The Gear I Use 2019
I haver been getting a lot of Questions about my setup lately, so I figured I would run over a quick list of things I use to produce these videos.
Quick Update: Sorry I have been absent, I had a series of cascading computer failures that ended up with me swapping out a motherboard and the drive. I am back now with a bunch of pent up content that will be coming shortly.
Software
For video editing I use Final Cut Pro, which is great if you want to spend the time learning video editing, and are on a Mac. If you aren’t using a Mac, a great option is Premiere Pro. If you want to use something really simple, try iMovie. A lot of people use this very successfully.
You can do sound in these video editing apps, and your camera will likely be able to record sound, but I use Ableton Live 10 in the studio here. This gives me the opportunity to EQ, compress and master the audio more effectively. I also use Logic for recording on occasions and it is probably more user friendly than Ableton. Another option is good old Garageband. Garageband also comes with a bunch of sound effects, which can come in handy too.
Camera
There are a lot of video cameras out there. There is everything from dedicated video systems to DSLRs. Fortunately, there are some really good options out there for Sloggers. Some of the key things I look for are cameras that shoot at 24, 30, 60 Frames per second at 1080P resolution. 120 FPS is really nice to have for slow motion.
I generally use either 24 or 30 (29 really) as they tend to give a more cinematic quality to the video. There are a lot of 4K cameras and even 8K cameras available, but most everything I do is at 1080P. That may change in the future, and if you want to future proof you can look at 4K. 4K can be good if you want to crop in on your shots as well, giving you some extra resolution to work with.
EOS M6 on friction arm with Neewer Wall Mount
The camera I am using for these videos is the Canon EOS M6, which is a good option with a screen that flips forward. If I was buying a camera in that price range today though, I would probably opt for the EOS M50 or the Sony Alpha a6400. If I was gong to spend some more money, m I would get into the Sony a7III. All of these are fantastic camera options, and the kit lens will get you started, but you may want to upgrade down the road.
I have been using a really inexpensive, but bright and sharp Canon EF-M 22mm for the studio. It does a great job for the money and gives you an F2.0 lens for shooting in lower light or creating softer depth of field.
DJI Osmo 2
I also use my iPhone XS a lot on a DJI Osmo 2 gimbal, which gives me amazingly steady shots no matter how much I am shaking the camera. This is a good setup for getting some b-roll footage and doing slow motion since the iPhone can do 60FPS at 4k or up to 240FP at 1080P.
I have heard some interesting things about the new Moza Mini S gimbal. It has a tripod base, which the DJI doesn’t, and it doesn’t block the bottom of the phone, so it is easier to use accessories or a mic with it.
When I am on the road, I use a Roxant Pro stabilizer for the EOS M6. It takes some practice to get the hang of things, but it can give you good results for not a lot of money. Another indispensable item is the Joby GorillaPod 3K. It can be a tripod, it can grip on to things and it can be used like a selfie stick. Super versatile and compact.
Lights
In the studio, I use Neewer Bi-Color 480 LED lights with the diffuser panel in. These have been great little lights, and I mount them to the wall with Neewer 5/8” wall mounts. For most people a 3 light pack is a good option. I use one for my key light, one for a side fill and one for a hair light. You could go with fewer lights, or even opt for natural lighting, but you might find that limiting. I like the bi-color lights so that I can balance the light temperatures between daylight and tungsten, which can come in handy depending on your situation.
A less expensive option that I have seen a bunch of people using is florescent lights with a soft box to defuse the light like the Neewer 700W kits. These can do a decent job and are less expensive.
Another fun light if you want the fashion look is a ring light. This circular light can be very flattering. Good if you plan to do makeup tutorials. Neewer makes a nice ring light kit
When setting up your home studio environment, it is nice to have an interesting clean background, and some fun tungsten or colored LED lights that can really warm up the background and give you a good contrast. I have some of these Ehome LED string lights in the background now. They are cheap and the strand of lights goes on forever, and they are USB powered.
