What to Look for in a Camcorder Microphone ?
How do you choose a good mic for your video camera? It can be terribly confusing even if you are a professional camera buff. After having lived with the onboard camcorder microphone for a few weeks you conclude that you need an external condenser microphone.
camcorder microphones
The onboard microphone simply will not give you the kind of sound that would suit your top quality video footage. If you choose to check out unidirectional microphone reviews you wind up with lots of Shotgun microphone reviews which leave you more confused than ever.
Canon or Shure or Audio-Technica
It is not that easy to make an informed decision based on the varying recommendations. The range of makes & models is quite astonishing. You have Sennheiser, Canon, Audio Technica, Rode, Sony & many more companies trying to get your attention. Best sellers range from Rode's Videomic Directional Shotguns, Sennheiser's MKE400, Canon's DM-100 and much more.
The prime question is, where do you shoot? The critical point that should influence your decision is the environment where you would be making your video.
Is it the outdoors? Like if you're filming wildlife in their typical habitat, the addition of true to life audio will take your video to a different strata altogether making it look more professional, even if you are just an novice filming for fun.
If you mostly shoot indoors, where you film a stage performance in a concert hall or maybe an interview, the right type of external microphone would minus out all the ambient noise giving you clear audio to go with the superb video that most Camcorders provide nowadays.
External Video Camera Microphones are broadly classified into 2 Categories:
* Shotgun Microphones
* Cardioid Microphones
There are even further sub-classifications of Shotgun and Cardioid Microphones. Hyper-Cardioid, Super Cardioid etc. Mostly, a Camcorder microphone is either a Shotgun or a Cardioid. But there are some video camera microphones which are a bit of both - you can choose the depth of Shotgun or Cardioid that you require.
In general, it can be said that Shotgun microphones are for picking up long-range audio, like when you are filming wildlife while Cardioid microphones are more suitable for near range applications.
The power source is also a criteria in making a choice. Does your microphone have its own power source or does it get its power supply from the Video Camera? You may end up spending much more than you had bargained for if you have to keep buying new batteries for your camcorder microphone.
The weight of the microphone is another criteria mostly overlooked by first-time buyers. But a bulky and heavy microphone could be a great nuisance especially if you are going to be filming a long time in the outdoors.
Do not forget to check the length of the microphone you propose to buy. You may be attracted to that long, no-nonsense type of external microphone. But do ensure that it does not extend beyond the front of your Camcorder and become a permanent feature in your frame of view.
All said and done, it's finally the cost that is going to be the deciding factor. Go for the best external microphone in your price range. You should be able to get a super microphone for less than $300.
Generally, the more expensive models are quite a better choice and come with a lot more features. For instance when you film outdoors you need a sound muffler to keep out the wind noise. These are also called Deadcat windscreens and you need to ensure your chosen model comes with one. Otherwise, you may need to buy a Wind muffler separately adding to the cost.
camcorder microphone
camcorder microphones
The onboard microphone simply will not give you the kind of sound that would suit your top quality video footage. If you choose to check out unidirectional microphone reviews you wind up with lots of Shotgun microphone reviews which leave you more confused than ever.
Canon or Shure or Audio-Technica
It is not that easy to make an informed decision based on the varying recommendations. The range of makes & models is quite astonishing. You have Sennheiser, Canon, Audio Technica, Rode, Sony & many more companies trying to get your attention. Best sellers range from Rode's Videomic Directional Shotguns, Sennheiser's MKE400, Canon's DM-100 and much more.
The prime question is, where do you shoot? The critical point that should influence your decision is the environment where you would be making your video.
Is it the outdoors? Like if you're filming wildlife in their typical habitat, the addition of true to life audio will take your video to a different strata altogether making it look more professional, even if you are just an novice filming for fun.
If you mostly shoot indoors, where you film a stage performance in a concert hall or maybe an interview, the right type of external microphone would minus out all the ambient noise giving you clear audio to go with the superb video that most Camcorders provide nowadays.
External Video Camera Microphones are broadly classified into 2 Categories:
* Shotgun Microphones
* Cardioid Microphones
There are even further sub-classifications of Shotgun and Cardioid Microphones. Hyper-Cardioid, Super Cardioid etc. Mostly, a Camcorder microphone is either a Shotgun or a Cardioid. But there are some video camera microphones which are a bit of both - you can choose the depth of Shotgun or Cardioid that you require.
In general, it can be said that Shotgun microphones are for picking up long-range audio, like when you are filming wildlife while Cardioid microphones are more suitable for near range applications.
The power source is also a criteria in making a choice. Does your microphone have its own power source or does it get its power supply from the Video Camera? You may end up spending much more than you had bargained for if you have to keep buying new batteries for your camcorder microphone.
The weight of the microphone is another criteria mostly overlooked by first-time buyers. But a bulky and heavy microphone could be a great nuisance especially if you are going to be filming a long time in the outdoors.
Do not forget to check the length of the microphone you propose to buy. You may be attracted to that long, no-nonsense type of external microphone. But do ensure that it does not extend beyond the front of your Camcorder and become a permanent feature in your frame of view.
All said and done, it's finally the cost that is going to be the deciding factor. Go for the best external microphone in your price range. You should be able to get a super microphone for less than $300.
Generally, the more expensive models are quite a better choice and come with a lot more features. For instance when you film outdoors you need a sound muffler to keep out the wind noise. These are also called Deadcat windscreens and you need to ensure your chosen model comes with one. Otherwise, you may need to buy a Wind muffler separately adding to the cost.
camcorder microphone
