You probably even have a high-quality camera in your pocket right now.
But making professional-quality videos is a different ballgame. For instance, if you want to start a YouTube channel, record employee training videos, or make a video podcast, you’ll need more than just your phone.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the most important video-creation tools and list some of 2023’s most popular options to get you started, no matter your budget.
Best Tools to Create High-Quality Videos
You probably know that tools like a camera, mic, and editing software are essential for video recording. But below, we’ll tell you why. We’ll also discuss content-creation tools you might not have considered!
Hardware video creator tools
We’ll start with video-creation hardware—the physical equipment that you need in your studio.
Camera
We know we said you’ll need more than a phone to shoot high-quality video—but a smartphone camera is a great beginner tool.
The newest smartphones record up to 4K video resolution and have up to 1TB of storage. There’s a reason you’ll see dozens of videos on YouTube labeled “I shot this on a phone!”
That said, there are many advantages to choosing an external camera. Among other factors, cameras often perform better in low-light settings and maintain better image quality than phones in close-up shots.
While the tools you choose for your video content should always depend on your intended use, a camera top-quality camera is a must for all creators. We suggest choosing a camera that record at least in 1080p, or even better if it can capture 4 resolution.
Here are a few of 2023’s highest-rated options:
Panasonic Lumix GH6: Consistently rated among the top filmmaking cameras. (Price: $1,899.99)
Canon Powershot G7 X Mark III: Compact point-and-shoot especially suited for live streaming. (Price: $749.99)
Sony ZV-1F: Ultra-compact and designed for vloggers. (Price: $499.99)
Tip: Opt for a camera with a display screen that flips fully forward so you can see yourself while filming.
Even if you’re using your smartphone’s camera, purchasing an external microphone is helpful. That’s because, unlike its camera, your phone’s microphone is unlikely to produce professional-quality output.
The same is true of external cameras—their built-in microphones often produce poor audio.
There are three features to choose in a mic: transducer type, form, and polar pattern. These terms refer to the mic’s sensitivity to sound, its placement relative to the speaker, and the direction(s) from which it picks up sound.
Within each feature, you’ll need to choose from a few options.
For instance, if you’re going to record in noisy environments, you might prefer a dynamic microphone form (which captures sound mainly from the front of the mic). But if you’re recording from a quiet studio, you might choose a condenser mic (since those tend to pick up better quality audio overall).
In case that seems too complicated, we’ve rounded up a few options for you to start with:
While not every video lends itself to wearing headphones, we recommend using them. They’re a valuable way to monitor sound in real-time and to preview what your audience will hear.
If you prefer not to wear a pair in your videos, use them to listen to a test clip before recording.
One headphone feature to consider is open-back vs. closed-back. Closed-back headphones provide better external sound-blocking, which many creators value, while open-back headphones let creators stay aware of their surroundings.
Unless you have professional audio equipment like an amplifier, we also recommend looking for lower-impedance headphones. Impedance refers to the headphones’ resistance to electrical current. A pair with greater resistance (higher impedance) will produce a too-quiet sound unless hooked up to an amp.
If you don’t have an amp, choose headphones with an impedance of between 20 and 40 ohms.
Here are a few models to choose from:
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x: Many creators’ go-to studio headphones. (Price: $169.00)
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro: Consistently top-rated headphones available in several impedance levels. (Price: $139.00)
Sony MDR-7506: An entry-level industry standard, though their higher impedance (63 ohms) means they work best with an amplifier. (Price: $99.99)
You might have a top-of-the-line camera, but no one will watch your videos if the lighting is terrible.
And despite what you may think, more than the overhead lighting in your house is needed for a top-quality video. Instead, you’ll want at least one light aimed directly at your face while recording.
GVM RGB LED Studio 3-Light Video Light Panel Kit: A high-end three-point lighting setup. (Price: $339.00)
Godox SL-60 LED Video Light: Pair with a light stand and softbox for light diffusion in your at-home studio. (Price: $139.99)
Boling BL-P1 Pocket LED RGB Video Light: A compact camera-mounted light for filming on the go. (Price: $129.00)
For more information on setting up your lighting kit, see our article on Video Lighting.
Tripod
A tripod is another valuable tool for creating videos. Even if you plan to film on your phone, you’ll want a tripod to stabilize the device and hold it in position.
Types of tripods include:
Extendable tripods
Compact, portable tripods
Phone tripods
Flexible tripods
Suction cup tripods
Consider your tripod’s material, the compatibility of its clamp with your camera, and the ability to mount a microphone or light.
You should opt for the features that best support your videos. For example, if you’ll be recording on the go, choose a lightweight carbon fiber tripod instead of a heavier aluminum version.
Check out these tripods to get you started:
Peak Design Travel Tripod: Available in aluminum or carbon fiber and has a built-in phone mount. (Price: $379.95)
Manfrotto MT190X3 Aluminum Tripod: Fully-featured option with a built-in ground-level adapter for versatility. (Price: $259.99)
iFootage Cobra 2 C150-II: Monopod that can extend from 24–59 inches. (Price: $179.00)
Gimbal
An often underrated piece of gear, agimbal can make a huge difference in the professionality of your videos.
A gimbal is a tool that attaches to a camera or phone and stops shakiness while filming. It’s even useful for those who film stationary footage since anything from sound wave vibrations to a car driving by can cause camera movement undetectable by the human eye.
While choosing the proper hardware lets you capture high-quality raw footage, the software turns that footage into a masterpiece.
Below, we’ll cover the three most crucial video creation tools: recording, editing, and hosting software.
Recording software
As its name suggests, video recording software is the tool that captures raw footage from your camera (or phone). Powerful recording software, like Riverside, lets you create HD video content easily and reliably.
