Three creators reveal their go-to gear and video podcast setups

For years, Spotify has been partnering with creators to help their voices reach millions of fans. Now, as our users increasingly lean towards video, we want to equip you with the knowledge to tap into this exciting format. 

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We know that for audio-only creators, equipment often feels like a major hurdle. You might think you need a Hollywood-grade studio to succeed in video. But you don't—it's well within your reach.

We sat down with three video creators who’ve unlocked success on Spotify. Emily Fan (“Much to discuss…!”), Zach Justice, and Jared Bailey (“Dropouts”) have been producing video content for years. We asked them to give us a tour of their video setup and talk about their creator journeys. They gave us a lot of great advice that proves anyone can be a video creator

Getting started

Adding video to your audio-only show can feel like a pretty big leap. It's natural to have a flurry of questions: How do I work a camera? What's a "good" camera going to cost me? And where do I even begin with the set design?

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Here's the good news: you'll need some extra gear, but our seasoned creators all agree on one thing—you don't need to break the bank or be perfect to make an impact. 

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Take Emily, for instance. When she started making video content, it was in her parents’ basement, and her setup “was a stack of books and a camcorder.” And that’s all she needed, because authenticity trumps production value. "I don't think people are watching my show for the production quality of it all," she says. "They're watching it because they genuinely think that I'm funny or have something interesting to say."

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People understand that not everybody has the best equipment. That's not why they're there. They're there to connect with another human being, to escape. And if you can give them even a sample of that to the best of your ability, that is leaps and bounds over anything you could ever buy. 

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Zach and Jared feel much the same way. They started with what they affectionately call "hopes, prayers, and saved-up birthday money." The duo recorded in an apartment they shared with four other people and used six-year-old cameras that would shut off after 30 minutes. The price tag on their initial setup barely hit the $20 mark.

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Their experiences prove that it’s okay to start with what you have. “People understand that not everybody has the best equipment,” says Zach. “That's not why they're there. They're there to connect with another human being, to escape. And if you can give them even a sample of that to the best of your ability, that is leaps and bounds over anything you could ever buy.” 

X’s and O’s

Now’s walk through the essential elements of a video setup and help you avoid common pitfalls. 

The lighting 

Can you guess what’s the piece of equipment that makes the biggest difference in helping you look good? It’s not a camera; it’s lighting. Emily, Zach, and Jared all stress the importance of lighting because you can get great results from a minimal investment. Emily swears by her $20 ring light, which is something she wished she had bought earlier. 

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You can get away with a lot if you have really good lighting. You could very cheaply go from looking like you're in the minor leagues to the majors.

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Zach even advises investing in lighting before you spend money on cameras. “You can get away with a lot if you have really good lighting,” he says, “You could very cheaply go from looking like you're in the minor leagues to the majors."

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If you’re in the early stages of video production, there are a few hacks you can implement to look great right off the bat:

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• Try shooting near a window. Natural light can be incredibly flattering, and it's free! 
• Use a white foam board or even a white sheet to bounce light back onto your face and fill in shadows.
• If you’ve got a desk lamp lying around, position it slightly above and to the side of your face for a simple, effective lighting setup.
• Simulate professional three-point lighting with a combination of natural light (key light), a reflector (fill light), and a small LED light positioned behind you (backlight).
• If you record your show on the go, USB-powered ring lights are lightweight and easy to pack. Clip-on phone lights are also a great option, perfect for impromptu videos while traveling.

Permanent setups

If you’re looking to kick production value up a notch, you can take some inspiration from the “Dropouts” duo. The first big investment they made was about $1,000-$1,200, and it was for lighting equipment of their own. They now have a setup that's both sophisticated and user-friendly. 

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"Lighting for the videos is all preset up, with a handmade grid up top. Then we connect everything to an automated device where we can just say, 'Hey buddy, turn on the lights.' And an automated AI device turns on the lights," Zach explains.

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Jared added a few technical details he learned from working in the movie industry: "We actually have a wall spreader that's connected to our ceiling that holds all of our lights, and we just try to make sure we go for the most even lighting possible."

