So you want to know how to record Youtube videos?
You’re not alone. Last week I had another voice teacher contact me to ask about a student of theirs.
The student wants to start recording their own Youtube singing videos, and has no idea where to begin.
Turns out, the teacher felt about the same and didn’t know where to start! And I don’t blame them! It’s a confusing world out there for those sorts of things so as I was going to be blogging on this material anyway, I sent them a run-down on things I’ve found and what I would recommend.
Youtube channel material
If someone is looking to record Youtube style videos AND is just starting out, I’d opt for an all-in-one solution rather than separate microphones and separate cameras – i.e. there are devices that record high quality stereo audio AND HD video together, and put them into a single file for uploading to the internet. It means there’s no separate microphones, recording interfaces, new software that you need to learn etc. Instead, an all-in-one solution requires you to just connect up the device to the computer after recording a video, and then you’re done. No microphone cables, working out software, etc, it just records, then uploads.
In particular, it’s not just the acquisition of new equipment that poses a financial and technological challenge, there’s also the requirement to get a good sound from the combination… which can be a challenge for the uninitiated, and I certainly don’t consider myself the master there.
By opting for an all-in-one, your sound and configuration options are more restricted (not that you’re getting a bad sound, it’s just fixed), but the BIG upside is that if you LIKE the sound it will always be the same = simple recording in one go.
Within this category of all-in-one options, there are at least three main options folks can go down. There are obviously others but these are the three main branches I think folks are best to can look at:
Option 1: Zoom Devices
There’s one name in particular that stands out above the rest for these sorts of hand-held all-in-one devices, and that’s Zoom.
Q4 – here is around – £249 – it appears that the video is indeed true HD.
They are very simple and straightforward to use. I’ve had 3 or 4 students use them for recording their lessons, and I’ve even had some band members say they use them to record gigs and practice sessions for rewatching and assessing what to improve. So it’s certainly multi-purpose for all of you aspiring to improve your stage presence and singing!
Option 2: Sony
There is nowhere near the same level of buzz around the Sony offerings compared to the Zoom offerings, however that doesn’t mean they are worse. Zoom have just been doing it for longer, and have a wider range of options, and also a big range of older products available for cheaper.
MV1 – http://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/music-video-recorder/hdr-mv1 – around £220
Option 3: Use an iPhone!
No, seriously, this works GREAT!
With the advance of modern technology meaning everything but the kitchen sink can be put only a phone, more and more people are turning to iPhones for recording their audio and video together.
When student’s record their lessons, they often use the memo recording on the iPhone. The microphone quality on the iPhone is really quite impressive. It can distort easily, but you very quickly learn where to place the phone whilst recording to minimise this.
When you use the video camera feature, particularly in strong daylight, you get some INCREDIBLE quality video for a mobile device.
Instant upload…
What’s even better is that if you have the Youtube app on your phone, when you finish recording a video you can click the ‘share’ button, and you will be given to directly share and immediately upload that video to your own Youtube channel.
This means that anytime you fancy recording a video you can hit record, then click upload – and it’s done! That level of convenience is unmatched by any other device other than mobile phones at the moment, and the iPhone is ahead of the competition in my opinion. Of course your own phone might do this, but you’d need to test it to see how good it is. Technology is improving all the time, but in my opinion the iPhone is presently the number one choice for convenience and quality.
As the iPhone has a pretty awesome microphone (albeit fragile and overly sensitive to loud pops and bangs, but you can easily learn how to work around this), and a pretty decent camera (particularly when in good light), it’s exceedingly hard to beat this option if you already have an iPhone.
A little tip for home made music videos…
This is a cool one.
Because so many people have iPhones, the great thing is that you can use your friends to make multi-angle videos. E.g. you’re all out at a karaoke event or just singing at home… you each use your iPhone to record someone singing at the same time, then share the videos together. You can edit them together to create a really dynamic and engaging multi-angle video shoot for absolutely nothing…. crowd-sharing at its finest!
One other thing…
You CAN get microphone modules to plug into the bottom of the iPhone and provide higher quality microphone input (e.g. Rode microphones offer something like this)… but at this stage I think just ONE device is the best route to send an inexperienced singer down, particularly if they want todo their own Youtube channel.
My suggestion
Use the iPhone if you’ve got it. Either way, play with your own phone’s video and recording function. The iPhone reeeeally hard to beat it for how functional and easy to use it is. If they already have one it’s a no brainer. If they DON’T, then the Zoom Q2HD would be a good start. If they start doing small gigs then the Q4 or Sony MV1 would be the next step up.
Hope that helps! Look forward to catching you again sometime soon.
Learn More: Related Articles
If you want to learn more about recording, you can find out more by visiting these related articles:
Recorded vs Live Performance: Which is harder?
Recording Studio on a Budget
How to Sing When Recording
Vocal Comping to Get the Best Vocal Take
Live vs Recorded Vocals: Our own double standards
Five Common Vocal Misconceptions (check number 5)