The quality of self-produced musical content has increased considerably. With the growing popularity of lo-fi remixes and homegrown content, more people are recording their first song— or even shooting full music videos —all in the safety of their homes. The reason behind this push for homemade music is that the technology for producing quality recordings has never been more accessible. If you're thinking about starting your own independent music journey, below we'll review some of the best cameras and microphones to help kickstart your career.
Cameras
Sony Alpha 7 Mirrorless cameras are a good option for beginner productions because they're compact, light, and capture excellent images even without a fancy set up. As a result, they're a versatile piece of equipment for capturing shots both in and out of the house, which can later be put together for a music video. You might be deceived by its small size, but the Sony Alpha 7 is a powerful little machine. It can capture an hour and a half of 4K video and shoot in slow motion, adding some versatility to your shoots. And while we don’t recommend using your camera’s microphone, this model is able to record 24-bit audio, which is quite impressive.
GoPro Hero5 A GoPro is a more compact camera with simpler settings, but what it lacks in details it makes up for in versatility. This durable, all-weather camera allows you to start your video by filming the streets from a motorcycle and end with everything from an underwater shot to a scene in the rain. The GoPro Hero5 can also immediately upload videos to your cloud, which means you can use their proprietary editing software as soon as you get home. And because it's designed for extreme sports, it comes with highly advanced video stabilization.
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV If you're a little more experienced on the home production front, you might want to set up with some bigger (and more expensive) guns. The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is a full-frame DSLR that adds a professional touch to every shoot, and is a powerful addition to any home production kit. This Canon camera comes with a 30.4 Megapixel image sensor capable of capturing video in 4K, and its Dual Pixel CMOS offers quick and precise autofocus that will allow you to switch between different positions and angles. Best of all, it can be easily operated by one person.
Microphones
Blue Yeti USB microphones are not the most popular among podcasters or musicians, but they offer high-quality audio without having to use advanced studio equipment. The Blue Yeti has multiple settings that allow you to record audio from one or two sources with no frills and no trouble. The Blue Yeti comes with a solid stand, but it can be attached to an articulated arm, and used with a pop filter. While affordable for most artists, it is highly sensitive so you might want to consider using noise reduction software after recording.
Shure SM7B The Shure SM7B is ideal for recording songs with powerful vocals. An industry favorite, it's a little pricey but well worth the investment. The model is quite versatile for a dynamic microphone, allowing for a smooth recording experience no matter what your preferred genre.
sE Electronics sE8
Condenser microphones require careful handling and can be a bit more expensive, but they're also able to record softer and more detailed sounds. The sE Electronics SE8 has a pair of small-diaphragm condensers that can be used to capture the notes from multiple instruments. It's a great option for home studio recordings that need a bit more clarity than your average lo-fi song.
The New Era of Music This age of new technology has opened the door for musicians all around the world to make themselves known online. A home recording may not always guarantee a contract with a music label, but a good camera and microphone could be the right step to launching a career on your own.