While a detailed listing of the lighting equipment in the media studio would exceed the scope of this section, it's worth taking a brief look at the creative possibilities for lighting design. In particular, the numerous RGB lights in all variations and sizes allow you to fully embrace your inner YouTuber. From remote-controlled light bulbs, magnetic credit card lights, and LED panels to large, powerful fixtures, everything you could wish for to brighten up your creative lighting setup is available.

The powerful 600-watt output of the Aputure LS600ceffortlessly illuminates entire rooms, building facades, or large backgrounds in any color and light temperature. Paired with the built-in light engine, any hue can be accurately captured on camera and combined with various light temperatures or filter presets.

When mounting flexibility and powerful light output are required in a small space, LED mats are used instead of traditional spotlights. The Amaran F22c LED mats combine 200W of power with a lightweight design and a fundamentally soft light quality. Even without large softboxes or space-consuming diffusion, effective three-point lighting setups can be created in almost any environment.

The Aputure MC Pro credit card lights demonstrate that small lights can compete with their larger counterparts in terms of flexibility and pinpoint power. While they mostly serve as color accents or easily hidden fill lights, they can quickly be used as key and fill lights for smaller setups in tighter spaces. With their convenient charging case and magnetic mounting options, they are a must-have for any shoot or event. However, if practical light bulbs need to be replaced (e.g., a table lamp), our arsenal includes the Aputure B7c Smart Bulbs, offering fully controllable lighting solutions.

Last but not least, we must mention the spotlight attachment for our LED lights. The circular beam of the spotlight is most commonly known from theater and stage lighting. However, when combined with so-called Gobo inserts, the spotlight can also be used as a projection medium for various background patterns. If you want to add dimension or "something special" to your background, you can experiment with the numerous stencils and distort the patterns by adjusting the focus lens or cropping the light beam. Additionally, depending on the mounted light, the color and temperature of the light can be easily adjusted.

Without the right camera equipment, the media studio would just be a very well-lit seminar room. However, since not everything is always shot in the studio (and not everything is filmed), our camera models are divided into mirrorless hybrid cameras and professional full-frame camcorders.

The Sony A7IV cameras represent the lighter end of the spectrum. With their 34MP sensor, they perform well both for photography and video. Their relatively compact size, 4K resolution, precise autofocus, and USB-C compatibility for seamless livestreaming make them a favorite among many YouTubers and one of our top choices for simple or mobile shooting scenarios.

For more complex shoots or demanding outdoor and indoor shots, we rely on our all-purpose workhorse in camera form: the Sony FX6. While it records only video, the integrated XLR microphone input, SDI connections, internal ND filters, and excellent slow-motion capabilities in 4K resolution provide unbeatable advantages when it comes to producing high-quality video footage.

As soon as you take a camera out of its secure tripod nest to capture more dynamic shots, you quickly land in the aesthetically nebulous realm of intentionally or unintentionally shaky footage. To avoid the reflexive grab for digital stabilization and its sometimes jiggly side effects, it is often best to reach for a gimbal. The motorized camera mounts counteract shaking, swaying, and unwanted vibrations. This results in smooth camera movements, controlled panning, or a completely steady handheld camera.

Depending on the weight of the camera and lens, lighter or more powerful models are required. The DJI Ronin-SC combines lightweight design and easy control, especially when paired with hybrid cameras like the A7IV. For larger camera setups or more advanced control options, however, the DJI Ronin RS3 Pro remains our indestructible tool of choice.

For smaller camera movements within the studio, such as staging an object or performing an exact repeatable motion, we rely on a motorized camera slider. With the Edelkrone Slider Plus Pro and HeadPlus Pro module, camera movements can be programmed and executed with variable speed/acceleration. In addition to real-time camera movements, the slider can also be used for time-lapse shots with motion, such as documenting a longer construction project.

