After I launched my podcast again in 2014, I had at all times needed to begin my very own YouTube channel to go together with it. However video content material felt intimidating to me – extra manufacturing, extra gear and extra alternatives for errors and setbacks – so I left it on the backburner for years.
Then, in 2018, my ardour for interviewing authors and thinkers led me to supply a docuseries, which launched on Amazon Prime the next 12 months. Working alongside videographers for months helped me be taught the ins and outs of video manufacturing, and once I returned dwelling I felt prepared to begin publishing movies on YouTube and see the place it will take me.
I printed my first video, a tutorial on Zoom, in late 2019, and have not regarded again since. My channel Feisworld Media is now monetized, I’ve lots of of tutorials to level readers again to and I’ve labored with over 30 household-name manufacturers alongside the best way. If I had been to do it another time, I’d confront my fears head-on and begin on YouTube with no hesitation.
Creators and small companies alike are more and more leaning into video manufacturing to get their message out into the world. As smartphone and broadband applied sciences enhance, streaming HD video on the go is best than ever earlier than, and social media platforms are more and more turning into video-first to try to keep related. When you’ve got the gear you have to produce high quality movies on the fly, it is simpler to publish constantly, and your outcomes will hopefully snowball over time like mine have.
You actually solely want a smartphone and one thing to say to begin making movies. Finally, you will need to improve your tools and whenever you do, you will need to ensure that your investments will repay. Here is what I personally use each at my desk and on the go together with regard to cameras, lenses, microphones and extra.
Cameras
After I first began my YouTube journey, I opted for a preferred digital camera on the time, the Sony A6400 mirrorless digital camera and an extra 16mm lens from Sigma. These two items of apparatus have been an exquisite combo I nonetheless like and use to today.
After 4 years of proudly owning a single digital camera and lens, although, I needed extra selection and the choice to movie a number of angles directly. I additionally needed to play with extra lenses to see if I might create movies that felt extra intimate for my viewers. I made a decision to purchase an extra digital camera, the Sony ZV-E1, and a few new Viltrox lenses. I swap between the 2 Viltrox lenses now to movie my talking-head movies, and I reserve the Sigma 16mm lens for a few of my vlog movies.
One in every of my favourite options of the Sony ZV-E1 is how delicate to mild it’s. The digital camera works effectively even in low mild settings, whereas my Sony A6400 appears to seize extra noise, which makes the shot extra grainy in low mild. As soon as I seize the movies utilizing the ZV-E1, little to no shade grading is required throughout put up manufacturing (for our wants). As for the lenses, Viltrox lenses are excessive in high quality and are well-made companions to Sony cameras. I acquired each the 16mm and 27mm Viltrox lenses in my tools improve.
The 16mm lens is a wide-angle lens that works particularly effectively whenever you work inside a smaller workplace with out a lot distance between you and your digital camera. The wide-angle lens can maintain a whole scene in focus, however is not so large that it distorts the composition (the best way a fisheye shot does). Usually talking, it’s possible you’ll discover 16mm lenses simpler to search out and cheaper, too.
In distinction, the 27mm lens is a average wide-angle lens. It is a good possibility for speaking movies in addition to journey images and panorama photographs. As a result of it is a average wide-angle lens, it would really feel extra zoomed in in comparison with the 16mm lens, so it’s possible you’ll want to position your self or different topics additional away from the digital camera itself.
Having a couple of lens provides you the pliability to experiment with completely different setups. Should you solely have the funds for one lens, I like to recommend the 16mm possibility.
Microphones
I’ve tried a wide range of microphones as a podcaster over the previous 10 years. After a lot analysis and experimentation, I’ve settled on the next decisions.
For digital camera recording, I connect the Rode VideoMicro to my digital camera and that is it. Be sure you take a look at out your audio high quality by recording a couple of brief movies and adjusting the location and distance of your mic as wanted. In some circumstances, it’s possible you’ll need to purchase a mic stand reminiscent of this one from LyxPro to position the mic nearer to you rather than merely placing it on prime of the digital camera.
