Media equipment advice

[Joanne Hession]

Hi everyone, 

I teach media as a TY module & I am looking to upgrade our media equipment. We are aiming to expand our media programme and I am looking to future proof with high quality tools. I have had a look on amazon but not sure if some equipment is of high enough quality to sustain a lot of use and produce a professional end product (or close to).

Does anyone have recommendations as to the following types of equipment and indeed equipment I may not have even thought of.

Lighting

Sound - microphones - boom, radio mics

Headphones

Mixers

Cameras

Looking forward to hearing from you! 

Always grateful for the advice!

Joanne

--

Joanne Hession

CBS Ennistymon

Monastery Lane

Ennistymon

County Clare 

V95 W880

[Paul de Lacy]

Hi Joanne,

I don't know much about media equipment but anything I do I learnt from Tom Buck - https://youtube.com/@tombuck

It probably is worth being sure that the equipment you buy is of reputable brand quality. 

All the best 

Paul 

--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
Groups "CESI-list" group.
To post to this group, send email to cesi...@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cesi-list+...@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cesi-list?hl=en-GB where all messages are archived and are publically available to non members of the list. Messages may also show up in search engines etc.
Visit the web site www.cesi.ie
Attempts to use the list for commercial purposes may result removal from the list.
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "CESI-list" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cesi-list+...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cesi-list/CAO%2BV_%3DbSRHCLYSmV7eP71%3DNdDLCF9FkuyMqw90mN_pEuOGzBoQ%40mail.gmail.com.

[Andrew Bates]

Hi Joanne,

DSLR cameras are great, doesn't need to be top end. I use Canon 80Ds. Get a spare battery. 

Manfrotto make good stands, something mid range for about 200 euros works well. You really want one per camera. Cheap ones are rubbish but the very expensive ones aren't needed for light cameras and lenses (which is what you'll be using).

A 50mm prime is a very nice lens to have for artistic shots. The Canon f1.8 one is about 200 euros.

External boom mic is very useful, Zoom H5 recorder and a shotgun mic works great. Use XLR connectors instead of minijack as they're much more robust but you'll still have to replace about a cable a year. I just combine the audio in editing rather than try to link into the camera.

We do all our editing on iMacs with iMovie. I've got 6 ten year old iMacs that are still working well so they're a good investment. Capcut on the iPads is also quite good.

I have a wide range of lights, adjustable LED's are the best. There are some good options on Amazon. The batteries make shipping a hassle but I have some good budget ones on stands that are holding up well. 

We painted a wall with chromakey paint for a green screen and this has been a lot of fun.

Get an SD card wallet and keep them all centrally, it reduces the amount that get lost and allows you to keep track of who's filming where.

That's all off the top of my head, feel free to come back with any questions.

Andrew Bates

St Colmcille's Community School

To view this discussion on the web, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cesi-list/CAOAzV-ghO18dPywYKGP0b%2BPujezg_Nmn7LP_OgrV8jSxHB6Acw%40mail.gmail.com.

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:  

The contents of this email message and any attachments are intended solely for the addressee(s) and may contain confidential and/or privileged information and may be legally protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient of this message or their agent, or if this message has been addressed to you in error, please immediately alert the sender by reply email and then delete this message and any attachments. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, copying, or storage of this message or its attachments is 

strictly prohibited. 

[Miriam Walsh]

I worked in media production before teaching digital media in QQI and now TY and would recommend attending a Kinia course if there is one in your area soon. 

I did both their podcasting and video courses at the start of this year and as they are funded courses you do receive an impressive starter kit consisting of mics, tripods etc. 

Enough to give you an idea of what you will need and I was impressed with the quality. 

I also would take a look at mobile devices. A lot of media companies now use mobile for filming and have done for several years. 

I only take my DSLR out a couple of times a year (if that). 

And also look into post production and what apps and devices you will be using for editing. 

To view this discussion on the web, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cesi-list/CAPgka%3DSCvcD5_K7c%3DH6y3goStycXDBY0OBjKaPz1y2MnFi5nhQ%40mail.gmail.com.

--

Miriam Walsh 

Apple Distinguished Educator

Apple Professional Learning Specialist 

Apple Regional Training Centre Cork 

[Chris Reina]

Hi Joanne,

We frequently used a multitude of devices with students in courses and our own Live Stream workshops.

(We’re preparing for a big one this coming Friday for Engineer’s Week!)

We have a mixture of equipment - we invested in heavily during the lockdown years. Some expensive but not worth it, some cheap but excellent - some we just got rid of as it was a poor choice.

I’d be happy to have a chat with you around what you may need and other items you may not have considered (such as extra-long cables, velcro-ties, etc.)

My details are below - I’m pulling all our equipment out tomorrow in preparation for this coming Thursday which is an onsite setup day prior to the workshop day on Friday.

Feel free to give a ring whenever suits.

