Budget Streamer Gear - What You NEED To Buy First?

[@StreamScheme]

Hey #EarlyGang! Hope you're having a great week so far! What gear do you love, what do you regret buying? I am sure lots of you have the mics I referenced today, and love them! Hope you understand why I don't always recommend them for their price and type! Also, I flubbed and saying 5600k and not 4600k for my lighting colour. 🕘Timestamps: 0:00 Small Streamers Waste So Much Money On Gear! 0:49 The Best Streamer Overlays and Graphics For Beginners! 1:29 What Budget Microphone Is Best For Streamers? 4:40 What budget Mic Arm To Buy For Streaming? 6:40 What Budget webcam to buy for streaming? 7:30 What Budget Lighting To Buy For Streaming? 9:18 What Streamer Gear Should You Buy First?

[@StreamScheme]

Also, the reason I didn't plug the Samson q2u in to let you hear it is because a proper review would require an entire video, a small snippet wouldn't help you, that's why I linked Podcastage :) You get comprehensive information and sound examples rather than just me plugging it in and going, "Hello there 1 2 3 4 ... see its great!"

[@EasyHeat]

G'day! Just discovered your channel and love it. My 11 yo son (who like me has diagnosed ASPD) has recently expressed some aspiration to get into video game streaming. As a result so has myself. Ha! I have a background of audio production/recording, and a knack for repairing/upgrading PCs & older intel Mac, but honestly? I'm a relative noob in regards of creating streaming content. Anyhoo... The game systems we currently have are an Xbox series S and a SSD upgraded PS4 Pro with PSVR & all the VR peripheral bells & whistles. My daily driver computer is a late 2013 iMac (i7 4770, 16gb, 1gb GTX 750M gpu), but I also have an old Ivy Bridge PC (i7 3770, 12gb, 2gb GTX 750ti gpu) I also have a plethora of monitors, couple of audio interfaces, and microphones handy. Also during Covid I picked up one of those cheap generic HDMI to USB video capture cards of Amazon. Ok wow! This comment is getting loooong! Ha! Alrightythen... Given the hardware I already own? I'm thinking the only other thing I'd honestly need is perhaps a decent 1 in-2 out HDMI splitter? Does that sound about right? Obviously I would be streaming/capturing at 1080p-60Hz if I'm not mistaken. Anyway... Any/all more knowledgable advice would be greatly appreciated. Cheers! P.S. I most definitely smashed the Like button, hit Subscribe, and rang the Notification Bell. 🖖

[@CarlitosWhey]

Great video.... just got the logitech c922p and found info saying it wasn't compatible with windows 11. Am I missing something? Should I have gotten the Brio?

[@SuperTrainStationH]

A Usb number pad makes a great starter alternative for a stream deck, most major broadcast software had shortcuts you can map to keyboard keys.

[@rebelforce14]

Another Good alternative now, is being able to use your phone or an ipad with the Streamdeck app, which is free

[@fisolfas]

​@@rebelforce14fr before looking for cheap look for free

[@dizdawgjr34]

I set up my full size keyboards number pad as a stream deck alternative since they are detected as a different key than the number row.

[@unlockthepicture]

Other nice function is Touchportal. Thats a free program to use your phone as streamdeck. Or when using StreamLabs it has some sort of built-in function.

[@AndRei-yc3ti]

​@@dizdawgjr34 how? Teach me sensei

[@SonicAlpha]

I also use that webcam, it's a fairly solid choice. For a Stream Deck alternative, I used Touch Portal. It can turn your phone or tablet into the same thing, and is about £12 to upgrade to pro (which allows you to add more buttons on screen). I used it solidly for a year to control my streams. It handled scene transitions, bot commands, shoutouts, an emergency hate/bot raid button, mic muting, and even controlled my vtuber avatar. I can't recommend it enough.

[@unlockthepicture]

I agree. Used it a lot and I love it. I only had to connect it to usb because the wifi-connection sometimes keeps reloading.

[@SniperWolf2024]

I am 20 year pro sound engineer. If you can record with a build in head set mic. It’s more about the personality than. The content or quality or the gear. 😂😂😂😂❤

[@zramirez5471]

Dude this was an awesome video. The biggest thing stopping me from starting to make some content here is sound: Ive watched a lot of plat/diamond YT'ers struggle with sound - especially echo - and discuss how difficult it is to get professional level sound for recorded content. Your video gives me the confidence to give it a go.