On the road, I bring my little Yongnuo YN300 LED light, which packs nicely, gives good even light, operates corded or with battery and is not too expensive.
Sound
I started out with a home recording studio, so I have a ton of gear, but here are some ideas for getting going with Video. Sound is really critical to making your videos more professional. In fact sound quality is probably more important than video quality.
For my portable rig, I use a Rode VideoMic GO. It is a decent mic, and it came with the Canon EOS M6 Video Creator Kit. It is not the best mic that Rode makes, but it has been good for me. I have a couple of their mics and they make good products. If you have the money to spend and aren’t getting a mic as part of a kit, I would look at the Rode VideoMic Pro, which has better sound quality.
One thing that might not be initially obvious to many is that the mic input on a camera and the mic input on an iPhone is different. There is a certain amount of current that is supplied to these mics, and phones use a slightly different connector. I would pick up on of these Rode SC7 TRS to TRRS converter cables so you can use your mic with a phone too.
Shure SM7B
Focusrite Scarlett 6i6
In the studio, I use my favorite voice mic which is a Shure SM7B. This is a legendary microphone that has been widely used in recording and broadcasting. This is the microphone that Michael Jackson used to sing Thriller. I run that mic into a Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 audio interface, but if you are looking to start smaller, you could use one of the Focusrite Solo interfaces. I have had really good luck with these Focusrite interfaces.
Yamaha MG10XU
I mount the microphone on a swivel mount boom arm, which is super convenient. I also utilize a small 10 channel Yamaha mixer to minimize patching cables. It is a pretty transparent mixer for the price (I use it on DJ gigs as well).
For monitors, I like the KRK Rokit 5. They do a good job and are a good value. You could also opt for in ear monitors like the Shure SE 215 earbuds. I have custom Sensaphonics ear molds, which are great if you can pull that off.
KRK Rokit 5
Miscellaneous
There is a bunch of stuff I use to make my life easier, too much to mention, but here are a few things that you might want to consider.
An articulating friction arm is a wonderful thing to have on hand. I mount one to these Neewer 5/8” wall mounts and use it for my camera. You can use it to position lights, hold random things or whatever you can imagine. They are wonderfully useful.
I also have one of these Neewer adapters, so I can have a 1/4” camera mount on top of a 5/8” microphone stand. I have a bunch of mic stands around here and it lets me repurpose them for video.
Finally, I would suggest you pick up some additional batteries and chargers for whichever camera you choose and also some additional SD cards, which you will need.
I have included the complete list below.
Cameras
*UPDATE*
I now am using a bit of a different setup, I will do another video soon, but the major changes are:
Canon EOS R with Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro (This is now my main camera and it is awesome)
https://amzn.to/38yLJ5f
Ronin SC Gimbal
https://amzn.to/2tsrEP7
Rode Wireless Go With Lav
https://amzn.to/2TMnOee
I have also switched to the less expensive, but better and lighter Rode VideoMicro (Great for Gimbal)
https://amzn.to/2ReqaAP
Canon EOS M6 Video Creator Kit
https://amzn.to/2VlZVv9
