5 Smart Ways To Hack YouTube Vlogging Equipment (2021 Update)

There are way too many things to consider when starting a YouTube channel, and equipment is one of those things.

So, I decided to compile a set of the most essential gear you may need if you are (or thinking of) starting a YouTube career.

Let´s dive right in! 😄

1. The Background

You should start right here as the background is one of the four factors (coupled with your camera, sound, and lighting) that you have more control of.

Now, no matter what you choose to use as your background you want to keep in mind that it is NOT a minor thing to consider.

For example, choosing your office or room as part of your background can give a certain “feel” that may flatter your videos (and content) by giving a more authentic vibe to the viewer, or it might simply distract the audience with too much stuff going on behind you.

Seamless Paper

This IS the best option if you want to transform almost any environment into a professional looking studio instantly and create consistency throughout your videos.

The best thing about a seamless paper background is that you can easily set it up anywhere you want and get a great contrast (if you have enough light) so that your viewers focus on YOU and your message.

You can even alter between different backdrops in case you´re bored of using the same exact one, or you can place it in a different location if you think you´ll get more natural light that way.

It´s amazing how you can change the “feel” your videos have just by changing your backgrop:

Plus! They are super affordable and it´s one of the most effective ways to convey that you take your channel and videos seriously.

TIP! Using a slight vignette effect with a tint color in post-production helps to improve the way your video looks like if you use a one-color backdrop, and it takes (literally) 5 seconds.

The Office Background

You are already familirized with it, the office background (sometimes, the living room, bedroom, kitchen, etc, background) is the best solution you can think of in order to film from the comfort of your home but still get a more professional look in your shots.

As well as with the Seamless paper you can create really compelling videos if you make sure everything that´s IN the shot it´s meant to be there.

Therefore, when you are trying to figure out where should you put your camera or how to adjust the tripod to get a better video think of how could you rearrange furniture, change things of place, or simply put your camera elsewhere to use your background for the better.

TIP! Putting more distance between you and the background helps to create the blurry DOF (depth of field) effect most YouTubers tend to look for as it makes you look sharp and puts the focus on YOU.

Filming Outdoors

Probably the cheapest way, by far, to get a good, blurry background to create depth of field and a great source of light 100% natural and free.

You just need to learn a few things about your camera to get the most out of your footage, things like aperture, ISO, and shutter speed will dramatically improve the way you look on camera.

So, if you choose to film yourself outdoors, try to put as much distance from your background as possible, as I´ve said before, and be aware of sunlight (I´ll talk about this later) and how you can adjust your camera settings to take advantage of it.

For example, you can use an ND filter to block out some light if your shot looks overexposed or simply set your aperture to a higher number.

The price of a good ND filter can vary a bit but, for the most part, they pretty affordable, more so if you consider the benefits.

TIP! Another way to NOT worry as much of the background is, as I´ve said before, to get that sweet Bokeh effect (shallow depth of field) and blurry the background, you can do just that by investing in a 50 or more mm lens.

2. Your Sound Gear

If there´s one thing most YouTubers will agree on is this, people can forgive low quality videos if the content is good, but they won´t tolerate bad audio quality.

So, that being said, you NEED to get the best audio you can when recording your content.

Lapel Mic

One of the most effective, cheap, and easy options there is when it comes to improving your videos and overall content creation process.

There are tons of great options out there, and probably most of them work good enough, I personally use the Boya M-1, which is super affordable but still gets reliable audio quality when I shoot my videos.

One of the things that I like so much about this specific mic is that it has 6 meters of cable which is great whenever I put my camera at a long distance, for example, when I use a long lens to shoot a video.

On the other hand, you can simply DIY a lapel mic with your headphones!

Yep, by using the headphones that most smartphones have you can easily get better audio if you attach it somehow to your clothes.

You can easily hide the earplugs and just let the mic from your headphone near your mouth while you speak, and you´ll much better sound quality than if you´d rely on the external mic from your camera/phone, but more on that later.