[@baraffe]

Samson Q2U, and the Logi C920/2 are the ULTIMATE budget setup for streaming! The USB use of the Q2U is great, and it leaves room to upgrade to XLR! it is almost necessary to upgrade the Firmware of the Q2U tho! Helps with the bug that makes you have to unplug the usb cable and plug it back in to get it working (may be fixed with recent revisions!). The best tips with the C920, is to manually edit the exposure and other lighting settings, so you can force a high Framerate, so you don't get the "Overly Exposed smearing" with high motion. What a great video!

[@Sundog33]

I was an early subscriber to your channel way back at the start of the pandy. You’ve grown so much with good quality honest content. By far the best advice giver for streaming I’ve seen yet. Good job dude keep it up partner.

[@jerseyjoes]

Great video. One thing to mention lighting and wearing glasses. A person wearing glasses will have to set up their lighting different from a person that does not. The reason being is that if you set it up like people normally do, you will see the light itself in the lenses of your classes in the video or podcast. You have to set it up more above you than in front of you. I just run a 4ft single bulb led light. Just hanging above me using fishing string and 2 eye hooks. Leave the fishing string long, and you can raise and lower the light buy the string and tie it off when you think it looks good on camera.

[@StreamScheme]

You can actually just set them up further to the side and angle them in properly.

[@curtistennant]

Hi mate great videos. Very helpful. A little to say about your audio advice. I am an audio engineer just for clarity. What you are actually referring to is the microphones polar pattern. A polar pattern indicates a microphones rejection zones. Ie. Cardioid, hyper cardioid, or omni directional. Cardioid reject a lot on the underside of the microphone so placement of that microphone is just as important. Knowing where that rejection is happening is the key

[@ForeverHollowed]

The issue is gaming hardware companies are making these mics which are not as good as the ones companies use for music or speeches. I would say go with a mic that is away from rog, hyperx, and razer.

[@YoungVonni305]

9:07 “Please don’t buy these $50 neewer lights, they suck” Me staring at my $50 neewer lights that suck:👀👀👀👀👀

[@AZRockslide42]

Thank you for mentioning the Q2U! I have been using the one I have for years, and I am CONSTANTLY trying to tell other people they should buy it instead of Yetis. Yetis are so hard to set up right, because, as you mention, they pick up everything. It took next to no time to set up my Q2U to p[ick up my voice and my voice only, and I sit right next to a vent.

[@potato4dawin1]

Finally! A channel that gave me an ACTUAL REASON to choose one mic over the others that I can understand. All kinds of streamers will be like "just buy whatever you can afford" and I don't know if I'm getting a good deal or getting ripped off All kinds of tech review tubers will have a state of the art setup including just their room's sound damping and I can't tell what's best for me. The dynamic vs. condenser microphone distinction is finally what sold me on it. I put in an order on amazon for 1 day shipping since my old mic broke. Can't wait to try it out!

[@reaper5242]

I have an sm7b on an elgato lp and it doesn't sag but you need the fingie strength to TIGHTEN those thumb screws

[@StreamScheme]

I used a little wrench, doesn’t matter what I did, both sagged after a week or two of streams, it was depressing after hearing how much everyone spoke for them.

[@reaper5242]

@StreamScheme thats very unfortunate, I bought mine almost a year ago, and it's holding up really well it holds tight and only moves when I loosen it.

[@willyumsstudio]

If you have an iPhone and a Mac, just use the Continuity Camera feature built into them. I’m very happy with my picture quality and how I didn’t have to buy a new camera. There’s software for connecting an Android phone as an IP camera as well, so I hear.

[@j.singer8461]

Legit! I use that exact Samson mic for my podcast which is downloaded in 137 countries. It does exactly what you say it does. It has been a blessing in not picking up those pesky background noises - that you can't help if you're not in a purpose built sound studio. Thanks for this honest review of gear!!!

[@ac3nigthmare238]

I have a $20 USB mic on a $30 mic arm, and i literally used that video you mentioned to make an old keyboard into a stream deck. I keep thinking of upgrading my stream set up but I just cant see how it will improve on what I have. Great video and great advice.