With Riverside, you can record videos in up to 4K resolution, stream them on multiple social media platforms, edit them on your computer in your personal studio, and export them in several formats for uploading to advanced editing software.
Riverside also offers:
Local recording to each participant’s device so you don’t have to rely on the quality of your internet connection
Lossless, uncompressed 48kHz audio for optimal quality
Remote recording with up to 8 participants
Separate audio and video tracks for each participant for more post-production flexibility
Mobile app that lets you film videos on your phone and automatically upload them to your computer
White-label video production with your channel’s or company’s logo
Live streaming to popular platforms like Twitch and YouTube
Audience call-ins during live streams
Built-in Editor that lets you split and trim footage, rearrange layouts, add custom graphics and logos, and more
Clips feature for easily repurposing content for social media
Simultaneous video, audio, and screen recording
24-hour customer support via email or live chat
If you’re ready to try Riverside, you can sign up for a free plan today—or if you’re looking for advanced features, paid plans start at just $15/month.
Start recording with Riverside
Easily record high-quality podcasts & videos remotely
The editing stage puts the finishing touches on your videos. Editing software can add text, transitions, voiceovers, music, and more to turn your videos into truly studio-quality content.
Riverside’s Editor tool provides basic editing functions like splitting and trimming footage, choosing a layout, and adding custom graphics. But if you need advanced editing, Riverside’s automatic exporting to Descript and Adobe Premiere Pro streamlines the process.
When choosing editing software, consider pricing packages offered, user-friendliness, compatibility with your recording and hosting software, audio control, and computer requirements (RAM, etc.).
The most popular editing software in 2023 include:
Final Cut Pro: Stable, affordable editing software for Mac users. (Price: One-time fee of $299.99)
Adobe Premiere Pro: Fast, professional editing software for Windows and Mac. (Price: $252/yr)
Wondershare Filmora: Simple, beginner-friendly software for Windows and Mac. (Price: $69.99/yr)
iMovie: Basic editing software for Mac and iOS devices. (Price: Free)
After editing, there’s one more step to take before getting your content in front of your audience: uploading to hosting software.
Just like bloggers need a website to store their written content, video creators need a website to store their audio-visual content. Hosting software provides that service.
Features to look for in hosting software include privacy and security, branding features, storage capacity, SEO services, audience reach, and data analytics.
Here are a few popular video hosting platforms to consider:
YouTube: Popular hosting software with a large audience. (Price: Free)
Wistia: Ad-free software that generates an embed code to put your content on your website. (Price: $79/yr up to 50 videos; $319/yr up to 250 videos)
Brightcove: User-friendly option designed to integrate with marketing software. (Price: Contact Brightcove’s sales team for a quote)
The most critical video-making tools are a camera, microphone, and tripod.
You can use your phone as a camera or buy an external camera, but neither will provide professional audio—which is why it’s essential to purchase an external microphone. You’ll use the tripod to set your camera in your desired location and height for filming.
It’s an all-in-one recording, editing, and streaming software for both beginners and professional content creators. You can film and live stream on your computer or phone using Riverside’s browser-based software or mobile app.
Your footage will automatically upload to your personal recording studio, where you can edit it on your computer with Riverside’s Editor. You can then export your video in multiple formats for uploading to advanced editing software, if needed.
There are numerous free video-creation tools to choose from. If you have a smartphone, you can use its camera to record your videos. iPhone users can edit videos for free using iMovie, while Android users can use Android’s native Photos app.
But a more straightforward way to record and edit for free is using Riverside.fm’s free all-in-one recording, streaming, and editing software. While a paid subscription is necessary to access some features, the free version is a great place to start.
Regardless of your choice, you can then make a free YouTube account to host your videos.
How do you make a video high quality?
The two factors contributing to a high-quality video are the quality of the raw footage and the professionality of the editing.
Choose a camera and recording software capable of recording in 4K, 1080p resolution to capture high-quality raw footage. Be sure to invest in an external mic capable of recording 48kHz audio; don’t use your camera’s built-in low-quality mic!
Next, research equipment that enhances video smoothness, like a tripod and gimbal.
Finally, invest in professional editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro. The time you spend learning to get the most out of this software will pay off exponentially in the quality of your videos.
Now that you know the most essential tools for creating high-quality videos in 2023, get out there and take that first step toward your content creation goals!
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Riverside.fm is an audio-video tool that collapses the pod/broadcast studio experience into your browser. The service captures lossless audio and up to 4K video locally, syncs it, and uploads as you go.
Riverside.fm is an audio-video tool that collapses the pod/broadcast studio experience into your browser. The service captures lossless audio and up to 4K video locally, syncs it, and uploads as you go.
Riverside.fm is an audio-video tool that collapses the pod/broadcast studio experience into your browser. The service captures lossless audio and up to 4K video locally, syncs it, and uploads as you go.
“YouTube has the infrastructure to introduce audio hosting and origination, and match it to video with all the rich analytics it already provides. A seamless creator experience, plus SEO marketing tools, plus the benefit of being a platform most have been conditioned to equal. Give it a turn-key opportunity to activate a more cohesive strategy around both video and audio, to the benefit of all parties.”
A.J. Feliciano | Head of Podcast Network
“People are working from home more and more. Audio-only is not as in-demand because the need to multitask while commuting is no longer there.”
Stone Roshell | Head of Podcast Production
“Live streaming may become the biggest way to grow using video for your podcast.”
Stone Roshell | Head of Podcast Production
“With major platforms like Spotify, TikTok, and YouTube putting more resources into video podcasts.. now is a uniquely opportune moment for smart creators to harness that energy by investing in video for audience growth.”
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