With the rising popularity of podcasting, Pollak Library’s new addition of a video-friendly podcast recording studio to the Makerspace aids any and all creative audio communications.
Opening in November 2025, this new studio meets the ever-evolving needs of students and provides an additional space to not only record professional audio, but do so in style with a comfortable and decorative environment.
The decision to add a second studio came after the Art and Makerspace librarian, Kellie Lanham-Friedman was presented the Faculty Enhancement and Instruction Development Award in summer 2025.
With the award money, Lanham-Friedman funded the creation of the second podcast studio. She also created online instructional YouTube videos so students using the space would have access to the necessary tools and knowledge on how to use them.
“The vision of the Makerspace is to make tools, whether they are high tech or low tech, accessible for students, faculty and staff,” Landham-Friedman said. “But also to create creative learning experiences that will enhance instruction on campus.”
CSUF’s first podcast studio, opened in 2022, includes four RODECaster Pro II microphones to record on with the software Audacity, which is available on the Mac computer provided in the room. Four sets of headphones are also provided for a more voice acting and audio-friendly room.
The new studio differs as it offers two microphones, a RODECaster sound mixer, a Mac computer, a tripod and lighting all encompassed in a more stylized space that is compatible for podcasts that incorporate video footage.
“It really serves that purpose in a way that our other podcast studio doesn’t,” Lanham-Friedman said. “It also just makes more opportunity for people to use that space because we were finding that our four-person podcast studio, during finals and midterms, would be fully booked.”
The Makerspace website, where the instructional videos are located, provides resources on how to find free and fair use sound effects and music. It also explains how to properly attribute and gives links to websites that have license-free audio.
A five-step guide to structuring a podcast that includes a script template, suggested places to include an introduction, music and other fun creative additions is available on the Makerspace website.
As of their official opening in Fall 2022, the Makerspace has seen about 2,000 people using the podcasting space. In the few months that the second studio has been open they’ve already had around 100 students make use of it.
“I feel like professors really like assigning podcast projects nowadays,” said Morgan Gillio, a fourth-year animation major who works at the Makerspace desk. “If you want good, clean audio that’s gonna come through nicely, we have that here.”
When Gillio first started using the Makerspace it was new for her, but because of the user-friendly equipment she made use of the resources that were provided by the Makerspace to assist her with the process.
If the equipment or the space does feel overwhelming, the student desk workers know the basics and are there to help. Along with that, Makerspace coordinator Mandy Bruns is available during opening hours to assist and Lanham-Friedman can book one-on-one hour-long sessions to walk through equipment operations.
“I could see how it’s a great space for students,” said Payton Kimmel, a second-year dance and kinesiology double major. “I feel like especially right now, podcasts have become really popular and also there’s people who do podcasting for fun.”
The Makerspace’s operating hours are Tuesdays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Mondays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; however, they are closed Saturdays and Sundays.