Video podcast equipment checklist

Everything a multicam video podcast needs, in the order you’ll set it up. Tick things off as you pack. Items marked In every kit come with each Tinseltown camera kit, Add-on items can be booked with it, and the rest you bring.

0 of 31 tickedUntick all

Count your angles first

Every camera needs its own lens, tripod, drive and batteries, so the number of angles sets the size of everything else. A two-person show shot on three cameras means three of each — which is why our kits come as one complete set per camera, packed in its own case. Not sure how many angles you need? The 2 vs 3 camera guide walks through it.

Cameras and lenses

• One camera per angleA Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K in a cage, set to our podcast preset. Two people usually means three angles — see 2 vs 3 cameras.In every kit
• One lens per cameraSigma 18–35, Tamron 24–70 or Tamron 70–200 (Canon EF mount) — or bring your own EF lens.In every kit
• A fluid-head tripod per cameraLocked off for the conversation, smooth if you need to pan.In every kit
• An external monitor (optional)The camera’s 5-inch touchscreen is enough for most podcasts. Its full-size HDMI output (up to 1080p60) can feed a bigger screen.You bring

Media and backup

• A 1TB SSD on every cameraA Samsung T5 that records straight from the camera over USB-C: about 5 hours 11 minutes at our podcast preset (5.7K Blackmagic RAW 12:1, 24 fps), up to ~10 hours in 4K.In every kit
• A backup driveBig enough for every camera’s footage. Copy first, then check the copy plays.You bring
• A laptop with a USB-C portFor copying the drives at the end of the day.You bring

When you copy, put each camera’s footage in its own folder named after its angle — A, B, C, or “wide”, “host”, “guest”. It saves a lot of guessing in the edit.

Power

• Two 95Wh V-mount batteries per cameraWith a D-Tap to 12V cable: 6½+ hours of continuous recording even at the camera’s maximum power draw.In every kit
• Battery chargerTop up between shoot days.In every kit
• Extension cords and a power stripLights, laptops and audio gear run on wall power.You bring

Audio

• One microphone per voiceViewers forgive a soft picture before they forgive bad sound.You bring
• A recorder or audio interfaceWith an input for every microphone.You bring
• HeadphonesFor whoever is listening to the sound while you record.You bring
• Mic stands or arms, and XLR cablesPlus a spare cable.You bring
• A guide track on every cameraThe camera’s built-in microphones record scratch audio for syncing. It also has a mini XLR input with 48V phantom power and a 3.5mm input if you want to feed a mic straight in.In every kit

Light

• Softbox lightsDaylight LED, softbox and stand: 1 for $10, 2 for $20, 3 for $25 a day. One light on each person, off to the side and a little above eye level.Add-on
• Lamps for the backgroundA practical lamp or two behind your guests adds depth.You bring
• A plan for the overhead lightsFlat ceiling light makes everyone look tired. Turn it off if you can.You bring

The room

• A quiet roomListen for air conditioning, fridges and traffic before you set up.You bring
• Soft thingsRugs, curtains, sofas and full bookshelves stop echo.You bring
• Chairs that don’t squeak or swivelAnd a table at a comfortable height for everyone.You bring
• Something behind your guestsShelves, art, plants — the background is half of every shot.You bring

Small things that save a shoot

• Gaffer tapeTape cables flat to the floor so nobody trips on one and pulls a tripod over. It peels off cleanly; duct tape doesn’t.You bring
• A lens clothCheck every lens for fingerprints and dust before you roll. A smudge shows on every frame of that angle.You bring
• Water without iceFor your guests, in mugs or bottles. Ice and glasses clink, and the microphones hear it.You bring

Sync and edit

• A clap or a slateOne clap at the start of each recording, seen and heard by every camera and mic, gives the editor a sync point.You bring
• DaVinci ResolveThe free version edits Blackmagic RAW and finishes projects up to Ultra HD at 60p.Free download
• Blackmagic RAW PlayerFree, for previewing clips on your laptop.Free download

People and paperwork

• Someone on cameras and soundEven on a locked-off shoot, one person should watch the recording lights, the drives and the audio levels.You bring
• A run of showTopics, guest names and segment times on one page, so nobody has to ask what’s next.You bring
• Release forms for guestsWritten permission to publish each guest’s appearance. Keep a copy with your footage.You bring

Shoot day, in order

1. The day before. Confirm your pickup time, clear space on your backup drive and charge your audio gear.
2. At pickup. A five-minute walkthrough of the kit. Check every case: camera, lens, tripod, SSD, two batteries, cables and charger. Bring a photo ID that matches the name on the card you paid with.
3. On set. Power up, check that each camera is recording to its SSD, record a short test on every camera and play it back.
4. Roll. Start every camera, then clap. Glance at each screen now and then — the timecode turns red while a camera records.
5. Wrap. Stop every camera, copy every drive to your backup, check the copies, then pack each case.
6. Return. Bring the kit back at your booked time. We release the deposit hold within 24–48 hours of return.