A Shotgun Mic

The second, most popular option that many YouTubers choose is the shotgun mic.

It has a few cool advantages like the fact that you don´t need to actually hide it form the viewer in order to get some great crispy audio, it sounds a bit more “natural” than a lavalier mic, and they don´t require batteries to operate.

On the other hand, some of the things you should consider with shotgun mics is that they are more wind-sensitive and are very directional, meaning that if you move your mic from the original position you won´t get the sound of your voice.

The Boom Mic

Probably the ultimate way of sound recording you could ever get and learn to use to capture crisp professional audio in (almost) any sort of environment you could think of.

I don´t personally use a boom mic but they are really good for shooting interviews or trying to capture the best possible sound from ANY sort of environment.

Audio Syncing & DIY Mic

One of the cheapest ways to improve your audio instantly and make your sound much better is to record your audio separately from your video and then sync it in post production.

If you don´t have ANY sort of equipment to record your audio you can simply use your phone and record your voice by puttinh the microphone very close to your mouth, you´ll be surprised at the quality you can get from a smartphone.

Then, by clapping once at the beginning of every recording, you can easily sync the audio with built-in features most softwares now have.

Plus! If you apply some noise reduction and other simple tricks in post you´ll get a clearer, more crisp audio once you´re done editing your video.

On the other hand, you can directly DIY your mic by using your smartphone headphones and cutting off the earplug that you won´t need to use, attach the mic to your shirt and get after it!

I mean, there are tons of great tutorials that show you exactly how to do this:

Here´s the Link for that particular tutorial.

Just go ahead and check them out, it is something worth doing as it will improve your audio quality a lot more than simply recording your voice straight from the external mic of your camera/phone.

3. Cheap Lighting Set Up

If there´s something that can improve your footage instantly is lighting, for sure.

Whether that you use a professional lighting set up or you grab your small night lamp you can (almost) never have enough light.

You could go super professional with this as there are a number of techniques you can apply to your background and overall lighting room, light temperature, and so on and so forth.

“You can (almost) never have too much light” – Sean Cannell (Think Media YouTube Channel)

Natural Light Mastery

If you are just getting started with your YouTube channel then you might want to consider using as much natural light as possible and do it in an effective way to get better footage.

In fact.

Sunlight is the most powerful and flattering way of lighting a scene, as it is at 5600 Kelvin (approx) which is a neutral color of light that helps to improve your look, gives sharpness to the subject, and makes easier the post-production process (in case you want to color grade for example).

That´s why knowing what time of day you can shoot, and try to stand near a window, how you place your camera, and things like that, matter so much.

So, here are few things you can do:

The Golden Hour. This one is well known by filmmakers and cinematographers, which refers to the hour leading up to sunset (or an hour after sunrise). There´s not much to be said here, it simply makes everything look beautiful as it´s at a “perfect” color temperature for most indoor shots.

It is such an important “tool” for many photographers that there is a website that helps you calculate the golden hour on your current location!

Here it is: The Golden Hour Calculator.

Use Reflectors. Another thing you can do is try to manipulate natural light by using reflectors to change the direction of the light that enters the shot. Whether you use a homemade version or you buy one it is always a good idea if you want to change how natural light affects your footage.
Right Camera Placement. Last but not least, be aware of exactly where you place your camera. For example, if the room where you are shooting at has windows it´s usually a bad idea to shoot towards them as it´ll lead to overexposure, instead place the camera adjacent to the window — to get more of a sidelight. This provides natural lighting from the window and avoids a blow-out.

The DIY Softbox

If you know something about lighting you may have heard of about softboxes, the simplest and probably most effective way to lighten up a scene and/or subject.

The best part?

You can easily DIY one if you take the time to learn exactly how.

Here´s a good video you might want to check out:

There are a lot of great examples like these you can easily find online although this one is great and I can say I´ve tried myself and it really does make my videos look way more professional.

Now, if you came here trying to find GOOD amazon recommendations for your lighting set up then keep reading.

