creator gear
recording setup
Camera, audio, lighting, display, and mobile video gear I use to record YouTube videos, product demos, and walking vlogs.
desk video
camera & lens
The main camera runs HDMI out into a capture card, so it can act like a high-quality 4k webcam.
core
mounting & capture
- Capture card Elgato HD60 X External Capture Card Brings the HDMI feed into the Mac.
- Dummy battery Gonine NP-FZ100 Dummy Battery Power Adapter Keeps the camera powered for long sessions.
- Desk arm VIVO All-in-One Computer Studio Desk Mount Keeps the camera position consistent above the desk.
- Mounting bracket SmallRig Foldable L-Bracket for Sony Alpha 7 IV Adds safer mounting points and positioning options.
- Mount ULANZI U-80L Metal Ball Head Camera Mount Fine-tunes the camera angle.
walking vlogs
mobile video
For walking and talking, the goal is speed: something stabilized, compact, and easy to start recording with.
voice first
audio
Shotgun mics stay out of frame and lavs are useful on the move. If the room is noisy, the studio mic is the better bet.
core
accessories
- Shotgun mount RODE SM4-R Rycote Lyre Shockmount Shock mount for the shotgun mic.
- Rode mount arm RODE PSA1+ Professional Studio Arm Adjustable arm for mic placement.
- Audio mixer Elgato Wave XLR MK.2 USB Audio Interface XLR input and level control for the Mac.
- Cable Elgato XLR Microphone Cable Simple XLR cable for the mic chain.
image quality
lighting
Great lighting can make a cheap camera look expensive. Video quality is mostly about controlling light and sound.
core
screen capture
display
The display affects recording resolution and color accuracy. I now recommend a 6k monitor for a larger, sharper recording canvas.
work surface
desk setup
The desk and chair matter more than the exact brand. Get something stable, comfortable, and easy to tune for your body.