Twitch Streaming Starter Kit
Streaming can be a lucrative undertaking if you manage to accumulate enough followers willing to give you a piece of their hard-earned income, but streaming is a competitive business. In April 2021, Twitch had approximately 9.36 million active streamers, and one more streamer added to that long list is just another drop in the bucket. It’s not a futile endeavor though, since there are plenty of streamers on Twitch that earn a decent income, and the earning potential is extremely high.
How much can Twitch streamers make, though? Well, if you’re an entertaining streamer and manage to get an average of 10,000 viewers, then you can expect to make approximately ~$20,000 per month. This only includes subscriptions, donations, and ad revenues, and does not include YouTube or sponsored gameplay, which can be up to $1 per viewer, per hour. All of this information comes from the first-hand experience of Twitch streamer, DisguisedToast.
Having the right streaming gear isn’t going to get you thousands of followers on Twitch, but it is more or less a prerequisite. It’s hard to expect viewers to stick around without a well produced stream, even if you are entertaining – there’s just too much competition vying for the same limited number of viewers. If you’re looking to match the competition, upgrade your streaming setup, and/or start streaming on Twitch for your friends, then take a gander at the Twitch streamer starter kit(s).
Live Production Controller
Elgato Stream Deck
Key Features
- Fully customizable & programmable keys
- Direct integration with OBS, Twitch, Youtube, Mixer + more
- Easy drag & drop setup
- Personalize LCD keys with custom or preset images.
Specifications
*15 key
- Connector type: USB
- Dimensions: 4.6 x 0.8 x 3.3 inches
- Weight: 6.4 ounces
- OS: Windows 10
The Elgato stream deck is a live production controller/macro pad that made life much easier for streamers. Each button is fully customizable with any macro that you decide to make. You can easily drag and drop your action(s) onto the button with a personalized key displayed on the LCD button. At the push of a button, you can capture the last 30 seconds of gameplay, switch to a custom instant-replay overlay, and replay the clip for your audience. There’s an unlimited amount of ways to utilize the stream deck, so if you’re going to be streaming, investing in an Elgato stream deck is the easiest choice you’ll have to make.
Microphones
No one likes hearing someone talk through a makeshift potato microphone hooked up to their computer, and you shouldn’t expect anyone to follow your stream if it sounds like you’re walking through a wind tunnel. A decent microphone can do wonders, and it’ll bring out that creamy-smooth Barry White voice no one knows you have.
HyperX Quadcast
Key Features
- Tap to mute sensor with LED indicator
- Four selectable polar patterns
- Gain control adjustment
- Anti-Vibration Shock Mount
- Shock mount
Specifications
- Connector type: USB
- Frequency range: 20hz – 20khz
- Dimensions: 5.05 x 4 x 9.8 inches
- Weight: 1.6 pounds
This microphone almost has a 5 star rating with over 10,000 ratings on Amazon, and there’s good reason. The HyperX Quadcast microphone has an aesthetic red LED on the microphone itself that can indicate whether the microphone is muted or not, so no more talking in Discord while muted for 20 minutes thinking your friends are just ignoring you. With a simple tap on the top of the microphone you’re able to mute/unmute, and with a twist of the dial you can play with 4 different polar patterns.
Audio-Technica AT2035
Key Features
- Custom shock mount
- Switchable 80hz high-pass filter
- Selectable 10dB attenuation pad
Specifications
- Connector type: XLR
- Frequency range: 20hz – 20khz
- Dimensions: 9.75 x 9.75 x 2.75 inches
- Weight: 14.2 ounces
Audio-Technica is a trusted Japanese audio-equipment manufacturer, and they’re well-known for their popular ATH-M50x headphones. If you’re looking for a high-quality microphone at an affordable price, the Audio-Technica AT2035’s are a good choice. This is a large-diaphragm condenser microphone, so it will pick up a lot of unintended noise such as keyboard clicks. You’ll want to make sure your streaming setup has decent acoustic-treatment, and to refrain from using clicky (blue-switch) mechanical keyboards. If you’re worried about the microphone picking up the sound of you smashing your keyboard against the wall when you get stream-sniped, then stick with the HyperX Quadcast which is in the same price-range.
Shure SM7B
Key Features
- Air Suspension Shock Isolation
- Detachable Close-talk Windscreen And Switch Cover Plate
Specifications
- Connector type: XLR
- Dimensions: 7.47 x 3.78 x 5.81 inches
- Weight: 2.03 pounds
This microphone needs no introduction. From Shroud’s desk to Joe Rogan’s studio, odds are your favorite streamers and podcasters are using this microphone. The Shure SM7B has an internal shock mount, unlike the Audio-Technica AT2035 and HyperX Quadcast. If you’re considering investing in the $399.00 for this microphone, you’ll need to factor in the price for a dedicated preamp, such as a Focusrite Scarlett Solo (3rd Gen) USB Audio Interface – the last thing you want to do is bottleneck the capabilities of your new $400 microphone. While it may not be exactly a “starter” microphone, it’s something worth considering down the road if you’re wanting an upgrade.
Webcams
Webcams are an important part of the streamer kit. Reactions to in-game happenings are a fundamental piece of every entertaining stream. A webcam helps personalize you to your audience, and potential viewers are more likely to view your stream if they can see your face. Cameras can quickly become as expensive as your computer, but a simple webcam is almost always better than no camera.
Razer Kiyo Streaming Webcam
Key Features
- 5600K daylight-balanced ring light
- Adjustable brightness with rotating bezel
- Auto-focus
Specifications
- Video Capture Resolution: 720p at 60 FPS / 1080p at 30 FPS
- Connector type: USB
- Weight: 0.66 pounds
The Razer Kiyo webcam is unique among its competitors due to the inbuilt ring light. If you’re not considering buying a standalone ring/key light, then the Kiyo is a good contender. Its ring light will evenly illuminate your face, and the brightness level is easily adjustable with its rotating bezel.
Logitech C922x Pro Stream Webcam
Key Features
- Automatic light correction
- Auto-focus
Specifications
- Video Capture Resolution: 1080P at 30Fps/ 720P at 60FPS
- Connector type: USB
- Weight: 0.36 pounds
This webcam is comparable to the Razer Kiyo, except it doesn’t have an inbuilt ring light, but it does have automatic light correction. See the below video for the Kyo/C922 comparison.
Logitech BRIO Ultra HD Webcam
Key Features
- Zoom, pand, and Allows three different fields of view (65, 78, and 90)
- Automatically adjusts exposure and contrast to compensate for glare and backlighting
- Auto-focus
Specifications
- Video Capture Resolution: 4k at 30FPS/ 720P – 1080P at 60FPS
- Connector type: USB and type A and C connections
- Weight: 0.74 pounds
The Logitech BRIO is one step up from the Logitech C922, offering up to 4k resolution at 30FPS, as opposed to the C922’s 1080P at 30FPS. You might be more interested in higher FPS than resolution, however. If that’s the case, this webcam can handle 1080P at 60FPS for a smoother, less choppy stream.
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Twitch Streaming Starter Kit
Streaming can be a lucrative undertaking if you manage to accumulate enough followers willing to give you a piece of their hard-earned income, but streaming is a competitive business.
