Ah, yes, the age-old question, does ‘gear’ really matter? Streamers have often debated this while flexing the gear they’ve acquired over the years or comparing their setup to someone else’s. You’ve probably seen gear sponsors pop up on plenty of channels, too, adding to streamers’ gear collections. Some creators put on intense broadcasts with dozens of cameras, walls or stands full of monitors, multiple Stream Decks, or even several high caliber PCs all running in tandem. Meanwhile, others manage to build powerful communities and growing careers with the most basic gear. So what’s the real answer? Does gear really matter? The absurdly short answer is, “No, not really,” but every content creator will benefit from understanding the reasoning behind the answer, as well as a lot of the subtlety that can vary from streamer to streamer. Buckle up, because a lot of this information you might carry through the rest...

If you read the previous module on Does “Gear” Really Matter?, you’ve got a basic sense of what considerations to make regarding your equipment. When it comes to actually picking out the gear itself, it can be a little overwhelming, especially without breaking the budget or being enticed by all the flashy goodies that don’t actually matter. There’s a surprising amount of misconception when it comes to gear, as you probably know, so let’s see what we can do about easing that burden for you by exploring your basic equipment checklist! Here’s what we’ll be looking at: Microphone Computer, Graphics Card, and Monitor Webcam  Lighting Internet Connection Headset or Earbuds Broadcast Software Mouse and Keyboard Game Console Capture Card How do we know which of these is necessary and which is excessive? Let’s examine this equipment and why each piece might matter to you. Microphone First up, the microphone! Mics...

The minimum PC specs for streaming are going to heavily depend on what exactly you want to do. A working setup for a console streamer might look like a console and a smartphone or tablet (for reading chat), a podcast/chatting streamer might have a laptop and a microphone as their entire setup, and a PC gaming streamer might have a mid-tier PC with all the fixings. So your first step should be to figure out what you want to do! Check out our course on Choosing Your Content here! A great way to find out if streaming is right for you and what kind of content you want to stream is simply starting; there’s absolutely no replacement for getting into the thick of it, feeling what it’s like, finding all the hidden joys and challenges, and otherwise simply getting involved. Trust us, it’s much safer and easier to see if...

There are many things to consider when looking for a camera to start livestreaming. What do you want to stream? How many things do you want to show? How much space will I need? These are among myriad other questions you might have while in the selection process. It might seem a bit overwhelming but don’t worry, SolarStream is here to help! Each category of stream has its own set of questions but one of the most important questions you need to ask yourself is: “What AM I going to stream?” When you’ve figured out what your main content is going to be, you can begin considering what cameras would best suit your needs. There’s no need to start streaming with a professional-grade broadcasting camera, but no one is stopping you if you really want one (and can afford it without issue, of course). For those who want to start...

Lights are an incredibly important tool when it comes to your equipment as a streamer, and for good reason. Your first interaction with a new viewer is going to be the game (or other content) itself, the audio quality, and you. If a person can’t see you, or your lights are too bright, or something isn’t configured correctly, the chances of them leaving your stream start to skyrocket. But what, then, is a good lighting setup? Why are lights important in the first place? And what should good lights cost you? This module is here to help answer all those questions as you’re getting started in content creation! Why is Lighting Important? When first joining your channel, most people will notice a few things like the game being played, the audio quality, and you. However, good and consistent lighting is going to be incredibly important to the ‘you’ aspect of...

Audio is usually considered one of the most important aspects of a stream. It’s one of the first things a viewer is greeted with when they first get to your stream. While there are a ton of possible setups with microphones, interfaces, and software, this module is dedicated to microphones! When starting out, a headset can work well with some help from OBS audio filters, but it shouldn’t be a permanent part of your overall setup. When it comes to microphone setups, what you want to do as a streamer should inform your selection. Audio upgrades can get expensive so it’s important to know what route you want to take before making any large investments. Acoustics First off, you have to consider the acoustics of your streaming or recording space. Any open windows or nearby doors can leak noise from outside which could get picked up by the mic. If...

So, you have started your streaming career and are ready to move to the next step in leveling up your content. The choices of new gear can feel endless, especially when you are still figuring out your identity as a streamer or working with a budget that only allows for one upgrade at a time.  Let’s discuss some tips to get you headed in the right direction! What Are Your Goals for Your Stream? Many of the things that will benefit your streaming career, change and evolve depending on your goals for your particular stream. No two streamers are exactly alike, even if they make similar content.  However, you can still look at your peers, or people with careers you admire, and ask yourself what draws you to their streams and how you can apply it to your own. It is important to discover what your stream needs to perform...