It doesn’t matter how awesome your video content looks if it sounds bad. In fact, poor audio quality can be downright intolerable. You could be making the most poignant, earth-shattering statement ever, but it won’t matter if your audience can’t understand a word of what you’re saying and is distracted by how bad it sounds. At Sweetwater, we’re all about making your projects sound their best. In this article, we’re going to offer gear recommendations and advice for every skill level and budget.
Shure MV5 Microphone, IK Multimedia iKlip Grip, and Audio-Technica Headphones
If you’ve been creating content using your iPhone’s or Android device’s built-in microphone, your content has likely suffered from a distinct amateur-like vibe. And the wobbly video presentation doesn’t help, either. Don’t worry, Sweetwater has your back! Shure’s MV5 digital condenser mic is guaranteed to give you a significant sonic upgrade. This versatile microphone connects directly to your smart device, providing 24-bit/48kHz sound quality. This already-stellar sound is further bolstered by onboard DSP modes that accommodate podcasting, voice-over, and vocal or instrument tracking. You also get a detachable aluminum stand, integrated headphone output, and cables.
IK Multimedia’s iKlip Grip is a must-have for smartphone-based content creation. This 4-in-1 device functions as a desktop tripod, tripod adapter, handler/stabilizer, and monopod/selfie stick. Whether you’re podcasting, doing mobile recording, or simply taking self-portraits, the iKlip Grip ensures spot-on device positioning.
And when it comes to editing, don’t rely on your device’s built-in speakers. Use a set of great-sounding headphones such as the Audio-Technica ATH-M30x. These headphones offer an ultra-wide frequency response (15Hz–22kHz) and extended dynamic range that enable you to hear every detail of your project. And its straight 9′ cable gives you plenty of room to move around. They’re extremely comfortable, too!
Apogee Duet and Shure SM7B
Once you’ve gotten your feet wet using a better-sounding mic, your number of followers will likely increase, thanks to the quality bump. Thus, you’re going to want to take your content to the next stage. That’s when you’ll want to level up your sound with an audio interface like Apogee’s Duet. This 2-in/4-out USB audio interface gives you the highest 24-bit/192kHz audio quality with Apogee’s renowned preamps and AD/DA conversion — it’s true studio-quality sound in a portable package. Its color OLED display offers great visual feedback, and you get two configurable touch pads to improve your workflow. A superb, built-in headphone output rounds out this awesome interface’s robust feature set. It also charges your iOS device while you work! And you can connect it to your Mac or PC when it’s time to start editing.
An audio interface is a great way to improve your content, but you’ll need to pair it with a high-quality microphone, such as the Shure SM7B. The SM7B is the quintessential dialog microphone, used by countless radio DJs and broadcasters around the world. This mic’s flat, wide-range frequency response can be further tailored with bass roll-off and midrange emphasis controls. Plus, its internal air-suspension shock isolation minimizes mechanical noise, and its pop filter effectively eliminates explosive breath sounds. Finally, this mic’s classic cardioid polar pattern rejects unwanted ambient sounds, and its rugged construction was designed for a lifetime of use. Want a Sweetwater pro tip? Get a CL-1 Cloudlifter to go with your SM7B. This indispensable device supplies up to +25dB of noise-free amplification, maximizing your microphone for clean, transparent recordings.
Auralex Room Treatment and iZotope Nectar
Once you’ve leveled up your sound with a studio-quality interface and microphone, you’re really going to notice the sonic deficiencies in your room. Room problems like reflections, slapback, flutter echoes, and axial modes will be evident on every facet of your projects. That’s why you need room treatment. Room treatment is a very deep topic (one that your Sales Engineer will be happy to dive into), but makes an intelligent starting point. This Auralex’s Project 2 Roominator Kit provides you with 24 Studiofoam wedge panels and eight LENRD bass traps — enough to treat most rooms that are smaller than 100 square feet. You also get enough EZ Stick Pro tabs to mount the entire kit.
Another item that will really elevate your voice is iZotope’s Nectar. This complete vocal-processing plug-in suite supplies you with pro-level EQ, compression, de-essing, and more, including Vocal Assistant, which uses machine learning to detect and make corrections to your voice automatically. Nectar can also unmask vocals by moving other mix elements out of the way and by automatically suppressing breaths in dialog or vocal recordings. Are you singing? Then you’ll appreciate Melodyne 4 essential, which offers top-shelf pitch and time correction.
Conclusion
We’ve only covered a handful of ways that you can upgrade the quality of your content — there are about a zillion more. If you have any questions about gear to really polish your presentation, give your Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700. They’ll be more than happy to offer personal, expert advice.
