Decent lighting? Check. well-framed and composed photographs? I get it. tight, fluid editing? No issue! clear as a bell? Well…
Whether you’re making a documentary, a commercial, a wedding video, or anything else, audio is a crucial component. What could otherwise be a flawless production can be ruined by bad sound, unclear dialogue, or unnecessary noise. It’s critical to select the appropriate microphone for the task at hand.
However, you have a lot of options at your disposal, including both brands and different kinds of microphones. Which microphone suits you the best? You need to ask the right questions in order to make the best decision. You’ll be able to make a well-informed decision once you’ve addressed those.
What Purpose Will You Have for the Microphone?
Different types of microphones will be required for various video productions, styles, and scenes. Let’s examine the three main categories of microphones and how each one functions in various areas of video production.
Microphone Lavaliers
For recording dialogue, a lavalier microphone—also known as a lav or lapel mic—is pretty much the industry standard. They are incredibly helpful for recording interviews with people whose voices you need for television productions, commercials, documentaries, etc. Small and frequently equipped with a clip, lav microphones are simple to fasten to a collar or jacket lapel. And you can easily tape one under the shirt of an actor or subject to make them even more unnoticeable.
The choice between a wired and a wireless lavalier microphone is one of the most important ones to make. A wired microphone will be useful if your subject will be seated still and the cost is a concern. But if your subject will be moving around while using the mic, a wireless model will offer more versatility and is essentially required.
Gun-mounted Microphones
Shotgun microphones are easily recognized by their recognizable long, thin shape, which is a dead giveaway. Shotgun microphones can be a useful tool in a variety of production settings. Simply point it at your sound source to capture it as well as some of the background ambiance since they are highly directional. They are therefore useful for capturing dialogue and the atmosphere you want to include—for instance, two characters conversing in a restaurant.
But when paired with another microphone, such as a lav mic, that captures the dialogue in great detail, shotgun microphones really shine in these circumstances. The effect you want can be achieved with some careful audio mixing in the editing program. You can use a shotgun microphone in a variety of ways with the addition of a boom pole.
Microphones for Video
Here, we’re referring to microphones that are integrated into or physically attached to your camera. Video microphones can be a very helpful tool for your filmmaking. Due to their direct connection to the camera, they will record perfectly timed scratch-track audio, making it simple for you or your editor to sync the video and final audio mix.
Think About Your Production Needs and Budget.
Now that you’ve thought about the different kinds of microphones out there and how they can improve the overall quality of your production. Regarding what is ideal for your production and budget, be realistic. When you go shopping, pay close attention to your budget if you’re barely getting by on a limited budget. And you’ll want to some extent to match your equipment. You won’t require pricey mics to enhance the video you’re shooting if you can get by with a basic camera.
There are plenty of shopping options and, more importantly, reviews that you can read thanks to the internet. When you’ve reduced your selection of video production microphones to those that fit within your price range, carefully read reviews and keep an eye out for usage that corresponds to your goals.
Recognize Pickup Patterns
Different microphones pick up sounds from different directions differently. Understanding the directional response of your microphone, also referred to as the polar pattern, will help you choose the best microphone when you start thinking about what you’re going to record for your video. Here is a list of typical polar patterns.
360-degree Microphones
Omnidirectional microphones, as their name suggests, pick up sound in a circular pattern around the microphone in all directions. Because of this, they are excellent choices for applications where you want to record a variety of sounds surrounding a person or event.
Mics That Are Omnidirectional
The earlier-discussed shotgun mics are unidirectional microphones. You can direct the microphone to capture what you want to record. They can thus be used to record both dialogue and any other audio sources that may be required for the audio soundscape of your production.
Cardioid
Cardioid is the most common type of sound capture for handheld microphones. You could almost think of it as a “heart-shaped” pattern because they will take in both the information directly in front of them as well as some information off to the sides. For both vocal and instrument micing, cardioid microphones are excellent.
Let’s summarize
So, should you use a particular kind of microphone or microphone in particular for your video productions? Obviously, no is the correct response. Different microphones perform differently, which makes some situations better suited to them than others.
But no matter what kind of video you’re making, getting the best audio quality is crucial. Muddled, unclear dialogue or a poor balance between background noise and the main audio subject are the two things that scream “amateur” the loudest. Because they take clear audio for granted, your viewers will become immediately aware of its absence.
So take into account the subject matter of your shots and adjust your microphone accordingly. Also, keep in mind that having multiple microphones to record the sound is frequently preferable. Purchase a shotgun microphone and a lavalier microphone to begin with. Use the video microphone, even if it’s just the one that came with the camera; it will provide an invaluable reference for editing. Keep in mind that having more microphones gives you more creative freedom and better production options.