[@brightside12]

Can I ask what Mic you use

[@tatertottgames]

Just picked up a samson q2u because of your recommendation and I LOVE it. Thank you so much!

[@cringecouple6229]

Condensers are fine too and all you would have to do is run some software in the background to control your gain and eq. Or you can just get around all that hassle and just get a dbx 286s pre-amp. A great condenser usb mic is the at2020. I personally use the tlm-103 and rode nt1 but I also make music so those are on the expensive side. While you are correct about dynamic mics being better at not picking up noise, you won't have as crisp a voice as you would with a condenser. You can also always get a sound enclosure for your mic if you're worried about extra noise. Me personally, I'd never use a dynamic mic unless it was for a live performance where there is tons of people around making noise. I care too much about tone to not use a condenser

[@ShaunRF]

Dig the babyfaced look today Eljay! I just started streaming with a SUPER cheap setup. My vods are here on my YT channel if anyone wants to see the results. I've been very happy with my Nexigo N980P webcam and Nexigo Glow Light. The webcam is especially nice because it has a very wide field of view and has surprisingly good video quality out of the box. The effectiveness of the light will depend on your setup. I suspect it works well for me because I'm streaming from a laptop that is right in my face, but the built in battery is nice to have. I'm less enthusiastic about my cheap Fifine USB lavalier clip-on mic, but I went with that because I already had it on-hand and using it didn't require extra equipment like a mic arm. I'm planning to play around with EQ settings a bit more when I'm over this cold to see what I can squeeze out of it. That will probably be the first thing I upgrade though.

[@dalebotgaming]

9:07 i feel attacked because i have those exact lights 😥😆

[@ambers8775]

the sound of your dad throwing beer cans at your head aahhahaah

[@YouCanFixIt]

Man that opener was fantastic...Good Information earned a full watch.

[@saltybfm]

I’m still using a Tonor Q9 condenser mic. £60 but I bought it off a friend for £30! Came with mic arm, pop shield, the works. It’s not ideal but it’s more than good enough with the correct filters and set up! Great video! And definitely one that a lot of new streamers need see!

[@jlovelylives]

I absolutely love my Q2U! I remember you mentioning it before I think on the Streamroom Podcast so when my mic died a couple weeks ago, I bought that and it’s soooooooooo good and very clear! So I will definitely look into these other recommendations when I upgrade more soon

[@Jus-Too-Smoove]

As a music engineer, I can tell you with absolute certainty that a Shure sm7b is not a condenser microphone

[@StreamScheme]

I never said it was

[@JellyGlows]

I can only afford M7X n I’m pairing it with EVO 4. I got a RODE PSA 1 pre owned. Waiting on it all too come in

[@kingkraig1974]

Planning on starting streaming in a month or so, i can already tell you're gonna be a lifesaver cause wow, i thought i would've had to spend mega money.

[@marvellousnkomo8166]

What type of content would you be doing ? Im tryna dabble in the industry too

[@kingkraig1974]

@@marvellousnkomo8166 Gaming, mainly playing games that i want to. So far i've streamed The Surge (finished it) Another Crab's Treasure (finished it) Pacific Drive (1 stream, i can't make it 'entertaining' imo) Still Wakes the Deep (Finished it in 1 stream) Now I'm streaming The Surge 2 (but might be cutting that short as i'm having massive technical issues every stream with it). I'm also uploading the streams to a VOD Channel, cause Twitch deletes VODS after a week, AND I'm uploading edited content to a seperate channel so i can work on the funny haha edits i always dreamed of doing. 10 Episodes of Mortal Shell deep and my editing has improved immensely!

[@kingkraig1974]

@@marvellousnkomo8166 Also, thank you for asking! www.youtube.com/@KingKraigthe1 www.youtube.com/@KingKraigVODS Edited stuff + VOD Channel. I would recommend also getting OBS, and Stream Elements; there's tutorials on how to set that stuff up, i had a friend show me, but he kinda messed me around and i had to figure it out on my own a bit; gotta say, really fulfilling.

[@marvellousnkomo8166]

@kingkraig1974 u got any tips ? I want to start streaming soon.

