My Minimal 2023 Youtube Setup/Gear

[@mike.barnes]

Hey dudes! I hope you’re having a great day 😄 Are you thinking of starting a channel this year? If so what gear are you going to be using? And please send over your channel if you have one, I would love to check it out! 😁

[@beeboandbunkle]

We have been using a Logitech 4K webcam for our livestreams and recording beebo playing the guitar! it works very good well :) - beebo and Bunkle

[@Weird_Quests]

I already have my channel (haven’t made content in over a year) but starting back up again focusing on storytelling and game design as my freelance work is mostly that for ttrpgs. What do you recommend for editing? I’m comfortable with everything at this point (premiere, DaVinci and Final Cut). Guessing premiere or DaVinci will be best being able to swap between windows computer and my MacBook when on the go? I just need to figure out my style and what I want to do.. how do you figure out topics for your videos?

[@mike.barnes]

@@Weird_Quests Hey man! how’re you doing? This is great to hear mate, love your channel. I’m not a writer but I love books and cosmic horror so have watched a good few of your videos, great work! I use Final Cut as I like how easy it is to use. It feels like the most user friendly and I’ve had next to no problems with crashes etc. But I think it just comes down to what one you sway towards. Editing is a long process so you’ll wanna pick the one you’d prefer spending a lot of time with. In terms of topics (I’m really no pro at this) I just make videos about what interests me, then when something catches I’ll make more videos about that. Like with the steam deck stuff, made a review (kinda) went down well so made more videos on that topic. Made some other videos on other topics, switch one went well so I made some more on that topic. But it is really tricky and I still struggle with what to make videos about often and what fits in my niche. Just have fun making videos and don’t take it too seriously, you’ll find yourself making videos because of the fun of it and it’ll snowball from there. Hope that helped!

[@Weird_Quests]

@@mike.barnes thank you so much for the kind words :) I’ve just joined a project creating an awesome cosmic horror/lovecraftian setting for dungeons and dragons (can’t wait). I think I’ll do that - just are videos on what I love! I’ll definitely be still doing writing things and storytelling but with some game design thrown in too (since that’s what most of my freelance is now).

[@Weird_Quests]

@@mike.barnes I did want to ask, do you think it would be wise renaming/rebranding the channel less from my name and more my business name? Thinking so as I do want to have my own products etc.. and could still create cool content relevant to my business too (writing, hororr, ttrps, game design, games).

[@sahvah90]

Your super secret weapon blew my mind! Thank you so much for sharing!

[@mike.barnes]

You’re so welcome!

[@jcslickt08]

Bokeh effect is great!

[@jamesgayfer14]

Respect for the SpongeBob quote thrown in 🤭 We’re roughly the same age, always appreciate the throwbacks!

[@manutdfan231]

Babe wakeup. A new Mike Barnes video

[@mike.barnes]

💁‍♀

[@beeboandbunkle]

its an AMAZING day when we get a new Mike Barnes video! :) - beebo

[@XxNoe619xX]

Thank you very much for this video! I didn't know about the Adobe's audio Tool 🤯

[@JamieTakesPhotos]

Been binging your videos for the last 24 hours man, great channel! I just started mine again recently too, mostly photography based :)

[@tomv2359]

Wow that Adobe enhance tool is amazing. I will 100% start using that.

[@Timmymtd]

Love your freaking videos

[@mike.barnes]

Thank you my man 😄

[@newobo]

That audio trick makes a huge difference! Very nice 😄

[@mike.barnes]

Such a game changer right?!

[@MissCodeBunny]

I'm late to this one 😅 This has been so informative! Thank you so much for sharing your setup with us. *takes notes* 😊

[@rajdeepsingha3523]

I love your videos so much 💜

[@CameronsGamingRetreat]

Hey mike! Just wanted to thank you for this video, it inspired me to finally start a gaming channel, after having a music channel years ago. Your tips were so useful. Thank you.

