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Podcast, Gaming and Video Production
Career aspiration: YouTuber, Twitch streamer or influencer
Today we’re talking about a topic that over the years has not only become loud and flashy across flickering screens, but has also evolved into a legitimate hype, a career and for many young people even THE big career aspiration of our time.
If you asked kids in the past what they wanted to be when they grew up, they would usually answer "firefighter", "policeman", "train driver" or – to stick with our daily bread – "rockstar". Today it looks very different. Ask today’s kids and you’ll hear across the playground, as if from a gun: the career wish "YouTuber", "Twitch streamer" or "influencer".
Presenting well-lit content from your own life on Instagram and other social media platforms to leave a lasting impression on your friends — and ideally to reach a wide online audience — is a desirable lifestyle for many.
Prominent examples like Dagi Bee or Die Lochis have shown us that, alongside fame and recognition, you can also earn money with the topic and the right recording technology.
If you’re curious or even want to produce your own content, this guide will introduce the equipment you need to achieve first successes and what it takes to get closer to the big fields of YouTube and vlog, gaming, broadcast or podcast recordings.
Entry-level equipment for successful podcast and video production
For getting started in podcasting or vlogging most of us are already very well equipped without realising it. Modern smartphones with built-in voice recorders and high-resolution cameras — like those in the current iPhone 13 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra — are perfectly fine when combined with preinstalled laptop production software such as Apple GarageBand, iMovie and, for example, compact IK Multimedia smartphone accessories like the iRig Mic Cast, iRig Mic Field or iRig Mic HD. If you want to take a step further to record external microphones or instruments via your smartphone or tablet, you can add handy interfaces to your recording chain during the session, such as the Roland GO:MIXER, the Apogee for iPad or the Line 6 Sonic Port VX — the latter even impresses with an integrated microphone. If you have an iPad with a USB-C port, the Studio 24c from Presonus is also an option.
Comfortable working with a DAW and an interface solution
If you prefer to edit your recordings afterwards in a more comfortable way using a DAW — short for "Digital Audio Workstation" — you should use a laptop or desktop computer solution. For audio recordings, established DAW software packages from Steinberg, Propellerhead or Logic have become standard. So when it comes to recording and editing audio signals, a DAW gives you the ultimate all-in-one solution.
Depending on the application there are suitable interfaces that come with different features and functions. Many interfaces usually include stripped-down lite versions of well-known DAW software in the package, which are perfectly adequate for first podcast attempts. Whether you connect the interface via USB, FireWire or Thunderbolt, whether you want to use 2, 4, 8 or more inputs and outputs, you’ll find the right products like the Steinberg UE242 or the Focusrite Scarlett Solo on our website.
The interface is already included. Simple recordings with USB microphones
If you want to skip the external interface between microphone and computer for simplicity, special USB microphones are a good option. Microphones like the Shure PG-42 USB, the Rode Podcaster MkII or the IK Multimedia iRig Mic Studio Black already include such an interface or converter and are therefore particularly suitable for podcast productions or voiceovers in the gaming field. After all, you can simply connect them to your computer or, in the case of the iRig Mic, to your tablet or smartphone without an external interface.
Buy the best podcast and USB microphones at session
Here you’ll find the most popular podcast and USB microphones from our online shop. It’s never been easier. Grab them now, plug in and get started straight away.
Pocket recording studios
If you like the idea of podcasting but prefer to keep the equipment small and compact, we recommend handy devices like the Tascam DR-05V2 or the Zoom H4n Pro for audio or podcast recordings that are primarily speech. The term pocket studio says it all. In a small space you have a complete recording studio with multiple tracks and effects that fits in your pocket. All processing takes place in a handy device, which makes it very popular for mobile field recordings and a variety of interview situations.
If the built-in microphones of the compact recorders are no longer sufficient because you need to bring a mic closer to the sound source, you can easily connect external mics to the small pocket recorders, such as the versatile Shure SM-7B, the Sennheiser ME-66 and, of course, instruments. For simple multitrack recordings you need nothing more than a microphone or instrument cable and a suitable stand or desk tripod to get started. Some manufacturers of these pocket studios even offer useful accessory packs for their recorders.
Here you’ll find a selection of portable recorders.
Practical accessories for portable recorders
Record gaming videos & Let’s Plays for your YouTube channel with ease
In the gaming sector over the past years the trend has developed not only to connect online with other players during a game and exchange ideas, but also to record your play-throughs of elaborate game worlds in so-called "Let’s Plays" and comment on them. In "Let’s Plays" the player becomes the producer, delivering direct impressions from the game and giving other gamers useful tips and tricks via their YouTube channel on how to master levels and opponents faster and discover secrets more easily.
Besides interesting content, the quality of a "Let’s Play" largely determines its success and view count. "Let’s Plays" should therefore be recorded at least in HD quality. Your viewers will thank you. To record a "Let’s Play" it’s advisable to use so-called screen capture programmes that record the image and sound of your desktop, or to use the share function found, for example, on the PlayStation 5. Even more important than the picture quality is the audio recording. The clearer and less noisy the audio signal reaches your viewers, the better.
For voice recording a headset, clip or lapel mic is recommended. The advantage is that your hands remain free while gaming to use the keyboard and mouse or the gaming controller. Simple solutions can be the Shure SE112m+, the V-Moda Crossfade M-100 Matte Black or the CK 99 L from AKG.
Hollywood within reach
Producing professional video contributions is a bit more elaborate. But don’t worry — the handling is just as simple as for audio recordings for a podcast. Modern film studios also fit in your pocket. For first simple video recordings YouTubers and bloggers often use their smartphone. The operation should be familiar to everyone. Combined with practical mounts like the IK Multimedia iKlip A/V you can even take it a step further and turn your phone into a professional camcorder.
Portable audio-video recorders from Zoom, like the Q2n or the Q4n, as well as their bigger sibling — the Zoom Q8 — take video recordings to the next level. Thanks to the built-in audio inputs (the Q8 even has XLR) you can quickly and easily combine your video signal with excellent audio quality. With these portable video cameras you can immediately start showcasing yourself and your ideas, capture them on SD cards and then upload them for your viewers. Built-in microphones, digital zoom, tiltable LCD displays (Q4n/Q8) as well as a self-timer function and other great features let you be not only the performer but also the director and cameraman in one. Pioneers like Cameron, Spielberg or Tarantino would have truly enjoyed these handy cameras.
The post-production of your videos for your YouTube or Facebook channel usually takes place on a laptop or desktop computer. If you need to work quickly on the go, you can also find simple apps in the app store. They let you trim clips or apply colourful filters. If you prefer a bit more comfort when editing and post-processing, consider getting a video editing programme. With software like Magix Video Deluxe or Final Cut Pro X you can shape the colourful blocks in the arrangement windows, similar to DAW solutions for audio files, and add all kinds of effects. Transitions, text overlays and even adding audio tracks are no problem with professional equipment. Your creativity is then almost limitless.
How we shoot videos
In the clip below we take you into our video studio and give you a behind-the-scenes look at our production. We show you how we approach things and which equipment we use. Click to watch:
