My Content Creation Workspace
In 2020 I started thinking about how I was missing out on YouTube and content creation. In January started using Zoom to stream my Ethical Hacking and Web Application Pentesting classes at Dallas College, so I was already doing a major piece of content creation. I started thinking more seriously about getting started in content creation. One of my main motivations was to offer my educational content for free and on a broader scale. So far, I have posted recordings of my lectures on my YouTube channel, which I plan to expand on. My job duties at my new Offensive Cybersecurity Instructor at INE include video content creation, which I am very excited about. I started this process of getting set up to do content creation, and now it is part of my job, and I have experienced professionals to help me. I had pretty much everything I needed, but there have been some minor updates to my workspace. I will share the details of my workspace and some changes that I made later in the process.
Building My Workspace
In February 2020, Alyssa Miller, Chloé Messdaghi, and I started “The Uncommon Journey” podcast for ITSP Magazine, and having better audio equipment would benefit the podcast.
Camera Configuration
I started purchasing my equipment in the middle of September 2020. My first purchase was a Sony ZV-1 DSLR camera and an Elgato Camlink stream device for streaming with the camera. The Sony ZV-1 was designed for content creators and YouTubers. After getting the Sony ZV-1, I decided to get a 4K webcam for something more simplistic for video conferences and to have a backup camera. I got the Logitech Brio Ultra High Definition webcam. The whole process of building out my personal video recording studio was an exercise in trial and error. One example was my camera stands. I researched camera stands, tripods, and desk-mounted camera arms. I didn’t like tripods because of the space they use on the desk surface. I originally the InnoGear Webcam Stand and purchased one for each of the cameras. InnoGear Webcam Stands come with a removable flexible gooseneck extender, which I did not use. I got Ulanzi U-70 a quick-release camera mount to make it easier to remove the Sony ZV-1 from the camera stand. An issue I encountered with the camera stands was it and the camera obstructed my view. I got an Elgato Master Mount desk mounted camera stand, which is mounted behind my monitor and sits above my monitor, no longer interfering with my monitor. I was happy that the Ulanzi U-70 quick-release camera mount fits well on the Elgato Master Mount.
Lighting
Due to the pandemic, conferences went virtual, and while recording the video of my talk for a conference, my lighting was subpar, and I had to make do with some LED lights with hooks that I hooked to my monitor. To fix my lighting problem, I got a Dazzne D50 Desk Mount Video Light, which greatly improved. INE sent me a Lume Cube Video Conference Lighting Kit, which mounts to the back of a laptop. This is a great mounting solution for configurations for stand-alone laptops. I have a monitor, and I don’t use the built-in MacBook Pro webcam. The light is better utilized close to the camera. To fix this, I got a SMALLRIG 1/4" Camera Hot Shoe Mount to attach the light on the top of my camera. The shoe mount refers to the connector on the camera for attaching accessories such as microphones and lights.
The Dazzne D50 Desk Mount Video Light is positioned on the back of the lefthand side of my desk and I will be adding an additional Dazzne D50 Desk Mount Video Light on the righthand side of the desk.
Audio Configuration
Shure SM7B Cardioid Dynamic Microphone was the microphone I chose based on a recommendation by Dallas Hackers Association cohost and audio video guru, Whiskey Neon. I already had a Focusrite Scarlett Solo that I used with a wireless microphone for Pwn School meetings I was hosting in person until the pandemic. I selected the Cloudlifter CL-1 as my preamp for the Shure SM7B Microphone. I chose the Gator Frameworks Deluxe Desk-Mounted Broadcast Microphone Boom Stand because I wanted a desk-mounted boom microphone stand.
Connecting it All Together
The Anker Docking Station, PowerExpand Elite 13-in-1 Thunderbolt 3 Dock makes connecting the sound and video gear to my MacBook Pro. The single Thunderbolt/USB C cable makes it easy to switch out my computers in my recording setup.
Elgato Stream Deck
I have an Elgato Stream Deck, which is a USB-connected device with programmable buttons that can be used to automate the video recording and streaming process. This is something yet to be configured but will be setting up to optimize my recording and content creation. I am planning to start streaming on Twitch soon and I will be using it for that purpose as well.
Component List
This was a learning process for me I hope this write-up helps others. The items I mentioned above are listed with links to Amazon or the vendor's website. All of the items can be purchased through Amazon.
Sony ZV-1–4k Camera for vlogging and content creation
Elgato Cam Link 4K — Broadcast Live, Record via DSLR, Camcorder, or Action Cam, 1080p60 or 4K at 30 FPS, Compact HDMI Capture Device, USB 3.0
Elgato Master Mount — Desk mounted camera stand
Ulanzi U-70 Creative Cold Shoe Ballhead — Quick release camera mount attachment
Logitech Brio Ultra HD Pro Business Webcam
InnoGear Webcam Stand, Upgraded Flexible Desktop Stand Gooseneck
Lume Cube Video Conference Lighting Kit
SMALLRIG 1/4" Camera Hot Shoe Mount
Shure SM7B Cardioid Dynamic Microphone
Focusrite Scarlett Solo (3rd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools
Cloud Microphones CL-1 Cloudlifter 1-Channel Mic Activator — Feedback Reducer
Gator Frameworks Deluxe Desk-Mounted Broadcast Microphone Boom Stand For Podcasts & Recording; Integrated XLR Cable (GFWBCBM3000)
Elgato Stream Deck — Live Content Creation Controller with 15 Customizable LCD Keys
Dazzne D50 Desk Mount Video Light with C-Clamp, LED Studio Photography Light with Wireless Remote
Anker Docking Station, PowerExpand Elite 13-in-1 Thunderbolt 3 Dock for USB-C Laptops, 85W Charging for Laptop, 18W Charging for Phone, 4K HDMI, 1Gbps Ethernet, Audio, USB-A Gen 1, USB-C Gen 2, SD 4.0
