Podcasts are now video, streams run for hours, and rental studios host a new creator every day. Studio lighting has to flatter several faces at once, stay quiet next to the mics, run for hours, and reset quickly for the next booking.
This guide covers video podcasts, live streaming, backdrop colour, rental studios, advanced lighting, and the business side of running a studio.
TL;DR
For video podcasts, boom a Godox LE600Bi in a CS-85T lantern over the table on a Neewer SC340AW C-stand, with Godox TL60 tubes for colour behind the hosts. For live streaming, use the Godox LP600R kit and an amaran Ray 120c with its softbox, a Neewer NK002 desk rig, and the Neewer X11 teleprompter. For rental studios, pair the LE600Bi with LP1200R panels and a Neewer 4-pulley system loaded with CameraStuff paper. Go further with the LA600R and FL200 flexible mats, and choose backdrop colours that match the brand or mood.
1. Video Podcasts
Podcasts need soft, even light on every host, colour on the set, and nothing the mics can hear.
- Godox Litemons LE600Bi: a 610W bi-colour COB with CRI 97 and TLCI 99. Its fan has a fully silent off mode for recording.
- Godox CS-85T lantern: an 85cm lantern with a 270 degree spread. Hung over the middle of the table, it wraps soft light around every host at once.
- Godox TL60 2-light kit: two 75cm RGBWW tubes with built-in batteries and DMX support. Stand or hang them in the set for your show's colours.
- Neewer SC340AW C-stand: an air-cushioned stainless steel stand with a 128cm boom arm rated to 8kg, so the lantern hangs over the table instead of blocking a camera.
Video: How to Set Up the Lantern Softbox, GODOX Global.
Video: Magic in Your Hands, Introducing LED Tube Light TL60, GODOX Global.
| Light | Type | Output | Colour accuracy | Cooling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Godox Litemons LE600Bi | Bi-colour COB, Bowens | 610W | CRI 97, TLCI 99 | Adjustable fan with a silent off mode |
| Godox TL60 (2-light kit) | RGBWW tubes | 18W per tube | CRI 95, TLCI 97 | Not specified |
As specified by the manufacturer, Godox, from our product listings.
Video Podcast Lighting
A powerful key in a lantern over the table, colour behind the hosts, and a stand to put it all where you need it.
Soft light for the table
Godox CS-85T Lantern
85cm lantern with a 270 degree spread and a slim 54.9cm depth.
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Set colour
Godox TL60 2-Light Kit
Two 75cm RGBWW tubes with built-in batteries, up to 2 hours each.
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Boom it over the table
Neewer SC340AW C-Stand
Stainless steel, up to 330cm, 128cm boom arm, silent-rolling wheels.
View2. Live Streaming
Streaming setups live around a desk, and one person often runs the camera, lights, and chat.
- Godox LP600R 2-light kit: two 60W RGBWW panels with CRI 96 and TLCI 96, controlled from the Godox Light app. Use one as key, the other as fill or a background wash.
- amaran Ray 120c with Octa Dome 30: a 120W full-colour COB only 5.1cm thick, with the softbox included. Its fan runs at 28 dBA, with silent and smart modes.
- Neewer NK002 desktop rig: two desk-clamp stands and a crossbar build a frame over your desk, holding up to 12kg.
- Neewer X11 teleprompter: an 11-inch beam splitter with a built-in 9-inch monitor. Read scripts while looking into the lens, or use the screen as a second computer monitor for live chat.
Video: Introducing Godox Versatile Lighting Solution, LITEMONS LP Series, GODOX Global.
Live Streaming Gear
Soft, colourful light and a desk that works as hard as you do.
Key and fill
Godox LP600R 2-Light Kit
Two 60W RGBWW panels, CRI 96, app control, AC or NP-F power.
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Soft colour key
amaran Ray 120c with Octa Dome
120W full-colour COB with a softbox, quiet at 28 dBA.