Cheers,

Chris

------------------------------------------------------------------------

MakerMeetIE
Maker Workshops & Training for S.T.E.A.M.
SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | ENGINEERING | ARTS | MATHS

PHONE: 087-2685020
WEB: www.makermeet.ie
TWITTER: @makermeetie
FACEBOOK: makermeetie
INSTAGRAM: makermeetie

[Hassan Dabbagh]

+1 what Chris said, I'll take picture of what we're using and send them on, this will give you a good idea of what can be done. 

Lighting : where will you be using them ? this is the hardest to call, if you're recording a person then there's nothing better than a BIG WINDOW, as long as it's not darkoutside :) in which case the enemy is reflections, these are some nice setups : 

• https://www.thomann.de/ie/varytec_vp_1_dmx_video_bilight_bundle.htm
  
• https://www.amazon.co.uk/YISITONG-Lighting-3200-6000K-Continuous-Photography/dp/B0BL39MNZS/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1A5XDDEYWFM22&keywords=podcast+light&qid=1678271117&sprefix=podcast+light%2Caps%2C66&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1
  
• https://www.amazon.co.uk/Foccalli-Dimmable-Photography-Adjustable-Portraits/dp/B099ZCNHWC/ref=sr_1_13_sspa?crid=317NGGB7ALDEP&keywords=podcast+lighting+equipment&qid=1678271175&sprefix=podcast+light%2Caps%2C130&sr=8-13-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&psc=1
  
• https://www.amazon.co.uk/IVISII-Dimmable-3000K-8000K-Streaming-Photography/dp/B09NLXRVF9/ref=sr_1_18_sspa?crid=ZZL1QPFVX024&keywords=podcast+lighting&qid=1678271341&sprefix=podcast+lighting%2Caps%2C51&sr=8-18-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&psc=1
  

Sound - microphones - boom, radio mics

- you need to decide what you are recording but I can't fault the Rode : 

• https://www.thomann.de/ie/rode_wireless_go_ii_case_bundle.htm
  

If you're recording video and need sound as well ( setup = guest sitting on chair camera on them ) then a these are also nice

• https://www.thomann.de/ie/rode_nt5_mpb.htm
  

Headphones:

Depending on who will be using them, when I'm editing I use a pair of Bose Noise cancelling headphones that are used ONLY by me, when I'm recording interviews I use in ear headphones, I didn't mention branding here because there's Pros and Cons with ALL OF THEM. 

• Rule 1 with headphones (other than an ability to hear what you're working on ) is COMFORT, if they're not comfortable they won't be worn.
• back in the day... in a previous life we were asked to bring in our own headphones to the studio as long as they weren't a €2 shop pair, these can cause damage if worn over a long period of time.  

Mixers:

Again.... what is the setup : if you have a studio setup in a classroom then : 

• https://www.thomann.de/ie/zoom_livetrak_l_8.htm
  

If you want something that is SUPER versatile then this is your friend. 

• https://www.thomann.de/ie/zoom_h6_complete_bundle.htm 

This is what I use for the CESI Staffroom : (AND a MacMini and Final Cut Pro and iphone and Zoom Mic & iphone + Camo App for Camera)

• https://www.thomann.de/ie/zoom_podtrak_p4_bta_2_bundle.htm 
  

It is small and compact and can be brought out and about with onboard recording. 

Cameras: 

This is a really tough one there's a plethora of podcast cameras 

• https://www.harveynorman.ie/cameras-drones/cameras/all-cameras/canon-powershot-g7-x-mark-iii-compact-camera-vlogger-kit-black.html
  

The above is on my wishlist (*cough *cough hints to the CESI money people) but do NOT pay anymore than this. 

I realise that probably didn't help one bit but what will help is :

1. what are you doing (Podcast, School Archive OR Stream) 
2. who will be recorded (one person at a time , groups )
3. what are you trying to capture (talking head interviews OR Audio interview)
4. where is it going (YouTube etc) 

Answer the above that will guide you. 

If you're around on the 11th of this month in ATU in Galway, feel free to pick my brain about this stuff, I LOVE IT! 

Hassan Dabbagh

Network Administrator 

087 9044716 

 

To view this discussion on the web, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cesi-list/3196B905-8061-49D2-88AC-6423E1BF17E2%40makermeet.ie.

[Joanne Hession]

Hi everyone, 

thanks so much for all your replies, I really appreciate it and will be following up in the next few days. 

I'm also wondering if those who are teaching this programme would be interested in having a webinar/online teach meet to discuss the programme or is there something like this already out there? Unfortunately I couldn't make the conference due to having Covid but I am very keen to chat to others involved in media in other schools and feel we could all benefit from each other's insights. 

Let me know if you are interested & I'll set up an online meeting.

Kind regards, 

Joanne

To view this discussion on the web, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cesi-list/CABGY00U4rKjRSaGBYUbvxxOmOUyAsukfrokiC1VduV4MBRUgsw%40mail.gmail.com.