![[New] 5 Critical Equipment Items to Start Your Channel Right for 2024](https://thmb.techidaily.com/16d13254afac9149dce0a2e443b3fbb7f20249bb61b5f6680c7797d944c293aa.jpg)
[New] 5 Critical Equipment Items to Start Your Channel Right for 2024
![](/images/site-logo.png)
5 Critical Equipment Items to Start Your Channel Right
Essential YouTube Equipment For Starting Your Channel - What Do You Really Need?
Richard Bennett
Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions
Check out our most updated guide on this topic: YouTube Equipment Starter Guide For Beginners .
The first thing to make sure of before starting a YouTube channel is having all that you need to record and upload high-quality videos regularly. That doesn’t mean you have to take out a loan and spend thousands to purchase a brand new camera and all other gadgets that professional filmmakers use.
The smartest way to get started is to go through a list of necessary equipment for YouTube and check whether or not you already own some of it. Once your channel starts growing, you can then start thinking about whether you want to invest in upgraded equipment. Here is a quick overview of all items that you need to start entertaining your online audience and gaining subscribers to your YouTube channel:
- Your YouTube Camera
- Microphones and Audio
- Lighting Gear for YouTube
- Tripods and Camera Stands
- Smartphone Camera Gear
YouTube Cameras
The short version: Use whatever you already have, even if it’s your phone or webcam. It’s nice to have sharp, fine-tuned, 4K footage, but viewers will forgive lower visual quality if your content is good.
The long version: You will need a camera, but there are a lot of different devices you can use including DSLRs, point and shoots, webcams, and your smartphone.
Your choice of camera will have a tremendous impact on the visual quality of your content and might drive your decisions regarding other pieces of equipment. However, you shouldn’t feel obliged to work with a top-notch camera from day one, especially since cheaper options can produce great results if used the right way.
On one end of the spectrum, you have basic smartphone cameras and web cameras, which are easy to come by and simple to operate. These days, high-end phones come equipped with quite powerful cameras that are more than sufficient for the needs of the average YouTuber. Better webcams can also do the job, although high-performance webcam models can get pretty expensive too. It is probably wise to resist the urge to start broadcasting with the built-in camera in your laptop and at least get a webcam or use your phone, but your computer’s camera is still always an option. Not having a better camera should never stop you from making YouTube videos.
If you already have a DSLR camera then it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with it. You have far more freedom to adjust the settings and achieve a professional look for your videos with a DSLR, but that does mean it’ll take some time to become an expert at using it. Ultra-high resolution is not required for YouTube, but it certainly won’t hurt to have additional sharpness and more detail in the scene. If you’re shopping for a DSLR, look for one with a flip screen that allows you to quickly check what your viewers see.
YouTube Microphone and Audio
The short version: Audio quality is extremely important. If you can buy either a new camera or an external microphone, but not both, it might be better to go for the microphone. Click here for advice on upping your audio quality without an external microphone.
The long version: Sound capturing is every bit as important for your success as your video feed. In fact, poor audio can be even more damaging to your subscriber count than grainy video, since people won’t spend their time listening to something they have to put effort into understanding.
Again, most YouTube video makers have a limited budget at their disposal, so professional microphones are mostly off the table. However, investing in a directional microphone (‘shotgun mic’) that can pick up your voice clearly and without background noise is certainly a smart move. Such microphones can be pointed towards you while you speak, and since most YouTubers sit still while doing their shows there won’t be too much need for in-session adjustments.
If you’re not ready to invest in a shotgun mic, you can also find very inexpensive (often under $20) LAV mics. These small microphones can be pinned to your shirt, which allows them to record very clear dialogue because they’re so close to your mouth.
Lights for YouTube
The short version: You need as much light as you can get. Lighting kits can be affordable on Amazon, but you can also achieve a great look using daylight/windows and ‘daylight’ lightbulbs.
The long version: If you’ve ever tried to make a video indoors, you already know that it’s necessary to have additional light. Often just filming with the normal lights in a room will cause your footage to look dark and grainy, and possibly be tinted orange. To overcome these problems you need to increase the amount of light you have available.
Sometimes, it is enough to film near windows and/or bring more household lamps into your filming area. For any household lamps or lighting fixtures you use, make sure to put in white or ‘daylight’ lightbulbs instead of using the orange/tungsten bulbs that you might have for everyday use (this is how you avoid tinting things orange).
If you have the budget available to get some lighting equipment, you can find softbox lights or LED panel lights available fairly inexpensively online. Softbox lights are great because they provide even, diffused, light.
Another useful piece of lighting equipment to have is a reflector. A reflector is usually a piece of white, silver, or gold fabric stretched over a frame. You can use it to bounce light from one light source back towards yourself (this is a great way to fill shadows cast by your main light). Reflectors tend to be inexpensive, but you can also use white cardboard or tinfoil in place of purchasing a reflector.