Amazon Recommendations

Now, if you were looking for some recommendations for good vlogging gear and you are willing to spend a few bucks then head over to my most recommended items.

I have a full list of great itmes you might want to check out before you decide, ONLY the things I´ve used and that actually work for me on the past few years of filming.

4. Almost Any Camera Will Do!

YouTube itself has said that to create great content for the platform you don´t even need a super fancy camera to get started.

Nevertheless, THIS is where most people get stuck and spend tons of time thinking of.

You might want to check out the Creator Academy catalog, and go to “create great content”:

There you´ll find a simple yet effective video that shows you how you can use your phone to shoot a high-quality piece of content, plus there are tons of other great tutorials from professional videographers that can answer most (if not all) of your questions.

We are in the era of upgrades and if you have a phone then chances are that its built-in camera is better than what some “professional” cameras not so long ago had to offer.

That being said, let´s dive into some common specifics you might want to pay attention to:

Your phone. As you might know, most phones can film in 1080p, which is standard on YouTube nowadays, so if you were thinking of starting when you save enough money to buy that fancier camera then you are bull*ing yourself, sorry. The truth is that you ONLY need your phone to record a talking head video or (almost) any sort of video for that matter.

That being said, the only thing I will say is that investing in an app like FilmiC Pro, which is a $15 investment, that gives you a lot of control over your phone´s lens is a MUST if you want to make better videos with your phone.

You will be able to control the aperture, ISO, focus, and many other things that will allow you to make really professional looking videos.

Ready for a DSLR? If you think you are ready to use a DSLR to shoot your videos then here are a few good examples of cameras you should consider starting with: Canon EOS Rebel models like the T6i or the D3500 from Nikon are great cameras for entry-level users. They are light-weight, easy to use, and have simple features for you to get begin with.

The truth is that if you´ve done a good job at recording good audio, you´ve set up your background in a way that flatters your image and overall video look, and you have a good lighting set up (whether is from sunlight or light bulbs) you want a high-end camera to capture good footage.

The Benefit Of Lenses

One of those things most people get to hung up on are lenses.

Yes, there are real life benefits from using the right lens for every occassion, of course there is, but the truth is that for shooting YouTube videos you don´t need it, at least not in the beginning.

Now, if you want to look at your very best and/or want your videos to have a higher production value then here´s what you need to know.

So, as you see it doesn´t need to be something super expensive to get high-quality footage but it certainly varies depending on your specific settings.

Be aware of the different uses and benefits lenses have to offer but don´t overthink this as it is something that most YouTubers don´t concern about.

5. Non-So-Essentials You May Need

Now, here are a few more things you DON´T need to worry as much to record and edit a video for YouTube.

What I mean is that most Laptops today or the free available software you can easily download online will do a good job if you learn how to use it right.

Caveat! Unless you want to shoot 4k and/or manage very large file size for any reason.

Laptop or PC

If there´s anything worth looking into when investing in a laptop or using one that you already own is RAM memory.

When you edit videos one of the things that can make or break your workflow (as it will slow or fasten your computer) is RAM.

So, if there´s anything that deserves your attention when it comes to editing hardware it is the capacity and available RAM storage of your PC.

If you don´t know exactly how much you´ll need, generally speaking a minimum required to edit 1080p resolution videos (which is standard on YouTube) will require, at least, 8Gb of RAM.

Editing Software

As I´ve said before, you don´t need to invest in a super costly software to get started on YouTube or even grow your channel.

You can get really cool videos with iMovie or any other free software out there.

Let me give you a real life example:

As you can see Sunny Lenarduzzi has built his entire following (hundreds of thousands of subscribers) by starting out with iMovie to edit her videos.

So, you don´t actually need to know a ton about video editing or how to use the most professional piece of software there is, you just have to put in the work and do the best you can with what you have.

Chances are that nine times out of ten you´ll find success if you DO-THE-WORK.

Tripod or gimbal

Last but not least, you should use some sort of tripod or gimbal that helps you stabilize your shots and make your videos look a bit more professional.

