top of page

Getting Started

  • Writer: Aren Jayanthan
    Aren Jayanthan
  • Mar 27
  • 4 min read

Updated: Mar 28

This is not for the faint of heart. I'm going to assume that you have a degree of interest beyond "whoa, this looks cool!" There won't be cool graphics and fun videos in these posts.


This a purely technical series of posts. This will be set in a conversational tone and may come across as harsh-sounding sometimes. That is just how I think when it comes to not trying to sound like sunshine and rainbows.

Before we begin, here are a couple terms that I'll be using and referencing. Some of these terms may not be wildly used in the industry:


  • Videography: the practice or process of capturing video

  • Audiography: The process of capturing, recording, and managing audio for video or standalone projects.

  • Cinematography: referring to the art and technique of capturing motion pictures with creative framing, lighting, and movement. While videography is often more practical and event-based, cinematography focuses on storytelling through visual composition.

  • Editography: The process of cutting, assembling, and enhancing visual and audio elements in post-production.

    • Includes Color Grading, Sound Design, Visual Effects, and Rendering

  • Asset Management: The systematic organization, backup, and management of digital assets, including footage, audio, and project files.

    • Includes cloud storage, local storage (SSD, HDD, SD-cards), and managing large files

  • Distribution: The strategic distribution and promotion of video and audio content across social platforms.


Disclaimer: All the equipment, software, and processes I use were based on value-to-price-to-skill (basically, is the price l'm paying more than my skill level to use it and can I use it in the future when I start to expand).


I will be limited to what I use on a regular basis. For example, I'll be referencing DaVinci Resolve a lot whereas Adobe Premier or Final Cut Pro may be more suited for your needs.


My best recommendation is go on YouTube, forums, articles, ChatGPT/AI assistants, and do the research for what you need. Remember, the cost of ignorance is far more expensive than the cost of stupidity.


Since Videography and Audiography are really easy to explain (since it's just technical lingo and product names), I'll start with that first:


Camera: Sony ZVE10M2 (APS-C, 4K, 8-bit, 4:2:0, 60M).


  1. I like the Sony camera look and autofocus. It looks more natural and realistic. Canon cameras do have a little pop to the image which does look more engaging but the Sony autofocus was the main selling point.

  2. APS-C sensor is the same sensor as the FX30 minus the internal fan, SD cards slot, and a couple other features.

  3. Up to 10-bit, 4:2:2 which is hella nice. While I don't use it right now at that level, it is more of a nice to have for future use.

  4. It doesn't have in-body stabilization which sucks for handheld recording but great since I'm just doing podcasts at the moment.


Video side of things, honestly, if you have two decent iPhones or androids, plus a software like the Blackmagic Cam app, you won’t need any prosumer camera


Audio is 50% of the video (in the case of podcasts, it’s more like 70-80%. Bad audio=lower viewership.


Podcast Microphone: Maono PD400X (XLR)

Audio Recorder: Tascam DR-60D (24-bit, 96 kHz, WAV)

Wireless Microphone: Rode Wireless Go 2 (24-bit, 48 kHz, WAV)


(YouTube has a plethora of videos comparing microphones, audio recorders, studio headphones, and peripherals. My favorite channels are Curtis Judd, Sanjay C, and Julian Krause.)


  1. The Shure SM7B is definitely an podcast industry standard but for the cost of it (plus the need for a Cloudlifter), I wanted something less expensive. Rode, Shure, Blue Yeti, Sennheiser, AKG, Audio-Technica, etc are all nice but either sounds funky (Rode) or too expensive for what I need. If budget wasn't an issue, I would skip the SM7B and go directly to the Electro-Voice RE20. The RE20 just has a really pleasant sound and great for lows and mids

    1. The PD-400X quality for the price was a really great option. It has a little bit of color in the sound plus the option to use XLR or USB-C.

    2. (USB-C has a kinda weird hum which might just be the internal amp being low quaity. Would recommend using the XLR paired with a dedicated audio recorder or something like a Motu M2 for a computer.)

  2. Budget-oriented, the main two brands I came across is Tascam and Zoom. Zoom recorders always sounded like tin cans on the high ends and muddy lows, so I went with Tascam. The DR-60D is over a decade old but still gets the job done for a pretty good price.

    1. Sound Devices does have better recording capabilites and nicer sound but starting price is pretty high.

  3. Already had the Rode Wireless Go 2 so I just used that. The Go 2 also has internal recording which is really nice if you need backup recording or use the camera's internal recording as a low-volume background soundtrack.


Software department:


Video Editing: DaVinci Resolve (free, cross-platform, and pretty intuitive and powerful.)

Audio Rendering: Auphonic

Video Rendering: Shadow PC

Shorts Editing: OpusClip

Voiceover for Ads: ElevenLabs

Cloud Storage: Dropbox

Local Storage: Multiple 4 TB HDD



YouTube Channels:

Audio: Curtis Judd, Sanjay C, Julian Krause

Video: Gerald Undone, Full Time Filmaker, Potato Jet, Jason Vong, MarcusPix, DSLR Video Shooter, Philip Bloom

Voice: Vinh Giang

Film Analysis: Studio Binder, wolfcrow, Lessons from the Screenplay

Productivity: Rian Doris

Podcasts: Substratum 611 (totally not biased), Modern Wisdom, Diary of a CEO




But the Day is past. The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America.

​

I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance, by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.

​

You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States.

 

Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will triumph in that Days Transaction, even although We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.

​

John Adams to Abigail Adams, 03 July 1776

© 2025 Substratum 611, LLC

​

Proudly based in the United States of America

bottom of page