My Gear: Adapters/Cables
I’ve not only been asked countless times to recommend the microphones, computers, editing equipment and other technology I personally use, but have also written about the more mundane but really useful things I use (like my chair).
Well, here you go: my entire home studio set-up, along with (mostly) Amazon links to get each of the items listed at a nice discount. Items are divided into major categories by tabs below, like hardware, software, adapters and the like. I hope you find what you’re looking for here – if you don’t, leave me a comment below and I’ll post other items I use.
CATEGORIES: VOICEOVER | ON-CAMERA | COMPUTERS/TECH HARDWARE | SOFTWARE | PODCASTING | ADAPTERS/CABLES | ACCESSORIES/FURNITURE | BOOKS | VOCAL HEALTH
Ethernet Cable: Cat-8 Ethernet Cable (choose the length you need)
As noted in the VOHeroes Lab on connecting with Ethernet to your router or modem (as opposed to using Wi-Fi), you’re going to get a lot better performance when using video streaming by doing so. This is the cable I used in both my audio and video studio to get rock-solid high speed stability in my look and sound. Measure the length you need to get to your connection point and order the next higher length.
Ethernet to USB Adapter: Cable Creations Ethernet To USB Adapter
If you don’t have a computer that has a dedicated Ethernet port (an RJ-45 port as shown in the VOHeroes Lab on connecting with Ethernet as opposed to Wi-Fi), you’ll need an adapter. This one is universal, in that it adapts from RJ-45 to traditional USB. You can choose a similar option for USB-C if that’s the port you have available. You’ll plug one end of the Ethernet cable into this adapter, and then plug the other end of the adapter into an available USB port on your computer or powered USB hub.
For Apple MacBook ONLY: Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter
This allows the single USB-C port on the MacBook to accept power, the USB-3 powered hub, and an HDMI display to all connect to the MacBook simultaneously. No more limitations to what you can attach to your MacBook.
Like many inexpensive items, I have two – one on my desk, and one in my go-bag, so I don’t have to pack and unpack yet another item when I travel.
Connect AT2020 To iPhone or iPad: Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter
Even though this product was originally designed to allow digital cameras to be attached to iPads and iPhones that use the Lightning adapter, it also works perfectly if you want to attach the AT-2020 USB Plus microphone (or any other USB microphone) to your iOS device for recording.
For Apple MacBook ONLY: Apple USB-C 29w Power Adapter
Sometimes, you don’t need anything connected to your MacBook but power, and along with the Apple USB-C Charge Cable, you can plug right in. I carry an extra one just in case I need to quickly and easily recharge my MacBook.
Like many inexpensive items, I have two – one on my desk, and one in my go-bag, so I don’t have to pack and unpack yet another item when I travel.
For Apple Macbook ONLY: Apple USB-C Power Cable
Sometimes, you don’t need anything connected to your MacBook but power, and along with the Apple 29w Power Adapter, you can plug right in. I carry an extra one just in case I need to quickly and easily recharge my MacBook. Note that this cable has yet another USB type connector on both ends: USB-C.
Like many inexpensive items, I have two – one on my desk, and one in my go-bag, so I don’t have to pack and unpack yet another item when I travel.
My video capture cable: Elgato Video Capture
Whenever I perform in a network show, or a studio film, or anything that airs on television, I grab a pristine copy of it using this cable set. Elgato Video Capture can connect and capture video to your Mac or PC from any device that has composite ‘RCA’ or S-Video outputs. It also comes with a SCART adapter, and the files it outputs are in DV format, so they can be imported into and edited with any video editing software. This is how I capture content for and update my on-camera demos.
Replacement Mic Cable: USB A to USB B Cable
Sometimes, a cable fails. That happened to the cable between Coach Karen-Eileen’s AT2020 USB Plus microphone and her computer. It’s a USB cable, with a regular USB-A connector on one end (that flat, rectangular USB connector we all are used to, that plugs into your computer or USB hub), but a squarish, USB-B connector on the other end (that only plugs into certain devices, like printers and scanners…and the AT2020). Here’s the right cable for the job.
Like many inexpensive items, I have two – one on my desk, and one in my go-bag, so I don’t have to pack and unpack yet another item when I travel.
CATEGORIES: VOICEOVER | ON-CAMERA | COMPUTERS/TECH HARDWARE | SOFTWARE | PODCASTING | ADAPTERS/CABLES | ACCESSORIES/FURNITURE | BOOKS | VOCAL HEALTH