My Livestreaming Setup for 2022

By David Tucker • September 15, 2022
video

I regularly use my office studio for webinars, livestreams, and even video calls. I want to walk you through the setup I am currently using. This is one of my two studio areas, and I'll be covering my other studio area in another post.

For those of you looking for the presentation deck from Pluralsight Author Summit, you can find it at the following link: Author Summit Presentation

Livestream Studio Image

Switcher

The core of my setup is the Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Extreme ISO video switcher. To work alongside my switcher, I utilize the Blackmagic Smartview to monitor both my multi-view (which shows the view on all inputs) as well as my current output. To make this work, I have to have two Blackmagic HDMI to SDI converters, since the Smartview accepts SDI inputs.

What I like about this:

  • It handles my livestreaming directly. I don't have to leverage a computer-based solution like OBS. It can livestream to most any platform you would want to stream to.
  • This switcher has two USB-C outputs. I use one for recording to an SSD drive, and the other goes to my computer. With this, I use the output from the switcher as the webcam on my Mac.
  • Since it is the ISO model, it can record all video inputs at 1080p. In this way, I can go back and edit my software demos after the fact.
  • It knows how to talk to my Blackmagic cameras, so I can control color correction, focus, and even camera recording directly from the switcher.
  • I program macros for the video switcher in XML. This enables me to kickoff an entire livestream at the push of a single button. The streaming, recording, countdown video, etc... all happens with one of these macros.

Audio

My audio chain has several elements to it. There are some things I would change with this, which I'll explain below, but overall I am very happy with the sound from the setup.

Here is my audio signal chain:

  • Shure SM7-B Microphone
  • Cloud Lifter: The output from the SM7-B is very low, and the Cloud Lifter raises the output volume without adding much noise.
  • SPL Track One Channel Strip
  • Focusrite 18i20 3rd Gen: If I record just a voiceover, I'll use the direct connection to this audio interface.
  • ATEM Mini Extreme ISO: If I'm doing a livestream or webcam setup, I'll use the audio feed that routes through the ATEM Mini. I utilize the frame delay on the switcher to make sure the audio and video are perfectly in sync. Mine is delayed by 2 frames to make sure that sync is right.

I'll likely simplify this signal chain, as it has a few too many elements.

Cameras

I utilize two Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K's in this space. These both have the Lumix 12-35mm lens. They connect directly to the switcher via HDMI, and the switcher knows how to control several aspects of these cameras directly.

Dual Camera Views

Lighting

The lighting that I use in this space is lower quality than what I use in my more formal studio space. This is primarily due to the space available in the room. I simply couldn't fit a giant softbox in my office area.

I utilize two Elgato Key Light Air's. I also have a few different accent lighr options. I utilize an Aputure B7C for the lamp on the table behind me along with some various rope lights.

Video Playback

I also utilize a video playback device for lower third videos, intro and outro videos, and a few other elements. The particular device I use is the Blackmagic Design Hyperdeck Mini. This device also works well with the macros I have programmed for the video switcher.

Conclusion

This is just a quick equipment overview. I plan to release additional information in the near future on how I actually utilize this during a livestream episode.