Every tech has their core setup. The laptop, the cables, the drives. But over time you start to notice the gaps. The small things that slow you down between shots, or the tools that quietly save you five minutes here and there until they’ve paid for themselves ten times over.
This is a list of the software and hardware I bring to every shoot. None of it is flashy, but all of it earns its place in the bag.
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Software
These are apps that stay running in the background on every shoot. They’re lightweight, they stay out of the way, and they solve problems that come up constantly when you’re managing multiple windows, files, and displays.
Window Management: Magnet
When you’re working across Capture One, a browser, a file manager, and maybe a client review window, screen real estate gets tight fast. Magnet lets you snap and resize windows with keyboard shortcuts so you’re not dragging things around manually. It sounds simple, but on a shoot where you’re constantly switching contexts, it keeps everything organized without thinking about it.
File Search: Raycast (and formerly Alfred)
I used Alfred for years as a Spotlight replacement and it served me well. I’ve since moved to Raycast, which does everything Alfred did and then some: clipboard history, snippets, window management, quick calculations. It’s become the first thing I install on a fresh system. When you need to find a file, open an app, or run a quick command on set, having a fast launcher makes a real difference.
File Sharing: Dropover
AirDrop is fine when it works. Dropover makes it better. It gives you a floating shelf where you can drag files, hold them, and then drop them wherever you need. Into AirDrop, into an email, onto another app. When someone asks for a quick file on set it’s faster than digging through Finder.
Remote Display Monitoring: Screening Room
If you’ve ever needed to see what’s on a display that isn’t in your line of sight, like a wireless monitor across set or a client review screen in another room, Screening Room solves that. It lets you view the content from remote or non-mirrored displays right on your workstation. Helpful for keeping an eye on things without getting up or running extra cables.
Hardware
These are physical items that have made it into my regular kit because they solve real problems. Not every tech will need all of them, but each one addresses something I’ve dealt with enough times that the investment was worth it.
Label Maker: NIIMBOT
Labeling your cables, drives, and cases is one of those things that pays off immediately. I use an older NIIMBOT M221, but the NIIMBOT B1 is an updated and more affordable option. It’s small, prints clean labels, and pairs with your phone. If you’re putting together organized kits (and you should be), a label maker speeds up the whole process. I covered labeling as part of a larger workflow in Improving Setup & Breakdown Times.
3D Printed SSD Sleeves for T7 Shield
If you use Samsung T7 Shield drives, you know the rubber cover can be a pain. It’s hard to label, it collects dust, and removing it isn’t ideal. These 3D printed slip-on sleeves solve that. They snap on over the drive, give you a clean flat surface for labels, and you don’t have to wrap anything in tape or modify the original cover. A small thing, but it makes drive management much cleaner.
Cable & Accessory Organization: LVNA MAP System
The LVNA MAP system fits inside a Pelican 1510 and keeps all your accessories organized and easy to reach. Cables, adapters, card readers, small tools. Instead of digging through a pouch or a bag pocket, everything has a dedicated spot. It pairs well with a consistent pack routine and makes setup and breakdown significantly faster.
Stream Deck with Capture One Plugin
A Stream Deck gives you programmable physical buttons for any shortcut or action you use frequently. Paired with the Capture One plugin, you can map ratings, color tags, tool switching, and just about anything else to a single button press. It eliminates a lot of repetitive keyboard shortcuts and keeps your eyes on the screen instead of hunting for key combos. Available in standard and XL sizes depending on how many buttons you want within reach.
None of these tools are groundbreaking on their own. But stacked together, they smooth out a lot of the friction that adds up over a long shoot day. If you’re looking for more on how these fit into a larger workflow, check out Improving Setup & Breakdown Times for Digital Techs for the bigger picture on preparation and organization.