Have you ever wondered what tools and gadgets professional Liveme hosts use? Production value (a buzzword for how good your broadcast looks and sounds) depends on the right lighting and sound. The good news is that everything you need can be found in the online store, and it is very inexpensive. Here is a list of recommendations to help you get started:
Best Lighting
Lighting is everything. The fastest way to improve broadcast quality is to use LED lighting. Here are some tips for choosing LED lighting for your broadcast:
Avoid using battery powered LED lights unless you are broadcasting on the go.
Use LED light that can be adjusted in brightness. Too much light is not very good.
Use an LED ring. LED rings are lighting tools used by professional photographers for beauty/beauty photos and portraits.
They illuminate the subject perfectly. Have you ever taken a selfie outside in the shade or by a window to get the perfect natural light? LED rings can produce natural daylight (4500K and above) on demand.
They eliminate shadows. A problem with broadcasting using room or window lighting is that it often creates shadows. The LED ring can be positioned directly in front of the presenter to reduce the appearance of harsh shadows.
The LED rings create a circular light (or eye light) effect in the Liveme host’s eyes. These are the breathtaking, circular highlights you’ve seen in professional portraits and makeup tutorials. They give the eyes depth and dimension and instantly grab the attention of the viewer.
Ring lamp lighting example:
The ring lighting kit consists of a ring LED lamp, a reinforced tripod extendable from 60 to 210 cm in height, a smartphone holder, USB powered, lamp angle 90°, color temperature, K 3000 – 5600.
Best Sound
Smartphone manufacturers are constantly improving the front camera, but the built-in microphone does not change so often. But this tiny device is responsible for all the sound that your viewers hear during the broadcast. Relying on this limited, outdated device can be a mistake. There are several different types of microphones to consider:
Shotgun Microphones – These amazing little microphones plug directly into your phone/tablet. They are directional, which means they capture great sound from the front but reduce unwanted noise from the sides and rear.
Tabletop Microphones – Place a stationary condenser microphone in your broadcast area for crystal clear sound.
Handheld Microphones – If you’re broadcasting karaoke or just like to hold a microphone in your hand, handheld microphones are a fun way to get great sound. The BONAOK wireless microphone can connect directly to your smartphone via bluetooth for great voice quality and also has a built-in speaker. It comes in 8 interesting colors including rose gold.
Bluetooth Headsets/Headphones – A popular solution for high-quality voice sound is the use of bluetooth wireless devices. These devices give you freedom of movement and the ability to use both hands while broadcasting. I recommend Airpods for in-ears or Mpow Pro Trucker for on-ears.
Music playback
Listening to music is a great way to bring the air to life. Unfortunately, many presenters try to listen to music on the same device from which they broadcast. This is a bad idea because:
Smartphone speakers have a limited sound range. This means no low frequencies.
Music can drown out the Liveme host’s voice. This is especially true for devices that have a microphone and speaker at the same end.
Changing the song usually means exiting the Liveme app. This causes video delay and freezes for your viewers.
It’s easy to get great music audio with deep bass that doesn’t drown out your voice. Consider one of the following devices:
Computer Speakers – If you are streaming near your PC/Laptop, you can use it to play music. Buy computer speakers with a subwoofer for deep, powerful bass.
Bluetooth speakers – I’m not talking about small portable shower speakers. I’m talking about something like the Logitech Z337. These speakers are Bluetooth compatible and come with a subwoofer. They put out 80 watts!!! Use your spare mobile device to wirelessly stream music to these speakers and take full control of your music without leaving the Liveme app.
Enhanced video
Device mounts – stable video enhances broadcast quality. Many presenters try to use homemade solutions to support or balance the smartphone. Here’s why you should use a device mount:
Leaning or leaning the device against anything will limit its capabilities. The device mounts are flexible and adjustable so you can move them around to get the perfect camera angle. For example, the Ring Light Stand has a long, flexible arm that can bend to any desired angle.
“Wait, I have to connect my phone.” Have you ever heard the presenters say this? They then turn the phone on its side to connect it and continue broadcasting in landscape mode. With the device mount, you can connect (and hold) your device in portrait mode.
There are several mounts that also offer LED lighting. The Ring Light Stand features a dimmable LED ring with three lighting modes.
iPad – This device is included in the list because many broadcasters prefer to use it as a streaming device. It has a great camera and chat comments are easier to read on a bigger screen. Save some money by purchasing a certified refurbished iPad.
Effects
Background – Broadcasting in front of a photographic backdrop can give your broadcast an artistic feel. You can use the adjustable backdrop stand to hold the backdrop, or nail it to the wall. There are many different colors, textures and landscape designs to choose from.
Laser Light Show – These little devices will add a disco/club effect to your broadcast. The good news is that they are fairly inexpensive. Sound-activated party lights look great and respond to your music.
Nutrition
Powerbank – If you plan to broadcast on the go, then a powerbank is a must. They come in small enough to fit in your pocket, a 10,000 mAh power bank is the best!
What is mAh? – Milliamp hour (mAh) is a measure of battery capacity. This is the number of amps that a battery can deliver in a given period of time. For example, if your phone draws 200 mA, then a 2000 mAh battery will power it for 10 hours.
The battery in the iPhone X has a capacity of 2716 mAh. So a 10,000 mAh battery will fully charge it about three times!