A teleprompter is essential in any professional studio setup. It allows the presenter to maintain eye contact with the camera while discreetly following text, bullet points, personal slides, or even virtual guests projected onto a semi-transparent mirror. While proper use requires a bit of technique and practice, a teleprompter can significantly reduce recording time compared to memorized or improvised scripts. If a mistake is made, the presenter can easily pick up from the error without shuffling through papers or losing their place.

Displaying the text is achieved by connecting a laptop to the teleprompter screen via HDMI, projecting the content onto the semi-transparent glass. For continuous scrolling, the text needs to be prepared and formatted in teleprompter software beforehand. With the assistance of a remote control or an operator controlling the software, the presenter can focus entirely on the content.

Our media studio provides three teleprompter options differing in size and projection abilities. The first teleprompter is generally set up on one of our video tripods and is used for most in-studio productions. The screen is connected to a studio laptop equipped with professional teleprompter software, allowing control via regular scrolling, a shuttle express controller, or even a foot pedal that acts as a “gas pedal” for the text.

The second teleprompter, ideal for home studio enthusiasts, is a portable 12-inch mirror display that fits conveniently in a carrying bag and supports iPads or smaller monitors. Its compact size and lightweight design make it easy to set up with mirrorless cameras on smaller tripods, suitable for use in a home office or at a work desk.

The third teleprompter is a specialized tool for interview scenarios. Instead of constructing an "Interrotron" (two teleprompters connected together), our teleprompter simplifies this with a basic mirror setup. Here, the interviewer sits at a 90-degree angle to the camera, appearing directly in the teleprompter's half-transparent mirror, allowing the interviewee to maintain direct eye contact with the interviewer instead of just staring into the camera.

If you want to add graphics in the background or adjust your position in the frame later, using a greenscreen is ideal. While achieving good results with a greenscreen at home often requires carefully arranging lights and backgrounds, using the greenscreen in the media studio is comparatively easy. Once unrolled, the paper hangs securely and smoothly without wrinkles. Only minimal lighting and camera adjustments are needed, and the greenscreen is ready for use. In post-production, the green can then be removed effortlessly with a good chroma key plugin, such as those available in Premiere or DaVinci Resolve.

Simple yet professional: The Statement

When you need to record a short message, a call to action, or a greeting for official communication channels, you often face two small but significant challenges: getting the text right and achieving an appropriate video quality. Both of these can be easily managed with the studio's basic setup. Thanks to the teleprompter, text accuracy is guaranteed, and eye contact with the camera is maintained throughout. Combined with a gray or white backdrop, your content can be communicated professionally in no time.

Theory to Go: The Educational Video

For media-savvy educators (and those aspiring to be), educational videos offer a valuable supplement to traditional teaching. Whether as part of an inverted classroom concept or as linked complementary content, moving theoretical foundations and tricky concepts into video format offers numerous advantages but requires skillful execution.

For a student audience, a slightly more informal setting is often appealing. With the color capabilities of our studio’s lighting setup or the use of a greenscreen, a neutral background can be quickly enlivened with colorful accents. Standing lecture-style or seated in a YouTube-inspired setup, content can be presented in a relaxed yet professional manner using the teleprompter for scripted text or key points from personal slides.

"Show, Don’t Tell": Hands-on Demos and Unboxing

Sometimes, it’s more effective not just to talk about objects but to show them in action. A video can save a lot of text while providing clearer explanations. This way, you can quickly demonstrate an item’s functionality or illustrate a theoretical concept through an engaging, hands-on demonstration.

Thanks to our sturdy lighting and tripod setup, a standard tabletop arrangement can be swiftly transformed into a multi-camera setup for these purposes. While this more complex setup does require additional post-production (like switching between two or more camera angles) and planning, it can eliminate the need for extra explanatory text and animations. A traditional front-facing view (with or without a teleprompter) can be enhanced by adding a top-down angle or a close-up of the tabletop, providing a comprehensive visual experience.