How to Setup a YouTube Studio From Scratch (Tiny Room)

Introduction and Room Overview

• The goal is to transform a small room in Hong Kong into a YouTube studio, and the process will be documented from start to finish (10s).
• The room is approximately 2.5 meters wide and 2.9 meters long, making it the smallest studio space ever worked with (1m10s).
• A big window in the room is a nice feature, but it also presents a challenge, along with a 60 cm window sill (1m19s).
• When setting up a studio, the first consideration is the camera position, and in this case, the camera is positioned in a corner to make the shot more interesting (1m33s).
• Shooting into a corner allows for more background to be visible, which provides the studio's personality, and a blurry background is desirable in a YouTube studio (1m59s).
• A blurry background is achieved by having a distance between the camera and the back wall, and using a 24 mm focal length lens, such as the one on a Sony A7 S3 full-frame camera, helps to blur the background (2m56s).
• The camera positioning also aims to get up close and personal to minimize echo and make the background appear nicer when there are objects in it (2m31s).

Camera Positioning and Background

• When setting up a studio, the first consideration is the camera position, and in this case, the camera is positioned in a corner to make the shot more interesting (1m33s).
• Shooting into a corner allows for more background to be visible, which provides the studio's personality, and a blurry background is desirable in a YouTube studio (1m59s).
• A blurry background is achieved by having a distance between the camera and the back wall, and using a 24 mm focal length lens, such as the one on a Sony A7 S3 full-frame camera, helps to blur the background (2m56s).
• The camera positioning also aims to get up close and personal to minimize echo and make the background appear nicer when there are objects in it (2m31s).
• The studio setup is being done by Ali, a seven-figure entrepreneur and best-selling author, who has been making YouTube videos since 2017 and runs an online community called the Part-Time YouTuber Academy (33s).
• A 24mm focal length is preferred for creating an up-close and personal feel in YouTube videos, allowing the host to be close to the camera and appear friendly, in contrast to using longer focal lengths like 50mm or 85mm which can create a sense of distance between the host and the audience (3m10s).

Focal Length and Lens Choice

• A 24mm focal length is preferred for creating an up-close and personal feel in YouTube videos, allowing the host to be close to the camera and appear friendly, in contrast to using longer focal lengths like 50mm or 85mm which can create a sense of distance between the host and the audience (3m10s).
• A 24mm prime lens can be used to achieve this effect, and it doesn't have to be an expensive one, as a cheap $200 lens can serve the purpose just as well as a $2,000 lens (3m58s).

Using Riverside for Recording and Editing

• Riverside is an all-in-one online studio for video and podcasting, allowing users to record and edit high-quality content from their browser, with features like multi-track editing, AI producer, and animated captions (4m28s).
• Riverside is suitable for creators who want to produce high-quality content easily, and it integrates well into a workflow for video and podcast production, with features like recording in up to 4K and automatic editing (4m47s).
• The AI producer in Riverside can automatically remove silences, switch camera angles, and add animated captions to videos, making it a helpful tool for podcasters and video creators (5m0s).
• A special offer is available for the first 1,000 people who click the link in the video description or scan a QR code, giving them 3 months of Riverside Pro for free (5m18s).

Lighting Considerations and Aesthetics

• Having a big light source at a 45° angle to the face is generally good for lighting, and natural light can be used, but some YouTubers may not prefer it due to its unpredictability (5m41s).
• The goal is to create a natural and "viby" shot with a light mode aesthetic, rather than a professional video shoot, and to make the studio feel inspiring and comfortable to film in (5m56s).
• The presence of a window with natural light is preferred, but it limits the camera position to either side of the room to avoid the wooden door in the background (6m48s).
• The camera is positioned to avoid the wooden door, which is considered an eyesore, and to capture a more visually appealing background (7m21s).

Part-Time YouTuber Academy Promotion

• A special offer for the Part-time YouTuber Academy will be available on Black Friday, with a discount of over $300 off the regular price, and interested viewers can join the waitlist to receive the coupon code (7m33s).

Furniture Selection: Chair, Desk, and Countertop

• The chair used is a random one from IKEA, chosen for its availability and affordability, and is preferred for sitting down while making YouTube videos (8m8s).
• The desk and countertop used are also from IKEA, chosen for their availability and affordability, and the IKEA Ola legs are attached to the countertop for extensibility (8m50s).
• The goal is to create a comfortable and functional studio setup using readily available materials, rather than waiting for high-end equipment to arrive (8m33s).
• A YouTube studio setup can be created in a small room with a few essential items, starting with a chair and a desk, which can provide a comfortable and natural space for recording videos (9m4s).

