

Not sure of the fireplace as it seems to dominate the shot. Maybe a smaller one would be better. I would lower the camera so there is not such an angle making you look upwards. I agree, a table would be a good idea, depending on what your topic is at the time and whether you need to refer to notes.

[@werejusdoinit6657]

I like the fireplace but I say “Let’s Ask Brittany” I bet she knows what may work for you. Like the Rhodes gear but part of your face doesn’t show. It did look good having the camera on the opposite side of your face. That way we can really see you and who you would be interviewing. What kind of interviewing are you going to be doing? Other KZbinrs ? Miss your guy from the allotment videos. It’s that time of year again! Have a great day Rick! Cheers 🥂

[@rickvanman]

Thanks for the great feedback. Planning on doing solo podcasting for the immediate future, but might move onto interviews at a later date 😊👍

[@AaronTheHumanist]

Could you share a link for those floor lights please, I love them.

[@rickvanman]

Here you go: amzn.eu/d/2dT6Q4a

[@AaronTheHumanist]

@@rickvanman thanks Rick.

[@hitchjack]

Certainly getting there Rick, I’d say lower the camera a lot down to eye level! Your lounge looks much better with the TV how it is, not sure about the fire upstairs either though. Not sure the modern aesthetic mixes with rustic fireside, it seems a bit confused, but just my opinion/suggestion!

[@rickvanman]

Cheers for the feedback, Jack, It's all good :)

[@Patsagilitybits]

I'm not keen on the fire. It's too big and a bit distracting. A desk is a good idea. The lighting looks good.

[@kevinromania]

I know you won't realise or have had intention for this but the coloured lights and vibe the room is giving off is pure Spanish brothel or massage parlour. The palm trees just add to the effect. I hope you won't be offended by my comment but I think you should reconsider the nightclub style lighting. Again I hope this doesn't cause offence but I felt I should mention it.

[@steveh4873]

Is the room giving you Spanish brothel vibes or nightclub then?, but strange you feel you should mention it?, is it a health and safety issue?, episode 1 could be I turned my bedroom into a Spanish whore house…

[@rickvanman]

Thanks for the feedback, it’s all good 😊👍❤️

[@AaronTheHumanist]

I like the set, like the fireplace, but your distance shot has you in the lower half of the screen, there's nothing in the top 50% of frame. I'd lose the cans, and I'd lose the mic, personally, although it does sound good. It just makes the delivery very stiff and rigid by the speaker, not a you thing, all person go rigid with them. Lighting was very bright, I'd take it down the other way. With the fireside delivering cosy, but the spotlight bleaching some of your face pure white on screen, I'd go lower. Not sure about being behind a table. I envisaged a corner position? Maybe experiment with camera at eye level.

[@littlesid2023]

Really impressive what you’ve achieved. Persian rug? Just a thought.

[@djdidge]

Great efforts rick. There is always the option of a two/three camera setup across a table like Joe Rogan?

[@lindapeterson5810]

Got to say, I'm not really a fan of the colorful lights....fireplace makes the room look much smaller.

[@Liofa73]

Zoomed in is better than the wide shot. Too much wall in the wide shot. I was going to say, check out the Dark Histories podcast. I think the guy who does it makes a really good job of the sort of content that you might be making. More Victorian crime mysteries, but he has a good style.

[@DerekObrien-tk7we]

I have to say I don't know why ya need all this to do a pod cast I thought a good mix is all you need inean it's only recording conversations? Anyway it's looks great but a lot of work!

[@rickvanman]

Because it's fun, and I was bored 😂

[@bb2021]

You have really worked hard Rick. For me though an odd set up! Clash of 80s nightclub meets Miss Marple in a Chinese restaurant! That sounds far more rude than I intended, my apologies, sorry. Is it an idea possibly to first settle on the theme of the podcast and let that guide the set maybe? Content over style?

[@clive3398]

I think you need to fill the frame a lot more, the large background is very distracting

[@xondominique2602]

these lights just don't jibe well with the fireplace concept. i'd say either or. also if you keep the fireplace, you can sit next to it at an angle so as to have some relationship to it. otherwise it's just in the background. and the cat on top is indeed distracting. i'm not too sure about the lighting but it might be placed diagonally from you.

[@worldofrandometry6912]

In my opinion, the fireplace and waving cat are far too distracting. Also it looks like the camera is pointing down at you with far too much headroom on show in your zoomed out shot. Sound is fine.

[@rickvanman]

Great feedback - thanks :)

[@sprout-official]

As a general idea have you thought about interviewing people / youtubers ... ? if this makes any sense 😂

[@rickvanman]

Planning on solo podcasting for the immediate future, but haven’t ruled out the possibility of interviews as well 😊👍

[@sprout-official]

@@rickvanman Really looking forward to this content 👍

[@xondominique2602]

also that sound would be great for the honest guys channel. i know you habitually go to that voice when you start recording but that's not a good sound for a podcast. i instantly stop paying attention to what you're saying and zone out. your normal voice is way better for this channel.

[@JohnHi6]

I'm getting Val Doonican or Richard Vobes' monologues vibes lol Smoking jacket and crevat certainly not required. The audio is great and for a podcast that's 99% of what you want. I'm not sure what your USP is going to be, are you having guest interviewees? You could be in danger of it becoming very busy visually. I'm sure you'll get the balance visually. 👍🫶🏻