Equipment and Software for Podcasts and Videos

So you’re interested in the gear that I use for my podcasts and videos? You’ve come to the right place. Below you’ll find a list of everything I use when I’m creating a new piece of content and getting it ready to be published for you guys to see/hear. The first 4 items on the list are what I use for my podcasts and everything else after that on the page (starting from the camera I use) is what I use to record and edit my videos every single week.

Blue Yeti Microphone

Yeti is the ultimate tool for creating amazing recordings, directly to your computer. Blackout Yeti can capture anything with a clarity and ease unheard of in a USB microphone. Featuring Blue’s innovative triple capsule array, Blackout Yeti can record in stereo or your choice of three other unique patterns, including cardioid, omnidirectional, and bidirectional. Blackout Yeti utilizes a high quality A-D converter, a built-in headphone amplifier for zero-latency monitoring, and direct controls for headphone volume, pattern selection, instant mute, and microphone gain. With no drivers to install, Blackout Yeti is the most versatile USB mic lighting up the airwaves today.

Audacity

Audacity is a free, easy-to-use, multi-track audio editor and recorder for Windows, Mac OS X, GNU/Linux and other operating systems. The interface is translated into many languages.

Pamela for Skype

This is what I use for recording interviews over Skype so that I can then release them as a podcast. It’s really awesome software that you can set to auto-record every call (in and out) which I love because now I no longer fear that I’ve forgotten to press the record button just as I’m at the end of an incredible interview with a guest that has taken their valuable time to come on the show. You also need to have Skype installed for this to work and to actually initialize the call.

 Libsyn

Libsyn is your one stop solution for everything you need to start podcasting, get your podcast in iTunes and even turn your show into an App. Podcast Solutions for Beginners to Established Producers
If you are new to podcasting everything you need is here: publishing tools, media hosting and delivery, RSS for iTunes, a Web Site, Stats and a platform that has your back as you grow as a producer.

Canon EOS 550D/Rebel T2i with 18-55mm kit lens

This is an incredible DSLR for video, it’s so clear! It records in 1080p HD at 24 frames per second. It’s really simple to use and what I like about it most is that you can plug several things into it at once to increase your production value. My favorite thing of all though for this camera is the ability to install Magic Lantern firmware (see below) which open up the camera to an incredible range of new features and abilities it didn’t originally have. If you can’t get this version, I’d get the upgraded 700D/T5i.

Magic Lantern Firmware

Magic Lantern is a free software add-on that runs from the SD/CF card and adds a host of new features to Canon EOS cameras that weren’t included from the factory by Canon. The settings I always keep on are manual white balance, manual ISO of 640, audio meters so I can see that my mic is working correctly and crop markers so I can see that the shot is level by lining up my eyes within the lines of the markers.

Tripod

You’ll want to keep your shot steady when filming so what I do for this is simply just use a tripod. The tripod I’ve linked here isn’t the exact one that I use but it looks just as good, if not better.

Lapel Mic

Honestly, with microphones, it’s normally a case of ‘you get what you pay for’ but this was a handy little lapel mic and worked find after some tweaking in post production. It also only records in mono but I just convert it to stereo in Audacity and put it over the original track in my video editor. Takes a bit more time but leads to much better sound quality. This specific mic was built in mind for use with a Sennheiser wireless system which I’ve listed just below.

Sennheiser Wireless System

The only reason I initially thought to use this is because I had an instrument/vocal combo system from my gigging days as a musician. Luckily I had it because I never would have thought about it otherwise and it makes life so much easier when you don’t have to have a mic clipped on to you that is then plugged directly into the camera, you can freely move around without any issues and the sound transfers perfectly also. Sennheiser are one of the leading brands for this type of equipment.

Rode VideoGo DSLR Mic

This is a handy mic that fits right on top of your DSLR in the ‘hot shoe’ section. You can then plug it directly into your DSLR and start recording higher quality audio. It comes with a cable for this but one thing I’d like to mention, no matter what microphone you want to use, DON’T cheap out on cables. You might think that spending $10 on a 10′ cable is saving money but it will make a $1,000 mic sound like $10.

HDMI to HDMI mini Cable

Unfortunately my camera (T2i) doesn’t have a flip screen where I can see how the shot looks before I actually record which can make things extremely difficult. If you opt for the T5i as mentioned earlier you would not have this issue. What I do to get around this is plug my camera into a TV using the HDMI ports on both and then face the TV towards me so I can see how the shot looks. I can also see all of the Magic Lantern controls/features which helps greatly when I’m just about to record.

Shutter Remote

This allows me to focus me shot without actually adjusting the lens on the camera manually. It’s quite simple to use, all I do is set me camera to auto focus and then just hold down the button on this half way to focus (just as you would with the shutter button on the camera). Once it’s focused I can see it on the screen and I’m good to go.

Lighting and Backdrop

This is an incredible priced bundle and I couldn’t be happier with it! You get 3 backdrops (although I only use black, you could have some fun with the green screen), the stands for the backdrop, 2 DAYLIGHT bulbs (none of that yellow mess), stands and umbrellas for the lights also and they are all adjustable to suit your needs. Couldn’t recommend this more.

White Balance/Grey Card

You’d be surprised at how you think everything looks perfect in your camera’s LCD screen and then once you use this to set the white balance it can look even better! Seriously handy little tool to have and if you’re set-up is going somewhere that the lighting doesn’t ever change then you really only have to use this once to find out your perfect settings.

Blackout Curtains

Because I shoot in a room that has windows, and with Ireland’s ever changing weather, it can really mess up your shot’s lighting as it won’t stay consistent. To get around this I placed blackout curtains in the room as no matter what the lighting outside, it won’t bleed into the room and change the lighting of your shot.

Pinnacle Studio Ultimate – Video Editing Software

I’ve never seen anybody else talk about using the before and I’m not sure why because I’ve used this for over 10 years now and love it! So simple and much much easier to get a grasp of than the likes of Adobe Premiere Pro (although I do really like that too).

As you may have noticed, my videos don’t actually need anything too fancy in terms of editing, a few cuts here and there, a transition or 2 and the ability to work on multiple tracks (with the end card for example) so Pinnacle is a perfect option as it allows me to easily do all of this.