“What mics can I connect to my camcorder?”
For today’s Tech Tip answer we go to Sweetwater Sales Engineer, and resident video expert, Dan Hoeye.
Great audio can enhance any video project beyond measure. With this in mind, the microphone is one of the first stages of recording quality audio. Most of the cameras designed for the consumer and “pro-sumer” market have a microphone, usually stereo, on board. While this is handy for home movies, the quality is typically less than desirable, not only because the mics aren’t usually of the highest quality, but they also aren’t optimized for the camera to subject distance on a given shot. For these reasons, using an additional microphone(s) connected to the audio input(s) on your camcorder is ideal. Traditionally, there are three methods for recording audio for video. In no particular order, these include handheld broadcast style microphones, lavelier microphones and boom (fishpole) mounted microphones.
While there are many microphones on the market that fall into these categories keep in mind that most consumer and some pro-sumer camcorders will not have phantom power (which is necessary when using condenser microphones), XLR connectors (standard professional microphone connector) or gain control. Many small, affordable mixers can overcome all three of these obstacles. Additionally, some microphones come prepared for battle in this market with battery compartments supplying phantom power. Examples of these would be the Audio Technica AT822 and AT825, which are high quality stereo handheld microphones, and the Audio Technica AT835b, which is a high quality shotgun microphone. Wireless lavelier systems work great for interviews. Samson’s Airline system is compact and easy to use, but there are also a variety of other models that may be appropriate depending upon your situation and budget.
Again, great audio can enhance any video project beyond measure. Starting with a high quality microphone placed in close proximity to the subject or scene, routed through a mixer or directly to the audio inputs on your camcorder will take your video project to a new level. Call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer and we’ll be glad to help you get exactly what’s right for you. Viva la audio!