For podcast and livestream recording, I take advantage of the Neumann TLM 103 microphone for podcast and livestream recording and a Rode growth arm. This condenser microphone was an funding, however was effectively price it.
Dynamic and condenser mics each work effectively for podcasts and movies. Usually talking, dynamic mics are extra sturdy, much less delicate to ambient and background noise. Condenser mics alternatively are extremely delicate. Whereas they do present high quality audio, a managed and quiet setting is critical to make sure the best recording high quality.
Given all of the post-production audio enhancements out there right now with AI expertise, audio could be simply improved with software program reminiscent of Adobe Podcast or Descript even when your setup is not good. To this point I am very pleased with the tools I’ve had for years, and I not need to make investments a lot money and time into upgrading my microphones.
Lights
Lighting is an artwork type. Individuals who do it professionally have proven me simply how highly effective it may be, such because the work they did through the manufacturing of my documentary, the place a crew would arrive on set hours earlier than we hit the report button. Now that I am primarily filming alone, I created a setup that is at all times prepared inside my workplace whether or not it is for a Zoom name, a livestream or a recording in entrance of my new Sony ZV-E1 digital camera.
For my Zoom calls and livestream movies, I take advantage of two Key Lights from Elgato which might be hooked up to my Flexispot E7 Plus desk, which I talked about right here. I favor these key lights as a result of they produce 2,800 lumens, highly effective sufficient to mild up my complete studio or dim all the way down to a delicate glow. Should you discover Elgato Key Lights to be greater than you want, you at all times have the choice to decide on its mini model, the Key Mild Air, to avoid wasting area and funds. One other new product from Elgato is the Neo Mild, which could be hooked up to your laptop and nonetheless presents smoothing and high quality mild.
I discover Elgato lights to be very prime quality. Not solely do they make you look good on digital camera, however additionally they assist scale back imaginative and prescient fatigue. These lights have made hours of recording and webinar moderation extra tolerable.
What about enjoyable lights?
Colourful LED lights can remodel your workplace area. These lights are designed to vary up your background, sync along with your music and a lot extra, which helps you to inject extra of your fashion and character into your movies. If you wish to discover some high quality but inexpensive LED lights, I like to recommend Govee. Attempt inserting a flooring lamp like this within the nook of your workplace, or set up these dice lights in your wall to begin wanting like a professional YouTuber.
Teleprompter
For years I believed teleprompters had been reserved for skilled information anchors and politicians. After I lastly purchased a conventional prompter, I discovered the setup to be clunky, and in any case that effort my eye motion was simply detectable in recordings, so I gave up.
Then Elgato launched me to its teleprompter, which received the Product of the 12 months in 2024 from the Nationwide Broadcaster Affiliation. I used to be hesitant to attempt it at first, however the easy setup regarded attractive. Inside minutes, I used to be capable of join the prompter to my desktop and management the settings and configuration by way of Elgato’s Digicam Hub app.
The Elgato prompter comes packaged with a wide range of digital camera adapters, which work with each my outdated Sony A6400 and my new Sony ZV-E1. When you’ve got Elgato’s Facecam Professional webcam like I do, there’s an adapter for that too.
Moreover, the prompter is powered by way of USB-C without having an extra energy adapter. The display screen can be utilized as a crisp and clear show to your script or an extra show to your laptop. It is well-designed and user-friendly, and I’ve liked it since Day 1. Check out my CNET movies; most of them had been recorded with this teleprompter.
Filming on the go
As a creator who loves filming at dwelling and on the go, it is essential to speak about completely different setups. Usually we’re trapped within the concept of getting one final setup and overlook how unrealistic and impractical that method could also be after we are touring.
Here is a easy configuration that works for each YouTubers and hobbyists who need to journey mild and create high quality video content material.
