This isn’t really a tip post but I don’t really know what other category to put it under. Basically this is a look at how I go about making the vidcasts for this site. It is by no means a step by step guide and is definitely the only way to do a vidcast. It just happens to be the way process that works for me given my equipment, skill level and desired outcome!
- Mummy, how are vidcasts made?
I didn’t get into to much detail about the actual eqipment that I use in the video, so here are some pics and links of the stuff that makes the magic happen!
- DigiDesign MBox 1 front panel
DigiDesign MBox 1 rear panel
I believe I wrongly called my audio interface an MAudio, but it was actually made by DigiDesign (much like Autodesk, Avid seems to own everything audio/video and it gets confusing!). I am using the MBox1 USB audio interface which is a bit of a dinosaur these days, but it does what I need. The temptation was there to get something with more inputs and a mixer because they look cool and have lots of knobs on them, however the fact is that I do most music and audio recording by myself, so will only be using a maximum of two microphones (one vocal and one instrument). Resist the urge to buy equipment you don’t really need, but try and futureproof as much as possible.
Shure SM58 - the industry workhorse
For a microphone I looked long and hard but in the end I couldn’t go past the Shure SM58 for performance at a very good price. As I was just getting into audio recording I didn’t want to splash big bucks on equipment that I didn’t know much about. As I get better with home recording I will have a better idea of the qualities I am looking for a in a microphone.
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro - Niiiiiice
Okay, okay, I splurged a bit on these headphones, but these are your direct interface with your audio. I have a nice pair of Sennheisers for listening to music but they are *not* the headphones for mastering music. They up the bass and do crazy things to make the music “pop”. That’s great when I am listening to the Flaming Lips, but when you are mastering audio you want a flat, non-enhanced version of the music hitting your eardrums.
17" Macbook Pro HD
Za beast!! I wouldn’t technically call this a laptop as if you have to carry it around in a satchel for an hour your shoulder feels like Mike Tyson did a bit of warmup work on it. However, a fantastic computer all ’round. Get the anti-glare screen as the reflections on the glossy screen are truly insane. Unfortunately I only have a 20″ monitor to share with my PC workstation so they are both limited to 1680×1050. This will soon change with 24″ monitors being so cheap these days.
Wacom - worth the money
While I use the Wacom for the work, I tend to use the mouse for the vidcast as it just seems like I need to do a lot of precise clicking and keyboard work. I have started using a Wacom in Maya as well due to have a sore wrist (yay for RSI) and it is starting to become second nature. The Intuos 4 looks sweet, but unless you really, really need it, it might be an idea to pick up an older but cheaper Intuos 3.
The rest - MS mouse, MAudio Axiom 25 and my pig mug.
The rest of the motley crew. The MS mouse has lasted for years and is still comfortable to use. I finally picked up a midi controller earlier this year, the MAudio Axiom 25 and it is totally sweet for making muzak. Nice keys, pads and dials for under AUD$300. The pig mug is my constant companion and has been with me since I was a kid. Thank goodness I just find a tea store in Melbourne and it has been full of proper Early Grey all weekend (coffee at work, tea at home is my motto . . . until I get a coffee machine at home ;p)
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