[@420gamermom]

Haha I'm at break right now but the bear can been thrown at your head had me laughing haha😂 3:22

[@MutantMycoGenix]

mans legit posted my trash lights and called them trash sadage...like i KNOW they're trash but i got a set of 4 for $50 to light my green screen 😭

[@suavemercado6634]

Bro you’re the most honest KZbinr I’ve watched. Definitely subscribing! Love the fact you suggest things that don’t gain for your benefit but it actually helps others out. ❤

[@Tony_Chalmers]

I started with my Arctis 7 headset mic, but pretty quickly decided to upgrade to a shure pga48 + mtrack solo and haven't looked back. That audio interface + mic combo cost me about $110CAD, then I went to Princess Auto and bought a $25 "special" mic boom arm with pop filter and shock mount. Honestly, at this point, I never plan to 'upgrade' the mic, though I have been tempted by audio interfaces and would love a rode PSA1.

[@MrNyathi1]

Logitech is an amazing (and underrated) brand. My current PC setup retains just two elements of my original 2009 setup: the chassis, and the sound system. Everything inside the chassis has been upgraded at least twice, ditto all the peripherals - except the OG Logitech sound system, which still performs like it did a *quarter century* ago, with sound quality I'm still happy with.

[@ABPRGOD]

three swerves?! my good sir, here is a like and subscription.👴

[@Gutenberg1977]

If a Lack of depth of field doesn´t bother you, I would recommend to use your Actioncam (I use the Surfola 530) via USB as "Computer Cam" on a Tripod.

[@Vinzsolos]

Had the Q2U for 7 months now it’s perfect

[@kharismathefallen2914]

I was not expecting the sound of a ballon deflating when you talked about the mic arm lmao

[@CasualChatwithKim]

Rode mic or shure mv7 for gaming/ PlayStation 5?

[@thegayestgay]

Whenever he said “dollarydoos” I felt that 😢

[@mingo2385]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@charlesedwinbooks]

My wife bought me a blue yeti, when it was on sale, 10 years ago and it was about $120ish iirc. Its the same microphone I use today, albeit, it's now on a arm boon with a pop filter over the top. I bought a $20 arm off amazon warehouse but before that I had its stand placed on top of a towel, on a small box, and my keyboard was also on a towel, to help diminish all the thudding and reverb. Now I don't use any towels lol

[@findinggrace5389]

I would recommend getting a cheaper, but stable mic arm, and then getting a shock mount to prevent hearing the vibrations from your desk. That's going to be 60% less money than a super expensive, on-brand mic arm.

[@StreamScheme]

Personally, every cheaper mic arm has either made sound, sagged, or broken. A lesson I learned doing 12 years in the film industry is, "If you're microphone or camera costs a few hundred, or even thousands of dollars, do you really trust a cheap piece of plastic to hold it?"

[@findinggrace5389]

@@StreamScheme Oh! That totally makes sense! I was mainly suggesting that because I was thinking about getting a $50 mic, and I'm not going to spend more money on a mic arm then a mic. Is there a mic arm that you'd recommend less than $80 USD? Or budget options?

[@AlisonMklky]

Wow, this video is incredibly informative! I learned so much from watching it. Thanks for sharin

[@thatguykai9038]

How did you screw the Q2U holder onto the rode psa1. The one the mic holder is too big for the screw on the arm, or at least for mine.

[@StreamScheme]

The PSA1 and the Samson come with threads to convert to either size. They’re in the boxes.

[@thatguykai9038]

@@StreamScheme Found it, thanks

[@Not_PretendingTV]

Thankyou man. This helped me alot.

[@DivineKai7]

We all are really grateful for the pure intentions you come with brother

[@DWS2020]

I'm nervous as hell, but all my family and friends say. I'd be fit for streaming. So this is the year I plan to grow in my journey. So I appreciate someone like you helping someone like me. Going from absolutely zero knowledge in what to get fully. But this helps me save money and space. Because I am a bit of a minimalist. So I like having non obtrusive and less things to deal with.

[@juliemuz1]

If you start out using a dynamic microphone like showcased do you then also recommend using a popfilter? Or is that unnecessary? 🤔😊

[@BelieveInCarter]

okay but what camera are you using for this video ?

[@beandinner1262]

For a beginner microphone I'd also recommend the ATR 2100x as well. Dynamic, cheap (about £70-80 in the UK) and brilliant sound quality.

