GoPro portable cameras are so popular that the GoPro look has become an aesthetic on YouTube, but they’re not the only company. For example, the Zoom Q2n ($190) is a great little 4K video recorder that’s not expensive, and you can easily put it on a selfie stick or stand and take it with you.
Finally, if you’re recording in your own room or office, you can probably still use a webcam, as long as it’s a good one. Logitech’s Brio set the standard for 4K webcams in much the same way that its predecessor, the Logitech C922, did for HD video. These are best used for overlays on Twitch streams (you don’t need that high a resolution so you can fudge them a bit). But if you’re on a budget, a good webcam and some decent lights can do wonders.
Make a plan for handling audio
We have a full guide on how to upgrade your home recording studio, but if you’re planning to shoot video, you’ll also want to think about audio quality. For starters, the best audio interface for you may vary if you plan to change recording locations.
While most home audio recording setups will use an audio interface on your desk, a portable interface like the Zoom H6 ($280) (which I use) gives you the freedom to use whatever mic you want without being tethered to a desk. It can record audio directly to the SD card, but can also output audio to the camera’s input. Using this method can be tricky, but if you get it working you can sometimes save yourself the hassle of syncing the audio in post. If not, you’ll always be doing regular recording on a portable recorder.
You also need to consider how to manage noise in your shots. If you record in the same place in your home every time, sound-absorbing foam paneling can be a handy way to dampen echoes. While they’re not the cheapest option, I use these panels from Dekiru because they come in a variety of colors and can double as some tasteful decor.
For mobile recording, you’ll need good microphones to isolate sound (check out our full audio guide for more), but good headphones come in handy too. These wireless (with wired option) Audio-Technica headphones (9/10, WIRED Recommends) are great for monitoring your audio while filming, so you don’t come home to find the wind or a passing truck ruining your conversation.
View (or record) your footage with an external monitor
If you shoot solo or have complex setups, just looking at the display on your camera may not be enough to understand what you’re shooting for. That’s where an external monitor ($115) can come in handy. If your camera supports HDMI output, you can output live video to a small monitor to make sure everything works.It might seem silly to buy an external monitor for your camera, but you’ll thank yourself when you get out-of-focus photos forward You record instead of after.
Some monitors also allow you to record the camera’s video output, relieving you of the most laborious part of the recording process. If your DSLR is prone to overheating, recording on an external monitor will sometimes allow it to run longer, which can save you a lot of time during the recording process. Keep in mind that some cameras add overlays to their video output (including things like battery level and camera info), so make sure to turn them off before you accidentally include them as part of your recorded video.
Give yourself plenty of storage space on your editing machine
One trick I like to use when making videos is to shoot in 4K even though I’m editing in 1080p. This allows me to crop or reframe shots in post without the pixelated, choppy look. Inadequacies? That means every video I shoot—even if it ends up being 1080p—is shot in data-guzzling 4K. Just for this technology alone, data usage has increased significantly. So I suggest buying more hard drives.
A traditional HDD will give you a lot of space at a relatively low cost. However, it’s also a good idea to use an SSD, at least for the system drive where all your editing applications are stored. SSDs load data much faster, and if you plan to edit 4K footage, you need as much speed as possible (or learn how to make proxy files). Even better if you can get an SSD for the project you’re currently editing and an HDD for archiving footage.
Also, you might consider using high speed storage for recording. When using Blackmagic cameras – recording bandwidth-melting 6K log footage – I use a Samsung T7 for the highest resolution, or surprisingly, this Samsung USB-C stick ($50) (for some smaller resolution). Both make it easy to record footage from the camera and then plug directly into my editing machine for quick file transfers or editing.