Sound Quality and Echo Reduction

• Natural light from a window can be a good light source, but it may not be suitable for nighttime recordings or when the curtains are drawn, and built-in house lights should be avoided due to their poor quality (9m28s).
• A big tip is to never use the lights that are built into your house because they're generally awful, and instead, opt for a soft light source with a wide window (9m52s).
• A rug can help reduce echo in the room, which is important for good sound quality in YouTube videos, and can be an optional extra to improve the overall setup (10m22s).
• Hard surfaces can cause echo, but soft materials like rugs, acoustic panels, and furnishings can help absorb the extra echo and improve sound quality (10m38s).
• Adding a rug to the room can make a noticeable difference in reducing echo, and further additions like furnishings and acoustic panels can help even more (11m54s).
• The rug should be placed in a way that it is not visible in the shot, and its effect on echo reduction can be noticeable even with a cheap Ikea rug (11m59s).

Background Design and Decoration

• A general philosophy for YouTube backgrounds includes three elements: a plant, a lamp, and a bookshelf, which can help create a visually appealing setup and showcase personality (12m47s).
• Most of the items used to create the background come from Ikea, specifically the Ikea in Hong Kong, and are chosen based on what is in stock (13m5s).
• A big plant is added to the background, specifically the classic Ikea fake plant, and its position is adjusted to find the most visually appealing spot (13m16s).
• When placing objects in the background, it's essential to consider the camera angle and ensure that items are not sprouting from the body or obstructing the space around the subject (13m49s).
• A lamp is added to the setup, specifically a green Philips lamp, which is chosen for its aesthetic appeal and ability to add a warm glow to the space (14m25s).
• The lamp is equipped with a Philips hue light bulb, which can change color, but is often left as a warm orange glow (15m13s).
• An Ikea trolley is added to the setup, which contains various items, including Ikea fake potted plants, which are used to add visual interest and create a cozy atmosphere (15m20s).
• The fake potted plants, including the famous Ikea "FEJKA" car potted plant, are arranged on the trolley and in the space to create a visually appealing setup (15m36s).
• The setup is aiming for a light-colored wood aesthetic, and a bookshelf from Ikea is being added to the space (16m6s).
• The bookshelf is being experimented with in different positions to find the most suitable placement, considering factors such as the plant and lamp's visibility (16m8s).
• The goal is to create a visually appealing background with the bookshelf, and items such as posters and a guitar will be added to enhance the setup (17m11s).

Artificial Lighting Setup with Amaran F22 X

• An artificial light, specifically the Amaran F22 X, is being introduced to the setup to provide a better lighting option than relying solely on natural window light (17m16s).
• The Amaran F22 X is chosen for its portability, ease of use, and thin softbox, which is suitable for small spaces (17m46s).
• The light is being set up as a soft light source, and its brightness and color temperature can be adjusted to achieve the desired effect (18m11s).
• The light's positioning is crucial, with the goal of achieving a 45° angle onto the subject's face to create a flattering and visually appealing shot (19m4s).
• Positioning a light at 45° creates a nice light on one side of the face and a dramatic contrast and darkness on the other side, which is a more visually appealing setup than a flat, direct light (19m15s).
• The 45° setup can be adjusted to different temperatures, such as 2500 Kelvin, to achieve a warm glow effect that resembles golden hour sunset vibes (20m2s).
• Adding an artificial light to a setup with a big window light can make a noticeable difference and automatically make the image look more professional (20m26s).

Using Fill Light and Light Stands

• When shooting in a room with no natural light, a fill light can be used to fill in shadows and reduce the dramatic effect of the main light (20m55s).
• A light stand or tripod can be used to position the light, but an auto pole can be a more convenient option, especially in smaller studio setups, as it can be mounted from the floor to the ceiling or from one edge of a window sill to the other (21m30s).
• An auto pole can be used to mount not only a light stand but also an overhead camera setup, which can be useful for creating an overhead rig without obstructing the floor space with tripod legs (22m6s).
• The auto pole can be equipped with clamps and freedom arms to mount various equipment, making it a versatile tool for studio setups (21m51s).
• Using a light stand or auto pole with a light can help to create a more professional-looking image, even in a small room with limited natural light (20m46s).

