You want to create some videos for YouTube you say? Something which sounds so simple can quickly get pretty involved. I mean, you ''can'' simply hit record on your web cam and then upload it - done. But if you care about the quality of the results that's when it quickly gets complicated. To record audio, you want a good microphone. With a good microphone, you want a good pair of headphones to monitor your sound. With a good recording, you're going to want some 'studio' equipment and software to mix your tracks into a final product. There are countless choices for audio / video / recording / mixing equipment and the software (plus 'content libraries' like sound effects or video fades). I'm not a professional musician, sound engineer nor even a professional vlogger. But, I'm interested in making some quality screencasts so here are my notes about some of the choices I'm making for my setup.
=== Microphone ===
'''RØDE''' microphones are certainly among the top brands<ref>Top brands for microphones include [https://www.shure.com/en-US Shure], [https://en-us.sennheiser.com/ Sennheiser], [https://www.akg.com/ AKG], [https://rode.com/en-us Rode], Audio-Technica, Neumann, Electro-Voice, Blue, Samson, and Heil Sound https://hellomusictheory.com/learn/best-microphone-brands/</ref> and are distributed through Target and BestBuy as well as the usual online outlets.
*The [https://rode.com/en-us/microphones/usb/podmic-usb PodMic USB] ($199) is a dynamic Broadcast Microphone that offers dual USB and XLR connectivity. It has an internal pop filter and shock mount plus comes with an external pop filter.
=== Mixer ===[[File:Focusrite_Console_02.jpg|alt=Focusrite Console 02|right|640x640px|JacoTen, [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0 CC BY-SA 3.jpg0], via Wikimedia Commons]]
RODE produces mixers that can be a good hardware choice. Examples include the [https://rode.com/en-us/interfaces-and-mixers/streamer-series/streamer-x Streamer-X] ($399). Various models are available with prices reflecting the number of soft switches (programmable buttons), inputs and outputs.
=== Software ===
Instead of a hardware mixer (that requires various software to interact with, administer or configure the hardware), you can alternatively use a complete software approach. OBS Studio is a [[:en:Software_vision_mixer|software vision mixer]] and [[:en:Mixing_console|audio mixer]].
