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Lightboard Recording Studio

The CETL Recording Studio is designed to help faculty and staff create high-quality instructional videos with ease. 

🏫 Why Use the Lightboard Studio?

Recording in the Lightboard Studio offers several advantages over creating videos from your home or office:

  • Professional Quality: The studio is equipped with high-end cameras, microphones, and lighting, ensuring your videos look and sound polished without requiring any setup on your part.
  • Streamlined Workflow: With the Elgato Stream Deck controlling OBS, you can start and stop recordings, switch scenes, and manage overlays with a single button press—no technical expertise required.
  • Minimal Distractions: The controlled environment eliminates background noise, poor lighting, and interruptions that can occur in home or office settings.
  • Enhanced Engagement: The Lightboard allows you to write and draw while facing the camera, creating a dynamic and visually engaging experience for students.
  • Automatic Captioning: Videos uploaded to Kaltura from the studio are automatically captioned, improving accessibility and supporting student review.

Whether you're creating lecture content, concept walkthroughs, or course introductions, the studio helps you deliver clear, engaging, and accessible media with minimal effort.

Example of the Lightboard setup in the CETL Recording Studio

Any A-State faculty or staff member can reserve the studio. See below for studio specifications, accessibility features, and our reservation policy.

 

🧪 What Is a Lightboard?

Our setup now includes a Lightboard, offering a dynamic way to present visual content while maintaining eye contact with your audience—ideal for STEM demonstrations, diagrams, and engaging lectures.

A Lightboard is a transparent glass whiteboard with internal lighting that makes neon markers glow. It allows presenters to write and draw while facing the camera, creating a natural and engaging delivery. The video is mirrored so the writing appears correctly to viewers.

📺 Want to see it in action?

🎥 Studio Specifications

Lighting

  • Dimmable internal edge lights for glowing neon marker visuals.
  • Presenter-facing dimmable LEDs for even lighting.

Audio

  • RØDE RODECaster Pro Integrated Podcast Studio
    • Channel 1: RØDE Wireless GO II Lavalier Mic
    • Channel 2: RØDE PodMic (Right)
    • Channel 3: RØDE PodMic (Left)
    • Channel 4: Blackmagic Camera Audio Out
    • USB Channel: PC Audio Out

Video

  • Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro
    • Records in 1080p by default (4K available upon request)
  • Sigma 18–35mm f/1.8 Lens
  • Tiffen Circular Polarizing Filter

Computer & Automation

  • Dell Windows 10 PC
  • Blackmagic DeckLink Quad HDMI Recorder
  • OBS Studio for mirrored output and scene transitions
  • Stream Deck MK.2 for push-button automation:
    • Start, Pause, Stop recording
    • Switch between camera views and content sources
  • Dual Dell 32" 4K Monitors:
    • One for OBS monitoring
    • One for content (PowerPoint, browser, etc.)

Teleprompter

Lightboard

  • 66" glass surface with internal lighting
  • Height adjustable from:
    • 28"–53" (desktop)
    • 65"–90" (top of board)

♿ Accessibility Features

  • Adjustable height for ADA compliance
  • Clear audio capture for automatic captioning via Kaltura

Notes:

  • Using a script with the teleprompter can improve caption accuracy, but it is not required.
  • Caption editing instructions are available in the Kaltura chapter of the CETL Knowledge Base

🎬 Best Practices for Recording with the Lightboard

To ensure your Lightboard videos are clear, engaging, and professional, consider the following tips:

👕 Clothing & Appearance

  • Avoid green clothing: The studio uses a green screen, and green garments may become transparent or distorted.
  • Skip text on clothing: The camera is mirrored, so any text will appear backward in the final video.
  • Avoid busy patterns: High-contrast or intricate designs can distract viewers and obscure writing on the glass.
  • Wear solid, dark colors: These provide good contrast against the illuminated writing and background.

🧠 Content & Delivery

  • Keep videos short: Aim for recordings around 15 minutes to support attention spans and facilitate concept review. Consider breaking longer lectures into a series of shorter segments.
  • Use a script or outline: Planning your content helps reduce filler words and ensures a smooth delivery. Scripts also improve auto-caption accuracy.
  • Practice beforehand: Familiarize yourself with the studio setup and rehearse your presentation to reduce recording time and improve flow.

🔧 Technical Tips

  • Use the Elgato Stream Deck remote: The studio uses a Stream Deck configured to control OBS. You can start and stop recordings, switch between scenes, and toggle sources (like overlays, camera feeds, and background elements) with a single button press.
  • Write clearly and large enough: Ensure your writing is legible from the viewer’s perspective. Use the center of the board and avoid writing too close to the edges.
  • Avoid touching the glass: Smudges can interfere with visibility and distract viewers. Use the provided markers and erasers gently.
  • Check your framing: Stand where your writing will be visible and avoid blocking key content. You can preview your position using the monitor before recording.

📁 Post-Production & Sharing

  • Upload to Kaltura: Videos recorded in the studio should be uploaded to Kaltura for automatic captioning, reliable playback, and easy embedding in Canvas.
  • Edit captions if needed: Caption editing instructions are available in the Kaltura section of the CETL Knowledge Base.
  • Use playlists: Group related short videos into a playlist for a cohesive viewing experience.

📅 Reservation Policy

Studio use is limited to A-State faculty and staff. The person making the reservation must be present and is responsible for any student participants.

To reserve the studio or ask questions, email CETL@AState.edu.

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