ALL THE GEAR
SO YOU’VE GOT your minimum spec sorted, and a 1080p screen. What other hardware should you consider?
WEBCAM/CAMERA SOLUTION
This is admittedly an optional extra, but if you want the best engagement out of your audience, it’s best to get that head of yours on the screen as well. You can do this via a number of ways. A cheap webcam is one solution, or at the extreme, something like a DSLR will also work nicely. Alternatively, there are now a number of specialist streaming webcams out there built specifically for Twitch and use in live-streaming, with accompanying software.
Elgato has the Facecam and Facecam Pro (the latter a 4K solution if you really want every freckle in view), Razer has the Kiyo series, with the Ultra, Pro, and X line, and Logitech has the Brio Stream and Brio 500, to name just a few. There’s also a plethora of other good picks kicking around out there, too. Heck, you might even want two for a secondary angle so you can pivot to mid-stream for those critical ‘reaction shots’.
MICROPHONE/AUDIO SOLUTION
This is a big one. Good-quality audio is key when it comes to audience engagement. Make sure both your voice is crystal clear, and tuned to your liking, and that you can hear the game without it creating an endless feedback loop for your stream is critical.
You could go the whole nine yards on this one and opt for a boom arm, dedicated XLR mic, and suitable amp/interface (Elgato’s Wave XLR is a fantastic solution if you’re looking for something plug-and-play). However, a goodquality headset mic will work in a pinch, such as the Steelseries Arctis is Line or the Corsair sair HS80. Instead, you could get a dedicated desktop mic, such as HyperX’s QuadCast S, Razer Seiren series or Elgato Wave:3, which will work just as well, but with less dynamism than the full-blown suites.
LIGHTING
No, we’re not talking about set decoration here (although that is still something you should think about), but ensuring you’re well-illuminated for the stream at hand. Yep, we’re talking keylights. In an ideal world, you should be illuminated from two different angles. Elgato’s Keylights are a fantastic solution for this and are relatively affordable for the high-quality componentry inside. Pair that with their compatibility with the wider software suite, and they’re often a surefire pick, particularly when they’re on offer.
You could opt for something a little chunkier instead, such as a ring light. These larger solutions are more expensive, but do light you via a constant circle of LEDs instead. They’re also great if you’re planning on streaming hobby skills or something similar. Place one overhead with a camera facing down at your hands at work, and voila, well-lit hobby streaming is a go.
THE STREAM DECK
It’s hard to mention streaming without talking about Elgato’s humble Stream Deck. This plucky little number has gone through a lot of iterations since its conception way back when, but it’s far and away one of the most useful pieces of kit out there. With a wide array of plugins and compatibility with all major streaming platforms, it’s incredibly useful.
You can control audio levels, lighting temperatures, live-stream scenes, camera zoom, Nanoleaf and Philips hue lighting, audio sources, start programs, do countdowns, use it as a soundboard, or just stick macros on. The number of uses these have is incredible.
Elgato was first to the game with the Stream Deck, but a number of manufacturers have begun to launch their own equivalents, including Razer, Streamplify, and others. That said, Elgato’s ecosystem is far more developed, particularly when you consider it also has Camera Hub, (for Facecam settings) Wave Link (Wave audio settings), and Control Center (wireless lighting controls) all in one place. There’s a lot at play here, which is why they’re top of our list of parts to pick.
DO YOU REALLY NEED ALL THIS?
Not really. When you’re starting out, you should keep your investment small. Make the purchases you can afford or need. Don’t sweat the big ticket items. Yes, things like 4K webcams and dedicated XLR mic setups are great, but they’re not worth it if you’re just dipping your toe in the water, or aren’t entirely sure if streaming is for you.
That said, a lot of these products have mixed versatility these days. Having a good-quality webcam and lighting is fantastic for business calls and working from home. A solid microphone rig can make your voice sound real punchy in those same calls, or bumbling around with your buds on Discord, and of course, the versatility of a good Stream Deck needs no introduction, either.