Recommended Setups

Here are a few recommendations to cover some common A/V equipment setup scenarios. Finding the right gear is pretty personal and every workflow is different, so these setups are not definitive by any means, just good solid foundations to build on. There are cheaper versions of all this gear out there, and it can definitely be smart to shop around, but more often than not whatever you save in terms of money you’ll pay for 2X in terms of frustration.

Bringing in more advanced needs (things like wireless audio, pro lighting, etc) can add unique complexity. Take a look at my personal equipment page if you want to know how I handle these workflows. And of course, gear should never stop you from getting started. It’s ok to make everything on a phone, or to use the cheapest stuff you can find online. These recommendations are intended to help anyone who’s looking to level things up a bit and is willing/able to invest in a setup that can deliver professional looking results for years to come.

This page contains affiliate links which earn a commission at no additional cost to you. These are just my preferred retailers, but there's a good chance the same equipment is available elsewhere if you have your own go-to sources to go to.
Prices do fluctuate pretty often, check the links/retailers for current pricing.

BASIC VIDEO SETUP | $1,920

CAMERA | SONY ZV-E10
The best all around starter camera that’s also tough to outgrow over time. Having a camera with interchangeable lenses is very important to ensure you can handle a variety of projects, styles, and situations. The ZV-E10 is great for video and photos with very few limitations. Comes with a 16-50mm kit lens that’s surprisingly capable and more than enough to get started.
$800

BIG TRIPOD | BENRO SLIM
Don’t spend a bunch of money on gear and then put it all on a small, unstable tripod. The is the least expensive option I would personally trust. It’s also got a video head, which is better for panning and tilting while recording.
$125

SMALL TRIPOD | PGYTECH MANTISPOD
Perfect for taking anywhere. Super solid with some really cool grip/mounting options.
$150

1 PERSON AUDIO PODCAST | $280+

2-4 PERSON AUDIO PODCAST | $1,345 - $3,475

MIXER/RECORDER/INTERFACE | RODECASTER
It’s the original series of podcast mixers and still the best. The Rodecaster has a ton of high end features but can also be super simple to use, and its preamps are powerful enough to run any microphone without the need for additional boosters. The Rodecaster Duo is a great choice for a 2 microphone setup while the Rodecaster Pro II is perfect for up to 4 XLR mics.
$500 | $700

LESS EXPENSIVE MICROPHONE | LEWITT LCT-240 PRO
Probably one of the most underrated mics around. Sounds great on just about any voice! Definitely works best with a pop filter and shock mount. It’s a condenser mic, so be sure that phantom power is enabled on your Rodecaster or interface of choice.

Works really well on a tabletop stand or boom arm. But if you’re having trouble getting the position angle just right, I’ve found this adapter solves the problem.
$100 Per Person

MORE EXPENSIVE MICROPHONE
EARTHWORKS ETHOS | SHURE SM7B
The ETHOS is the least-fatiguing mic I’ve ever used. It sounds great on everyone and won’t tire your listeners’ ears when used on a long podcast. Like the Lewitt LCT-240, the ETHOS is a condenser that runs on phantom power. I think it’s a fantastic alternative to the SM7B, but…

…the SM7B is a classic for a reason. It sounds great, lasts a lifetime, and is virtually impervious to handling noise and plosives. Definitely sounds best when positioned very close to the speaker, and usually requires a bit of EQ to really shine. The Rodecaster has more than enough gain for the SM7B, but it may require a signal booster when used with other mixers or interfaces.
$400 Per Person

4K LIVE STREAM SETUP | $3,798+

If you’re looking to stream and want the best quality possible without going too extreme in terms of price or complexity, this is the setup for you. There’s a full video rundown on my channel that covers everything in more detail, but I think this is the ultimate simple 4K streaming setup you can find!

CAMERA | SONY ZV-E10
Same recommendation as the simple video setup for the same reasons. And absolutely awesome camera for streaming and paired with the Sigma 16mm f1.4 lens, gives practically indistinguishable results from my much more expensive Sony FX3 setup.
$800

COMPUTER | ANY M SERIES MAC
Apple’s M Series computers are amazing. Even the least expensive, base model Mac Mini is more than capable of handling some pretty intense audio/video workflows, so you don’t need to break the bank to get a lot of power. As always, it’s smart to get as much computer power as you can afford, but any base model M series Mac can handle 4K live streaming.
Starting at $700

