Good video doesn’t have bad sound

If you are one that enjoys dabbling in video, you are most likely aware of all the new cameras available. There seems to be a new one coming out every month. They all tell you how great the HD picture is, how small and lite weight they are, leading you to believe that is all you need to make a great video. Having a great picture is important, but no one is talking about audio. Having good audio is just as important, if not more, then a great picture. Imagine your favorite video or movie being shot using only the camera mic to capture the audio. It would totally change the quality of the video. There are different microhones for every situation. Depending on the situation, you want to use the one that will best suit your needs.
There are microphones that do better when filming a panel discussion where it isn’t possible to mic everyone individually. A PZM mic would work well in this situation. If you are filming an interview and there is noise behind or on the side of the talent, a shotgun mic would be my choice as it dramatically reduces the sound that is coming behind or on the sides of the mic.
The best tip when recording sound is to get the mic as close to the person speaking as possible. If you are filming a speaker on stage at a seminar and they move around a lot, a lav mic would be my suggestion.
The last mic I want to discuss is the dynamic mic. They have several advantages that make them ideal for live vocal applications and for recording amplified instruments during music events. They’re robust, resistant to moisture and can achieve high gain before feedback. They are tuned to accentuate the warmth and clarity of lead and back-up vocals.

So, next time you are thinking of getting the newest camera, it might be a good idea to put our hard earned dollar towards a good microphone or two instead. Remember, if your audio is bad, your video will not be good.