[@benjamingonzalez2633]

How important is to have a video capturer?

[@GamingwithGoliath]

I’m just looking for something to use when recording my 2k videos, I watch official jerv and his mic is clear sounding

[@iSpike]

Bloody LEGEND mate. Watching from the Westside 🇦🇺 Oi + new Sub & a fat thumbs up 👍🏻

[@crazybabytvworld]

Great Video! I'm also an advocate on streaming on a budget. People waste so much money buying gear and never get to actual streaming....,

[@Twitch.Justrueles]

Can the microphone you mentioned be used for console and if so what would I search up

[@TheAnimeRoomPodcast]

If im using a green screen ,what are the lights that you would recommend me ?

[@Twitch.Justrueles]

Also can the blue yeti microphone be used on a console

[@Chebito710]

If you want a budget light, look into the ones that lash techs use. They’re $60-100 and amazing.

[@SheestyLive]

You should do a review or recommend FIFINE Dynamic Microphone…it’s pretty cheap and good

[@GaaraOTD_TTV]

That Danny devito in the background freaked me tf out lmao

[@StreamScheme]

Huh? That’s my dad watching

[@evancurrin191]

Thanks man! You earned another subscriber today, love the honest recs!

[@RlCHARDRANS0M]

What type of pc would I need if I game on the console and only need the to stream and not game on it

[@anthonybrookes7287]

Taking my first steps to stream Zelda with my boy on switch. Any specific 2024 advice ? Great vid by the way. Thankyou.

[@Dat1WaterMeler]

Who that guy in the background

[@Syth_Dev]

Danny

[@heroicx00]

That would be danny devito

[@elijahbowens3330]

Your mother

[@sirhCseyeR]

Frank Reynolds

[@DarkandDolan]

Really surprised you didn’t mention any FineFine mics or off-brand boom arms like the InnoGear. They’re highly rated and very budget friendly.

[@StreamScheme]

As I said, I can only recommend what I’ve used and has worked for me.

[@lock.in_]

Him saying dollareedoos was throwing me off but the pause after dad throwing beer cans at your head cracked me tf up

[@VicariousxD]

Awesome list honestly. Although I do recommend behringer xm8500 + a cheap behringer audio interface. The whole setup costs 100$ - 130$ and you have a path to upgrade.

[@suavemercado6634]

Question, for a new streamer, What PC would you recommend?

[@Sweevee]

I'd highly reccomend the Audio Technica 2035! Podcastage has made three excellent videos on the mic. (It works perfectly with the Wave XLR)

[@StreamScheme]

I'll check it out!

[@coryh7891]

Hey, thanks for the tips for starter gear! I just have one question though… those lights you mentioned are going for over $500 on amazon now. Is there somewhere else to get them, or another light you might recommend that isn’t that expensive?

[@VOLTUSBlitz]

Great visdeo but, is that Dany De Vito in the background 😂?

[@annach4n]

what do you guys think about the am8?

[@ExploringRevenantsParanormal]

Can confirm about the Quadcast S lol, no filters and right out of the box it picks up EVERYTHING. Some one got uh... "lead poisoning" with a .22 mm piece of lead paint a couple blocks from me a few weeks ago and I was doing a video and it picked that up lol. I have since added filters and stuff to it and it definitely sounds amazing now. I got it on sale but it was still $130 USD

[@SixtyEmeralds]

Oooh ooh! You touched on spending money on improving a setup, and only if it will improve the setup, but we should also remember that spending chunks of time on setup improvement is also important. And again, only to do so if that chunk of time will actually improve the setup. Time is money, after all!

[@ad3l547]

Personnally for my mic as a beginner, I use the Bird UM1 Pretty cheap, antipop filter and a support included for overall a good quality

[@a_potato_guy]

I heard fifine Microphones were good, should i get one?

[@StreamScheme]

Nope :) that’s why I didn’t recommend it

[@AlstarPalmer]

@@StreamSchemenice

[@PeaceWarrior187]

Love the honesty. Keep being awesome Eljay.