Auto Pole for Mounting Lights and Overhead Rig

• An auto pole can be used to mount not only a light stand but also an overhead camera setup, which can be useful for creating an overhead rig without obstructing the floor space with tripod legs (22m6s).
• The auto pole can be equipped with clamps and freedom arms to mount various equipment, making it a versatile tool for studio setups (21m51s).
• Using a light stand or auto pole with a light can help to create a more professional-looking image, even in a small room with limited natural light (20m46s).
• To set up a YouTube studio in a small space, an Auto pole is recommended as it can be easily installed and removed without damaging the floor or walls, making it ideal for rented spaces (22m25s).
• The Auto pole works by using suction caps to secure it to the floor and a spring-loaded mechanism to clamp it into place, allowing for the mounting of lights and other equipment (23m0s).
• To mount a light to the Auto pole, a combination of a super clamp and a Freedom arm can be used, which provides flexibility and adjustability in positioning the light (23m16s).
• The super clamp can attach to the Auto pole or any other surface, while the Freedom arm allows for tweaking and prodding into any position before locking it in place (23m29s).
• The use of Freedom arms and clamps is common in professional photography and videography settings, such as concerts and events (24m1s).
• The light can be attached to the super clamp, which is then attached to the Auto pole, creating a stable and adjustable setup (24m20s).

Overhead Rig Setup for Lights and Camera

• The next step is to create an overhead rig, which may not be necessary for most studios but can be useful for added flexibility and creativity (24m54s).
• The overhead rig uses an L-shaped bracket, a super clamp, and another Freedom arm to attach a light, and can also be used to mount a camera (25m5s).
• The Freedom arm is a versatile tool that can be used in various settings and can even be used to replace a tripod in some cases (25m21s).
• The overhead rig can be used to create a more complex and flexible lighting setup, and can be adjusted and customized to meet specific needs (25m27s).
• To create an overhead camera rig, a double clamp setup is used by attaching two Super clamps to a Freedom arm, which will then be attached to an Auto pole, allowing for an overhead camera setup without taking up too much space (26m0s).
• The camera is mounted to the clamp, and it holds the weight perfectly, but it's essential to ensure everything is super tightened to avoid accidents (27m2s).
• The overhead camera rig is now set up, allowing for zooming in and out as needed, and it can be switched to as needed from the main angle (27m20s).
• The main angle setup is described, where diagrams can be drawn and switched to the overhead rig as needed (27m35s).

Decorating with Displate Posters

• To decorate the studio, metallic posters from Displate are used, which have a finish that reduces light glare and are magnetic, making them easy to attach to the wall without drilling holes (27m47s).
• The posters are attached to the wall using a magnet and a sticker, which allows for easy removal without damaging the wall (28m16s).

Final Touches and Microphone Setup

• The studio setup is now complete, with a solid-looking YouTube studio, but there are still some minor issues, such as the microphone stopping recording and being a bit far away from the speaker (28m39s).
• A microphone boom is awaited to arrive, which will allow the microphone to be boomed in from the Auto pole, getting it closer to the speaker's mouth (28m56s).

Bookshelf Setup and Book Selection

• The final step is to set up the bookshelf with various books, including "Emotional Intelligence", "The Happiness Pursuit", "The Power of Now", and "Oneness with all life" (29m14s).
• The room contains various books, including "4,000 Weeks" by Oliver Burkeman, "The Love Prescription" by John and Julie Gottman, "Zen: The Simple Art of Living" by Izzy, "Meditations for Mortals" by Oliver Burkeman, "Build the Life You Want" by Oprah Winfrey and Arthur Brooks, "The Daily Dad" by Ryan Holiday, "You Are Here" by Thich Nhat Hanh, "The Book of Change" by I Ching, "The Time Block Planner" by Cal Newport, and "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu (29m38s).
• The books will be placed on the bookshelf, and after that, the studio setup will be nearly complete (30m35s).

Additional Lighting and Ambiance

• Two small aperture MC light bulbs will be placed on the shelf for added lighting (30m55s).
• A blue light was added to the setup for ambiance, and the studio setup remains largely unchanged (31m11s).

Conclusion and Call to Action

• Viewers are encouraged to leave comments and questions about the studio setup, and a refreshed version of the video may be created in the future (31m20s).
• Additional resources, such as the Part-Time YouTuber Academy, are available for those interested in learning more about YouTube (31m27s).
• A separate video is available that discusses what the creator would do if they were starting a YouTube channel from scratch today (31m31s).