Purchasing your Own Equipment
Owning your own equipment can give you more control over the use and your specific needs. You can ensure your students always have access to high-quality, multimedia learning through the latest technology. Furthermore, It can also help to eliminate any equipment availability issues and reduce dependence on shared equipment or equipment rental. We believe that investing in equipment can be a valuable investment in the education of your students.
If you want to be as effective in the online environment as you are in the real classroom, you’re going to need the right tools for the job. This list should help you start gathering all the equipment you need for producing your own video content.
The equipment is sorted by section and then by lowest to the highest price point. However, it’s good to keep in mind that price doesn’t always equal better quality equipment.
Not all of this equipment is required, the minimum equipment needed is a laptop or desktop, however, we recommend these few essentials to begin production on your own.
Fifine Studio Condenser USB Mic
This microphone uses a USB plug that can allow for easy setup into your computer. It also comes with a stand to attach to your desktop and a pop filter to help eliminate harsh vocal noises
This microphone comes with a small stand. It also uses a USB to easily plug into your computer. It’s a higher quality microphone and has features to keep your audio crisp.
This microphone also uses a USB plug that can allow for easy setup into your computer. It is a more professional type of microphone, so it comes with a variety of pattern selections (meaning it will pick up audio from a variety of directions depending on what you choose). It also comes with a gain control knob, mute button, and headphone output. It is definitely a microphone for the more advanced user.
Rode NT-USB Versatile Cardioid Condenser Microphone
Like all of the other microphones, it uses a USB connection to your computer. It also comes with a tripod stand, pop filter, and storage pouch. This mic also features a headphone jack. It is an incredibly sensitive mic and will provide some of the crispest audio, as well as be able to pick up a wide range of sound from a distance.
For those wanting to do some serious audio recording, we suggest this microphone. The most common and frequently used professional studio production mic. A very good mic for vocals and vocal articulation. Durable and designed for broadcasting, podcasting, and music. This is a very versatile microphone.
Rode SmartLav+ Lavalier Microphone
This microphone attaches directly to your clothing and plugs into your smartphone via an audio jack. (If you have the newest version of an iPhone we recommend you also make sure you have a Lighting to Headphone Jack adapter) This microphone is best used if you are moving in front of the camera or filming outside.
This pop filter serves as an additional layer of noise cancelation. It serves to reduce or eliminate popping sounds caused by fast-moving air on the microphone during recorded speech. This filter can help reduce audio editing in post-production!
10″ Ring Light with Tripod Stand and Phone Holder
This Ring Light is one of the most basic forms of light you could use for your videos. The pros of this light are the built-in tripod and phone stand, allowing this light to be easily used for your phone videos or for any Zoom/Online videos as well as the price point. However, the cons of this light are that it’s a pretty rudimentary light and will only light you from the front. If you wear glasses the ring of the light will show up in the lenses. We recommend this light for lighting your Zoom calls and basic on-the-go videos.
This Ring Light kit is a step up from the previous ring light. This Ring Light is a bigger size and comes with a tripod. This size is perfect for if you are recording yourself standing or in front of the board. It also comes with color filters, to change the lighting color, as well as a dimmable feature to change the brightness of the light. However, it does have to be plugged into an outlet, so you may need an extension cord. We recommend using this light if you are getting more serious about filming your videos, and are filming in locations other than your desk. (Because of the nature of the Ring Light, the same precautions apply as the previous ring light).
LimoStudio LED Barn Door Light Panels
This lighting kit comes with two barn door LED lights with tripod stands. They are able to dim. For a more professional set of lights, we recommend these. This light kit will help you easily set up your 3-point lighting for your subject. The square shape of the light will illuminate the entire subject. We recommend these for your more professional style videos, such as recording a class, an interview, or a roundtable discussion.
Neewer Lighting Kit with Softbox diffusers, Umbrellas, and Green-screen background
This lighting kit is an all-together package of everything someone who wants to seriously pursue filming and recording their own professional-looking videos needs. It comes with 3 different colored muslins to use as a background (including one green screen) as well as the background support system to set the muslin up. It also comes with 4 lights with stands with two umbrella diffusers and two box diffusers. At the most expensive price point, it has the most lighting to offer. This type of lighting will be similar to what you would see in a film or photography studio. We recommend this lighting kit only to those who are extremely serious about recording their own videos, because not only does this kit require some know-how to set up, it also requires a lot of space.
Nothing kills a video like poor audio quality. In order to help block external noise from entering a room or to help prevent an echo, we recommend using soundproofing material. This first type of foam is really basic and is the thinnest type. It does come in a variety of colors, which is a bonus and can be easily installed with Double Sided tape. It’s perfect to use in a small space that you may be filming in.
