44: The tech behind the scenes at The CTO Playbook

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Ever wondered what it really takes to produce a high-quality tech podcast from scratch—while wrangling kids, late nights, and a studio in your basement?

In this rare behind-the-scenes solo episode of The CTO Playbook, Adam pulls back the curtain on the exact gear, workflows, and production team that bring each episode to life. You’ll get a candid tour of his setup—from boom mics and soundproofing hacks to lighting rigs, software automation, and the husband-and-wife editing duo who shape the final sound. Whether you're a tech leader curious about content creation, or just a gear nerd wondering how to level up your own audio-video presence, this episode delivers a crisp, tactical walkthrough of what goes into building a professional podcast from the ground up.

You’ll Learn:

• How low-tech soundproofing methods can dramatically boost audio quality
• Why lighting—not camera quality—is the secret weapon for pro-looking video
• What Adam’s minimalist mic and soundboard setup reveals about smart gear investment
• How in-ear monitors solve a hidden distraction problem in podcasting
• How to repurpose MIDI buttons and OBS for seamless video scene control
• What behind-the-scenes editing reveals about capturing a guest’s true voice
• How a modular, portable gear setup enables studio-quality content on the road
• Why recording late at night might be your best move for consistency and clarity
• How to transform a standing desk into a high-performance media station
• What working with a small production team unlocks in creativity and output quality

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction

[00:25] Purpose of this behind-the-scenes episode

[01:27] Who produces the podcast

[02:19] Why episodes are recorded at night

[03:00] Microphone and audio gear overview

[04:00] How the audio is routed and optimized

[05:05] Acoustic treatment in the room

[06:00] Webcam, monitor, and lighting overview

[07:15] Lighting gear and why it's travel-friendly

[08:25] Background lighting setup

[09:25] Software used to control lighting

[10:22] OBS setup and live scene switching

[11:45] Using Riverside and production handoff

[13:08] Desk setup and standing comfort

[14:10] Music used and its personal connection

[15:00] Using the setup for coaching calls

Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.

Resources Mentioned:

Shure SM7B Microphone | Website

Elgato Low Profile Wave Mic Arm | Website

Sennheiser IE 200 In-Ear Monitors | Website

RØDECaster Duo | Website

Amaran 100X S | Website

Aputure Light Dome Mini III | Website

Keep It by Justin J. Moore and Mortiz Houwen | Spotify or Apple

Find more from Adam on LinkedIn and YouTube, and check out Adam's CTO coaching company Synova Tech.