As you grow more comfortable with basic lighting techniques, you can start to explore more sophisticated options to enhance your video quality:

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• LED panels are versatile lights that let you adjust brightness and color temperature.
• Separate lights illuminate your background and add depth to your shots. Instead of a “flat look,” they create visual interest behind you.
• Color gels are transparent colored sheets you can place over lights to alter the mood of your video (warm tones like orange and yellow make for a cozy feel, while cool tones like blue and purple create a more serious atmosphere).
• Dimmers give you precise control over light intensity. They help balance multiple light sources and fine-tune your lighting setup for different skin tones or moods.

The audio—on camera

As an audio-only creator, sound is pretty much your bread and butter. All the good stuff and best practices you’ve acquired carry over to video production, but now you have a new variable to consider: how your audio setup looks on camera. Depending on your show’s vibe and your own personality as a creator, your setup can take many different forms.

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The minimalist look

If you prefer a clean, uncluttered appearance on camera, consider using a boom arm to position your mic just out of the frame and above your head. This setup provides excellent audio quality while keeping the visual focus solely on you or your surroundings. 

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It's ideal for creators who want a sleek, distraction-free look or those discussing topics where a visible microphone might seem out of place. 

Interview-style shows

If there are many people around or you're constantly switching between speakers, you'll benefit from lavalier (clip-on) mics. They remain visually unobtrusive—because you can easily hide them under clothing—without compromising audio quality. 

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Go for omnidirectional lavalier mics that allow for more flexibility in movement. You and your guests will be able to turn your heads, lean back, or gesticulate without worrying about moving out of the mic's pickup range. 

High-energy creators

Are you the type of content creator who can't sit still? Maybe you're constantly gesticulating to emphasize your points, or you’d love to grab objects mid-video to show your audience. If this sounds like you, a headset microphone might be your best choice to maintain consistent audio levels. 

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Look for lightweight, comfortable models for extended wear. Some creators embrace the headset as part of their look, while others like a more invisible setup. The choice is yours, and there are options to suit every preference.

On-the-go solutions

When creating content on the move, you want compact options that don't compromise on quality. Smartphone-compatible Lavalier mics, for example, offer great portability.  For more directional audio pickup, small shotgun mics that mount on your camera work well. 

Cameras and setup

You likely already have a perfectly good camera sitting in your pocket right now. “Nowadays, you can just set up your phone on a tripod,” says Jared. Thinking back to the first episodes of the “Dropous,” recorded on less-than-ideal cameras, he believes they would’ve been better off using their phones. And that’s precisely the route many video creators choose.

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Nowadays, you can just set up your phone on a tripod. I go back and rewatch old episodes, and it looks like it was shot on a potato. We honestly would've been better off using our phones than the cameras we were using.

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If you do decide to invest in a camera, don’t feel like you need to constantly upgrade. Emily’s choice has served her well for years: ”I have a Canon VIXIA RF 800, and I chose it because it's very portable,” she says. “It looks like a camcorder that you would take on a family vacation.” 

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Whether you're using your smartphone, a camcorder, or anything in between, the key is to find a setup that works for your specific show format and that you’re comfortable operating. Below are some starting points you can consider, but feel free to experiment and find what works best for your show.

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Check out Steven Barlett’s top tips to record a video show  

Solo shows

For the lone wolf creators, a single camera positioned at eye level works wonders. Try to frame yourself slightly off-center, leaving some "talking space" on the side you're facing to add any graphics, titles, and other visuals in post-production.

If you're using a smartphone, the rear camera usually offers better quality than the front-facing one. Just prop it up on a tripod, hit record, and trust yourself to stay in frame.

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Emily is a one-woman show, but her sketch comedy is well-known (and well-loved) by her fans. She often plays more than one character, and in these instances, she has some great tips. "What I do during the pre-production and scripting, I just make sure to be very detailed in my blocking,” she explains. “I usually pick a spot in the room where I'm supposed to be looking. And when I play the other character, I align myself to sit exactly where I should be so that it matches."

Duo or interview shows

If you’re part of a duo like Zach and Jared, you might consider a two-camera setup. You can switch between wide shots that capture all participants and individual close-ups to make the episode more dynamic and engaging.

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To set up your shot and make sure both people stay in frame:

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• Position your camera at eye level a few feet away to frame both hosts comfortably
• Leave empty space above your heads (headroom) and some breathing room on the sides
• Do a test recording of both hosts moving within their space to ensure you stay in frame
• Mark your positions on the floor with tape so you can easily find your spots again 
• Once you’re happy with the set up, take photos so it’s easy to replicate 

Worried about editing multiple camera angles together? Most software has a feature called multicam editing that lets you synchronize footage from multiple cameras and switch between them in real time. When Jared found out about this feature, he cut editing time in half, from 16 to about eight hours.