[@mike.barnes]

Hey man! Ahh this is so good to hear, absolutely made up that you’ve decided to start a new channel man you’re so welcome. Just subscribed, will check out your videos today after work. Thanks so much for the kind comment dude 🙏🏼

[@filmfauxtos]

Omg this adobe podcast thing seems game changing! Thank you so much for recommending! Subbbbed

[@mike.barnes]

It’s insane init!? Have you tried it yourself yet? Thanks so much for the sub and kind comment man

[@benm1889]

Like the great DJ Khaled once said, ANOTHA ONE.

[@mike.barnes]

WE DA BEST MUSIC

[@benm1889]

@@mike.barnes 🤣🤣 Quality video man, top notch as always 🙌🏼

[@mike.barnes]

@@benm1889 thank you my man, so appreciate you coming back 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@benm1889]

@@mike.barnes this channels gonna blow up one day man! Nothing but success 🤟🏼

[@mando5531]

Love the video and quality!

[@mike.barnes]

Thank you dude!

[@thegamesapprentice]

Very helpful vid, I've decided to finally move away from the camera phone and get the ZV-E10 so I can try and be a bit more creative. Just need to figure out how to keep all the dog hairs out of my shots now.

[@timeforgamesYT]

You blew my mind with how the audio sounds on that processed phone recording at the end! Honestly, if you ditch the lavalier mic and record audio with your phone propped somewhere close, it would be extremely difficult to tell the difference.

[@mike.barnes]

It’s so wild isn’t it?! Makes such a huge difference. Sooo true about the phone too, I really don’t think there was a massive difference between the lav and the phone mic after the processing

[@UranusfromBrussels]

Thank you for this video, I will definitely try the adobe enhance tool for my channel 👌

[@mike.barnes]

My pleasure man! Lemme know how you find the enhance tool 😄

[@UranusfromBrussels]

@@mike.barnes Hey, I was wondering Mike. Since I’m using Da Vinci Resolve and my iPhone, do I split the audio from the video. Then run it though your tool and then somehow paste the audio back to the video and hope the sync is alright? Do you have 2 files with your ZVe10 perhaps? Thank you 🙏🏻

[@mike.barnes]

@@UranusfromBrussels hey man! So before any editing I export the audio, put it through the enhancer, then pull it back into the project and make a compound clip with the video. Does that make sense?

[@UranusfromBrussels]

@@mike.barnes Hey Mike, first off thank you for taking the time to answer to these questions instead of playing tears of the kingdom 😉. It makes perfect sense now, just how do you export the audio? Do you do this with another tool? I also use a Levalier mic from Boya and I always find the sound on my videos a bit under average, might also be because hearing my own voice is still weird. Great that you make videos about your passion 👌

[@edster512]

This young man deserves more views, likes and subs. Just saying.

[@mike.barnes]

Very kind, thank you my man ☺️

[@steamdeckguy]

Thanks for the tip about using Adobe Podcast speech enhancer. I assumed you were using some expensive Mic! Technology, eh? I used it on one of my videos to sort out the terrible audio and it worked brilliantly!

[@mike.barnes]

No worries at all dude! Glad it was helpful for you 😄 Such a massive difference ehy? Great videos btw mate!

[@mike.barnes]

No worries at all dude! Glad it was helpful for you 😄 Such a massive difference ehy? Great videos btw mate!

[@ExpressITTechTips]

Same camera I use can't go wrong with that at all.

[@mike.barnes]

Nice man! So good right? Love mine

[@ExpressITTechTips]

@@mike.barnes yeah I need to be checking out that sigma lens 👍

[@Adam.C]

This was really interesting, I like finding out how the background stuff works. That audio improvement was huge.

[@mike.barnes]

Thank you man! Glad you found it interesting 😊 Totally! That audio enhance website is crazy right?

