New digital studio perfect for podcasters
Date published: 23 August 2023
A Townsville podcaster who started out with a plug-in mic at home has upgraded her recording experience by using Citylibraries Riverway’s new digital studio, and now she’s encouraging other residents to join her.
Natasha Lane is the host of The NML Podcast which explores how to find adventure in your everyday life.
The local podcaster said she was initially inspired to start a podcast as an outlet to explore her creativity.
“I originally just started at my house with a plug-in mic and website - nothing compared to what is available at the Citylibraries,” Ms Lane said.
“I wanted to use my voice to be heard. I believe everyone has a voice and sometimes we feel discouraged, disheartened and not empowered so I wanted to have an impact and influence for others to be inspired by my journey.
“Sometimes we wait until we have everything, we feel really good about ourselves, or we have all our ducks lined up before we start anything. So, these are the steps I took - googled it, created an Anchor FM account, which is free and now called Spotify For Podcasters, recorded an episode, which took practice, practice, and practice, and then published it. It was as simple as that.”
Ms Lane said she saw a significant uptick in listeners once she started using the free digital studio at Citylibraries Riverway.
“Being able to now come into the Riverway digital space and use the equipment they have has definitely resulted in more listeners,” she said.
“I can create more episodes in one booking, the quality of the sound has improved 1000 per cent and therefore I am able to release episodes consistently every week, which has been a game changer.
“The new facilities at Riverway are professional, easy to use and a great asset to the community of Townsville.
“We are also able to use the meeting rooms for our non-profit Indigenous corporation Queensland Youth Connections and are hoping to develop a program to engage young people to take the next step in pursuing their dreams using the creative hub at Riverway.
“If you are passionate about doing a podcast, then go for it. It's a great opportunity to learn a new skill and you'll see yourself grow with confidence and abilities as you do.
“Your motive has to be in the right place - don't just create a podcast because you think you should, create a podcast cause you want to and even if no one listened to it, you would still feel good about yourself.”
Community and Cultural Development Committee chairperson Ann-Maree Greaney said she was thrilled to see creatives like Ms Lane make the most of the free digital studios and makerspaces at Citylibraries Riverway and Aitkenvale.
“Council is proud to provide residents with an enviable tropical lifestyle with the facilities of a world-class city. We’re incredibly delighted to have designed and delivered two unique and well-utilised digital studios and makerspaces at our libraries at Aitkenvale and, more recently, at Riverway,” Cr Greaney said.
“In our recent Community Sentiment Survey a whopping 86 per cent of Townsville residents backed Council’s goal of making Townsville a city where there’s a lot for people to do, including in the arts, sports, events and recreational activities. This facility is just one of many provided by Council to give residents an array of activities across our city.
“Through designing the digital studios and makerspaces Council has continued its commitment to connecting its residents with the facilities they need at the time they choose to use them, which is fantastic for people living in our city.
“I love seeing these free spaces being used by residents like Natasha who are creating podcasts, music videos and movies, as well as visual artists, carpenters, and textile artists using the spaces too.
“The sky is the limit for creative people who use our spaces – we have 3D printers and a 3D scanner, a laser cutter, CriCut machines, three sewing machines, and overlockers, toolboxes, microphones, editing software and so much more. All you need to do is have an idea and you can get started.”
Cr Greaney said the digital studios at Riverway Library were open for booking now.
“Before you book into the digital studios, you’ll have to attend one of our digital studio inductions, held on the second and fourth Thursday of the month from 6pm to 6.30pm. Booking into an induction is easy, just visit the What’s On Townsville website and look for the next available digital studio induction,” she said.
“These studios are free to use and are open to people of all ages.”
To secure your booking at the upcoming digital studio induction, or to see other digital studio induction dates, visit Council’s What’s On Townsville website.
