Tech guide: What every journalist should have

Smartphone. Laptop. Voice recorder. Camera. Microphone. These are just some of the tools that come in handy (and are often necessary) for journalists. Lesley Salvadori, news media technical coordinator at Ryerson University’s School of Journalism, sent this tech guide out to students. Don’t have any of this stuff yet? Add it to your wishlist.

The world of journalism has changed greatly over the past few years.  With converging technologies journalists need to have access to all types of multimedia gear. 

Smartphone. Laptop. Voice recorder. Camera. Microphone. These are just some of the tools that come in handy (and are often necessary) for journalists. Lesley Salvadori, news media technical coordinator at Ryerson University’s School of Journalism, sent this tech guide out to students. Don’t have any of this stuff yet? Add it to your wishlist.

The world of journalism has changed greatly over the past few years.  With converging technologies journalists need to have access to all types of multimedia gear. 

If you don’t have some of these basics, the holidays might be an opportunity for you to fill the gap, and what you need may be less expensive than you think

1.    Mobile Computer – PC or MAC

2.    Camera – with still picture and video capability

3.    Digital Audio Recorder with an external microphone input

4.    Cell phone – with lots of minutes (preferably a smartphone with camera)

Already got the basics? Here are some upgrade ideas:

If Photo Journalism is your dream, consider a DSLR such as a Canon T3i. 

If you have room in your budget for a smartphone we recommend iPhone 4s.

Microphone for the iPhone:  iPhone 1/8 inch microphone adapter – 3.5mm 4 conductor TRRS Male to 3.5mm Microphone Input Jack

This adapter allows you to connect a standard microphone with 3.5mm (1/8 inch) connector to the iPhone or other compatible device for quality recording. This adapter incorporates passive components which provide DC blocking/isolation between the microphone input for device protection, as well as, impedance matching components for allowing a wide variety of microphones to be used with the device. This adapter is the perfect solution for interfacing your new phone with your stereo, computer, home theater system, headphones and/or using your own quality microphone for recording or production.