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Desk rig
Neewer NK002 Desktop Rig
Two clamp stands and a crossbar for cameras and lights, up to 12kg.
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Prompter and monitor
Neewer X11 Teleprompter
11-inch beam splitter with a built-in 9-inch monitor.
View3. Backdrop Colours: Branding and Mood
The backdrop is the easiest way to make a show recognisable. Match the brand, or set a mood:
- Calm and trustworthy: blues such as Lwandle Blue or Lowveld Nights Blue suit tech and finance.
- Warm and welcoming: creams and browns such as Marula Cream or Pug's Daydream Fawn suit lifestyle and conversation.
- Bold and energetic: Bomvu Heat Red, Zesty Naartjie Orange, or Sunny Side-Up Yellow suit sport and music.
- Premium and dramatic: Sutherland Midnight Black or Mom's Merlot Burgundy suit moody interviews.
- Clean and neutral: Ubisi White or Hadeda's Chorus Grey work for any client.
- Virtual sets: Patriot Green is a chroma-key green for virtual backgrounds.
Good to know: a grey or white roll lit with RGB lights becomes almost any colour. Light it separately from the people so colour does not spill onto faces.
Video: Paper Backdrops for Minimalist, Yet Professional Content Creation, CameraStuff Shop.
CameraStuff Paper Backdrops
2.7m x 10m seamless rolls, a few of the colours in stock.
Calm and trustworthy
No06 Lwandle Blue
A bright, clean blue for tech, finance, and explainer shows.
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Bold and energetic
No56 Bomvu Heat Red
A loud, confident red for sport, music, and high-energy content.
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Premium and dramatic
No44 Sutherland Midnight Black
Black for moody interviews and RGB-lit sets.
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4. Rental Studios
One day might bring a podcast, a product shoot, and a music video, so the kit must cope with all of it.
- Godox Litemons LE600Bi: the same 610W key from the podcast setup. Its Bowens mount takes lanterns and softboxes, and wired DMX/RDM runs it from a lighting desk.
- Godox LP1200R 2-light kit: two 120W RGBWW panels with barndoors, stands, and a carry bag, for fill, background washes, or coloured effects.
- CameraStuff paper backdrops: 10m seamless rolls with a 50mm core. Stock a neutral, a dark, and a few bold colours.
- Neewer 4-pulley system: holds four rolls on a wall or ceiling, so clients switch colours with a pull of a chain. It is built for 50mm cores; crossbars are not included.
| Light | Output | Colour | Accuracy | Control |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Godox LE600Bi | 610W bi-colour COB | 2800 to 6500K | CRI 97, TLCI 99 | Onboard, app, wired DMX/RDM |
| Godox LP1200R (2-light kit) | 120W per panel | 1800 to 10,000K plus RGB | CRI 96, TLCI 96 | Onboard, Bluetooth up to 15m |
As specified by the manufacturer, Godox, from our product listings.
Rental Studio Kit
A main light, colour panels, and a backdrop system that changes colours in seconds.
Fill and background
Godox LP1200R 2-Light Kit
Two 120W RGBWW panels with barndoors, stands, and a carry bag.
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Paper backdrops
CameraStuff Paper Backdrops
10m seamless rolls in 2.7m and 1.35m widths, in many colours.
See All Colours
Four rolls ready
Neewer 4-Pulley Backdrop System
Holds four rolls on a wall or ceiling. Crossbars not included.
View5. Advanced Lighting
These add power, flexibility, and atmosphere.
- Godox Litemons LA600R K1: a powerful, multi-use key. This 600W RGB COB reaches 141,000 lux at 1m with the included BR30 reflector, enough to push through a big lantern or flood a backdrop with colour.
- Godox FL200R and FL200SR flexible mats: RGBWW mats that bend or fold to fit where rigid panels cannot, above a podcast table or inside a tight set. The FL200R is a 61 x 61cm square, the FL200SR a 1 x 4 foot strip. Each 1kg mat comes with a softbox and X bracket, and runs on AC or an optional V-mount battery.
