How We Built the Play On Podcast Studio for Youknow Media
Youknow Media is one of New Zealand's most recognisable independent media companies, known for content that feels real, sharp, and genuinely relatable to everyday Kiwis.
Their flagship show, The Morning Shift, has already carved out a strong place in the local media space. Building on that momentum, they set their sights on something bigger, Play On Podcast, a sports talk show built properly from day one.
From the outset, we were genuinely excited about this project. Youknow Media have built a strong and engaging podcast presence, and being part of what they are creating with Play On Podcast was something we truly valued.
The reality with podcasts is simple: audiences may forgive average video, but they will not stick around for poor audio. And in a live environment, there is no second take.
This was never going to be a bedroom setup with a USB mic. The goal was a fully professional, multi-host studio that could confidently stand alongside anything else in the market, not just in how it looks, but in how reliably it performs.
The Brief
Youknow Media came to Computer Lounge NZ with a clear goal: build a complete, live-ready podcast studio from the ground up.
That meant more than just buying good gear. It needed to:
- Deliver consistent, broadcast-quality audio
- Handle multi-camera video without hiccups
- Run smoothly under live streaming conditions
- Stay clean and easy to operate
- Be ready to go from day one
Because a professional setup is not just about performance. It is about reliability when it matters.
What we supplied:
Microphones - because audio is everything
If there is one place you do not cut corners, it is audio.
We built the studio around the Shure SM7dB, one of the most trusted broadcast microphones out there. Dynamic mics like this are ideal for podcasting because they reject background noise and keep voices clean and focused. The SM7dB's built-in preamp delivers clean, full sound without needing additional gear in the chain.
Each host has their own dedicated mic and channel, properly positioned for consistency. No sharing, no compromise.
Everything runs through the RODE RODECaster Pro II, which handles mixing, processing, compression, and monitoring in one place. It keeps levels balanced and makes sure what you hear is exactly what your audience gets. Each host has headphone monitoring for clear, real-time audio.
Cameras and Capture - lock it in, do not leave it to chance
For video, consistency is key. Auto settings might seem convenient, but they will ruin a live production the moment lighting shifts.
We set up four Sony ZV-E10 cameras, paired with Sony FE 10-20mm F4 wide-angle lenses to capture the full studio. Each camera is locked to manual settings, so exposure and colour stay consistent throughout every recording.
All four feeds run into an Elgato Cam Link Pro 4K capture card, giving full multi-angle capture directly into the production workstation. This gives complete flexibility in post-production.
And because reliability matters, every camera runs on AC power via dummy batteries. No interruptions, no mid-show battery swaps, no downtime.
Custom Production Workstation - no bottlenecks allowed
Live switching, recording, and editing multi-camera 4K footage is demanding. The system needs to keep up every time.
We built a custom Computer Lounge workstation designed specifically for this workload:
- Intel Core i9-14900K processor
- 96GB DDR5 RAM
- ASUS GeForce RTX 4080 Super 16GB
- 2TB Gen4 NVMe SSD
- Elgato Cam Link Pro 4K Quad Capture Card
Paired with three ViewSonic OMNI monitors, it gives a full multi-screen workspace for managing footage, timelines, and audio efficiently.
The goal was simple: the PC should never be the thing slowing you down.
Live Workflow and Control - because you cannot fix it later
Live production needs to be simple and repeatable.
We integrated OBS Studio for streaming and recording, with pre-built scenes for different camera angles and layouts. This allows smooth switching between wide shots, individual hosts, and overlays without hesitation.
To make it even easier, we added an Elgato Stream Deck for one-touch control, switching scenes, triggering actions, and keeping everything flowing. Because when you are live, hesitation shows.
Cabling, Power, and Infrastructure - the part no one sees, until it fails
A lot of studio issues do not come from the main gear. They come from everything around it.
We handled all cabling and routing, audio and video, to keep things clean, organised, and reliable. No loose connections, no messy runs, no guesswork.
Critical systems are powered for continuous use, eliminating common failure points like battery dropouts or unstable connections.
It is the kind of detail you do not notice when it is done right. But you definitely notice when it is not.
Onsite Installation
We did not just supply the gear. We built the studio onsite.
After initial planning, we completed a site visit to Youknow Media's location to map everything out properly. On installation day, our team handled:
- Equipment setup and positioning
- Clean cable routing and management
- Audio tuning and configuration
- Camera mounting and alignment
- Capture and streaming integration
- Workstation setup and optimisation
- End-to-end system testing
Before we left, everything was fully tested and ready to go. Sit down, hit record, go live, no troubleshooting required.
Final Thoughts
We would also like to thank Youknow Media for trusting us with this project. Their team was professional to work with from start to finish, and the space they created for the studio was thoughtfully designed and put together. It made a real difference in bringing the whole setup to life.
We are looking forward to seeing Play On Podcast grow, and what comes next for the team.
Planning your own studio or production setup? Get in touch with the Computer Lounge team. We will spec the right gear, manage the logistics, and deliver a fully working solution from day one.
