YouTube Starter Kit – How to Start on YouTube
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By Alan
Starting a YouTube channel is intimidating.
There are so many different types of cameras, microphones, and lighting that it can be hard to know what you need to get started.
And then there’s the editing process – where do you start?
I’ve put together this starter kit for anyone looking to start their own YouTube channel. This article includes all the gear you’ll need as well as professional advice from our team of experts on how to make your videos look great!

What kind of gear do you need to get started with your own YouTube channel?
First, let’s go over the basics.
You’ll need a camera or webcam, a microphone with an interface or XLR cable, and some lighting.
And don’t forget you’ll also need editing software! I suggest Adobe Premiere Pro – it’s what we use here at Cinema5D.
Webcam: The Logitech C920 is a great starter webcam.
Microphone: The Blue Yeti is a solid USB microphone that will get the job done.
Lighting: You’ll need 2 lights or softboxes and a tripod for your video lighting kit. The Westcott Flex LED panels are simple but versatile – you can easily add booms to them if you want to get fancy.
Tripod: A good tripod is critical for great-looking videos! The Manfrotto MVR901 or MVK500A are two really nice options – either will serve you well.
Video Editing Software: Adobe Premiere Pro is what we use to edit all our videos here at Cinema5D. It’s a robust piece of software you can easily start on and grow with as your channel grows.
That’s about it – good luck!
YouTube Starter Kit | Camera
In this section we will look at the camera you’ll need to make great YouTube videos at video creator kit!
Webcam: The Logitech C920 is a great webcam for YouTube videos. It has excellent optics, great low-light performance, and most importantly it plugs right into your PC via USB!
Action camera: GoPro’s are one of the most popular cameras among YouTubers – they’re tough, resilient, can be mounted just about anywhere, and have some great-looking footage. The GoPro HERO5 is GoPro’s latest flagship.
Mirrorless camera: Sony’s line of mirrorless cameras is incredibly popular with YouTubers. The A7Sii can shoot in very low light, has great optics and most importantly they’re full-frame!
YouTube Starter Kit | Microphone
In this section we will look at the video microphone you’ll need to make great YouTube videos!
Condenser microphone:
The best way to start with YouTube is a condenser microphone. Condensers are sensitive and therefore pick up more detail in your recording – they’re preferred for both voiceovers and singing.
Shotgun microphone:
A shotgun mic is pointed directly at the sound source to isolate it from ambient noise, ensuring that what you hear on the recording is exactly what was said or sung. The Rode NTG-3 and Sennheiser MKH 416 are great shotgun microphones that will serve you well.
Lavalier microphone:
If you’re going to be doing a lot of interviews, I recommend investing in a lavalier mic like the Rode Smartlav+. It clips onto a lapel or collar and plugs straight into your camera.
YouTube Starter Kit | Tripod
In this section we will look at the tripod you’ll need to make great YouTube videos in channel starter kits!
Tripod: A good tripod is critical for great-looking videos! The Manfrotto MVR901 or MVK500A are two nice options – either will serve you well.
Video Editing Software: Adobe Premiere Pro is what we use to edit all our videos here at Cinema5D. It’s a robust piece of software you can easily start on and grow with as your channel grows.
There are many more options for Video Editing Software. check here. [1]
Read More: A Guide to Best Tripods to Buy
YouTube Starter Kit | Lighting
In this section we will look at the lighting you’ll need to make great YouTube videos!
Softboxes:
A softbox is essentially a light bank designed specifically for studio shooting (they’re bigger and flatter than typical light sources). When used correctly they can create awesome lighting in selfie ring light. Westcott makes a great 2-light kit with softboxes and stands.
Umbrella lights:
An umbrella light uses an umbrella to diffuse the light instead of direct it like a softbox – this can be used in conjunction with other lights or on their own.
Ring lights:
A ring light is a giant softbox that surrounds your lens. They’re great for vlogging and they give videos a unique look! You can check out our ring light recommendations here:
YouTube Starter Kit | Video Editing Tools
In this section we will look at the video editing tools you’ll need to make your videos look professional as best content creators!
Video Editing Software: Adobe Premiere Pro is what we use to edit all our videos here at Cinema5D. It’s a robust piece of software you can easily start on and grow with as your channel grows.
YouTube Starter Kit | Professional advice
In this section, we will look at professional advice for making great YouTube videos from content creators!
Never stop learning: Learning about lighting, sound, and video editing is never-ending. YouTube has a great community of like-minded creators who are willing to help you out and make you better at the craft!
Learn from others: Check out “YouTube Channels” on Google – thousands of channels with useful tips, tricks, and tutorials.
Network: Don’t be afraid to reach out to others on social media or in person. You’ll be surprised how many people are willing to come out of their shells and lend a helping hand!
Conclusion
There you go, nine items every great YouTube channel needs! I hope you found this helpful and please let me know what other topics you think I should cover here. DSLR Cameras are also one of the best cameras.
Thanks for reading! Better sound quality will give your videos more polish and professionalism.
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