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The DMC Personal Studio is designed to create dynamic, publication-ready videos at the push of a button. This all-in-one, easy-to-use video production resource offers a teleprompter, backdrops, cameras, microphones, and preconfigured professional lighting. An intuitive touchscreen interface enables users to capture, stream, and edit videos in real-time. This system uses the versatile Wirecast software, which provides features such as shot selection, title overlays, picture-in-picture, chroma keying, annotation, and multiple inputs. There is also a laptop connection with modes for capturing or streaming an activity.
Personal Studio orientations are available by request, and begin at the Groundworks desk in room 1315. This 30 minute orientation covers software, equipment, and room policies. Upon completing an orientation, users will be able to reserve the room. Class orientations are also available by request. Inquiries can be sent to groundworks@umich.edu
A digital copy of the room guide can be found here
Access to the Personal Studio requires completion of a les than 1-hour in-person orientation. Feel free to sign up for them here, or reach out to schedule a time that works best for you (Groundworks@umich.edu)
Teleprompter
The teleprompter is what has made news anchors look smart since the 1950's. The teleprompter is a piece of 1-way glass and a camera behind it. This teleprompter shows whatever is displayed on the "Presenter Computer." Wether you are reading a script, going through a digital slideshow, or instruction on software, the teleprompter allows you to see your display while you are looking at the camera.
2. Camera
The Personal Studio contains 2, iKan NDI based cameras, capturing at 1080p. One in the teleprompter enclosure and one on a rolling stand. The cameras can be controlled from within Wirecast.
Camera Control
Navigate to "Windows-PTZ Control." In the new window (see fig. 1)
Select either NDI_HX (Personal Studio Presenter) or NDI_HX (Personal Studio Prompter) (fig. 2)
Use arrows in window to adjust pan/tilt/zoom (fig. 3)
Focus, White balance, and exposure can also be controlled from this screen (adjustments are made per camera) (fig. 3)
Camera control:
fig. 1
fig. 2
fig. 3
iKan NDI Cameras
fig. 4
Raising/lowering Teleprompter
The Teleprompter camera can be raised or lowered with the wired controller (see fig. 2)
fig. 5
Rasing/lowering Presenter camera
Squeeze the pistol grip and raise or lower the camera (see fig. 3)
fig. 6
3. Presenter computer
The Presenter Computer, in the Personal Studio comes with an annotation display, so you can notate live, while recording. This allows you to emphasize something on the desktop of the computer, you are sharing to your audience. This video will help to better understand the annotation display.
Use included stylus or your finger, for annotating on the display
4. Capture Computer
The Capture computer is the brains of the room. This is where all te magic occurs. It uses an application called Wirecast for capturing the variety of inpuuts we have in the Personal Studio.
The ELO touch display allows for easy switching between cameras/displays without the need for a mouse. This makes one person productions much easier.
RESTARTING THE COMPUTER is a great way to ensure you are starting with a fresh slate. Restarting resets all the files and applications back to our main template settings.
Learn more about the capture computer
5. Room remotes
NEC remote is for turning on/off the large display along the wall.
It shold be set to "HDMI" for the input
Use A/B HDMI switch on the desk to swap between Presenter and Capture computers on large display
The Kensington remote allows for clicking between slideshows on the teleprompter (which works wonders for putting an easy to read script on the teleprompter).
Room remotes
A/B HDMI Switch
6. Room Mics
The Personal Studio comes with 4 microphones, all wired up and ready to use (after leveling properly).
Desk Mic - The primary microphone in the room. This directional shotgun microphone lives on the desktop.
2 Wireless lavalier mics - The 2 wireless lav mics sitting on the black table in the corner of the studio work well for multiple people being recorded at the same time (Wirecast system mixes ALL mics during recording).
Room mic - Hanging from the ceiling, above the full wall green screen is a room mic. Mostly a good "catch all".
Unless you are intentionally using this microphone, we recommend turning the levels down, all the way before using.
Desktop Mic
Room mic
Lav mics
9. Focusrite Clarett+ audio interface
The new Focusrite Clarett+ is a very easy interface for adjusting audio levels.
