5 Must-Have Tools for Professional Live Streaming
What are the 5 must have tools for professional live streaming? Microphone, Camera, Lighting, Encoder, and Streaming platform! Is that it? Well lets break it all down!
Microphone:
Clear audio is just as (if not more) important as clear video. Invest in a high-quality microphone to ensure your message is heard clearly. A good microphone will help you produce crisp and clear audio that will keep your viewers attention.
The microphone will sound exponentially better the closer it is to the source, so get that microphone as close as possible. There are essentially 3 main styles of microphones used for live streaming. The Lav is a microphone often warn on your shirt but tends to sacrifice sound quality for convenience or ease of use. A shotgun mic allows you to pickup sound at a slight distance, but is very focused or directional. Finally, there’s the large diaphragm microphone like the one I’m using here. These work best super close to the sound source (AKA my mouth!) and tend to appear in the shot for most live streamers.
The type of microphone you choose will ultimately shape the style you create for your live stream. If you’re not sure, I’d go with the large diaphragm microphone. That way you’re working with physics and it’ll sound the best!
Camera:
A high-quality camera is essential for professional live streaming. I know what you’re thinking, which camera should I buy? What specs do I need? We have a few links in the description to our top cameras and other gear we recommend, but here’s a few general rules; Look for a camera with a large sensor (Full frame or APSC) and the ability to output a clean HDMI or SDI feed into your encoder. A good camera will help you produce clear, high-quality video that will keep your viewers engaged. We cover cameras and all the other subjects in this video extensively on our youtube channel so check us out if you’d like to dive in deeper.
Lighting:
The lighting I have now is in 4 sections. The Key, Fill, Backlight, and background lights. Each part severs a different purpose. The key light illuminates my face and is the primary light. The fill light helps fill in the shadows a bit and helps make the light more even. The backlight helps separate me from the background and draws the viewers attention with a highlight around the back of my head. Finally, the background light adds color to the scene!
Good lighting can make a big difference in the quality of your live stream. Invest in a lighting setup that will properly illuminate your subject. This will help you produce clear, high-quality video that is a must have for live streaming.
Encoder:
An encoder converts video and audio into a streamable format. This encoder can be a stand alone unit or integrated into another piece of gear. Audio and video can be encoded separately, or in a single device depending on the equipment and setup you have.
Our recommended hardware is linked in the description below.
Streaming Platform:
The streaming platform broadcasts your live stream to your audience around the world! There are several platforms to choose from and we’ve used dozens of them over the years; Notified, Hoppin, Vimeo, Teams, and Zoom are some of the most popular for internal communication while Youtube, Facebook, Twitch and Linkedin live tend to be the most popular for external communication.
Bonus Tip
If you're nervous about live streaming, try practicing in front of a small audience first. This could be a group of friends or even just one other person. Doing this will help you get used to being in front of the camera and receiving feedback. Remember, everyone gets nervous sometimes. The more you practice, the easier it will become. Don't be discouraged if your first few live streams don't go exactly as planned. Keep practicing, and with the help of these must-have tools, you'll be sure to make a lasting impression on your audience.
