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Line 1: − + − == Computer ==+ − Obviously. You'll want a fairly fast one, just to make sure there's no issues, but anything bought in the last 5 years (and even a lot of older ones) will do just fine - if you're having performance problems close down all other programs before you start making radio.+ − You'll need Google Chrome installed. WebStudio MAY work in other browsers, but Computing won't support it - if you ask us for help using anything except Chrome our response might just be "try again in Chrome". While you're at it, make sure it's got the latest updates installed (usually it'll do this automatically).+ − == Internet connection ==+ − Hard-wire Ethernet is always preferable over WiFi, not for speed but for stability - WiFi has a bad habit of dropping packets (considering you are basically beaming sound on radio waves across several walls it's honestly impressive it manages as well as it does).+ − You'll also want a fairly fast connection - most home broadband should do, but go to [https://speedtest.net] to check your speed - you'll want at least a couple mbps on the upload line. If you're having issues, 4G may work better than home broadband, but that causes reliability issues, so broadband is always preferable.+ − == Headphones ==+ − Please, please, PLEASE do not try to do a radio show using laptop speakers. It will sound God-awful whenever you turn on your mic. You don't need high quality studio headphones like we have at York, even a pair of EarPods will do you just fine, but make sure you have some. (On that note, wired ones are preferable to Bluetooth, because Bluetooth introduces delay which will throw all your timings off.)+ − == Microphone ==+ − The tricky one. Take a look at our [[Working From Home Resources/Microphone Recommendations|microphone recommendations]] page and choose one that fits your budget. You don't need to splash out on a mic if you're only doing one show a week, as even an EarPod mic will sound ''okay'', but do think about it if you want to get more serious about making radio from home.+ + + + +
Working From Home Resources/Microphone Recommendations (view source)
Revision as of 23:32, 30 March 2020
, 23:32, 30 March 2020→Where To Buy
<small>[[Working From Home Resources|back to hub]]</small>
<small>[[Working From Home Resources|back to hub]]</small>
On this page we'll summarise everything you need to start making radio from home.
You can get surprisingly far with even a potato mic, as long as you use it properly. A proper one will always help, though. On this page you'll find recommendations for microphones in every price range.
When looking at a mic, make sure you take a careful look at its connectivity - if it has USB you'll be good to just plug it into your laptop, if it has only XLR you'll need an external audio interface as well. Most of the mics on this page will be USB unless otherwise indicated.
== Where To Buy ==
A good place to start will be Amazon, bearing in mind that they are prioritising essentials and so delivery times may be ''quite long indeed''.
If you're in the UK take a look at Gear4Music, if in continental Europe look on Thomann (they also ship to the UK, however it can get a bit costly).
Do not underestimate eBay, provided you are willing to shop around and investigate the quality of the gear you're purchasing, you can get very good deals with much shorter shipping times compared to normal shopfronts with the current climate.
== Budget Zero ==
You'd be surprised how good an earphone (e.g. EarPod) mic can sound, if you use it properly. ''TODO'' what does properly mean?
== <£40 ==
Samson Go ''TODO''
== <£75 ==
Samson Meteor ''TODO''
You'll see a lot of YouTubers and streamers using Blue Snowballs, and while they're ''fine'', if you can stretch the budget for a Meteor it'll sound much nicer for radio, so the Snowball is not recommended.