[@psytama1]

u are one of the nicest youtuber out there and i really adore your content! i maybe changed my name, but not my opinion about u, mike! keep up the good stuff! i would love to see u evolving into a cozy/tech/unboxing channel with your amazing personality. feel hugged, man!

[@mike.barnes]

Thank you so such a kind comment mate 🥲 massively appreciate it and has honestly made my day. New videos coming soon for ya!

[@psytama1]

@@mike.barnes nawww, u are just a pure soul! i am super glad to hear that! :> i know how hard it is to create videos, that are creative, laid back and very high quality, so take your time and don't rush. i appreciate your work and i am super happy that i found your channel, when u had like 100 subs. much love! ♡

[@JustinJJN]

Awesome video really informative! Makes me want to film something...

[@mike.barnes]

Go for it! 😄 And thank you bud

[@strohhut6583]

Very interesting topic and btw you have such a cute doggo ^^

[@mike.barnes]

Thank you man! Hahaha she’s the best 🐶

[@JordonWithAnO]

This is so fantastic! I started my channel a few years ago, but I’ve finally narrowed down my focus! But one area I’ve never been great at is audio, so your suggestion of Adobe podcast is amazing! Thank you so much!

[@mike.barnes]

Nice man! Going to sub to your channel now 😄 Such a game changer right! Makes a huuuge difference, especially if your audio has corrupted or something

[@linnyunt]

Yo, Mike. I've been binging your Steam Deck vids as a recent owner of one but this is my first comment. 😂 I love the minimalist setup. I sold my Canon 80D and lens and have just gone with the ZV-1 and Rode Video Micro for my videos as of last year. But I've really been tempted to get a ZV E10. It's such a good looking camera and kind of missing lens a bit. Thanks so much for the tip about Adobe Podcast. That one's a game changer! One thing you didn't cover is whether you colour grade or shoot with a particular picture profile. I'd be interested to know. Cheers for your great content, dude.

[@mike.barnes]

Hey man! How're you doing? Thank you so much for the kind comment man I really appreciate it 🙏 Amazing mate, sounds like a really solid setup. Just checked out your videos and I love em, me and my wife Hannah are planning on moving to Japan for 3 months next year and your videos are genuinely exactly what I needed for inspo! I think the ZV-1 is perfect for travel/blogging as it's such a nice small form factor. But yeah having the option of changing lenses is massive. Especially if you get a nice zoom lens, that would work beautifully for the kind of stuff you do. Although....it would be a much bigger setup 😂 So it sounds really nooby but I don't actually colour grade my footage at the moment, but I'm hoping to learn more about it soon when I get some time. I also don't use a picture profile hahaha. I just set the creative style to portrait and up the saturation a tiny bit in post, and thats it! Probably not the best set up but its fine for the time being 😄 Thanks again for the kind comment man. Have a great day!

[@cameronsmusicretreat]

Fantastic video Mike. Lots of really useful knowledge there. Would be interested in your 'mental setup' when it comes to making KZbin content. What I mean by that is how you come up with ideas, or ACT on those ideas, or successfully create something without immediately shooting it down in your head like I do 🤣 Theres an idea for a new video! p.s Please keep creating these vloggy videos in addition to your 'steam deck' genre even if they get less views

[@mike.barnes]

Hey man! How’s it going?? Ah thank you so much dude, glad it was useful for ya. Yeah that’s a great video idea, I would love to have a lil talk about my KZbin video process. I’m flattered that you’re interested! Although I’m really no pro to KZbin yet or anything, still figuring it out myself, but maybe that’s a good thing! Ah that’s so kind to say man, thank you. I will deffo keep experimenting with video types. Love making the steam deck videos but would love to expand things a little, so thank you for supporting that on these smaller videos 😊

[@cameronsmusicretreat]

@@mike.barnes Hey, me again -- just wanted to check if you have ever encountered issues with the Adobe ai audio site? I did a quick test there with just iPhone audio on Voice Recordings. When I listened to the enhanced audio some of it sounded robotic, or 'doubled up'. Have you encountered that? Probably depends on the quality of the initial input, not sure!

