When it comes to capturing high-quality audio for your videos, the choice of microphone is paramount, and there are various types of external microphones for cameras available to cater to different recording needs. Whether you’re a content creator, filmmaker, vlogger, or simply looking to improve the audio quality of your video recordings, selecting the right external microphone can make a significant difference in the final result. In this article, we will explore the diverse types of external microphones for cameras and their respective applications, helping you make an informed decision when it comes to enhancing your audio recording capabilities.
3 Types Of External Microphones For Cameras
- Shotgun microphones
- Lavalier microphones
- Handheld microphones
Every video camera whether it’s a lens interchangeable camera like a mirrorless or DSLR, a fixed lens camera like a compact point-and-shoot, or an action camera, comes with an internal microphone. However, an external microphone can often give much better sound quality than the microphone built into a camera. That is why you see professional news reporters and vloggers using a handheld mic or a microphone mounted on their cameras. And that is why there are many different types of external microphones for cameras available in the market today.
An external microphone is important if you want to capture high-quality audio for your videos. It becomes even more important when you are recording outdoors especially if you are recording in a noisy environment. For example, a good external microphone can filter out the background noise during on-field interviews and vlogs, providing you with quality vocals for your footage.
Moreover, using an external microphone can help you to avoid audio interference from the camera itself. This is especially important when shooting video with a DSLR camera, which often has a loud shutter noise. By using an external microphone, you can minimize this noise and ensure that your audio recording is clean and clear.
Finally, external microphones can also provide more flexibility and control over your audio recording. For example, you can use an external microphone to adjust the recording level or to choose which specific sounds you want to capture. This can be especially useful if you are shooting video interviews and live streams, or if you want to capture sound from a specific source in your environment.
Overall, using an external microphone is a great way to improve the sound quality of your videos. However, in order to choose the right external microphone for your camera, you need to know about different types of microphones first.
You may like to read: Best Action Camera Microphone Attachment
Types Of External Microphones For Cameras And Their Pros And Cons
There are many different types of external microphones for cameras available on the market today. Some of the most common ones are lavalier, shotgun, and stereo microphones. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages.
1. Shotgun Microphones
Shotgun microphones are directional and have a long barrel, which is why they are also called rifle microphones. These microphones are designed for use in applications where sound quality is critical and the microphone needs to be pointed in a specific direction. They are the best choice for recording sound from a distance, as they focus the sound directly in front of them and reject noise from the sides and behind. They are typically used for recording dialogues, interviews, live performances, and other events. Shotgun microphones are often favored by ENG (electronic news gathering) crews because of their ability to capture clear audio from a distance. However, their directional nature also makes them susceptible to wind noise, so they need to be used with a windscreen for outdoor recordings.
Pros
- Good at recording sound from a distance
- Minimize background noise
Cons
- Susceptible to wind noise
- Not as good for indoor recordings
2. Lavalier Microphones
Lavalier Microphones: Lavalier microphones, also known as lapel microphones or simply referred to as lavs, are small, clip-on microphones that are commonly used in television and film productions. They are the perfect choice for recording interviews, dialogues, and other voice-only recordings, as they capture sound directly from the source without any background noise. Lavs are also very sensitive, so they can be used to record subtle sounds and nuances. They are attached to the subject’s clothing and typically have a very small footprint. Lavalier microphones are ideal for interviews and other situations where the microphone needs to be hidden from view. However, they are not very good at recording loud sounds or music.
Pros
- Small and discreet
- Captures sound directly from the source
- Very sensitive
Cons
- Not good at recording loud sounds or music
- Can be susceptible to background noise if not used properly
3. Handheld Microphones
Handheld microphones are the perfect choice for recording live music or speeches. They are also great for interviews, as they allow the interviewer to easily move around and get closer to the subject. Handheld microphones are typically directional, which means they focus the sound directly in front of them and reject noise from the sides and behind. This helps to minimize background noise. These microphones are popular in the news and entertainment industry. However, they can be susceptible to wind noise if used outdoors.
Pros
- Good at recording live music and speeches
- Allows the interviewer to easily move around and get closer to the subject
- Directional, which helps to minimize background noise
Cons
- Susceptible to wind noise if used outdoors
You may like to read: Types of Action Camera Microphone Adapters
Final Words
Which external microphone is right for you? If you’re recording music or vocals and need a high-quality sound, the handheld mic is probably your best bet. If you want something more portable that can easily be attached to your camera, go for the Lavalier mic. And if you just need to make a quick recording and don’t have any special requirements, the omnidirectional mic should do the trick. There are many advantages of using an external microphone with a camera, and no matter what your needs are there is an external microphone that will suit them perfectly.
You may like to read: Advantages And Disadvantages of Using an Action Camera Microphone Attachment
