What gear to get for your specific online offerings

by | Apr 13, 2020 | Posts for Educators, Recommended Products

As an event producer, workshop facilitator, and yoga teacher, I was totally unprepared and taken completely by surprise when COVID-19 turned the world upside and forced us all online.

I was then completely overwhelmed by the world of audio-visual equipment. I posted on countless forums and groups looking for help, only to find out that I was not alone in my struggles.

I then went down the rabbit hole of research and purchased many of the recommended products, only to return almost all of them after finding out it simply did not meet my needs or did not work as promised.

Another frustrating thing I found was websites just offering too many products, like “The 10 best cameras for v-loggers.” You do not need 10 cameras, you need ONE.

So I thought I’d summarize my research here, including links for 1-3 (in the case of huge price ranges) products that should meet your needs.

I will also continually update this post as new information comes in. Feel free to comment below with that has worked for you.

First Consider: Using What You Have

First off, consider if what you have is already sufficient. Most of you reading this post probably already have a smartphone, laptop, and some sort of headphone or earbuds for listening to music.

Lots of yoga teachers on Zoom are choosing to film their classes with their laptop, while keeping their phone close to their mat to catch the audio. Others are using the earbuds they already have, (like the Samsung Galaxy Buds).

In this day and age, the public is a lot more lenient when it comes to production value (just look at talk show hosts and SNL filming from home).

Also, realize that even if you do get a fancy camera or microphone, it will only be slightly better that what you most likely have on your smartphone and laptop. Most laptop webcams for example have a resolution of 720p, vs just a small increase to 1080p for a more expensive, external webcam. Higher resolution inputs will most likely be reduced anyway to account for slower internet connections, but definitely do consider it if you are recording it for later. Also, there’s no point in getting a $1000 piece of equipment if you don’t know how to use it (see 10 Tips to Sound Good on a Podcast).

But since you clicked on this article, let us see what we might improve our offerings:

For Yoga / Fitness / Dance Instructors: Get a Headset Microphone

If you’re going to be jumping around, moving around a lot, facing away from your camera or audio source, you’re going to want what is known as a headset, earset, or Madonna microphone. I’ve tried lapel microphones and there is just too much movement for them. Get one that either plugs into your phone or the USB directly into your computer (I recommend avoiding 1/8″ headphone connections, they can cause too much trouble).

What to get:

For Interactive Zoom / Skype / Google Hangouts Calls: Get a Bluetooth Headset

If you’re going to have more conversations and questions with your students/guests, then your going to want to get a Bluetooth headset.

What to get:

For Training Videos: Get a Webcam

If you’re going to do a training video, it will greatly help to have high quality video, while also remain unencumbered by cords and other devices. In that case an integrated webcam + audio input is the way to go.

What to get:

For V-loggers: Get a Shotgun Microphone OR Lapel Microphone

If you are going to be simply sitting still and talking to a camera, then a shotgun microphone or label microphone will do.

What to get:

For Voiceovers / Streamers / Podcasters: Get a Condenser Microphone

If you want your voice to sound as good as possible, you’ll need a standalone microphone that does just that. (You might also search around for pop-filters and external shock mounts, but they aren’t absolutely necessary)

What to get:

For Lighting: Get a Ring Light

Lastly, if you want to look as good as possible, you’ll want to invest in a ring light.

What to get:

Hopefully, that helps. Do you use a different product that you love that’s not listed here?