[@silverarrow7]

Love the video! Are all your graphics through Final Cut Pro?

[@DrDanLawrence]

Really helpful video. I've just been using a USB webcam to make videos for the classes I teach but it's definitely time for me to upgrade, as I've been teaching a lot more online. You've provided a great model to follow, here. I really like the high quality but minimal approach.

[@mike.barnes]

Thank you so much mate! So glad it was useful 🙏🏼 Nice man! What are you thinking you’re going to upgrade to? As much as gear ‘doesn’t matter’ It does make me feel more confident posting videos when I think they look and sound 😊

[@filvaliulin]

Wow! Didn’t realise you’re filming with zv-e10. The quality is far better than I thought it would be on zv 👀👀 the webcam setup is also great and connectivity with usb is goated. I tested it with my zv1. And hoping to make a dedicated setup with it for streaming

[@filvaliulin]

4:33 maybe in the next vid? The podcast enhancer thing is crazy! I find it just a couple of days ago and it made my old recordings with a lot of noise sooo clean. I tried to fix those myself for houuurs….. Also you’re so great at explaining stuff! The aperture, the iPhone setup. It would take me minutes to explain to someone how this stuff works. A lot to learn from you 😃 Also I really love your setup! All the items are essential. I have way more stuff… (most of it is unnecessary) I had this exact godox softbox, only a little larger. And honestly will buy it again soon with this aputure light when finally move to new apartment (spent last year in airbnbs…) Anyway great video, great setup that produces amazing quality! Love your more natural earthy vibe of the background. Makes it more relatable, for me at least :) than some crazy clean rgb neon studio rooms

[@mike.barnes]

Totally! I’m so impressed with the quality for it being an entry level camera. I know right! It’s almost scary how it manages to take all of the room noise out without it making the voice sound weird. AI can be used for good sometimes ehy! Ah man that’s incredibly kind 😊 I’ve been a teacher for a long time so glad to hear that experience is paying off! Thank you man! I would love to take a look at your setup? You should make a video about it. Have you got any videos planned? Thank you so much for the kindness mate, it’s honestly always so appreciated 🙏🏼 Also, what’s your insta? Wanted to ask ya a quick question 👀

[@filvaliulin]

​@@mike.barnes I have maybe 10 videos planned, 3 scripts written, 2 videos filmed, and one 99% edited. But can't make myself click publish :( long hiatus messed up my innerself it's @fil.valiulin

[@okami4527]

Hi!

[@mike.barnes]

Hello! 😄

[@CameronsGamingRetreat]

Hey mike, I think a few of the affiliate links aren’t leading to the correct items anymore (for example the Aperture Amaran is leading to a product that is unavailable, you can still find the product on their page but they must have moved it. Just wanted to let you know so you continue to get affiliate monies 😊

[@GoneHollowMedia]

Excellent video! Makes me question whether or not to get a new lens. In theory my Canon m50 isn't much different from yours besides the 4K crop. But it's kit lens is 3.5 aperture, so it's dark as hell!

[@mike.barnes]

Thank you my man! Yeah the canon m50 is absolutely great. I actually used a canon m50 (work camera) to get some of the shots for the lenses/Sony. But a good lens is so important. The one I’m using on the canon is the EFM 22mm f/2. You can get it used for about £150 and looks amazing. Or sigma make the 16mm (the one I use) for canon mounts too!

[@GoneHollowMedia]

@@mike.barnes Ooh I've looked into that 22mm lens before! might have to upgrade when I get back from my holiday 😬 I think Lighting is even more important though. I have two Elgato diffused lights which are awesome but I think my setup would be much better with actual natural light! maybe one day my quality will look on par with yours haha

[@NenadSapungin]

You don't need much to get started! Keep up the great work. New sub👍🏼out here supporting smaller channels like mine!