If you want to create engaging and professional videos, you need to pay attention to the quality of your audio. Poor sound can ruin your message, distract your viewers, and damage your reputation. But how do you choose the best microphone for your video? In this article, we'll explain the different types of microphones, their pros and cons, and how to use them in various scenarios.
There are many kinds of microphones, but they can be broadly classified into two categories: directional and omnidirectional. Directional microphones pick up sound from a specific direction, while omnidirectional microphones capture sound from all around. Directional microphones are better for isolating your voice from background noise, but they require you to be close to the source and point the mic correctly. Omnidirectional microphones are more versatile and flexible, but they can also pick up unwanted sounds and create echo.
I am a News Videographer or Stringer and the type of microphone that I use depends on what I am covering at the time of my assignment. If I am shooting at a location with a correspondent, then I will use either a Boom Shotgun Microphone or a Wireless Lavalier Microphone. When there are allot of other news crews covering the same event, then I switch a wired microphone. If I am shooting B-Rolls of event then I want to use a shotgun mounted on the camera. The the background sound captured at the same time as the video image adds clarity at the time of video capture. In a news conference, I will use a omnidirectional microphone to pickup the main subject, but to also pickup though not as strong the questions being asked by other reporters.
Choosing the best microphone for your video is like finding the perfect hat. It's not just about the style, but the occasion, and most importantly, it should fit you perfectly. If you're shooting a vlog in a quiet room, a simple lavalier mic can be your snappy baseball cap. For podcast-style videos, a good quality condenser microphone is the top hat of elegance. But if you're recording in a noisy environment, a shotgun mic can be your protective helmet, blocking out unwanted sounds. Remember, the perfect hat (or mic) can make or break your ensemble (or video)!
One of the best "on the go" tiny lapel mics is the PicoGear V2. It's a Dual mic system and you can split the channels to prevent cross talk for intervies...so one person is recorded left channel, and one on the right.
Shotgun microphones are a type of directional microphone that have a long and narrow shape. They are designed to reject sound from the sides and focus on the sound in front of them. They are ideal for outdoor and noisy environments, where you want to capture the sound of a distant subject. However, they are also sensitive to wind and handling noise, so you need to use a windscreen and a shock mount. You can mount them on your camera, on a boom pole, or on a stand.
Shotgun microphones have one bad habit. If used on a camera mount pointed at the subject being interviewed, then yes you will get good audio of the subject. But, you will also pickup all the ambient sound from behind the subject. Street Traffic, Crowd noises, flying aircraft, anything noise making that enters the background behind the subject will also be picked up by the microphone. My solution is simple, use a microphone boom and position the microphone over the subject pointing downward. This way your minimizing the amount of ambient sound that the microphone will pick up. Also in windy conditions, cover the microphone with a Dead Cat or Furry, or use a Microphone Zeppelin Cover for maximum wind noise pickup.
A good shotgun directional microphone can also be used for voice overs; properly setup, the directional microphone will not capture undesired sounds/noises; test the microphone at different proximities and place it in several angles (varying slightly the mic’s position), as this changes the recording sound style, allowing for creative recordings; this is of course based on the desired recording style.
Lavalier microphones are small and discreet microphones that clip onto your clothing. They are a type of omnidirectional microphone that capture the sound of your voice without being too noticeable. They are great for interviews, presentations, and documentaries, where you want to record the natural and intimate tone of your voice. However, they can also pick up rustling and rubbing noises from your clothing, so you need to secure them properly and hide the wires. You can connect them to your camera, to a recorder, or to a wireless transmitter.
I love Lavalier Microphones and use them more often with shooting a walking interview with the key subject. There is one issue with clothing and Lavalier Microphones, and that is when part of the clothing is rubbing on the microphone. Lavalier Microphones are extremely sensitive and for good reasons. A good sound person will mostly place the Lavalier Microphone under the subjects shirt or blouse and use the material as a wind screen. To eliminate the rustling sound made by the clothing, the sound person will also insert the Laverlier microphone into what is called a mini foamie or foam Mount. Using a small safety pin, the sound person can pin the foamie protected lavalier microphone to the inside of the subject shirt or blouse.
In my experience a wired lav to a a recorder has been the most dependable mic for me. I can put it on a person, high it on a lamp, I can even hide it on the podium mic and get great direct audio without having to risk using the venue mic, and their board. In my experience A wired Lav hard wired to a small recorder has given me much less headache and issues than a wireless lav pack; if you don't mind syncing in post. If you don't want to sync and will be starting and stopping the camera, you can run a wireless Lav direct to camera so that the audio is synced and ready to go, baked right into the footage; this drastically speeds up post.
Condenser microphones are a type of directional microphone that have a large and round shape. They are designed to produce a clear and detailed sound, with a wide frequency range and a high sensitivity. They are perfect for studio and indoor settings, where you want to record the nuances and subtleties of your voice. However, they also need a power source, either from a battery or a phantom power, and they can be affected by humidity and temperature. You can place them on a desk, on a stand, or on a suspension arm.
I really like these for close up interviews in a controller environment, when you can boom it overhead and run it direct into a recorded or camera via an XLR cable. The benefit to using a more professional mic like this with XLR is that it mitigates interference that might come from anywhere; such as a generator, an electrical transformer etc. It's a sure proof way to get excellent audio.
I think of this as "broadcast" style. Not always the most portable but great for podcasts, home studio videos, and other video projects where you have a dedicated location to film. There a some pretty affordable pre-amp devices that can support more than one condenser mic with low voltage "phantom power". Something to consider if you want to do interviews or guest panels. This is also the option that generally gets you the best sound quality.
Dynamic microphones are a type of directional microphone that have a sturdy and rugged shape. They are designed to handle loud and harsh sounds, with a low sensitivity and a high durability. They are suitable for live and energetic situations, where you want to record the power and intensity of your voice. However, they also have a limited frequency range and a low output level, so they may not capture the finer details and nuances of your voice. You can hold them in your hand, on a stand, or on a clip.
Many of my clients with children or other work from home "coworkers" choose a dynamic microphone to place in front of their computer for video calls. These dynamic mics have the option (and advantage) of blocking out what is behind them, and focusing on what is directly in front of them - your voice, your ideas, your contribution to the call, without the background noise.
Great information. For video I use a Sennheiser MKH-15, a directional mic that’s also used extensively for voiceover recording. As important as microphone quality is, you also have to consider what the microphone is plugged into. Quality digital audio interfaces have excellent preamps. Without them the microphone will not live up to its potential. But I suppose that’s another topic.
In the absence of a good microphone, we can rely on AI tools to tremendously enhance the sound quality. Adobe launched their "Adobe Podcast," and they have a feature that cleans up audio and makes it sound like it was professionally recorded in a studio. It does an excellent, jaw-dropping job. But of course, recording a good sound is always the best option, and omnidirectional mics are the ones that will be able to record a person's voice without much ambient noise in the background.