We wanted to build a YouTube studio that would result in the content quality we wanted without spending any more money than necessary.

We took a walk through the process we followed. ..

Think About Your Content Type

If you want to make a tech-explainer video, you’ll need to consider what sort of content you want to create. This particular YouTube studio setup is designed for talking head type videos. If you want to create a video that explains technology in detail, then this setup is perfect for you.

The A-Roll footage will be the main footage of the clip, which is the presenter speaking into the camera. The B-Roll footage that support what’s being said will be filmed separately or pulled in from other sources.

We can use this same space to make some of the B-Roll, using a folding table as a place to demonstrate things. However, screen recordings or press footage will also be used, as well as scenes filmed outside.

When it comes to gear, it’s important to think about what style will work best for your own content. Unless you’re planning on doing exactly the same sort of content, you need to think carefully about how your own style will affect decisions about what gear to get and how to set it up.

Lighting!

There are a few things you can do to improve your lighting when shooting video. First, light your subject well. Second, use good lighting equipment to create the right light for your shot. Third, make sure your camera is set up properly so that you can capture the best possible footage.

To create a three-point lighting setup, you’ll need:

  1. A key light, which is used to light the subject.
  2. A back light, which is used to illuminate the subject’s face and body.
  3. A fill light, which is used to add depth and interest to the image.

The main light fixtures illuminate the subject from above, while the side lights provide a more even illumination. The final light is used to remove any shadows that may be created by the main light. ..

We had to adapt the lighting to our available space, which is rather cramped. Buying a normal three-point lighting kit may not be enough in a studio with limited space. ..

Chroma-keying can be a tricky process, but with the help of two additional bank lights, it would have been even more perfect. Unfortunately, space constraints made this impossible, but the end result was still very good. ..

The Andoer Photography set and the Yongnuo YN300 III were our main lighting kit for our photography shoot. The third light was used as a camera-mounted light to help us shoot outside of the studio space.

The Green Screen

Since we will never film anyone framed full-length, it would have been pointless to get a green screen with an “infinity drop.” ..

That screen is a pain to light, the maintenance is pretty awful too.

We found an Elgato green screen that works like a projector screen. We attached it to the wall and it now rolls down when needed. Our subject is completely surrounded by green when framed, so it worked out pretty well.

Audio Is Tricky

The challenge for YouTube creators is to get the audio right so that viewers will stick around and watch more. Poor audio can make a video seem unengaging, unprofessional, and even boring. To make sure your viewers stay interested, make sure your audio is clear, consistent, and punchy.

The acoustics of the room are a big part of the problem. You need to make sure that your microphone is in a good place so that it can pick up all the sound in the room.

We want to create a space where people can be themselves and have their conversations without fear of being overheard or having their conversations ruined.

The most important factor in reducing sound reflection is to use dense, soft materials in the room. This can be done by using couches, curtains, and other furniture. ..

Closets are a great place to record audio because they absorb sound, making your recordings sound dry and lifeless. You don’t want to go too far the other way, because it can make your recordings sound lifeless. In our case, we had a green screen at one end of the room, a wooden door at the other, and a carpet in between. ..

Reflectance was an issue between the two walls to the side. The solution we used was to hang two thick curtains on either side, out of shot. This cuts down on reflected sound.

We then used a wired lavalier microphone, which doesn’t pick up distant sound too strongly. You can of course use a microphone on a stand off-camera (or on camera, your choice), but keep in mind that each type of microphone has its own pros and cons. Boom microphones are also an option, but they do tend to pick up more room noise. ..

Camera & Teleprompter Setup

We used a smartphone-based teleprompter, combined with the Elegant Teleprompter app and an old smartphone we had lying around, to create a makeshift YouTube studio. Scripts are written in Google Docs and then imported directly into the teleprompter app. ..

The phone is then mounted onto the teleprompter, with the Canon 80D camera looking through the mirror. The 80D is an excellent all-round prosumer camera and is especially good for video, since it has autofocus and face detection. ..

The teleprompter comes with a variety of cameras, including a smartphone mount on the camera side. This means that with two smartphones you have a complete setup. Run the lavalier microphone to the smartphone that’s recording and you’re set.

The Final Product

The final product can be seen in the photo below. ..

The video editing applications mentioned here are all popular and have this function built in. This means that you can quickly and easily key out the background of your video without having to go through a lot of trouble.

We used Luma Fusion to edit a video of our daughter playing in the park.

This is the final YouTube studio setup. The main camera is on the left, and the secondary camera is on the right. The three microphones are in between the cameras, and they are all facing forward.

This budget home setup can produce videos that are more attention to detail-oriented and produce a more pleasant experience for your audience. By making small changes to the way you set up your home, you can make sure that your videos reflect this increased level of attention to detail.

These tools are just the starting point for creating great videos. You need to use other parts of the workflow to make sure your video is great, such as scripting, editing and the camera itself.

There are a few essential ingredients for creating great content on YouTube. First, be passionate about what you do. Second, have a clear vision for your video and make sure it’s well-conceived and engaging. And finally, make sure you have the resources to back up your ideas and produce high-quality videos.