[@TsgIsLive]

Love you Eljay! Thanks for teaching us :D

[@GGundamBlue]

Im having a good time with my fifine AM8 and for the price it worke for me

[@StylezOnline]

I got a GREAT mic arm stand! “Gator Frameworks” is an AUDIO company and it’s about $110-$130 USD and used this for 4+ years and it’s perfect 👌🏽👌🏽

[@julirie]

I love my LogitechC922 it hasn't let me down and I dont think it ever will!

[@mindingthegaps]

Is it compatible with Windows 11?

[@noahguttormsen]

Tysm!❤️‍🔥 This amazing for my stream experience!

[@BrandonTLuong]

I vote that car people are the worst at wasting money when it comes to a new hobby. Streamers, videograhers, and photographers come at a close 2 lumping them all in one category.

[@unknownnieves949]

Thank you for the help. I let you know how it good.

[@SftSidelines]

Audio podcaster that is moving in video and im glad that i stumbled ont this video. Thanks dude

[@gawrysh1975]

fifine low profile arm has been a life saver for me and its held up

[@hypeanyrain9006]

ik im a yr late, but should i use my quadcast even tho it wasn't that well stated in the list, i mean i got it for 1/4 price soooo, should i use it or replace it

[@vampsteelYT]

For some reason when you said beer cans being thrown at my head i resonated with that lol

[@crankgreenwatts]

Have just started live streaming and bought a second hand Blue Yeti X but the USB port is bust 😭 am using the mic from the Logitech C920 currently bought also have an arm so would like a pure mic .. Does the Samson Q2u come with an adaptor for arm connection please? Keep up the awesome content 👏

[@fancyflamingoxo]

Fortunately I didn't have to buy a lot of equipment to get started. So I splurged on that HyperX QuadS and I LOVE it. Appreciate all your recs!

[@Sum1_YouUse2No]

With this exact setup i have found the pieces for $95 on Fb market place. Thank you.

[@Z357Y]

my poor little 29 dollar luling arts boom arm has been in use for 3 years... i still use it to this day. i have a bietrun, still have that, but i dont use it because its stiff and difficult no matter what.

[@ShangClan420]

*Video Paused* I didn’t see the mic yet but I could swear you are building up to the SM58 😂

[@ShangClan420]

Daaaamn, didn’t see that coming 😂

[@steamtrainmark]

Fantastic advice and wish I had found your channel sooner, nope not spent huge dollars yet.

[@mr.anirbangoswami]

I wish I knew about dynamic and condenser mics before buying the HyperX SoloCast. It's a good mic, don't get me twisted, but my echo-y room makes it a mess

[@TheGoodIdeaFaerie]

I'm new to your channel, and I tried to look around to see if this question has already been answered, so I apologize if you've already covered this. Do you have any recommendations or resources for people that want to stream making art? I want to teach people how to paint, but my desktop isn't near my painting area 🤣plus, my phone has a pretty nice camera already. I've purchased a Sennheiser MKE 200 to plug into the phone and I've got Elgato's Epoccam installed that I can use with the OBS plug-in, but WOW! I feel like I'm spinning my wheels and there might be a better way of doing all of this. Thank you!

[@SilkysGaming]

still keeping the retention with the jokes of mics xD love it! love ur vids. always helping me out! so thank you :D

[@johnnyleyva7781]

Wheres the like for the set up kits?

[@StreamScheme]

Description

[@Kuroganashi]

Thank you Mr. Eljay

[@singleplayermoments]

I'm using a Blue Snowball for a mic. IIRC it only cost around £50-£60. Been using it for nearly a decade now, and IMO it still sounds great. I even got complimented once for having great-sounding audio. The only thing I'm missing from this video is specialized lighting. I'm still using my room light. But considering how expensive these Dazzne lights are, I want to know streaming is something I can do long-term before I think about purchasing one.

[@StreamScheme]

As I said, those mics CAN sound amazing, but for the majority they won’t :)

[@singleplayermoments]

​@@StreamScheme You did? I was just mentioning it as an example of a good sounding microphone you don't need to spend a lot for. But yeah, it probably does have a lot to do with your mic setup tutorial.

[@Genew1218]

I have a yeti but thinking about switching to a xlr was looking at getting a at 2040 and a waxe xlr

[@gloriae1997]

First time here and I just can't keep my eyes off of Danny De Vito haha, great picks tho, thanks!