My production studio is downsized from that in the past to streamline my system and make it more user friendly for others to use.
I have been producing music and video for most of my life. My father gave me a reel-to-reel tape deck and an 8mm movie camera when I was a small child. I played with them, learned about the technology and even used them for school projects starting in the 8th grade! Those early days sparked a life-long interest that has and always will be one of my passions.
My skills have evolved over time, both as a hobby and professionally as a DJ, live-music engineer, recording and mixing engineer, producer and training video creator among others. And while the equipment and technology has changed drastically over the years, my passion and enjoyment in this industry has remained steadfast.
I have owned and used just about every audio and video recording medium that exists and can tell you from experience, that todays technology changes the game signifgantly. Even a beginner has access to advanced equipment that is both affordable, easy to use, and produces amazing results!
And with advanced streaming technologies, getting your productions into the marketplace for others to enjoy makes the entire process simpler, faster and more efficient.
The primary computer for my studio is a Samsung laptop that has been upgraded with a 1tb SSHD and a total of 12GB RAM. Although an older model, the solid state drive and the additional memory along with the Core I7 processor make it quite adequate to support the software and hardware I use. It is important to use a computer with a powerful graphics card when working with video and this computer has the capability needed. The Samsung 870 EVO drive is quite impressive, was easy to install and migrating the operating system from the old drive to the 870 was easy with the free Samsung software and a USB adapter I purchased with the drive. I highly recommend this SSHD if you are looking to upgrade a laptop or PC.
For audio recording / production, I chose a PreSonus Studio 24c USB Audio Interface for my studio. And although I’ve been using Pro Tools with my professional multi-track recording equipment for over 25 years, I was looking for something a little different for this setup. It seemed logical to use the software that came with the interface and I enjoy the challenge of learning new things! While the software included with the interface is adequate for most home studios, I chose to upgrade to PreSonus Studio One Professional via the PreSonus Sphere membership. Through this membership, my software stays up-to-date and there are lots of extras that are included. Check it out – PreSonus Studio One Sphere
The KRK Rokit 5 inch speaker are my choice for my desktop monitors. They sound great, are reasonably priced and look awesome! They are active speakers meaning the amplifier is built in which makes them quite versatile for studio use. The speakers sit on top of foam isolation pads, a necessary accessory for todays music laden with rich heavy lows.
Several years back I began using the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro headphones in both studio and live settings. Excellent audio reproduction, clarity and comfort were the key features I was looking for. They are still a popular choice for audio professionals worldwide and are my go to choice today.
My current microphones are older AKG Perception 400 condenser mics from a previous setup. I personally prefer the XLR units over a USB mics for added flexibility. For instance, rather than plugging directly into my audio interface, the microphones are connected to a small mixer on my desk and the main output of the mixer connects to the PreSonus interface. This allows me to quickly add inputs and set the levels from other external devices such as wireless microphones, line level music sources and instruments. And since these mics are some of the oldest pieces of equipment in my studio, I plan on upgrading them soon. Based on recent research and reviews, I plan un using the Shure SM7B for the upgrade.
Another studio necessity is a boom arm for the mic. It allows for perfect positioning during recording and broadcasting and can easily be swung out of the way when not in use. I like the IXTECH products as they are highly functional, heavy duty for my heavy microphones and have a sleek look with built in cable management. Attach a simple pop filter and you are good to go.
My primary studio camera is the Lumix G9 by Panasonic. I did a lot of research before making this purchase and decided it would be the best fit for my application. It’s an amazing mirrorless DSLR for the price that rivals my older Nikon professional camera setup. To shoot long video sessions, a DC coupler is required. They are quite inexpensive and essentially replace the battery with an AC adapter so battery life is a non-issue.
Video editing and production is done with Pinnacle Studio. I have been using Pinnacle for many years and find it feature rich and intuitive. I looked into several other video editing applications and decided it best to stick with something I was familiar with. The fact that I had dozens of videos already created in Pinnacle Studio, I also felt it would be easier to update them if desired. Photographs and graphics are managed with Adobe Photoshop and Canva. OBS Studio is used for livestreaming and video recording.
Getting the output of the Lumix G9 camera to the computer requires a capture card. They are available as an internal card for desktop computers and as an external USB device for laptops. I chose the ELGATO Cam Link 4k for this purpose. Although there are less expensive options out there, I like ELGATO products for various reasons. Excellent reviews, regular updates and strong support are key features.
Although most laptops today come with a fairly decent webcam, I think it’s important to have a dedicated camera for this purpose. For professional work, and even to look your best during Zoom meetings, a 4K webcam is the way to go. It can be positioned perfectly, especially if you are using a green screen background. I chose the Logitech Brio 4K for this application. I used many Logitech products over the years and find them to be good quality with a proper price point. Logitech stands by their products, offer excellent support and provide regular updates to keep their devices on par with changing technology. Having a second 4K input also allows me to change camera views on the fly during live sessions, a pretty cool feature to engage your audience.
I can’t say enough about the Stream Deck by Elgato. I use it to control lighting and power to the studio components, start my software, launch my websites and control cameras with associated software and more. Originally designed for gamers, this tool has evolved into a neat little box that quickly becomes the focal point of the studio.
The AKAI MPD Control Surface is used during audio production. It puts most of the software controls in Studio One right at my fingertips instead of the mouse and keyboard. My MPD26 is an older model from a previous project, however, the MPD226 fits the bill perfectly today.
My studio monitors are controlled by a Mackie Big Knob Control. Again, something pulled from the past, but I like having the volume control right at my fingertips, rather than fumbling for the mouse or a small knob during sessions. If I did not already own this control, I would have considered purchasing on of the Mackie units with a built in audio interface. They are loaded with features and are backed by a solid reputation. If I were just looking for a volume control for convenience, I would go with the simple passive control to the right.
Lighting is an important factor when setting up a studio, especially if you are doing live video shots while sitting or standing at your desk. Room lighting, sunlight and the blue light off your monitor will play havoc on faces, backgrounds and other images. A good set of key lights will enhance your work dramatically. I use the ELGATO Key Light Professional devices for my main lights positioned to the left and right of my desk. The main reason I chose them is the control features built into the Stream Deck. I can turn them on and off, brighten or dim and change the color of the white light on the fly. They are a high quality light and come with a heavy-duty telescopic pole and clamp system to fit most applications.