Thanks to COVID-19, live streaming shows are now a thing. To be quite honest with you, they might even stick around in some fashion well after this pandemic is behind us. While nothing beats experiencing live music in-person in a venue’s unique environment, there is something to be said for watching a live show in the comforts of your own home.
As we’ve discussed on this blog before, there are several tools needed to successfully live stream a show including a microphone, a camera, an audio interface, lighting, a streaming platform, and good internet service. While the argument can be made that a microphone is the most important piece of equipment that can make or break a streaming performance, the camera has to be a close second.
Most devices like desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and of course phones have built-in cameras in them, but if your device is more than five years old then the picture quality could be subpar. This is where webcams can come in handy, as you can often plug them into your device and override its built-in camera, improving the picture quality in the process. There are lots of webcams to choose from these days, many made by brands you’ve never heard of. Today we’re going to look at eight different webcams that can be used for live streaming music.
Common Features
When choosing a webcam, there are a few features to consider. One is the camera’s resolution, which determines if the picture is pixelated or not. 1080p is known as full HD, while 720p is a step below it. One thing to watch for is that some cameras are listed as 1080p for recording, while they only stream at 720p.
Another rating to consider is the fps, or frames per second. This determines whether the video is smooth or not. Currently, the industry standard is 30 fps or higher and anything less than that could start to get choppy. Most webcams these days have built-in microphones that will automatically override your device’s built-in mic when plugged in. Also, while most are compatible with PCs and Macs, some only work with one type so you want to watch for that as well. You also want to keep an eye on what type of connector the camera has as some models have something other than the standard USB Type-A and might require an adaptor to work with your device.
1. Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000
720p HD | Built-in-Mic | Compatible with PC & Mac
If you can settle for the 720p resolution, then this camera is a great deal from a trusted brand at around $30. It comes with a base that allows you to attach it to your device or to stand on its own. It’s also compatible with PCs and Macs, which is not always the case with Microsoft products.
2. Logitech HD Webcam C310
720p HD | Compatible with PC & Mac
Logitech practically invented the webcam, and as you’ll see from this list, they still have a tight grip on the market today. The C310 is one of their baseline models but is pretty decent at around $50. Like the Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000 though, you’ll have to settle for 720p quality.
+ Related: 5 Ways to Book Paid Virtual Music Gigs
3. Microsoft LifeCam Studio
1080p HD / 720p HD | Compatible with PC & Mac | 360 degree rotation
The Microsoft LifeCam Studio is a good example of a webcam that’s rated at 1080p, but drops to 720p when streaming. It can swivel 360 degrees while attached to your device, which could come in handy if you want to capture your performance from something other than head-on. Overall it seems like a decent camera for under $100.
4. Logitech C925-e
1080p HD | Compatible with PC & Mac | Built-in Stereo Mic
The Logitech C925-e is an interesting camera that has dual stereo mics, which could improve your sound output when performing. It also claims to truly be 1080p HD, which is nice for a camera under $100.
5. Razer Kiyo
720p HD | Compatible with PC only | Built-in-Mic | Built-in-Ring Light
The Razor Kiyo is one of several webcams to come with a built-in ring light, which can be very helpful when streaming a show, especially at night. Unfortunately, it’s not compatible with Macs and at around $130, it’s a little pricey for just 720p resolution. You might be better off buying a lower-cost camera and a separate ring light if needed.
6. Logitech StreamCam
1080p HD | 60fps | Compatible with PC & Mac | Built-in-Mic
The Logitech StreamCam is one of the only models that claim to have both 1080p HD and 60fps picture, which can improve the quality of your streaming show. You can also rotate the camera for both portrait and landscape shots.
+ Related: Free Live Streaming Platforms For Musicians & Singers To Get Paid
7. Logitech Brio Webcam
4k Ultra HD / 1080p / 720p | Compatible with PC & Mac
The Logitech Brio claims to deliver picture quality at 4k Ultra HD, which is four times that of 1080p and could make for amazing streaming video. You can get it these days for under $200.
8. Mevo Start
1080p HD | Compatible with PC & Mac | Built-in-Mic | Bluetooth & Wifi
The Mevo Start is unique in that it’s basically a camcorder for your devices and runs off of a battery with six-hour life. It also has a wireless feature that allows you to use your phone as a remote. At almost $400, it costs a lot more than the competition but it might be just what you’re looking for.
+ Watch – 5 Elements of a Strong Music Booking Pitch
As you can see there are a lot of options when it comes to webcams. Hopefully, this can help you choose the one that’s right for you. Do you have a favorite webcam we failed to mention? Tell us about it in the comment section, or let us know if you have any questions.
Want to learn more about live streaming? Check it this great guide that tells you all about it from our friends at DIY Musician.
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