Streaming on sites like YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook Gaming may be a fun way to express yourself and connect with other producers online. However, gathering all of the hardware required to perform your first live stream can be difficult for beginners.
Other than a desktop or laptop with decent processing power, you require four items to create a high-quality live stream: a mic, a webcam or camera, streaming software, and, preferably, a lighting setup. Fortunately, finding quality products at a reasonable price to meet these needs isn't difficult these days.
Here are some suggestions for the best starter equipment to acquire so you can start producing high-quality broadcasts right away.
Microphone
Any quality website content must have high-quality audio. Nothing is more annoying than listening to a person speak into a poor-quality microphone. Fortunately, the price of high-quality USB mics has declined dramatically in recent years.
The USB mic from AudioPro is a good, affordable choice that doesn't get much love from the broadcasting industry. This is most likely a result of a lack of familiarity with other, more well-known companies. However, this USB mic has a lot to offer for an entry-level streamer.
This omnidirectional mic's cardioid pickup design effectively prevents any background noises that aren't coming directly from the streamer's location. It has a sample rate of 124 kHz and a 24-bit depth regarding quality.
The AudioPro USB mic provides a recording efficiency that is comparable to some of its well-known USB peers while also being significantly less expensive. It's difficult for an entry-level streamer to find a mic that can match this mic's value pound for pound.
Cameras
A camera is required for streamers who want to use a webcam on their webcast. Based on your budget, beginner cameras have a range of possibilities.
The Logitech C922 is a camera that is the best cheap option for entry-level broadcasters. The 30fps @ 1080p option provides remarkably sharp image clarity for the cost. On the other hand, moving to 720p to get 60fps will substantially reduce image quality and isn't as realistic for people who want their streams or recordings to seem clean.
The built-in mic is a lovely addition, but whoever needs great audio quality in their streams should forgo it. Having an outer microphone is a must-have for streamers to avoid going into too much detail.
The C922 is among the most prominent budget cameras on the market, and it will live up to its name if you keep it to 30fps at 1080p.
Lighting
Lighting is one of the most important factors to consider regarding video quality. Beginners may have a fantastic camera, but the image will appear blurry and unprofessional if the lighting is inadequate.
Nothing surpasses LED panels when it comes to streaming illumination. LED panels emit a sufficient amount of light, do not burn out rapidly, and have a wide range of brightness settings. Unlike traditional hot lights, LEDs do not heat your space significantly. They're also not a fire hazard, unlike many video lights.
Software
Most streaming applications are available for free. If generating YouTube videos on the side seems appealing, video editing software is also available in several free, high-quality solutions.
OBS Studio and Streamlabs are two of the most popular live streaming software solutions. Both apps are available for download and usage at no cost. They both run on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. Personal choice will determine which is the best. Streamlabs has some good quality-of-life options and some free overlays for newbies, so it could be a better place to start.
There are some excellent free video editing software programmes available. DaVinci Resolve is one of the best free video editing apps available. It's easy to use and possesses all the quality of a more expensive corporate video editing application without the hefty cost.