Tripods and Camera Stands
The short version: You need something to hold your camera. If you mostly film in your own home that can be a desk or a stack of books, but if you make a lot of videos while you’re on the go you probably need a tripod or gimbal. Heavier cameras need heavier tripods.
The long version: While handheld cameras can deliver solid results for vloggers and casual streamers, viewers do expect reasonably stable footage. For many types of videos, the camera needs to be completely still and flatly positioned on a horizontal plane. Tripods and camera stands can cost very little, so it’s a good idea to look into getting some kind of stabilizer.
When you are choosing a tripod, pay attention to how much it weighs. If the camera that needs to be mounted on it is very heavy (like some DSLR models), you want to ensure that the structure itself weighs enough not to be easily tipped over. Too thin tripods can put your camera at risk, and that’s the last thing you want. Smaller cameras such as GoPros are more flexible in this regard and can be placed on a wider range of tripods.
Even if you are using a phone or a webcam to record YouTube videos, you should consider mounting the device on a stable stand. It is possible to find mini tripods ideal for smartphones for as little as $10. These tripods are small enough to carry in your pocket, so you will be prepared to start making a video no matter where your adventures take you. If you are using a web camera, you should attach it to the stand so that it won’t move accidentally after you touch the surface it is placed on.
Smartphone Camera Gear
The short version: There’s a lot of gear out there designed with smartphone photos and videos in mind, including clip-on lenses, tripod mounts, phone-mounted LED lights, and inexpensive microphones that plug into the audio jack.
The long version: Recording your videos with a mobile phone can be a good decision. It all depends on the phone you have and the range of add-ons and apps that you complement it with. Almost every high-end model released in the past five years can shoot videos in 1080p or higher. Some can even produce 4K footage. If you perfect your smartphone filming technique, your YouTube videos could look as if they were made with pro equipment.
On the flip side, smartphone cameras typically perform poorly in low light. It is possible to download an app that lets you play around with settings to overcome this, but a phone-mounted LED light is probably a better solution. An external microphone might also be a necessity, but there are some good (inexpensive) options that can simply be plugged in through the headphone jack.
Another common downside of smartphone cameras is that most of them use digital zoom, which is vastly inferior to optical zoom. If you intend to shoot anything that’s further away than a few feet, you need a clip-on lens that goes on top of the built-in camera. This inexpensive device will give you a lot of freedom to work in space, and allow you to make spectacular shots even without high-end YouTube equipment.
Equipment with Easy-to-Use Video Editor
Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Richard Bennett
Also read:
- [Updated] Simplified Playlist Crafting for YouTube Fans on Desktop & Mobile Devices
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Best Practices for Video Thumbnail Creation in the Digital Age
- [New] The Ultimate Tutorial on Editing YouTube Videos
- [New] 2024 Approved 5 Leading Tools for Crafting Superior Video Titles and Tags
- Elevate Creations - Get FREE High-Quality Templates Today, In 2024
- What's YouTube Creative Commons and How to Use It to Make Video for 2024
- [New] Insider Tips Maximizing YouTube Edits with FinalCut Pro
- Youtube Ascension From a Niche Channel to Million-Sub Haven for 2024
- Channel Name Wizardry Brainstorm & Create, In 2024
- [Updated] In 2024, Cultivating Patience with YouTube Disapproval
- [Updated] Examining the Income Mechanics of TSeries on YouTube for 2024
- The Ultimate Guide to YouTube to WebM Converter Apps for 2024
- [New] Direct Your Media Essential Flv-to-YouTube Applications Ranked for 2024
- [New] Best ASMR Apps for Android and iOS You Should Know for 2024
- [New] Learn How To Create Engaging Animation From Any Video
- [Updated] Tailoring Trending Topics to Endings
- [Updated] Audiovisual Experts' Choices The Ultimate Video Editing Gear for 2024
- [New] 2024 Approved Building a Bountiful Beauty Channel Fortune
- In 2024, How to Add Custom YouTube Shorts Thumbnails with Ease?
- [Updated] In 2024, Best 3D Software for Dynamic YouTube Intros
- [Updated] Best Free Video Editing Programs You Should Know for 2024
- Spotlight on Top 8 Authentic YouTube Growth Tactics for 2024
- [New] 2024 Approved Confirming YouTube Ad Revenue Accrual
- [Updated] Free End Credits Maker - The #1 Video Closers Guide!