Sony a7 III Full-frame Mirrorless Interchangeable-Lens Camera with 28-70mm Lens Optical with 3-Inch LCD, Black (ILCE7M3K/B)
https://amzn.to/2Dvxi4I
Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless Camera: Compact APS-C Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera with Real-Time Eye Auto Focus, 4K Video, Flip Screen & 16-50mm Lens - E Mount Compatible Cameras - ILCE-6400L/B
https://amzn.to/2IDuEhB
Canon EOS M50 Video Creator Kit with EF-M15-45mm Lens, Rode VIDEOMIC GO, and 32GB Sandisk Memory Card - Black
https://amzn.to/2XHjBat
Canon EF-M 22mm f2 STM Compact System Lens
https://amzn.to/2WarmFL
Lights
Neewer 3 Packs Dimmable Bi-Color 480 LED Video Light and Stand Lighting Kit Includes: 3200-5600K CRI 96+ LED Panel with U Bracket, 75 inches Light Stand for YouTube Studio Photography, Video Shooting
https://amzn.to/2IGsWvY
Neewer 700W Professional Photography 24x24 inches/60x60 Centimeters Softbox with E27 Socket Light Lighting Kit
https://amzn.to/2ITflR6
Neewer Ring Light Kit:18"/48cm Outer 55W 5500K Dimmable LED Ring Light, Light Stand, Carrying Bag for Camera, Smartphone ,YouTube, Self-Portrait Shooting
https://amzn.to/2Vmhn2N
Ehome LED String Lights, Fairy Lights, Starry Lights 66ft 200 LEDs Silver Wire Lights, Waterproof Decorative Lights for Bedroom, Indoor Wedding Parties Christmas Lights with USB Interface(Warm White)
https://amzn.to/2IVM9sD
YONGNUO YN300 III YN-300 III LED Camera Video Light with Adjustable Color Temperature 3200K-5500K
https://amzn.to/2Vnipvl
Sound
Rode VideoMic GO Light Weight On-Camera Microphone
https://amzn.to/2GCMWx8
RODE VideoMic Pro R Studio Boom Kit - VMPR, Boom Stand, Adapter, and 25' Cable
https://amzn.to/2XE8AXn
Rode SC7 3.5mm TRS to TRRS Patch Cable
https://amzn.to/2ZFXfIm
Rode PSA1 Swivel Mount Studio Microphone Boom Arm
https://amzn.to/2W3tUp5
Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 Second Generation (2nd Gen) 6 In/6 Out USB 2.0 Audio Interface with Pro Tools | First
https://amzn.to/2IVtmxQ
Focusrite Scarlett Solo (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools | First
https://amzn.to/2XE8TBv
Yamaha MG10XU 10-Input Stereo Mixer with Effects
https://amzn.to/2GEx2lV
Shure SM7B Cardioid Dynamic Microphone
https://amzn.to/2IF33fX
KRK RP5G3- 59107 NA Rokit 5 Generation 3 Powered Studio Monitor - Pair
https://amzn.to/2GGItcW
Shure SE 215 earbuds
https://amzn.to/2VnXoAG
Latest Addition:
Rode Wireless Go Lavalier
https://amzn.to/2Ne2Cfs
Stands, Stabilizers and Mounts
DJI Osmo 2
https://amzn.to/2IEUDFn
Moza Mini S
https://amzn.to/2L0r6rI
The OFFICIAL ROXANT PRO video camera stabilizer for GoPro, Smartphone, Canon, Nikon - or any camera up to 2.1 lbs. (Comes With Phone Clamp)
https://amzn.to/2ZxTmVC
JOBY GorillaPod 3K Kit. Compact Tripod 3K Stand and Ballhead 3K for Compact Mirrorless Cameras or Devices up to 3K (6.6lbs). Black/Charcoal.
https://amzn.to/2WasCIZ
11" Adjustable Articulating Israeli Friction Magic Arm Video Rig Camera Clamp Mount Compatible for Gopro Sony Action Camera/DSLR/Camera Rig/LCD Monitor/DV /LED Lights/Flash Light/Smartphone
https://amzn.to/2IEM5OQ
Neewer Photography Photo Studio Video Wall Ceiling Mount 5/8" Stud with 1/4" Thread
https://amzn.to/2Dt76Yf
Neewer Video Camera Digital Recorder Adapter with Mini Ball Head-360 Degree Pan and 180 Degree Tilt Movement for Connecting 1/4-inch Thread Camera, Camcorder, Recorder with 5/8-inch Mic Stand or Boom
https://amzn.to/2IDwNKb
Latest Addition:
Vanguard VEO 2 235AB Tripod
https://amzn.to/2FA1yMV
Misc
SanDisk 64GB Ultra SDXC UHS-I Memory Card SDSDUNC-064G-GN6IN
https://amzn.to/2VhTqtu
