Video Blogging: Difference between revisions

resize image; add alt and attribution / license
Line 25: Line 25:
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.
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 ===
===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.  
'''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.  


Line 31: Line 31:
*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.
*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 ===
===Mixer===
[[File:Focusrite Console 02.jpg]]
[[File:Focusrite_Console_02.jpg|alt=Focusrite Console|right|640x640px|JacoTen, [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0 CC BY-SA 3.0], 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.
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 ===
===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]].
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]].