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Category: Tech tips Tech tips
Published: 06 April 2021 06 April 2021

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Understanding and investing in must-have equipment for video game streaming will help you bring the right level of professionalism to your audience.

Almost anyone can get into video game streaming as long as they bring the right level of passion, personality, and professionalism to the table. One of the many ways to bring these qualities to your streams is by using the right equipment. Continue reading to learn four pieces of must-have equipment for video game streaming.

Microphone
One of the essential pieces of streaming equipment is a high-quality microphone. Most computers nowadays come with built-in microphones—do not rely on these during streams. If you want the stream to be worth your audience's time and attention, you need a way of communicating with them.
The commentary you provide during video game streams is just as essential as the visuals. There may be 30 other streamers playing that game while you're live, so give viewers a reason to choose your channel for their entertainment. One of the ways of doing this is investing in a high-quality, professional-grade external microphone.

Mic Stand
While you're streaming, you can't hold the mic in your hand or lay it down on your desk. To get great audio during the stream, you need to invest in a mic stand. A good mic stand will keep the mic at a comfortable position during streams, especially if you buy a stand with an adjustable arm. This will make your stream look—and sound—professional to viewers and also help you capture consistently good audio.

Pop Filter
When saying words containing the letters "P" or "B" on bare microphones, you'll hear a very distinct popping sound. While that might not sound like the biggest issue in the world, it's annoying to audiences and looks unprofessional. If you want to stand out from other streamers, focusing on professionalism and high-quality content is key. Luckily, this issue isn't new to audio recordings, so there's a great tool in place to combating popping: pop filters. Attaching one on your microphone can prevent those audio pops from hindering your stream.

Camera
Of course, when it comes to must-have equipment for video game streaming, we must mention cameras. Not only is audio crucial for engaging audiences, but so is watching your reactions to certain events—from impressive score streaks in Call of Duty to terrifying moments in Resident Evil and beyond. Your reactions inform your identity as a streamer; it's another reason why audiences come to you and not the bevy of other streams on Twitch, YouTube, and so forth. For streaming purposes, look for a camera that records 1080p or 4K, with a minimum of 30 FPS. Just as bad audio scares away audiences, so does awful camera quality.

If you're new to the subject, take some time to learn the difference between SD and HD video quality. Your awareness of SD and HD imagery can help you maintain consistently good video quality during streams.