Influencers, content creators, and streamers are a new breed of celebrity unlike anything the world has ever seen. Now anyone can catapult themselves to stardom using simple tools at home. If you’ve always wanted to create content yourself, then this Sweetwater buying guide is an excellent place to start! First, we’ll explain the core gear that content creators use before recommending equipment for different applications. If you’re familiar with content creation and want to jump ahead to the various gear possibilities, then use the index below.
Audio Interfaces
While a smartphone is more than capable of launching your career, a transition to computer-based content creation is certainly in your future. If you’re working with microphones or instruments, then an audio interface is a necessity. At its most basic level, an audio interface converts the analog signals from a microphone or instrument into a digital signal that you can record and edit in your computer. Higher channel counts allow you to record several sources simultaneously, which is a major plus for shows with multiple hosts or for streaming a live band.
Mixers
A mixer combines multiple audio sources and mixes them to produce a stereo (or mono) final mix. A mixer gives you far more hands-on control than a standard audio interface since most models feature EQ, compression, and effects. Some mixers also feature built-in audio interfaces, allowing for an ultra-streamlined setup.
Microphones
External microphones are one of the keys to capturing high-quality audio for your audience. Today’s content creators typically use one of three microphone types.
Condenser microphones
Condenser microphones generally offer the highest level of audio quality. With one of these mics, your subscribers will enjoy extreme detail — a must-have for ASMR and vocal content. However, condensers are extremely sensitive and can pick up unwanted background noise like keyboard and mouse clicks, dogs barking outside, and more.
Dynamic microphones
Dynamic microphones utilize a very simple design that makes them affordable and easy to manufacture while offering excellent audio quality. Generally, dynamic microphones are more forgiving than condensers, which makes them an excellent choice for streamers.
USB microphones
USB microphones replace a microphone’s standard XLR output connector with a USB cable that offers a digital output that can plug directly into your computer or smartphone. A USB microphone may have a condenser or dynamic element, lending a slightly different sound to each model. Whether you choose an XLR microphone or a USB mic, Sweetwater has plenty of options to fit any budget.
Cameras
Great visuals are a surefire way to raise the production value of your content. While smartphone cameras continue to improve, external cameras can produce higher-quality images. Webcams that clip onto a computer monitor are an excellent choice for livestreamers. Meanwhile, DSLR cameras also provide a mobile resource that lets you capture content on the road or in your home studio. Plus, you can mount a microphone onto most DSLR cameras for on-location audio.
Lighting
Good lighting is the key to eye-grabbing pictures and video — and getting a good content-creator light is cheaper than ever! Generally, content creators, influencers, and TikTokers gravitate toward ring lights for their soft and flattering dispersion pattern and smartphone-friendly design. Whichever light you choose, make sure it has adjustable color and brightness controls.
Headphones and Monitors
Everybody has a pair of headphones, right? Adding a dedicated set of headphones to your setup allows you to monitor your audio and make better mixing decisions in post production. If you’re working with music or dialog-heavy media, then getting a pair of dedicated studio monitors is the way to go. Depending on your application, headphones might be more desirable than studio monitors, but having both gives you the flexibility to tackle any project.
Studio Furniture and Accessories
You may not think of it as necessary, but a suitable desk can help you reach your full potential as a content creator. A comfortable, purpose-built desk gives you plenty of space for gear and peripherals while providing a dedicated space for all your content-creation gear. Plus, a desk provides a convenient mounting location for a boom stand, camera mount, and your computer monitor.
External Storage
Let’s face it, creating content requires a whopping amount of storage space. Adding an external drive to your setup can exponentially expand your storage capacity — choose from spinning hard disks or a solid-state drive (SSD). The more affordable spinning drives utilize an old-school spinning disk for storage. By contrast, SSDs use cutting-edge tech for blazing-fast transfer speeds.
Outstanding Equipment for Creating Content
Now that we’ve explained the basics, we can start building some rigs to suit various purposes. Of course, the final look of your setup will be determined by your budget and the type of content you’re producing.
Entry-level gear
Video production
While TikTok and Instagram content can be created on smartphones, you can significantly enhance your results with some extra hardware, like a tripod stand, gimbal, or ring light. You can even throw in a smartphone mic to clarify your dialog.
Podcasting
Building your first podcast rig is surprisingly easy! All you need is a USB microphone, a DAW (digital audio workstation), some headphones, and a pop filter!
Livestreaming
Going live is easier than you think as long as you have a good computer and a webcam. Add a gaming headset or an external microphone, and you’re ready to stream.
Intermediate gear
Video production
Taking the next step in video production means upgrading your camera and peripherals. Adding a GoPro-style action camera or a DSLR will do wonders for your final presentation. You’ll also want to invest in a computer-based video-editing rig and software.
Podcasting
Ready to up your podcast’s sonic signature? Then grab yourself a good XLR mic and an audio interface. Some users may appreciate a desk-mounted boom stand, as well. Grab a camera and some lights if you want to take your podcast into the visual realm.
Livestreaming
Intermediate livestreaming rigs are a definite step up from beginner rigs. Gamers will likely want to invest in a second “streaming” PC to handle the enormous demands of the stream. A high-quality microphone, an audio interface with loopback, a standalone camera, and a green screen are all but required at this stage.
Professional gear
Video production
Professional video setups share similar requirements no matter what kind of videos you make for YouTube or Patreon subscribers. You’ll want high-quality cameras and mics, rock-solid stands, a robust computer, and professional software to turn raw footage into a masterpiece. After that, we’ll leave the intricacies of your rig to you since you know best.
Podcasting
If you’re running a podcast full-time, then you want to make it sound as good as possible. And, if you’re regularly featuring guests, you should have extra microphones, stands, cables, and headphones ready to go at a moment’s notice.
Livestreaming
The more engaged your audience is, the better. One of the ways you can keep them engaged is by adding visual effects, graphics in the lower thirds, and sound effects. In addition to pro-level audio equipment, you’ll want to have a video mixer to cue up separate camera angles, trigger graphics, and more. Make sure that your audio interface has loopback functionality, too!
Creating Content Is Easier with Sweetwater!
Once you progress to making content for a living, your gear needs will be specific to whatever you’re doing. When you’re not sure which piece of gear you need, you can always rely on us! Call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700. They’ll listen to your dilemma and recommend gear that fits perfectly within your existing setup.