Smartphone
I used to hold half a suitcase of filming tools, and took delight in displaying my visitors and shoppers how skilled my setup was. However the reality is, heavier tools and sophisticated setups do not essentially create higher content material, and it is quite a lot of work to schlep all of your stuff round.
Over time, I’ve realized the significance of spontaneity and capturing small moments on the go. I like capturing movies and audio on my smartphone (an iPhone 13 Professional Max from late 2022) with 256GB of storage.
The selection of getting extra native storage on my smartphone appears to work effectively, however you could possibly additionally go for cloud storage and with options reminiscent of Google Photographs. Having enough native storage appears to be quicker and extra dependable, if it is out there to you.
For a recording app, I take advantage of the Easy Digicam app, and I bounce between the common recording mode and the cinematic mode relying on the topic.
Lavalier microphones
Audio was an enormous problem when filming on the go. It was tough if not inconceivable to repair unhealthy audio. Fortunately with AI, we will now improve a number of important audio points utilizing instruments reminiscent of Adobe Podcast, Descript and Podcastle, however recording good audio within the first place is at all times beneficial.
I began with the Rode Go II Mics and used them at dwelling and on the go. The audio high quality was superb, however sadly I misplaced them whereas filming backstage at Cirque du Soleil a few 12 months in the past whereas I used to be fumbling by way of my bag.
That is once I found my new (and much inexpensive) Ecomxia wi-fi lavalier microphones. I used to be pleasantly shocked by the standard of audio captured on these units for the worth. There are two connectors out there for each iPhone and Android, and I like having a case that each holds the microphones and serves as a charging station.
Having two lavalier microphones is important for my journey vlogging wants. Since I typically interview visitors on the go along with capturing b-roll, I can connect one mic on me and the opposite on my visitor, which lets us transfer round freely whereas we report.
Handheld lights
I discover my iPhone 13 Professional Max to be fairly light-sensitive. Even in dim rooms and later within the afternoon, I can nonetheless seize high quality movies. With that mentioned, proudly owning a mini LED video mild is a good suggestion for night photographs and darkish environments reminiscent of backstage.
There are numerous decisions on Amazon and digital camera retailers reminiscent of this one from Ulanzi. For round $20, you may get a robust, rechargeable mini mild that works in most situations and with batteries that final for hours. You can too look right into a clippable mild such because the Newmowa when you do not need to take care of mounting a lightweight to your cellphone everytime you need to shoot.
Telephone gimbal
Lastly, as an elective journey vlogging gadget, I need to highlight the Insta360 Circulate gimbal stabilizer. That is the model I’ve. There may be additionally an Insta360 Circulate Professional model as effectively if you wish to evaluate the completely different options.
What’s a gimbal? A gimbal is a tool that permits an object to stay steady and degree. Sport and motion videography are the place gimbals are mostly used, however gimbals will also be useful for on a regular basis vlogging and capturing footage exterior of a managed workplace setting. A gimbal makes the distinction between shaky handheld digital camera footage and clean high quality video on the go.
The Insta360 Circulate works with each Android and iPhone, and it presents extra stabilization that makes the video seem fairly clean even when you find yourself strolling or operating, making it a preferred gadget for many who love filming sports activities. Moreover, Insta360 makes use of AI-powered monitoring to maintain topics in body with accuracy and suppleness.
Set your self up for achievement – and creativity
Establishing your workplace for video manufacturing can really feel overwhelming at first. With these tried and examined choices for cameras, microphone and lighting, I hope you will acquire extra consolation and confidence.
Please do not forget that these merchandise are solely a part of your artistic journey. They’re designed to vary and evolve identical to you. Fancy and costly merchandise have their very own particular attraction, however typically the simplest, well-made merchandise are those you find yourself conserving and utilizing in your workplace and on the go. Above all, I hope you will have enjoyable as a creator, play the lengthy recreation and assist these round you alongside the best way.