Quad Cities Video Resources – Chris Snider

Smartphone video hardware

A tripod: I’ve had good luck with these cheap tripods on Amazon. But this is the one I personally use. I love the Manfrotto mini tripods.

A tripod adapter: These $30 Shoulderpods have held up for more than a couple years of student use.

I’ve also had success with this $6 option. I thought it would eventually break, but a year later it’s still going strong.

A lavalier microphone: The best options here are the Rode Smartlav at $79, the Shure MVL at $69 and the Sennheiser ClipMic digital at $199.

I’ve also had luck with these $20 lavalier mics (they are a bit loud, so you need to edit the audio).

A stick microphone: I’m a big fan of the Rode Reporter mic and the i-XLR to connect it to your smartphone.

I also use the iRig Pre, an XLR cable and a microphone.

Gimbal: The Osmo Mobile is one of the most-used products I’ve ever owned. The new version is a little cheaper: DJI Osmo Mobile 2.

Light: I buy these inexpensive led lights. I also use this lighting kit for pretty much every interview video I shoot.