What is a content creator kit? Essential hardware for all creators

If you’re a digital creator, your content creator kit will help your content shine. It may contain real-world hardware such as cameras, microphones, and lighting equipment, plus online software such as social media management tools and data analysis platforms.

Not long ago, we posted our tips for choosing the best software for building a content creator kit. Now’s it time for hardware! In this article, we're going to look at the real-world equipment you might need to build your perfect content creator kit. Also, where relevant, we've also added a note to show when we use the software in our work here at Memberful. Let’s dive in!

Microphones

Having been commonly used at live events for decades, periphery microphones (as in, not the microphone that comes built-in with the computer) are becoming popular at home too to improve the quality of a podcast or webinar. Many record with a ‘cardioid polar pattern’ – this means that the highest recording sensitivity is to sound coming from directly in front of the microphone, with no sensitivity to sound coming directly from behind and reduced sensitivity to sound coming from the sides. This helps to ensure that only the person in front of the microphone is recorded.

A good microphone can also help to capture the nuances of sound, including vocal inflections and intonations – this is especially useful for voice-only recordings and podcasts.

Here are some common choices of microphone:

Shure MV7

This microphone is a popular choice among podcasters due to clear audio with reduced background noise. It is compatible with XLR and USB connections and has a touch panel for easy adjustments to the microphone's gain and headphone volume. It’s our favorite here at Memberful!

Audio-Technica AT2035

This condenser microphone is known for its clear, crisp sound. The cardioid polar pattern of the microphone helps to reduce background noise. It also has a switchable high-pass filter and 10dB pad, making it a versatile option for podcasters and interviewers.

Rode Podcaster

This dynamic microphone is specifically designed for podcasting as it has USB connectivity. Its built-in pop filter reduces plosive sounds (such as ‘p’ and ‘b’) that can cause noise distortion and it has a cardioid polar pattern for recording.

Logitech Yeti

This condenser microphone is a popular choice for beginner podcasters due to its affordable price and easy USB connectivity. It has a range of polar recording patterns and a built-in headphone jack for monitoring audio.

Headphones

Adding headphones to your content creator kit can significantly improve your audio quality, especially when there are multiple people recording during an interview.

Headphones isolate sound, reduce echo, block out background noise and deliver clearer, more detailed audio which can be crucial when recording podcasts.

These are some popular headphone options:

Sennheiser HD 280 Pro

These headphones are known for their noise-cancellation capabilities, making them a good option for podcasters who might be recording in busy or noisy situations. They also have a comfortable fit and a clear, accurate sound and the individual parts are easily replaceable for longevity. They’re the ones we use at Memberful!

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

These headphones are known for their clear, accurate sound and comfortable fit. They are also easily portable and have ‘swivel and fold’ earcups, making them easy to store and transport, and so a good option for creators who need to record and listen on the go.

Sony MDR-7506

These famously durable headphones are another classic choice for podcasters, with a clear and accurate sound and a comfortable fit. They have a wide frequency response range of 10 Hz to 20 kHz, which allows for precise and detailed audio playback.

Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro

These headphones are known for their clear, detailed sound; the closed-back design of the headphones helps to block out external noise. They also come in a range of impedances, making them compatible with a wide range of audio interfaces.

Photography cameras

SLR (single-lens reflex) and DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) cameras have larger sensors than camera phones, which capture more light and detail, resulting in images with less noise and more accurate colors. They offer more control over aperture and shutter speed, and a choice of lenses to help you capture different types of subjects such as portraits and landscapes.

Here are some photography cameras commonly found in content creator kits:

Panasonic Lumix G85

This mirrorless camera has a 16-megapixel sensor for great image quality. Its five-axis built-in image stabilization makes it a good option for creators who want to shoot both photos and videos. It is also weather-sealed and has a long battery life.

Fujifilm X-T4

This mirrorless camera has a phenomenal 26.1-megapixel sensor, a fast autofocus system, in-body image stabilization, and a flip-out screen. It is also weather-sealed, making it a good option for creators who frequently shoot outdoors.

Canon EOS M50 Mark II

This mirrorless camera has a fantastic 24.1-megapixel sensor, accurate color reproduction, and sharp details. It has a flip-out screen and fast autofocus system. It also has built-in WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity for easy photo file management.

Videography cameras

Video cameras typically capture better lighting and sharper detail than camera phones and many offer optical zoom, which lets you zoom in and out smoothly without losing video quality.

Even nowadays, video cameras have better audio quality than smartphones, because they have noise reduction technology. This can be especially important for recording interviews.

These are some popular video cameras:

Sony ZV-1

This camera is designed for vlogging, with features like a flip-out screen, built-in directional microphone, and fast autofocus. The ZV-1 features a large CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) sensor for exceptional clarity. It also has the ability to shoot 4K video.

DJI Pocket 2

This popular compact camera has a built-in gimbal, making it easy to shoot stable footage while on the go. It also has the ability to shoot 4K video and comes with a range of accessories, including a wireless microphone.

GoPro HERO9 Black

This action camera is rugged and waterproof, making it a good option for vloggers who want to shoot on-the-go adventure travel content. It also has built-in image stabilization and the ability to shoot 5K video.

Webcams

Webcams are smaller than the above video/photo cameras; they’re compact, lightweight and usually clip onto the top of a laptop or computer screen. They offer a variety of features and have variable frames per second (fps) that make them great options for streaming, content creation such as podcasting, and video conferencing.

Here are some popular options of webcam:

Logitech C922 Pro Stream

This webcam features 1080p resolution and 30 fps, stereo microphone and noise-cancellation technology. The C922 Pro Stream also features an adjustable background replacement feature, which allows you to replace your background with an image or video during live streams.

Razer Kiyo

This features a 1080p resolution and 30 fps, and has a built-in ring light for even lighting. The Kiyo also has an adjustable field of view, allowing you to switch between a wide-angle view and a close-up view for more versatility.

Logitech Brio

This webcam offers 4K Ultra HD video at 30 fps and 5x digital zoom. The Brio features High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology, which enhances contrast and color accuracy. This results in improved image and video quality in a variety of lighting conditions. We use this one at Memberful!

Ring lighting

A ring light is a circular lighting device commonly used by photographers and videographers to ensure even lighting with no shadows. It helps to produce a more flattering, uniform look and enhances catchlight, which is the reflection of the light source in the subject's eyes, which adds depth and dimension to the shot.

Here are some popular options:

Neewer ring light

This ring light kit includes a ring light with multiple brightness levels and color temperatures. It is a popular choice for podcasters due to its affordability and versatility, and is compact and lightweight – good for recording on the go.

UBeesize ring light

This ring light has a flexible arm that allows it to be positioned at any angle, making it a good option for podcasters who need to adjust their lighting setup frequently. It also has adjustable brightness and color temperature settings.

Emart ring light

This 18-inch ring light has adjustable brightness and color temperature, as well as a range of accessories including Bluetooth remote control. It comes with a flexible phone holder and a ball head adapter, which allows for easy adjustments to your lighting angle.

Godox LR150 ring light

This ring light has a 15.7-inch diameter and a range of accessories, including a tripod stand and phone holder. It also has an LCD display that shows the current settings, such as brightness level and color temperature, making it easier to adjust the lighting during a shoot.

Conclusion: Essential content creator kit hardware

If you’re a digital creator, your content creator kit will help your content shine best and choosing the right real-world equipment is a hugely important part of this. We hope that the list above helps you to build your perfect content creator kit with all the hardware you might need, from cameras, microphones, headphones and lighting.

If you found this article useful, please also check out our tips for choosing the best software for building a content creator kit. Happy creating!