YouTube - What they Don't Tell You
M is for Microphone
"One kid's old, used-up equipment is another kid's brand-new, awesome, awesome equipment." – Bode Miller
My AtoZ theme this year is my YouTube journey with my new fiction channel, and all that I have learned - plus some free fiction - scroll down to the embedded vid for that.
One of the things to think about when creating YouTube vids is the equipment we need.
The minimum you will need to start a YouTube channel is:
- A smart phone with a decent camera & mic
Modern smart phones are a marvel. I use mine to do all my YouTube shorts. Shorts are vids of less than 1min, in phone portrait format (i.e. tall and thin). I've seen some YouTubers record longer vids on their phones too. I have not tried that so have no idea of the drawbacks.
There is a YouTube shorts app within the YouTube app for phones, but I found it to be very limited. I suspect it will improve with time, but it was very, very annoying when I tried it.
Second level requirements for making YouTube Shorts:
- A smart phone with a decent camera & mic
- An app to edit the videos (I use FilmoraGo)
However, when it comes to longer YouTube videos, a little more is required.
What is better for longer videos:
- A camera (if you are going to be in the videos)
- A microphone & pop guard
- Something to stop sound reflections (I have a Marantz Sound Shield, but a blanket will work to start with).
- Software to edit audio (if you're recording just audio for parts of the vid – I use Adobe Audition, but Audacity is a fabulous free alternative)
- Software to edit the videos (I use Adobe After Effects because I animate parts of my vids, but this is a great article on free options).
I do not yet use a camera, since I am not in my longer videos, just my voice, but I intend to pinch my husband's GoPro to try it out at some point.
My mic is a Yeti Blue X – it is amazing and has different modes for different purposes. Check on places like Amazon for returns, they are much cheaper. I used to have a Snowball, which was great for podcasting, but the sound quality on the Yeti is superior IMHO.
If we have the right adaptor (mine is a Ugreen USB C to USB, but it depends on what sockets your phone has), the Yeti (and many other mics) can also be used with our phones to improve the sound quality of our shorts. Two things to remember when doing this - at least with the Yeti:
- The mic only has 1 USB slot, so the phone powers the mic, and this will drain the battery, so do not leave it plugged in too long, and make sure there is time to recharge afterwards.
- Not all internal recording aps (mine is on an Android AO2s) can cope with external mics, Open Camera is a good alternative for Android phones.
If you would like to hear the sound difference with and without a mic, last week's and this week's vids will give an idea, since I only started using the Yeti for the shorts this week.:
- Last week's vid NO external mic - https://youtube.com/shorts/xNQsW_Qum-g
- This week's vid WITH external mic - https://youtube.com/shorts/h4DpWjRZK40
Any other YouTubers/TikTok-ers have advice on what they use? or What specialised equipment do you need for your own niche (e.g. grammar software, cooking gadgets, art supplies)?
Current YouTube Episode
About the AtoZ Challenge
Check Out My Fiction YouTube Channel
Each week we have a theme and so there will be something for all tastes.
- 🎤Micro stories as YouTube Shorts Monday - Thursday - for fun quick viewing
- 🕮A longer story every Friday - for story time, over coffee or before going to bed
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Seriously no idea about all this setup for making videos. I now sense there's a lot of work that goes in video making! It's wonderful how with smartphones so much is captured nowadays
ReplyDeleteSmartphones are brilliant for such things. I knew a lot about the sound stuff before I started with YouTube because I have a podcast (on hold at the mo) with my alter ego Virginia Waytes for naughty stories. But I didn't know anything about the vid side of it. The steepest learning curve was getting to grips with Adobe After Effects for the animating the longer stories, but that is totally unnecessary if going with self presented vids. Using modern aps for editing video is getting easier and easier.
DeleteI've never used the microphone. I've only uploaded a few videos onto Youtube.
ReplyDeleteI started with a podcast, so I had used the mic before I was recording vids 😉. It was the image part I found intimidating. As I mentioned, you don't have to have a mic, but it does improve the sound quality a lot, especially for people listening with headphones, at least with my phone.
DeleteI have seen those circular lamps meant for recording youtube videos. Had no idea that so much work went on in the sound zone. Interesting
ReplyDeletehttps://pagesfromjayashree.blogspot.com/2022/04/murukku-and-manchurian.html
I have a ring light - it is very useful.
DeleteThe sound doesn't have to be complicated, just record and edit on the phone, but it really does improve when an external mic is involved.
If I ever go more formal, this is great info. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteBeth
https://bethlapinsatozblog.wordpress.com/
My whole AtoZ was inspired by a friend who asked my advice on YouTubeing, so I hope it can help people, even though I am still learning myself. I honestly only figured out about the microphone last week - doh!
DeleteAlas, I'm not a YouTuber nor do I make content for TikTok. However, I have watched a few MasterClass episodes given by the top video game streamer. His suggestion was to start out with basic tools, then as you learn more about your craft, you'll know what tools you'll need to create better content.
ReplyDelete⮞ AnjelaCurtis.com
That is very good advice. That's what I did when I started my podcast and experimented until I found what worked for me. It's also a good way to go to make sure you really want to keep going. No point in spending lots of dosh if it's not going to go anywhere.
DeleteHave to say, my new mic, is head and shoulders above any I have used before though.😂
Wow.. this takes so much effort!
ReplyDeleteKudos to you!!!
Hopping in from the A-Z community,
Dream
https://thedreamgirlwrites.wordpress.com/a-z-2022/
Thank you <3
DeleteSounds a bit like what you need for podcasting :-)
ReplyDeleteRonel visiting for the A-Z Challenge My Languishing TBR: M
Indeed, it is, except for the addition of something to film, although some podcasters do that too, these days.
Delete