The rise of the creator economy: Lighting and audio
Posted on May 19, 2025 by Pro Moviemaker
Good audio is essential for any production, but content creators and podcasters often have very different needs
The sound solution
It’s no big secret that audio is crucial in any film, but the needs of content creators and podcasters can differ significantly.
Studio-based podcasters will likely prefer large, omnidirectional microphones mounted on an articulating arm, which are very much in the shot and part of the look, or even handheld reporter mics. Others prefer typical out-of-shot shotgun mics on booms or lav mics, usually wirelessly transmitting their signal to a receiver that plugs into a camera or audio recorder.
For content creators, a dual wireless radio mic with internal recording or lavaliers is also an essential buy. But so is a camera-mounted shotgun mic or stereo mic on a stand or boom to record music or more general live events. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to the right audio system.
As the wireless kits are the common denominator, it makes sense to choose one that works for as many different set-ups as possible.
Take the latest Rode Wireless Go system, now in its third generation, which comes with two transmitters that can use plug-in lav mics, as well as a single on-camera receiver.
The TX units feature built-in 32-bit float recording, while intelligent Gain Assist technology automatically adjusts your volume levels to ensure you aren’t clipping your highs. The Wireless Go doesn’t just come in black and white –it’s also available in limited-edition colours.
The new Go can output its signal via USB-C for digital audio or 3.5mm TRRS analogue, so it works with cameras, phones or computers. The transmitters can also pair directly to a range of other Rode Series IV-compatible products, such as the Rodecaster Video.
For something a bit different, take a look at the Sennheiser Profile Wireless kit – more than just a typical compact dual-channel wireless system. It comes with two small mics and a compact on-camera receiver powered up by a charging case. That case also fits inside a foam rubber windshield, transforming the set-up into a handheld-style reporter mic using one or both mic units. It’s not as pretty as a conventional reporter mic, but it looks decent on camera, and makes the Sennheiser kit that much more useful.
Looking for something more high end? The Deity Theos kit provides swappable frequency ranges based on phone GPS, so moving between countries is no issue.
The Theos kit works in the UHF radio spectrum rather than the busier 2.4Ghz band, giving it a much more reliable transmission at a range of up to 91m/300ft.
The kit includes one receiver and twin transmitters, each coming with a built-in recorder that supports both 24-bit and 32-bit float formats.
For podcasting, USB-C mics are excellent – and Sennheiser’s Profile USB is a top choice thanks to its cardioid condenser capsule. It has three main adjustments: gain control to adjust the level of the microphone, mix control to balance the microphone with the device audio and volume control to set your headphone monitoring levels.
Available in an XLR-fit version, Sennheiser’s MK-4 is a large-diaphragm condenser mic offering warm and detailed audio capture, ideal for speech.
It has an internally shock-mounted capsule and a rugged metal housing that holds a large, one-inch diaphragm plated in 24-carat gold to enhance conductivity, resist corrosion and yield an ideal tone.
Rode also offers a fantastic mic called the Podmic USB, which is a broadcast-grade dynamic microphone that delivers the same sound quality as the brand’s popular Podmic, but features both XLR and USB connectivity.
For content creators, Audio-Technica’s BP4029 is a stereo shotgun that uses tech originally developed to broadcast major outdoor sporting events. So, instead of being exclusively for close-up dialogue, the BP4029 can also record distant sounds and cuts out off-axis noise.
To record audio, look at the Zoom range – especially its latest H6essential – as it offers 32-bit float. This allows clip-free recording without the need to set gain levels, bringing unlimited flexibility to raise and lower audio volume in post without impacting sound quality.
The flagship H6essential is a recording powerhouse with six tracks of 32-bit float recording and dual AD converters. It provides unprecedented quality and unmatched versatility for all.
The right light brigade
Decent lighting needn’t cost the earth – and it can transform the look of your work. This is especially important in studios, where you ideally need large light sources to get soft and flattering results. These can come from panels or COB lights, which can be fitted with modifiers like softboxes or umbrellas.
For a powerful COB light, look no further than the Storm 1200x, the first light in Aputure’s new Storm range to have the brand-new Blair light engine for full white-spectrum light, with an ultra-wide CCT range and colour-accurate dimming. The 1200x is designed to deliver better-quality white light; its output better matches natural daylight and prevents black-coloured objects – especially textiles – from taking on false purple hues.
More compact solutions are Amaran’s cost-effective, portable Ace 25x and 25c, bicolour and full-colour LED lights claimed to pack double the brightness of similar-sized lights at 32W. These compact LEDs are the first to use the Ace Lock quick-release mount, designed to snap the light onto a camera or tripod in less than a second. The speedy Ace Lock to Cold Shoe adapter makes it a more efficient, secure system without having to screw the light onto a stand.
For a larger panel, the latest super-thin LED fixture in Nanlite’s Pavo Slim range is the 240CL, a 4×1 RGBWW model with 240W output. Weighing just 3.62kg/7.98lb, its carefully designed optical lenses give four times the output – 21,030 lux at 1m/3.3ft – of similar products. The Pavo Slim 240CL’s elongated shape and thickness of just under 2.35cm/0.93in mean it can be set up in tight or low-ceiling spaces.
For travelling light, Neewer’s super-compact HB80C full-colour COB LED is an 80W unit designed for content creators on the go. Its light-mixing cavity ensures smooth, balanced colour rendering across the spectrum, with 95+ CRI and 97+ TLCI for natural, lifelike hues. The white light boasts a range of 2500-7500K to suit any scene.
Godox has a series of five new flexible LED mats – the F100R, F200R, F200SR, F400R and F800R – that offer full RGB, joining its bicolour versions. These are lighter and more powerful than the existing mats of the same size, with advancements in waterproofing. The five mats deliver different power outputs, with a colour temperature range from 1800-10,000K, along with adjustable G/M settings and accessory options. They’re also flicker-free, with a CRI of 96+ and TLCI of 97+.
This article was first published in the May/June 2025 issue of Pro Moviemaker