CAPTURE CARD | ELGATO CAM LINK 4K
The Cam Link is the simplest capture card around. Simple connect it to your computer via USB and you’re done! It’ll show up as a vide source in Ecamm Live (or any other rapplication).
Starting at $100

TELEPROMPTER | ELGATO PROMPTER
Hands down the best prompter out there. It basically acts as an additional small display for your computer so you can use it for scripts, referencing your shot, reading comments, connecting with guests and viewers, and more. There are multiple ways to mount the prompters to a camera, but I just hang it off the front of my lens and it works great!
$300

CAMERA STAND | IFOOTAGE COBRA 2
You might want to stick with a regular tripod if you have space, but for a compact desk setup or if your desk is facing a wall, this small monopod-style stand can fit on the top of your desk without taking up a ton of space. It’s also height adjustable and more than sturdy enough to support the gear recommended here.
$70

TRIPOD HEAD | IFOOTAGE COBRA 2
The Cobra 2 doesn’t come withe a head, so be sure to choose a sturdy fluid video head. I love the iFootage Komodo because it’s very strong and uses a Manfrotto-style mounting plate. It’s more than capable of supporting your camera, lens, and prompter.
$140

HDMI CABLE | MICRO TO FULL SIZE
The ZV-E10 has a Micro HDMI port and the Elgato Cam Link has a full size HDMI input, so this cable will allow you to connect them both. It’s a “thin” cable, which won’t put too much stress on the camera’s output like a heavy duty cable would.
$13

VIDEO PODCAST/MULTICAM SETUP (UP TO 4 PEOPLE) | $-BASICALLY UNLIMITED

Multicam setups can get very complicated very quickly, so always be sure to keep your specific needs and workflow in mind before making purchases. Most multicam setups use 3 cameras (a main shot along with two closeups), but you can add more cameras if needed (some people use one for each person, or add in special angles like top down shots). Costs can rise pretty quickly based on the number of people you’re including and how many camera/audio setups you’ll need. There’s nothing wrong with choosing cheaper options, but just remember that with so many moving parts, a multicam setup needs to be built around super reliable gear. This setup does not include lighting recommendations, which can be found in a following section.

CAMERAS | SONY FX3 OR FX30
These are fantastic studio cameras. They’re built for reliability and even include built-in fans so you’ll never have to worry about overheating when left running for a long time. They also have multiple tally lights, so it’s easy to tell if the camera is recording from a distance. The bodies between the two cameras are identical, the only real difference is the sensor. The FX3 is full frame while the FX30 is crop. I love my FX3, but the price difference is pretty big, so you can save quite a bit of money with the FX30 if you don’t mind using crop sensors.
$1800 | $3900 Each

LENSES | ZOOM vs. PRIME
This is all about personal preference. In the past, I’ve used a 24mm prime lens on the main camera (the Sigma 16mm is roughly equivalent for the FX30), and zoom lenses on the others. If you’re going to change camera positions often, the versatility of a good zoom lens can make or break a multicam setup. If you’re planning to keep your cameras in pretty much the same position all the time, then you might be able to stick with primes.

POWER SUPPLY | 9V/3A ADAPTER and USB CABLE
Since the FX3 and FX30 can each be powered via USB, you can use this to run your camera via wall power without needing to worry about changing batteries. It’s very important to pay attention to the voltage of your power supply to avoid damaging the camera and/or having the battery run down even though it’s connected to USB power (you do still need to have a battery in the camera when running off of USB power). This USB wall adapter delivers 9 volts at 3 amps, which is what Sony recommends. I like this USB cable because it has a 90 degree connector, which is nice for connecting to the camera, but you can use a different one if you need something with more or less length for your setup. It’s also a good idea to run all of your power through a surge protector to keep your cameras safe.
$85 Per Camera

CAMERA MEMORY CARD | PROGRADE 128GB
The FX3 and FX30 have dual card slots, so it’s possible to have extended and/or redundant recordings if needed. Most multicam setups record video via a capture card into a computer or drive, so you might not actually need to have the cameras recording at all, but it’s still a good idea to have at least one card in each camera.
$145 Per Camera (twice that if you’re using both card slots)

TRIPODS | BENRO SLIM
This is the same simple tripod I recommended in the Basic Video Setup, and while it’s great, there’s also nothing wrong with choosing a bigger, sturdier option if your budget allows. A good tripod can last a lifetime.
$125 Per Camera

