When it comes to shooting great video, the quality of the image is only one part of the equation. Whether you're shooting home movies of the family or your directorial debut, high-quality sound can be just as important. Unfortunately, most camcorders come with an internal microphone that is sorely lacking in sound quality. To overcome this issue, many videographers invest in an external microphone. These accessories provide the additional flexibility and quality necessary to deliver high-fidelity sound for home, Website or movie applications.
Features
The first thing to take into consideration when shopping for an external microphone is the type of microphone connection that is included on the camcorder. High-end camcorders traditionally come with an XLR audio jack. Consumer models tend to have a stereo audio jack. As such, you should be sure to note the type of audio input that is included on the external mic you are interested in. Camcorders with an XLR jack require a microphone with an XLR input and camcorders with audio jacks require a mic with a stereo input. These two connections are not compatible. Determining which input connection your camera has will help narrow down your microphone options. It should also be noted that some less expensive consumer camcorders don't have an external microphone input at all.
Types
External microphones come in three major types. They are as follows: shotgun microphones, lavalier microphones and handheld microphones.
A shotgun microphone is traditionally connected to the top of the camcorder, though it can also be attached to a boom pole. This type is a good option when filming more than one speaker.
A lavalier microphones, also known as a lapel microphone, is an external microphone. It attaches to the speaker's clothing. This type of microphone is beneficial when filming voice interviews or in other situations where ambient sound should be kept to a minimum.
The Handheld microphone is held by an interviewer or on-camera subject. It is the type of microphones often used by newscasters. It is extremely durable and an excellent choice for impromptu interview-style video shooting.
Considerations
Each type of microphone is designed to be either omnidirectional or unidirectional. Omnidirectional microphones picks up sound from all directions within their immediate proximity. Unidirectional microphones only pick up sounds in the direction which they are pointed. Unidirectional microphones are better served for situations that require isolated audio captures.
Benefits
Another important distinction between external microphones is whether they are wired or wireless. Wired microphones are physically corded to the camera. This fact means that the audio being recorded must be relatively close to the videographer. Because of this, shotgun microphones and handheld microphones tend to be wired. When choosing between the two, a handheld microphone is typically preferred when the camera will be focused on a stationary scene and the visibility of the microphone in the shot is not a concern. Shotgun microphones are typically preferred when shooting sequences in which the subject of the video is moving around a lot, such as in sports.
Wireless microphones provide for a greater distance between the video subjects and the camcorder. Lavalier microphones are typically wireless and feature a frequency range that allows the microphone to transmit audio to the camera from within a specified range. The ability to easily hide wireless lavalier microphones on actors or video subjects make them a great choice for shooting high-production movies or subjects from afar.
Expert Insight
The price of external camcorder microphones varies dramatically. Wired microphones tend to be less expensive than wireless options. As expected, less expensive options for both types will generally provide a lower level of audio quality and construction. If you intend to use your external microphone for Web or movie production, be prepared to shell out a bit more to achieve adequate audio quality. When shopping for a new microphone, it is always a good idea to read reviews and speak with knowledgeable salespeople to better understand the level of quality that each microphone can be expected to deliver.
Tags: external microphone, lavalier microphones, less expensive, type microphone, audio jack