You can simply stack a pile of books or use your shelf to put your camera on, or any other type of smooth surface where you can place your camera/phone over, as long as your framing is right and you can shoot with ease.

There are little tricks and tips you can use to make your footage look smooth without using any “extra” gadget like using the stripe of your camera and holding your camera as fat as possible to use the tenssion from your strap as a stabilizer itself.

But.

If you actually want to know what are some of the basic accessories some YouTubers and Vloggers tend to use here´s a comprehensive list:

Manfrotto Mini-Tripod. The Pixi Evo is a great example of how cheap but still high-quality an item can be, it is super practical to use, a solid piece of gear you´ll be able to use for every scenario you can think of. Whether you vlog handheld or you want to put it on (almost) any surface it is a very helpful tool to have.
Manfrotto Tripod. Now, if you want the more “professional” version but still save some money to acquire something you can actually rely on then go for the Manfrotto Compact Aluminum Tripod.
Gimbal. You have really cool options that can hold both your phone and DSLR camera and give you the ability to upgrade your YouTube equipment and get pro footage for your videos.

You just have to keep in mind that the main purpose of tripod and gimbals is being able to place, move, and stabilize your camera however you want to, and sometimes you can do just that without using anything else than your bare hands and practice. 😉

Bonus #1: Stabilize Footage For FREE

If you are suffering from shaky footage or you simply want to make the smoothest possible video ever then let me give you a few quick tips you can apply.

One of the first things you want to do if you are going to shoot handheld is that you should hold your camera with both hands and good grip, and don´t extend your arms too much, you´ll lose core strength and it´s a lot easier to put your camera close to your chest and you lock your elbows in. You can move your entire body to film your video and you´ll get a way better result.
The 3 points of contact rule. I took this one from the great Peter McKinnon, as he talks about having three points of contact in order to get smoother footage. The best example he gives is by using the strap to hold it against your neck and both hands to grab your camera by extending your arms and using the tension from the strap as an effective stabilizer. Right hand, left hand, and neck, three points of contact.
Warp Stabilizer. You can easily stabilize your footage on post-production no matter what specific type of software you use, I particularly use the warp stabilizer from Premiere but the truth is that most free software offer similar results and it´s a super easy way to get smoother shots with a couple of clicks.

Bonus #2: Better On Camera

Finally, to wrap up this super post I want to leave you with some really cool tips to be BETTER on camera in order to be effective when trying to capture (and keep) people´s attention.

You know that no matter how much money you spend on gear and how great you actually look on camera you´ll have to improve the way you talk to the camera, how energetic (or not) you appear, your level of comfort, EVERYTHING makes a difference when you face the lens.

It is true, the camera doesn´t lie, and the more awkward you feel the more awkward your audience does too when they watch one of your videos.

So, what do you do?

You KEEP AT IT, because the more you do something the better you get. Period.

Now, here are a few tips and tricks you can apply in order to come off as a confident news reporter whenever you get in front of the lens.

Word to Word Scripting. My number one tip for you is to start writing a script right now. When you decide to cover a specific topic immediately start doing some research and writing a script should be your very next step. It´s SO much easier to record a video when you have your script, research, and quotes in place, takes less time, less effort, and comes out much more professional.
Schedule Enough Time. You want to schedule ahead enough time to make as many takes as necessary, to practice, to get into the flow, into “video mode”. You don´t want to feel rushed because you didn´t plan ahead that you´ll need an hour or more to film your video, that will only mess up with your mind, more so in the beginning than ever.
Get Caffeinated! Last but not least, keep in mind that when you record yourself talking to the camera and you talk as you normally would 9 times out of 10 you´ll appear as if you were talking about something that you don´t actually like to talk about. Your energy levels tend to be downsized by the lens, I´m not sure why, but it DOES happen. Get caffeinated, drink enough water, meditate, do whatever it is that you need to do to be energetic and enthusiastic by your video.

The Digital Hustler

YouTube Vlogging Channel Equipment Essentials