- Godox TL120: a 1.2m RGBWW tube with CRI 96 and TLCI 98, 39 preset effects, and a built-in battery that runs up to 140 minutes at full power. Stack several for a light wall, or hang one behind the hosts.
| Light | Output | Colour | Accuracy | Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Godox LA600R K1 | 600W RGB COB | 1800 to 10,000K plus RGB | CRI 95, TLCI 95 | AC |
| Godox FL200R / FL200SR | 250W flexible mat | 1800 to 10,000K plus RGB | CRI 95, TLCI 95 | AC, or optional V-mount battery |
As specified by the manufacturer, Godox, from our product listings.
Video: Unbox the power of Litemons LA600R!, GODOX Global.
Video: Operation Tutorial, Godox FL100R, FL200R, and FL200SR, GODOX Global.
Video: TL120 4-Light Kit Unboxing, Free Your Imagination, GODOX Global.
Advanced Lighting
Power, flexibility, and colour for studios ready to go further.
Powerful, multi-use key
Godox Litemons LA600R K1
600W RGB COB, 141,000 lux at 1m with the BR30 reflector, DMX/RDM.
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Bend it, fold it
Godox FL200R Flexible Mat
61 x 61cm RGBWW mat with softbox, X bracket, and controller.
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Long, soft strip
Godox FL200SR Flexible Mat
1 x 4 foot RGBWW strip mat with softbox, X bracket, and controller.
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Long colour tube
Godox TL120 Tube Light
1.2m RGBWW tube, CRI 96, TLCI 98, up to 140 minutes on battery.
View6. The Extras That Keep a Studio Running
A trolley case protects your C-stands, a dolly rolls a camera or light into place, a fluid-head tripod keeps moves smooth, and a field monitor shows exactly what the camera sees.
Studio Extras
Support, storage, and monitoring for a busy studio.
Stand storage
CameraStuff C-Stand Trolley Case
Fits up to three C-stands, waterproof 1680D nylon, 30kg load.
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Roll it into place
Neewer NW-600 Tripod Dolly
Three lockable 3-inch wheels, up to 22.68kg, folds into a bag.
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See every shot
Godox GM6S Pro Monitor
5.5-inch 2000-nit touchscreen, 4K HDMI in and loop-out, fanless.
View7. Running Your Studio as a Business
Create a house setup
Build one default setup that works for most bookings, photograph it, and tape the stand positions on the floor. After each booking, return the lights, roll the backdrop back to your default colour, and charge the TL60 tubes.
Plan for downtime
A broken light on a booked day costs money. Godox and Neewer gear from CameraStuff comes with a 2-year local warranty, and our in-house Godox repair centre runs a same-day swap-out on eligible models.
Build in phases
Start with what you book most, and grow from there. CameraStuff offers flexible payment options, including interest-free instalments, and you can see the lights running at our Blairgowrie showroom, 473 Jan Smuts Avenue, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Related Guides
Studio Lighting FAQs
What is the best lighting for a video podcast?
A soft key over the table, such as the Godox LE600Bi in a CS-85T lantern on a C-stand boom, plus Godox TL60 tubes for colour behind the hosts. Record with the quietest fan setting.
What backdrop colour should I use for my studio?
Match it to the brand or the mood of the show: blues feel calm and trustworthy, reds and oranges feel energetic, black feels premium, and creams feel warm. Grey or white paper lit with RGB lights can change colour without changing rolls.
Conrad Knuist
Head of Marketing and Photography Specialist
Conrad Knuist is Head of Marketing and Photography Specialist at CameraStuff, South Africa's specialist camera and lighting retailer. With over 18 years of hands-on experience across portrait, event, and commercial photography, Conrad helps South African creators and studios build lighting kits that work.
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