Our Studio Setup
We get asked about our setup constantly. Here’s everything we use—cameras, audio, lighting, the switcher—plus what we’d actually recommend if you’re building your own studio from scratch. We did the math at the bottom so you know what to budget.
📷 Cameras
We run three cameras—two close-ups and a wide shot. We barely use the wide shot anymore. Two cameras is all you need. If starting over, we’d get two Sony a6000s and call it done.
🎤 Audio
We use Zoom ZDM-1 dynamic mics on tabletop stands. They sound solid, but the close-proximity setup can feel intimidating for guests—and any table noise (tapping, phones vibrating) gets picked up by the stands. The Shure SM7B is the de facto podcast standard for a reason.
🎙 Video Switcher & Recording
The RodeCaster Video is the nerve center. It auto-switches cameras based on who’s speaking, streams live to YouTube, and records to an external SSD. We always run a backup voice recorder—after losing audio on two early episodes due to a glitch, it’s non-negotiable.
Backup connection: 1/4" to 1/8" cable from RodeCaster Video’s left balanced output → Line Input on the voice recorder.
💡 Lights
Lighting makes the biggest visual difference. Our Nanlite FS-300B key light with its large softbox covers both people in a two-person setup. Neewer NL660 panels handle hair lights and the room divider backlight. RGB accents and corner lamps add depth and color to the background.
🏠 Furniture & Accessories
The IKEA Mörbylånga table is the centerpiece of the studio—substantial, beautiful on camera, and holds up well. The countdown timer with foot switch lets Samuel track time mid-conversation without breaking the flow. Don’t forget XLR cables, HDMI cables, and surge-protected power strips for everything.
💰 What Does This Cost?
Here’s the rough math to replicate our setup from scratch. Prices reflect current Amazon/IKEA pricing and will vary.
| Item | Qty | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Sony a6000 Mirrorless Camera (recommended) | 2 | ~$1,830 |
| RODE RodeCaster Video | 1 | ~$700 |
| Shure SM7B Mic (budget: Zoom ZDM-1 ×2 ≈ $140, saves ~$660) | 2 | ~$800 |
| Boom Mic Stands (or tabletop stands ~$90) | 2 | ~$80 |
| Headphones (any decent pair) | 3 | ~$150 |
| 1/4" Pin Plug Extension Cables | 3 | ~$45 |
| Samsung T7 Portable SSD 1TB | 1 | ~$100 |
| Backup Voice Recorder | 1 | ~$60 |
| External Monitor (HDMI) | 1 | ~$120 |
| Nanlite FS-300B Bi-Color Key Light (w/ softbox) | 1 | ~$400 |
| Neewer NL660 Panels | 2 | ~$120 |
| RGB LED Flood Lights + Corner Floor Lamp | — | ~$120 |
| IKEA MöRBYLÅNGA Table | 1 | ~$500 |
| IKEA Risör Room Divider | 1 | ~$80 |
| Countdown Timer w/ Foot Switch | 1 | ~$30 |
| XLR Cables, HDMI Cables, Stands, Power Strips | — | ~$250 |
| Total Estimated Range | $4,200 – $5,000 | |
* Budget route: swap Shure SM7B for Zoom ZDM-1 (×2 ≈ $140) to save ~$660. Total drops to approximately $3,600–$4,300.