Need some home video advice?
Before you whip out your phone and start shooting, we’ve partnered with Ted’s Cameras to compile a handy guide to get you acquainted with all the best cameras, microphones and lights for streaming, as well as a few nifty tips to help you wrap your head around how to live stream a concert from home.
1. Use the right camera
These days, you are spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing the best camera for streaming, with almost every modern device providing you with high-resolution video capture.
DSLR and Mirrorless cameras are the best choices, with their combination of excellent capture quality and compatibility to a multitude of accessory options making them the best cameras for YouTube live streaming.
While good streaming cameras can be found in abundance today, there are a few key things that you need to check for when considering a camera for streaming to make sure it captures your live performance in all its glory. Your live concert camera should include the following:
- Tripod mountable – keeps your camera still and sturdy
- Tilting LCD screen – great for framing your shots from in front of the camera
- Hotshoe/accessory shoe – easily mount additional accessories
- External mic input – saves you from relying on sub-par built-in mics
If your performance is going to be live-streamed as opposed to uploaded at a later date, you will need to make sure that your camera is capable. Some camera manufacturers, including Canon, are now providing software options and extra accessories that allow you to set up your digital camera as a webcam, which makes it capable of video calls and meetings, and of course live concerts!
2. Set your camera on a tripod
It’s a tried and true solution, but a tripod is still the easiest way to achieve the best possible view of your concert and ensuring your camera stays still in that one place. On a tripod, your camera will be steady and secure, and as opposed to when your camera is being handheld by a friend or family member, your footage will always be still and shake-free.
Phone users are not ignored in this department, with many grips and mounts available that allow you to attach your phone to a multitude of places, including a standard or mini tripod, or a Gorillapod, so it can be wrapped around a microphone stand or similar object – talk about front-row seats!
3. Use external microphones
In most cases, the built-in microphone of your camera is suitable for capturing off-hand home movies and family moments. However, when capturing high-quality audio for musical performances, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got the best microphone for streaming, which often requires the purchase of an external microphone.
Depending on the number of performers and instruments that you’re recording simultaneously, the needs of your microphone will differ. A stereo microphone is a good option for capturing a complete sound if there are multiple instruments or performers, while a more directional type of microphone is best if you are only capturing one instrument or performer – this option will cut down on any background noise and focus its attention solely on the sounds coming from the instrument, as well as making for a great microphone for singing.
If you are serious about capturing the best possible audio quality of your performance, you can consider using multiple microphones to capture separate instruments and performers. This option will require you to purchase a separate audio mixer, which you can then connect to your camera.
4. Use an external lighting kit
Setting up your live concert in your dark and dreary bedroom will automatically reduce the impact of your at-home concert. This will quickly remind your viewers how far away they are from attending real concerts in person, and to avoid this, you’ll want to invest in the best video lights for YouTube performances.
By using a portable LED lighting kit you can ensure that you are well-exposed and everything can be seen clearly, with these kits being the best affordable lights for video streaming.
Whether you are embracing the at-home feeling of your stream, or you are setting up a mock-stage of some description, you should still pay careful attention as to what is within your frame. Some general tidying is necessary, and while you are at it, try and keep the dirty laundry and dishes out of the shot!
Made in partnership with Ted’s Cameras.