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Learn how to edit your video show like a pro

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If you don’t have two cameras, you can still achieve a similar effect with one camera by changing positions between segments and editing them together.

On-the-go shows

For adventurous creators who like to take their show on the road, action cameras (like GoPros) are great for capturing steady footage while moving. If you're using a smartphone, consider investing in a gimbal—a neat little tool that smoothes out shakes and vibrations. 

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Portable cameras like Emily’s Canon are also excellent choices for mobile recording. "I feel like my setup can definitely travel with me, and it does," Emily says. "I can put everything in a backpack." 

Small tips that make a big difference

Getting a great shot is important, but sometimes, it's the little things that can make or break a session. Below are a few tips that can save you time, stress, and potentially lost footage:

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• Double-check your power situation. Charge all of your equipment before you hit record, and keep power banks and backup batteries close by. 
• Manage your storage. Format your memory cards before each session, always pack spare cards somewhere in your studio (or take them with you if you’re on the go), and transfer footage right after recording so it doesn’t pile up.
• Sound check before you start. Test your audio levels with each person speaking. If you’re using your phone, turn off notifications to avoid annoying “dings.”
• Set up safely. Consider taping down power cords to prevent tripping (gaffer tape is ideal, but duct tape works too) and keep water bottles or glasses away from electronics.

The background

When you transition from audio to video, suddenly, your recording space becomes part of your content. This is a great opportunity to enhance your branding and create a memorable visual identity for your show.

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Zach and Jared, for example, use a fifties diner as a backdrop. While scrolling through Spotify, people might not remember their faces, but they’ll likely remember such a distinct setting. This creates what Zach calls "better object permanence" because it helps viewers recognize their content at a glance.

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I feel like a lot of shows nowadays have very similar setups that look nice on camera, but they don't really pop. It blends into every other set. So go for that individuality, make it something unique. It's crazy what you can do for 20 bucks on a weekend at a flea market to be able to make a really great set.

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The most important thing is that your background helps tell your story and reinforce your brand. As Zach puts it, "go for that individuality, make it something unique" that complements your content. Whether you opt for a plain wall with a few carefully chosen knick-knacks, a bookshelf that reflects your interests, or a full-themed set like Zach and Jared's diner, make sure it aligns with your show’s tone and subject matter.

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It feels like a tall order financially, but it doesn’t have to be. As Zach says, “It's crazy what you can do for 20 bucks in a weekend at a flea market." Old books, vintage posters, quirky trinkets, or even plants can transform a plain space into a visually interesting backdrop. 

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As your show grows and gains traction, you can gradually invest in better versions of the items you love most or add new elements to evolve your set along with your content.

Don’t get caught up in the details

As you venture into video, it's easy to get caught up in the details of equipment and production value. But our creators want you to remember that, ultimately, it's your unique content that will keep your audience coming back for more.

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Zach recalls having Neil DeGrasse Tyson as a guest when “Dropouts” was still getting off the ground. Despite the messy apartment, the sketchy elevator, and wayward flatmates walking around shirtless, they still had a great conversation with a world-renowned physicist. “That's an example of doing what you can with what you have, and if it works, people will show up,” he says.

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Emily echoes this sentiment. Regardless of your equipment, her advice is to just “make sure what you say is captivating and what you make resonates with someone. People value things that are authentic."

The best way to learn is by doing

Perfectionism or lack of knowledge shouldn’t hold you back. Zach said it best: “A lot of people don't start things because they want to educate themselves and dive deep into the subject. But I promise you, if you go in and do a hundred shows, you're going to learn a lot more than by reading a hundred books.”

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So, don't wait for the ideal moment. Start where you are, with what you have. Your first videos might not be perfect, but they'll be authentically yours. With each episode, you'll grow, improve, and build a stronger connection with your fans.

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And if you're already creating video content elsewhere? You don't need to reinvent the wheel to upload your video show to Spotify. Whether you're recording with a smartphone or running a multi-camera setup, your current equipment and workflow can come right along with you. 

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Get started with video on Spotify.

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