External Microphones

Virtually all consumer level camcorders come with built in microphones, usually hi-fi stereo. These work fine, and are all you need for most consumer/amateur shooting.

Getting better results with audio for your website videos will require purchasing an [tag-tec]external microphone[/tag-tec]. That is why we list an ‘external microphone port’ as one of the main requirements when selecting a camcorder.

The built in microphone is normally a omnidirectional type and will pick up sound, including the camcorder running noise, from all directions. By plugging in an external unidirectional microphone pointing at the speaker you can eliminate much of the additional and not required sounds. This will improve the quality of the audio and video.

The external microphone can be mounted on the camcorder pointing at the speaker or on a boom or support close to the speaker but out of site of the camcorder field of view. Be sure to choose a microphone suitable for a camcorder with its own power supply, normally a battery. I made the mistake of not realizing this and purchased a microphone designed for a sound system and the results were very disappointing.

You might opt to use a Lavalier type microphone clipped on to your lapel or shirt front, as often seen being used on TV by news readers or hosts. These are neat and compact and should have enough cable to run down the inside of your shirt and back to the camcorder from your position in front of the camera. They are positioned close to your mouth and are very effective.

The level at which your audio is recorded is important. Most consumer camcorders have an “auto-gain control”, which adjusts the audio level automatically, and works well in most situations. If you have a manual audio level control, it’s a good idea to learn how to use it.

While you are starting out and recording your first videos for your website you will probably be shooting them in your home studio. Make sure that there are no noise sources running such as an air-con unit or music from another room. If you venture outside then be aware of what sounds are present or might be pressent, like passing traffic if your garden or yard is close to a busy road. I live in the tropics close to the ‘jungle’ and have a background of insect noises depending on the time of day and the weather.

Be careful of wind noise. Even the slightest breeze can ruin your audio. Many cameras have a ‘wind-noise filter’ or something similar. These do help, but a better solution is to block the wind. You can use a purpose-designed wind sock, or try making one yourself. Also of course do not record in windy conditions or move inside.

If you intend only to [tag-ice]shoot videos[/tag-ice] of yourself, or to start with, sitting in front of the camcorder and five feet away from it then you might find that using the built in microphone is adequate and acceptable for your needs. Set up your equipment and shoot a few short clips varying your voice and see which clip produces the best audio. However buying a reasonable quality external microphone will turn out to be a good investment.