Just in case you did not know, we do a lot of video and audio recording. In fact, with the two podcasts we currently produce along with video tutorials and webinars, one might say that most of our work is recording. That would be partly true. Every week I get at least one question asking me what we use to record and in this post, I aim to give an answer to that.
Our Hardware Equipment
It is tough to record without some hardware to capture you and your voice. Depending on what is being recorded, we use a few different setups.
Microphone for Internal Use
When recording the podcasts, tutorials and webinars, the main studio microphone is used. For this purpose, I have chosen to use a Rode Podcaster microphone. What makes it so good is that it is a mix between an XLR-ouput mic and a USB-headset. Simply put, it is a big mic meant to fit on a stand and in a shock mount, but with a USB-connection. Sound quality is really good and it looks pretty good on my desk too!
Microphone for External People
Sometimes there are guests on the podcasts or webinars and they need to sound good too! Most of the time our guests have their own USB-headset, but for those who have not we recommend or purchase for them, one of the latest Plantronics USB headsets. They are comfortable to have on, function well and output some great sound. Additionally, they do not break the bank and are quite cheap. Whenever I make a recording “on the road”, these are the series of headset that I use.
Video Camera
This is one area that we haven’t fully expanded. For recording videos at events (conferences, trade shows) we just use a little handy Kodak Zi8 camera with an attached external lavaliere mic that easily clips on.
USB Webcam
For the webinars it is important to good a high-resolution (HD-quality) video stream that looks good. For this, the choice has fallen upon the Creative Live HD webcam that has a 720p resolution and an OK quality, good for a webcam. The reason why the choice for the webinars is a webcam is that it is much simpler to set up and work with, compared to an external, dedicated video camera with a solid USB video feed, acting as a webcam.
The Software That Makes It All Happen
Even with all this hardware, the final movies would not happen if it wasn’t for a few key software bits.
ScreenFlow
All screen recording is done through this fantastic Mac application called ScreenFlow which supports recording both your screen, audio and webcam simultaneously or in any configuration. The beauty of this app is that you can do most of the editing required right in it, saving an extra exporting step. Another big benefit here is that you can do it quickly, with easy tools that achieve a good-looking effect. The look is key for the production.
Final Cut Express
Movies from events or other training movies not recorded through the computer directly also need to be edited. For this, Apple’s Final Cut Express does just a brilliant job. It feels much more like the full Final Cut Pro than the Adobe equivalent, Premiere Elements feels to Premiere. Plus, it does all that is required for us at this time.
Adobe Creative Suite
For all of our productions there is a certain amount of graphics work that needs to be done. Not to mention the fact that we mostly teach Adobe applications. This makes the Creative Suite from Adobe (always the latest version) a must have in the recording setup.
Tags: Adobe, Behind the Scenes, Bernskiold Media, Creative Suite, Equipment, Final Cut, Headset, Inside, Kodak Zi8, Microphone, Plantronics, Podcaster, Recording, Rode, Rode Podcaster, ScreenFlow, Video Camera, Webcam
Nice trip behind the scenes
Thanks Jesper (Tack)!