Mike Rugnetta says unreliable power is disrupting his studio work
The Never Post co-creator told The Verge that low voltage, old headphones and browser habits shape his daily creative work.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
4 min read
Mike Rugnetta, the co-creator and host of the internet-focused podcast Never Post, told The Verge that the least glamorous part of his creative setup has become one of the most important: steady electricity. In a Verge Weekend Questionnaire published June 13, Rugnetta said low voltage at his New York City studio has interfered with heating and cooling, underscoring how basic infrastructure affects media work.
The Verge identified Rugnetta as a writer, producer, podcast host, audio engineer, educator, musician, sound designer and father. Terrence O'Brien reported that Rugnetta also serves as game master on the tabletop role-playing podcast Fun City, hosted two Crash Course series and previously hosted PBS's Idea Channel.
Studio tools and power problems
Rugnetta told The Verge that he first considered naming his RME Fireface UCX II audio interface as his essential tool because it is the first device he starts each day and the last he shuts down. He said his most trusted equipment is instead a pair of Sony MDR-7506 headphones he has used for about 20 years.
Rugnetta said he mixes nearly all of his work on those headphones, despite objections from people who argue against headphone mixing. He said the headphones are beginning to show age but could likely be repaired for a few more years of use.
On infrastructure, Rugnetta told The Verge that he and his studio building's landlord have been pressing Con Edison over low electrical service. He said the building lost power for more than a week after a series of winter snowstorms in New York City, and that the voltage has remained far below normal since service returned.
Rugnetta said normal service is around 122 volts, while his power conditioner read 114 volts during the interview and sometimes drops to 107 volts. He told The Verge that the low voltage prevents his minisplit system from running, leaving the studio without ductless heat or air conditioning for about a month.
Apps, ports and online habits
Rugnetta said Firefox is the first app he installs on a new phone or computer, with Firefox Focus on his phone. He named Signal and Bandcamp as other frequent phone installs, and Alfred and Max as early additions on a new computer.
Asked what he would change about his phone, Rugnetta told The Verge he wants Apple to restore the 3.5mm headphone jack to iPhones. He described the jack as one of humanity's major achievements and framed the removal of ports from favored devices as a sign of technological decline.
Rugnetta said his pinned browser tabs are mostly practical: three work email accounts, a personal calendar and the Never Post production Airtable. He said he removed more recreational pinned tabs, including forums and RSS-style reading, because pinning them made him read them less.
Rugnetta told The Verge he had 18 tabs open during the questionnaire, more than usual because he had opened pages while answering. He said about 10 tabs is typical for him and 20 is a lot.
For social media, Rugnetta said he uses Bluesky most. He called Bandcamp his happiest place online, while also saying he no longer calls it the only good website because of concerns about Bandcamp United and Songtradr's lack of union recognition, as stated on the union's FAQ page.
Creative work and focus
Rugnetta named the original Game Boy as his favorite gadget, saying he still owns a working one, as does his wife. He told The Verge the Touch Bar MacBook Pro was his most disappointing gadget, and said he was relieved to trade it for an M1 MacBook Pro.
On creative blocks, Rugnetta said he often gets stuck when he is forcing a project into the wrong shape or when he lacks enough input. He told The Verge that stepping away to read, watch or listen to other work can help reveal what choices are possible.
Rugnetta said focus is built into his workday because much of his job involves writing, mixing, editing and scoring. He told The Verge his studio is near but separate from his apartment, his clients and colleagues are remote, and his phone notifications are limited to texts, email and work Slack.
This story draws on original reporting from The Verge.