Richard Stroobant from SAIT on Radio Broadcasting Education
Richard Stroobant left a winning radio station for a classroom. Twenty years later, he says he has a job he would do for free.
That’s saying something. His years at CJAY 92 included a 19 share, an incredible roster of talent, and a margarita machine that came out at seven on Friday mornings.
Richard and I worked together in Edmonton in 1994. Our conversation on The Sound Off Podcast covers some of that history, but I also wanted to know where radio broadcasting education is going—and what graduates need now.
Radio Broadcasting Education Beyond the Station
When I was programming radio, SAIT was one of the schools I regularly turned to for talent.
Richard remembers Ron Tarrant arriving at 17 with a skateboard and his dad asking, “What can you do with him?” Nine years later, Ron was the head sound designer and imaging director for Howard Stern.
Today, those skills can lead to podcasting, sound design, live production, video, and corporate communications.
Richard outlined SAIT’s new Digital Media Production program, which starts with writing, audio, video, and business before offering more specialized study.
Teaching people how to invoice belongs in that mix. You can love creating content, but you still need to get paid.
Good Mentorship Requires Honest Feedback
Richard’s advice for choosing a mentor: ask who they’ve worked with and where those people are now. Then find someone who will tell you what needs work.
If nobody identifies your mistakes, more practice can mean more time repeating them. That applies whether you’re preparing for your first radio shift or producing your hundredth podcast.
Audio Quality Still Matters
Richard’s position is clear: “If it sounds like shit, they won’t listen to it.”
We talked about microphone placement, recording levels, and the habit of moving away from the mic to look better on camera.
Put your podcast on video. Make it easy to find. Just remember that people may be listening while driving, walking, or making dinner. The audio still has to work.
That’s part of what Richard brings to teaching: years of knowing what good production sounds like, and the willingness to tell someone how to improve it.
My Recommended Microphones for Podcasters
If you're starting a podcast, I recommend using a dynamic microphone, especially if you're recording at home in a room that hasn't been acoustically treated. You don't need to spend a fortune to get good sound, but you do need the right microphone and proper technique.
Shure MV7 – A great option for beginners and experienced podcasters. It connects directly to your computer via USB or to an audio interface via XLR.
RØDE PodMic – An affordable, durable dynamic microphone that delivers excellent sound for the price. It uses XLR, so you'll need an audio interface or mixer.
Shure SM7B – My professional choice and a broadcast industry favourite. It's an XLR microphone that requires an interface with plenty of clean gain.
Remember, buying a good microphone is only half the battle. As Richard explains in this episode, proper microphone placement makes an enormous difference. Keep the mic slightly off-axis, about 45 degrees from your mouth, to avoid popping your Ps and Bs. And don't forget a windscreen.
For more advice on improving your podcast, this 2022 episode, The Top 10 Reasons Why Your Podcast Isn't Working is more relevant than ever.
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