44: The tech behind the scenes at The CTO Playbook

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?

Build your own CTO Playbook at www.theCTOplaybook.com — the leadership platform built for the full CTO journey. Coaching, podcast, and community to help you lead with clarity, confidence, and strategic impact.

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 explore coaching, cohorts, and how you can stay up to date at theCTOplaybook.com, helping you build your own playbook for your path at your pace.