Sound Absorbing Studio Foam Panels
This type of studio foam is obviously of a different design and maybe more recognizable as that stuff musicians put on the walls in a recording studio. This type of foam comes in a variety of panels and sizes and is thicker than the previous. We recommend this foam for those who are creating a studio and expecting to keep this foam up for a while or forever.
Beyerdynamic DT 240 PRO monitoring headphones
The compact over-ear design makes the DT 240 PRO the perfect companion for on the go and offers true studio performance in every environment. High ambient noise isolation and minimum spill-over effects make the DT 240 PRO the optimum headphone for mobile monitor applications in loud environments: Eliminate distractions and don’t distract others.
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro Circumaural Headphones
The HD 280 Pro Circumaural Closed-Back Monitor Headphones from Sennheiser feature a collapsible design that allows for easy transportation and on-the-go listening. They have a high rate of noise cancelation. The thick, padded leatherette earcups and adjustable padded headband allow for a precise and comfortable fit during extended periods of studio recording and mixing.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Headphones
Circumaural design contours around the ears for excellent sound isolation in loud environments. 90° swiveling earcups for easy, one-ear monitoring, and collapsible for space-saving portability. These headphones also come with accessories including three detachable cables (1.2 m – 3.0 m coiled cable, 3.0 m straight cable and 1.2 m straight cable); protective carrying pouch; and 6.3 mm (1/4″) adapter. These headphones also come in different colors!
Sennheiser Pro Audio HD 300 PRO
For those looking to upgrade their headphones to the top professional quality, we suggest these Sennheiser headphones. Its linear frequency response provides a neutral, high-resolution sound. The HD 300 PRO series achieves a phenomenal depth of detail which it reproduces – even at maximum volumes – in a crystal clear manner without distortions. The ear cups are foldable for on-the-go use. They feature maximum ambient noise attenuation and shielding.
Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive Portable
This Seagate Portable external hard drive is a good mix of durability and high performance for video editing. It’s actually the one type of hard drive that we use most for video editing in the Office of Online Education. It’s available in both less and more space. It will work for both Macs and PCs. It requires no software and is easily connected by a USB cable. However, some may find that 2TB of storage is not enough.
LaCie Rugged USB-C 4TB External Hard Drive
This hard drive is one of the most durable external drives on the market and is our choice for on-the-go video editing. Its exterior casing will survive most drops and bumps. It’s easy to use, however, the read/writing speeds are a little slow.
G-Technology 1TB G-DRIVE Mobile Pro SSD
This SSD has some of the fastest read/write speeds that allow for easy transferring of HD video. It comes in a variety of storage types. The drive is also quite robust and shock-resistant. It will also not take up too much space in your office (or backpack).
SanDisk 2TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD
Our top choice (and the most expensive choice) is this SanDisk Extreme SSD. This is the SSD for those seriously looking to transfer huge files of data and huge video files. SanDisk has a great reputation for robust and high-quality portable SSDs. It has exceptional transfer rates. It also comes with a 5-year warranty. It has universal compatibility and is lightweight and pocket-sized. It is also water and just resistant.
This webcam is definitely the best for those with a tight budget. It offers superb image quality and performance at a low price. It offers a 1080p recording quality as well as 360-degree rotation with the handy mount that serves as a tripod. It also features autofocus and a mic that provides a good source of audio. It’s very simple and easy to use.
Logitech C922 Pro Stream Webcam
This Webcam is the best overall webcam for all your video needs. It has a top-quality 1080p resolution sensor, meaning you get high-quality videos and an easy-to-mount camera. It also has a background removal tool, that allows you to remove your background for privacy. The camera also works great in low-lighting with its auto-adjusting light features.
Razer Kiyo built-in light and webcam
This webcam is unique in that it features a built-in LED light ring. If you are trying to save on your budget and purchases a camera and a light at the same time this is perfect for you! It has a 1080p quality resolution and the mounting process is simple. It lacks some of the extra features that other models have, but it does a good job capturing footage and audio to make up for it.
This webcam is unique and a bit different than the others on this list. It’s wireless and uses WIFI and is battery-powered, allowing the camera to be used from a smartphone, laptop, or tablet, from any location. This makes this device perfect for live streaming a class, an experiment on location, or for use outside! It makes your classroom recording not just limit you to in front of your computer screen. The webcam comes with a built-in thread for a mic or tripod stand (not included), and charges via USB-C. It will allow you to live to stream your recording or use its microSD slot to record locally. The battery lasts for six hours and the whole camera is small enough to fit into your pocket, making your lessons free to be experienced anywhere you dare to venture.