Video game streaming is quite the competitive market these days, but if you’ve found a way to gain a following, you might want some new gear to give yourself a more professional look. Fortunately for you, there are plenty of options when it comes to equipment for taking your gaming streams to the next level. If you want your production value to skyrocket, read on.
Upgraded Camera and Mic
At this point, you’re probably only using whatever camera and mic setup you had prior to starting your channel. If that’s the case, these two pieces of equipment are the first things you’ll want to upgrade. There are many high-quality webcams out there, but if you plan on using yours for more than simply showing your face in the corner of whatever game you’re playing, you’ll want to move up to either DSLR cameras or full-on camcorders.
Regardless of your plans for video, audio is incredibly crucial for streaming. You’ll want to buy a dedicated, top-notch microphone. USB options are decent, but if you want a crisp sound quality for your streams, you’ll need an XLR mic and an audio mixer to fully utilize it.
Professional Lighting
Even with the best camera on the market, it’s not going to do you any good if the current lighting in your gaming room is subpar. That’s why you need to invest in high-quality artificial lighting. Many desktop lighting options exist, but ring lights that go around your camera are an increasingly popular option, especially for phone users. Luckily, there are lighting setups made specifically for streaming, and some cameras even come with these lights built in.
Better Sound Control
In the same way that a good camera is nothing without proper lighting, a quality mic is practically worthless if you don’t have the appropriate gear to go with it. The first thing you should buy to improve your sound quality is either a pop filter or windscreen. Both will help stop the popping noises that occur when saying words with p’s or b’s in them.
After that, you’ll want to purchase some sound-absorbing foam for your walls. This investment is particularly important if you stream in an echoey room. Reverberating noises never sound good coming through your microphone.
Some Form of a Backdrop
The final piece of equipment for taking your gaming streams to the next level that you’ll need is some form of a backdrop. While seeing your room behind you isn’t the worst thing ever, streams look more professional when you cut out that aspect, especially if your room is often on the messier side.
Options such as green screens and cyc walls are perfect for this step. Just keep in mind that there is a difference between the two options. If all else fails, you can simply rotate your desk and face your back to a wall. While this arrangement might look awkward in your room, it’ll look great for everyone watching your stream.
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