- [Updated] Pro Gamer's Equipment Showcase Series
- [New] Charting a Course Through YT's Creative Space for 2024
- [Updated] In 2024, 10 Best Desktop & Online GIF Tools Ranked
- [New] 2024 Approved Beyond VidCon Top 50 YouTube Celebrations
- [Updated] Premier ASMR Software for iPhone & Android
- Virtual Battlegrounds A Million Moments in Gaming for 2024
- [New] 2024 Approved Charting Your Financial Course The 3-Step Methodology for Estimating YouTube Income
- [New] Innovating Your Approach A Compre Written by an Industry Expert on Effective YouTube Banner Strategies for Advertisers
- [New] In 2024, DIY Guide Screen Capture & Sound From YouTube
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Arena of Games 100+ Channel Spectrums Galore
- 2024 Approved YouTube Shorts Showing Up After Fix
- [New] Top 8 Gratis Video Cutting Tools For Online Content Creation
- [New] Monetizing Mastery A Triple Step Approach to Understanding YouTube Revenue
- [Updated] Deleted and Found Again Streaming YT’s Forgotten Videos for 2024
- [Updated] In 2024, Closing Your Vlog Right Top 6 Free YouTube Outro Tools
- [New] 2024 Approved Achieving YouTube Live Prominence with Pro-Level Tips
- [New] 2024 Approved Discovering the Stars of YouTube's Best Music Videos, 2023
- [New] Unlock Content Insights 7 Premier Free Tag Extraction Tools
- In 2024, Best Pokemons for PVP Matches in Pokemon Go For Samsung Galaxy S23 Tactical Edition | Dr.fone
- [New] Discovering the Significance of Blue Icons on FB Messaging App for 2024
- [Updated] In 2024, Streamlined Media Management on Chrome/Android/iOS for TikTok
- Why Your WhatsApp Location is Not Updating and How to Fix On Asus ROG Phone 7 | Dr.fone
- In 2024, How Long Is a Video at 20 Megabits?
- Craft a Chic Google Collage in Minutes, Not Hours for 2024
- ScreenShot Synopsis Study for 2024
- [Updated] Savvy OBS Arrangement for Economical PCs
- A Step-by-Step Guide on Using ADB and Fastboot to Remove FRP Lock on your Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Top 15 Windows 11 Tools for Video Capture
- 3 Ways to Change Location on Facebook Marketplace for Honor Magic 6 Lite | Dr.fone
- Mastering the Craft of Viral Social Media Marketing on TikTok for 2024
- Play Store Not Working On Nokia C22? 8 Solutions Inside | Dr.fone
- [Updated] Hack Your Webcam Efficient Recording Techniques
- 2024 Approved Replace Periscope Top 6 Mobile Video Applications
- 5 Easy Ways to Copy Contacts from Xiaomi Redmi 13C to iPhone 14 and 15 | Dr.fone
- New 2024 Approved Here Are the Ten Best Stop Motion Apps for iOS and Android Devices that Enable You to Create Awesome Stop Motion Animations
- Recover your messages after Xiaomi 13T Pro has been deleted
- How to Fix Error 495 While Download/Updating Android Apps On Samsung Galaxy A14 5G | Dr.fone
- Mastering Filmora Scrn A Beginners Guide to Desktop Recording for 2024
- 2024 Approved Film Set Harmony Exploring Every Members Critical Function in Movie-Making
- [Updated] Complete Screen Recorder - In-Depth AZ Reviewing
- In 2024, Customize Your Movie Intros with These Top-Rated Video Makers
- In 2024, Solving Sync Issues Between Cameras and OBS
- Updated Top 10 Waveform Generator Tools to Elevate Your Audio Game
- Updated Streamline Your Workflow The 6 Best Audio Converters
- Maximizing Yandex Translate in Video Translation and Beyond for 2024
- In 2024, How can I get more stardust in pokemon go On Honor 90 Pro? | Dr.fone
- Updated Top-Rated Gaming Intro Creators
- 4 Ways to Fix Android Blue Screen of Death On Lava Yuva 3 | Dr.fone
- Navigating the World of Digital Filters for Optimal Video Quality for 2024
- Comprehensive Solution for SRT Not Working in Premiere for 2024
- New In 2024, Instantaneous Windows Volume Enhancers Top 10 Products to Boost Sound in a Flash
- Dynamic Presentations How to Integrate Screens Into Online Spaces
- [Updated] 2024 Approved How to Live Stream 360 Videos on Facebook
- New 2024 Approved Unbiased Review The Best MP3 Converter Software for Mac Users
- 2024 Approved Elevate Your Broadcast Impact with These 5 Tips for Twitch Streamers
- Updated DaVinci Resolve Audio Processing 101 A Comprehensive Guide to Normalization for 2024
- In 2024, Can I Bypass a Forgotten Phone Password Of Vivo G2?
- Updated In 2024, Create Stunning Collages Best Web-Based Photo and Video Editors
- Title: [New] 5 Critical Equipment Items to Start Your Channel Right for 2024
- Author: Kenneth
- Created at : 2024-06-05 11:26:40
- Updated at : 2024-06-06 11:26:40
- Link: https://facebook-video-footage.techidaily.com/new-5-critical-equipment-items-to-start-your-channel-right-for-2024/
- License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.