Moving house recently was a great excuse for a revamp of my workspace with also now having a new bespoke made desk from my friend Mark Baber.

I often get asked about what computer I use and what monitor / display, so with a few new additions including a 2nd display and new acoustic panels, this is what I’m working iwith day to day and never lets me down …

COMPUTER

Midway through last year my turbo charged iMac unexpectedly died on me. Nothing and no-one could bring it back to life.

Thankfully this wasn’t an inconvenience as opposed to a disaster because nothing is stored on it other than the software I use … and all of that is easily installed again as it’s all held online. All my files (video, photo etc) are all stored on an external hard drive system and a number of cloud based services too.

Before the iMac was no more, for some time I had been looking into the M1 Apple Studio and had couldn’t decide to go for either the Max or the Ultra … and then there was question of what upgrades to go for.

However due to the iMac’s demise being all of a sudden, I couldn’t wait for an upgrade … I needed something straight away so ended up going to a local Apple Store and picking up an ‘off the shelf’ spec M1 Mac Studio Ultra and I have to admit I’m so glad it worked out this way.

I do A LOT of video editing, photo editing and motion graphics and not once has the Apple M1 Studio missed a beat or left me waiting. It works a treat. It’s fast and it’s silent. Unlike some folks saying they experience a high pitch noise, I wouldn’t know mine was on if i didn’t look at the displays I have connected into it.

Displays

The NEW and my latest display is the SW 272U from BenQ.

27” display, 4K , 90W USB-C Photographer Monitor / Display. 99% Adobe RGB, Fine Coating Panel with TUB Anti Relfection (which works an absolute treat) , Wireless Hot Key Puk and a whole lot more.

This is my workhorse and what I use for ALL photography / image editing. Colours are absolutely spot on! The included shade works great along with the anti relfection screen meaning no matter what angle or lighting conditions, you still see the colours, contrast and details as they should be. The position of the SD Card slot makes it extremely easy and convenient to use, the wireless Hot Key Puk is being used more than any other puk I’ve had with previous model displays and the faux leather material on the base, although it might not seem like a bigge, makes a huge difference being able to store / rest items on it as they no longer slide off.

My 2nd disdplay is the BenQ PD3420Q which is an ultra wide 34” 21:9 display.

So much I could say about this but just for starters it’s Mac Ready, 100% sRGB and 97% P3 Colour Space with IPS Technology and much more.

This thing is my ‘everything except photography’ workhorse. I use it for video editing, live streaming, the occasional bit of gaming, writing, browsing the net, watching Netflix … it’s an all-round creative display that also happens to look great too.

Using this as a 2nd display couldn’t be simpler; I just connect a USB-C cable from my SW321C into it and that’s it…done!

•On the subject of displays, as an AQColor Ambassador I am able to help with the purchase price of a new display in the SW or PD range.

If you’d like to know more just drop me a message using the form on my CONTACT page or Direct Message me on social media (Fcebook , Instagram , Twitter )

*NOTE … If you’re thinking of investing in a BenQ Display, as an Ambassador I’m in the fortunate position to be able to help out withe the cost so if you’d like to know more, feel free to get in touch using my CONTACT page.

lighting

The main video light I use is from Westcott … the Flex Cine 1’ x 1’ which includes a flexible LED mat, dimmer, AC power adapter, grip head, yoke mount, Scrim Jim Cine frame, and hard diffusion panel. This entire 1-light setup packs neatly in the provided travel bag.

printer (PHOTOGRAPHY)

I absolutelty LOVE this printer … the Canon imagePROGRAF Pro 300

With my BenQ SW321C display correctly calibrated and using the ICC Profiles for the paper I use, every single print that comes off this thing is on the money be it colour or black and white. Simply stunning!

PRINTER (EVERYTHING ELSE)

The printer I use for everything else is the Canon PIXMA TS3450. Small, light and just works! Very quick and easy to set up sand the printing speed and quality is great. Veey happy with it. Nothing more to say 😃

storage

How I store files and backup has changed so many times over the years but never has it been so streamlined as it is now.