Turn the appropriately labeled knob to the levels you desire
We recommend your voice should fall around the -12dB range, on the meters in Wirecast
Too loud clips the audio and cannot be fixed afterwards
Too low introduces a LOT of background noise
Headphone leveling can be adjusted with the knob above the headphones.
Getting started - tips and tricks in the PersonalStudio
Instructional content showcasing the variety of functions available in Wirecast.
Editing lower 3rds
Wirecast, on the Capture Computer is a powerful production tool, allowing you to combine multiple assets into a single shot and then combine layers together.
We provide a simple lower 3rd template in the Master Copy of the Wirecast app so you can have a title while you introduce yourself. This simple video shows how to edit the text so it doesn't say "Your Name Here" and "Your Title Here."
Don't want to use our premade template. Feel free to create your own PNG image (PNG maintains a transparent background, so you can superimpost it on top of a video). Animated After Effects-like files can also be used. We recommend contacting us at Groundwork@umich.edu to discuss how the video file should be saved in order to maintain the transparent background.
Green Screen
Wirecast, on the Capture Computer is a powerful production tool, allowing you to combine multiple assets into a single shot and then combine layers together.
We provide multiple inputs with the "Chroma Key" or "Green Screen" effects applied. This guide showcases how to tweak the chroma settings, so you can make your green screen shot look as good as possible. We recommend contacting us at Groundworks@umich.edu if you have questions regarding the Personal Studio.
Additional Resources
55" NEC Display
The Personal Studio contains a 55" NEC display on a nnice rolling stand.
Though typically used for workshops, the NEC can be used with the system
NEC display shows the same image as the Presenter computer
NEC display has 15' cord and can be positioned near the cameras to also use as a source for your script/presentation materials.
an example would be it the teleprompter is too difficult to see from a distance. This display can be positioned between the cameras and referenced, as you give a presentation.
Lights
Lights
Lights
We will begin by entering the Personal Studio. On the wall by the door are two light switches. One for the main room fluorescent lights and the other for the studio lights hanging from the ceiling.
We tend to encourage you to record with both sets of lights on. It is more "sitcom" style, where everything is bright and flat. It's not very dramatic, but you will ensure good lighting from around the room
You are welcome to work with just the studio lights on, but your position in the room might be a little more limiting.
There are two ideal areas to make the best use of the more "dramatic" in the studio.
Behind the desk
when sitting at the desk, you will notice a light pointed at the back of your head and shoulders. This is to provide "backlight." Backlight helps to separate you, the talent, from the background. this is important when taking advantage of the green screen
ideal position for standing or working at table (lighting not to scale)
Please do not adjust the lights
Please do not adjust the lights
We need to provide consistent lighting for the variety of users that record in this space. Please do not reposition or adjust the lights. This is also a safety issue as you would have to climb on things to move the lights. Please do not put yourself at risk.
If you would like to light the room yourself, you are welcome to checkout lights from the North Campus Tech Checkout (NCTC), located in Groundworks on the first floor of the Duderstadt Center. You can reserve lights and stands from their equipment page.
Curtains
Curtains
One of the most noticeable upgrades we made over the 2025 summer was adding a curtain track that covers 3/4 of the room.
There are two tracks
The front track has a black curtain. You can cover up to 40' of the wall with just black, or use the black curtains as dividers for the back row of curtains.
The back row has both green and gray backdrops. Each can cover 40' of the curtain track. Feel free to utilize the positions of the curtains to your liking
Moving and positioning curtains
Moving and positioning curtains
Grabbing a handful of curtain and sliding it along the track works better than grabbing one end and pulling.
The corners are the tricky part. Time will smooth the places where it might catch a little.
Be gentle but firm
Please don't yank or pull downwards. Pull across the wall.
Which Curtain to Use?
Which Curtain to Use?
Black - lack of a backdrop. Great for monologues, or personal interviews
Green - used for "Chroma Key" effect, which makes the color green transparent so you can replace it with a custom background
More info on using the green screen will be included in future modules
Gray - nice looking photo style backdrop. Wonderful to use if black or green don't suit the need for your background
ideal position for sitting at desk (lighting not to scale)
ideal position for sitting at table (lighting not to scale)
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