Setting up a multifunctional studio? Here’s how to do it

Want to host webinars, record podcasts or broadcast live events from your own location? With a multifunctional studio, you don’t need to hire an external studio for every production. Instead, you create one professional environment for different types of content and events. Employees can manage straightforward productions themselves, while technical support can be brought in for more complex broadcasts. ASN Bank chose this approach when designing its new flagship store in Utrecht. The multifunctional studio delivered by AVEX is used for webinars, podcasts, presentations, training sessions and events.

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Why build a multifunctional studio at your own location?

When you only organise the occasional webinar or podcast, an external studio is often a perfectly good solution. But as the number of productions increases, that dependency can start to become restrictive. You need to consider availability, equipment, technical support and scheduling. As a result, organising a broadcast, recording or internal event at short notice becomes more difficult. With your own multifunctional studio, you bring those capabilities in-house. That gives you the flexibility to move faster and produce different types of content from the same professional environment.

From an external studio to a professional in-house studio

ASN Bank had already been organising events and webinars on a regular basis. To do so, the bank used its own studio at head office or the AVEX studio. As the number of studio events increased, so did the need for greater flexibility and efficiency. When developing the new ASN flagship store in Utrecht, an opportunity emerged: why not integrate a professional studio into the new location from the start? AVEX helped ASN Bank design the studio so the in-house team could operate it as independently as possible.

One studio for webinars, podcasts and live events

A multifunctional studio becomes even more valuable when the same facilities can be used for different purposes. That’s why the flagship store studio is used for:

• live webinars;
• presentations with a live audience;
• podcasts with or without video;
• training sessions;
• internal events;
•  programmes centred on themes such as financial wellbeing, sustainable living and sustainability.

The setup can also be adapted to suit the type of production. For example, in the podcast studio, ASN Bank can switch between two, three or four microphones, and between audio-only and video recordings.This removes the need to create a separate space or technical environment for every application.

Working independently without compromising on professionalism

A professional studio only delivers real value when it matches the needs of the people using it. That’s why ease of use is a key consideration. The ASN Bank team can independently switch between a large live webinar and a smaller presentation or podcast recording. This reduces reliance on external technical support for day-to-day productions.

At the same time, you don’t need to do everything yourself. For more complex events that require advanced camera work and audio production, ASN Bank can bring in AVEX for technical support. This allows the ASN team to stay focused on content and organisation. In this way, you combine independence for everyday productions with professional support whenever it’s needed.

Which AV solutions does a multifunctional studio require?

The technology you need depends on what you want to do with the studio. A podcast with two speakers has very different requirements from a live webinar for hundreds of viewers.

At ASN Bank, several audiovisual solutions were combined:

• 136-inch LG LED wall;
• interactive window-facing display in the storefront;;
• studio setup with three 75-inch LG LED displays;
• Sennheiser audio system for background music and presentations;
• podcast studio;
• control room;
• LG display in the presentation space;
• AV event support for more complex broadcasts;
• AVEX Crucial Care and Critical Care services.

In addition, an interactive community wall was installed in the flagship store to encourage visitor interaction.

What are the benefits of having your own studio?

For ASN Bank, the most important outcome isn’t the technology itself. It’s the freedom the technology provides. ASN Bank now has access to professional studio facilities in its own environment. The team can switch seamlessly between a live webinar for hundreds of viewers and an intimate podcast recording. The studio is also used as a meeting space for training sessions and internal events. No need to arrange an external studio for every production. Less dependence on third-party availability. And greater flexibility when new content or events need to be organised.

More possibilities, more independence and fewer production headaches. As Melanie Rudolf, Formula Manager at ASN Bank, explains:

“Looking back at the entire project, it exceeded the plans we originally put on paper. The feedback from customers, partners and employees has been fantastic.” Melanie Rudolf Formula Manager

When does a multifunctional studio make sense?

An in-house studio can be a valuable investment when your organisation is increasingly producing webinars, podcasts, presentations or other events.

For example, when:

• the number of studio broadcasts is growing;
• you regularly depend on external studios;
• multiple teams want to use the same facilities;
• you want to produce webinars, podcasts and presentations from one environment;
• employees need to be able to run simple productions independently;
• you want professional support available for more complex productions.

The most important thing is not to start by asking which camera, microphone or display you need. Start by defining what you want to achieve with the studio.

How do you set up a multifunctional studio?

A successful studio starts with three questions:

From there, you can determine the right space, audiovisual technology, control systems and support structure.