I use one 8TB G Tech Unit and this is where all my files (photo / video) are stored and this is backed up each and every day to Backblaze, Dropbox and Amazon as is my main computer .. but other than software there’s very little I store on that.

I also use two Sandisk Professional G-Drive SSD (I TB each) … one that holds my Lightroom Catalog (which is also backed up each day) and the other is used as Time Machine.

UPS

Uninterruptable Power Supply … I wouldn’t / couldn’t work without this! Living as we did in the countryside the amount of power cuts and surges was astounding but this unit didn’t miss a beat and just kept everytihng running until the power came back on, which at one point was over 10 minutes. Any longer than that and the UPS is able to close down the computer safely.

APC by Schneider Electric Back-UPS BX - BX1400UI - Uninterruptible Power Supply

If you don’t have one, I HIGHLY recommend you consider investing in a unit.

CAMERA / Webcam

Damn, I LOVE this camera!

The Sony ZV-E1 is basically a shrunken down (and twice the price) Sony FX3!

Full Frame, 4K 120fps, insanely good in-body image stabilisation, fabulous image quality and Subject Recognition and A.I. Focus Tracking that is incredible!

I got this first and foremost for filming content whilst out and about, but this thing works so good as a webcam too. With it being a small form factor, unlike the FX3 it doesn’t have an internal fan, but this is no problem at all when using as a webcam if you use a ‘dummy battery becuase then it will just keep on going and going. ALWAYS gets a comment when I’m doing a LIVE broadcast!

Microphone

The RØDE NT1 (5th Generation) … Can’t go wrong with RØDE so after a few years of using a different brand, I was drawn back when this updated model was released.

Studio / Broadcast quality. Does what it says on the tin and no wonder the NT1 has become the industry standard over the years!

AUDIO INTERFACE

The RØDE RØDECaster Duo

Originally I used a simple audio interface for connecting the XLR cable from previous microphone, but this is on a whole different level.

As the description say this is an All-in-One production solution for Podcasting, Streaming, Music Production and Content Creation. It does so much but in a really simple, tactile way. With the inbuilt processing this has saved me a ton of editing time removing breaths, working on audio in Adobe Audtion to enhance voice and so much more. Also when LIVE Streaming being able to easily control all aspects of audio makes the whole process so much more manageable and enjoyable.

Headphones

If I’m editing, watching YouTube, Netflix etc and anything else other than LIVE video, I use the Sony MDR-7506.

Super comfortable and great sound.

When I’m doing LIVE video ( presenting / zoom etc ) then I use my Apple Aipods Pro 2nd Gen.

Streamdeck XL

This thing is invaluable! 32 keys that you can programme to perfrom any number of taks depending on the software you’re using but it really shines when doing LIVE presentations such as on YouTube.

Being able to pre programme buttons to turn cameras on and off, microphones on and off, play video, play trailes, show images, start and stop the broadcast and so on, makes it so much more manageable; it literally is like having a team of people working with you by just pressing a button.

Pen tablet

I used to use Wacom but now I use this Medium Pen Tablet from Xencelabs; reliable, well made, does what it says on the tin 😃

In fact, here’s a video I did for my YouTube Channel about it …

Other Stuff I wouldn’t be without

Apple M2 iPad Pro 12.9”

I use this every single day without fail. So increibly useful … superb for tethering too when using CaptureOne.

Belkin Boost Charge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand

Not only handy because it charges my iPhone, Apple Watch and Airpods, but because it’s a stand I can see the time on my watch and notifications come through on my phone as I’m working. Might not sound like much but having everything in one place and charging for me is just so useful.

So that’s the main kit I’m now using for all my photography, video, live streaming and general day to day.

For other kit that I use I’ve listed pretty much all of it over on my GEAR page.

Anyway, thought I’d give you an update seeing as things have changed a bit over the last few months.

Cheers,
Glyn