TRIPOD ALTERNATIVE | ROLLING STAND
Tripods are great, but they can be tricky to move, especially once you’ve got cables running everywhere and more than one camera set up. Rolling stands like this are pretty common, but “The Lowboy” is, you guessed it: low! The single pole takes up less space than a tripod and the wheels make it super easy to move things around. The height allows for the camera to be positioned perfectly for a sitting subject. It’s not technically designed for cameras, so you’ll need this Junior to Baby Pin Adapter on top and then this Kupo adapter to attach a tripod head. Be sure to get a video head that has panning and tilting options. This Manfrotto is one of my personal favorites.
$350 Per Camera

HDMI CABLES | SLIM 2 PACK
Each camera will need an HDMI cable connected to the capture card/switcher. I like thin cables like these because they’re easier to use over long distances and aren’t heavy enough to put too much pressure on the camera’s delicate HDMI connector.
$26 For Two

HEADPHONES | RODE NTH-100
Same as with the previous setups, these are designed specifically for audio/video production and super comfortable to wear for long periods of time with super accurate sound. Can’t go wrong with ‘em.
$150 Per Person

WIRELESS 4 CAMERA STREAMING FOR SPORTS & EVENTS | $10,000+

This is what I've used and would recommend for a 4 camera setup for streaming live events like sports, graduations, weddings, conferences, and more. Audio can be tricky with setups like this. If there's an audio booth, announcer, or DJ at your event, you may be able to run an output into the YoloBox, which has a 3.5mm Line/Mic input. You can also pull audio from any of the 4 HDMI sources, and there is a USB C input that's Rodecaster/mixer compatible. The Rodecaster Video can also fit this role very well, but I lean towards the YoloBox here because it’s built in touch screen means you don’t have to have an external display, which keeps the setup smaller, and the ability to do things like bring in comments from streams or create dynamic scoreboards give the YoloBox a bit more flexibility. Don’t forget to account for extra batteries and/or power adapters/extension cables based on your specific needs.

SWITCHER/ENCODER | YOLOBOX ULTRA
The YoloBox Ultra is a 4 HDMI input switcher/recorder that can stream directly to a variety of platforms both horizontally and vertically. It has built in graphics, audio processing, scoreboards, and more. You can also load in custom graphics and prerecorded clips. It completely eliminates the need for a separate computer and video switcher, which makes portable streaming much simpler. I have a video that covers the basics here.
$1500

WIRELESS VIDEO | HOLLYLAND MARS
All of the Holland wireless systems are super capable, but I’ve found the Mars line to be a good mix of price and function. You’ll need one for each camera along with a small HDMI cable to run from the camera to the transmitter and then again from the receiver to the YoloBox. These eliminate the need for long cable runs, which add all kinds of complexity, safety concerns, and cost to streaming setups.
$400/ea

TRIPODS | MANFROTTO HEAD & LEGS COMBO
These are super sturdy tripods that can handle a variety of events and equipment. For events and sports I prefer tripods with bowl mounts, since they make it super quick and easy to keep the camera level on just about any surface. They’ve also got dedicated video heads to smooth panning and tilting.
$400/ea

HEADSETS | EARTEC ULTRALIGHT
Communication is key during live multicam events. I’ve used these headsets for many years, and they’re super comfy, easy to use, and the batteries last a really long time.
$735

SIMPLE 3 POINT LIGHTING | $1,275+

COMPUTERS & SOFTWARE

COMPUTER | ANY M SERIES MAC
Apple’s M Series computers are amazing. Even the least expensive, base model Mac Mini is more than capable of handling some pretty intense audio/video workflows, so you don’t need to break the bank to get a lot of power. If you’ll be doing a lot of work with 4K video or motion graphics, then upgrading the processor, storage, and RAM as much as you can within your budget is probably a good idea. Personally, my MacBook Pro has an M1 Max processor with 32gb of RAM and a 2TB internal drive, and it works perfectly.

PC’s are great too, I just don’t know a lot about them. If you’re using one just be sure that it’s powerful enough to comfortably run your software of choice.

STREAMING SOFTWARE | ECAMM LIVE
I use Ecamm for just about everything from streaming and recording to Zoom calls and podcasts. You can keep it simple or get as advanced as you want. My favorite thing about Ecamm is that if you have an idea, there's probably a way to make it happen. There was a recent update that added isolated video recording for interviews, so it’s a great choice if you need to record remote podcasts. If you’re on a PC or on a budget and don’t mind tinkering around a bit more with settings, OBS is an incredible free alternative.