I need to add audio to my courses. Does anyone have a good recommendation on a microphone to purchase. When I record audio, it will be at my desk and not in a professional studio. Preferably budget friendly as well. Thanks in advance.
I'm a mic newbie so I can't recommend a lapel (Lavalier) mic - but after checking Musicians Friend and Guitar Center, there seems to be some decent choices in the $50-100 range. I'd stick to brands like MXL or Audio Tecnica. It goes without saying you'll need to take the positive and negative reviews with a grain of salt.
From what I can tell, the hardwired lav mics use an XLR connection, and the wireless setups look like they use an XLR out from the antenna - so you won't be able to plug them directly into a computer (you'll need a mixer or an adapter). I suppose you might be able to plug the mic from one of the wirless units directly into a computer (I'm pretty sure that is a 3.5mm plug going into the sending unit), but as I said - I'm a newbie.
What a great thread this is... I've learned so much already, so thanks everyone!
I have a question about lapel microphones.
I want to start doing some talking head videos (where I'm standing in front of the camera talking), however I'd prefer to use a discreet lapel mic rather than a headset. Can anyone offer a good recommendation for a high quality lapel mic that won't break the bank?
I've only just started looking so I'm not sure of the pros/cons of what I need to look for yet...
That's actually a great question. Sometimes video producers do use external recorders like that. The answer is that if your video camera has an external microphone input (not very many consumer camcorders do), you do not need something like the Zoom H2 or H4. The Azden receiver has the 1/8th inch plug that goes into most camcorder mic inputs. But if your video camera does not have an external mic input, then yes, you'll want to have a hand-held/mobile recorder. That just means you (or your video editor) will have to add the separate audio track into the video program, sync it up with the camera's on-board audio, then delete the on-board audio track, keeping the externally-recorded audio. Truth be told, the audio from a Zoom would be better than that from most camcorders, even with a lavalier. It's just that it requires those extra syncing steps, and the lav mics deliver audio that is so much better than the on-board camcorder mics that most folks just use the lav audio (which will over-ride/replace the camera's built-in mics).
That's actually a great question. Sometimes video producers do use external recorders like that. The answer is that if your video camera has an external microphone input (not very many consumer camcorders do), you do not need something like the Zoom H2 or H4. The Azden receiver has the 1/8th inch plug that goes into most camcorder mic inputs. But if your video camera does not have an external mic input, then yes, you'll want to have a hand-held/mobile recorder. That just means you (or your video editor) will have to add the separate audio track into the video program, sync it up with the camera's on-board audio, then delete the on-board audio track, keeping the externally-recorded audio. Truth be told, the audio from a Zoom would be better than that from most camcorders, even with a lavalier. It's just that it requires those extra syncing steps, and the lav mics deliver audio that is so much better than the on-board camcorder mics that most folks just use the lav audio (which will over-ride/replace the camera's built-in mics).
Does that make sense?
Cheers,
Ken
That's fantastic Ken, it clears everything up a great deal - many thanks!
Hayley, if you want to pick up something very inexpensive to play around with a get started an Audio-Technica ATR-3350 can be had for less than $20. It's a great little started mic and it has a 20' cord so connecting it to your camera is usually a snap. I used one for a long time before upgrading my gear with surprisingly good results.
Once you get yourself established, I would recommend going wireless, it just makes things much easier. I have a few Senheiser ew-100 G3's. They are on the pricey side but I always get consistent results with good distance (we do some events in large venues).
The other thing to consider when you talking sound is what is your delivery method. If you are going to have to compress the heck out of everything to get it to stream across a potentially antiquated corporate network, the sound is going to suffer. It's always saddening when I shoot beautiful HD video with perfect audio only to have it crushed down to nothing so it will stream.
I ordered an Apogee MiC a couple of weeks ago and LOVE it so far. The sound quality is better than my snowball and it's so small. You can hear some examples here. I've been recording directly on my iPad using TwistedWave and sending the audio to Dropbox. It's got both the iPad connector as well as a regular USB for connecting to PC / Mac.
was using a crappy logitech headset (was horrible but we didn't know any better)
now use a blue yeti-- awesome!
i used to record outside of articulate, per best practice-- but have found the in-application audio editor in storyline to be a godsend and no longer do a redundant recording
Hi everyone I suggest ZOOM H1 for recording acoustic guitar, songs, etc..
First the measurements are approx 5.5" x 1.75" x 1.25". Might help. No USB cable, lanyard or case is provided.
It comes with a 2GB microSD/HC card. It will take up to 32GB which is a lot of recording and way beyond the battery's 10 hour capacity. I'd suggest at least a Class 4 card. You can download the Quick Start Guide as a pdf from Zoom's japan site. There's a list of compatible microSD/HC cards.
If you wanted combination video/very good quality audio for offsite recording, the Zoom Q2HD is not bad. Be forewarned it looks/feels cheap in your hand, but it wasn't much more expensive than an audio only Zoom so I decided to give it a shot. The video would be barely passable for most (with good lighting), but the audio is very good so i consider the video part a "bonus". It's standalone so there's no plugging it in to camera/camcorder. It auto equalizes so bands are using it to record performances while videoing the crowd/themselves. Normally around $150-$175.
Yes, if you have a condender mic, you will need a preamp. The cheapest way
to go (if you company is paying) is to get a usb mic--e.g., Blue Yeti.
AT mics are great (I have AT4040), but condenser mics such as these require
preamps, and in some cases an interface that connects from pre-amp to
computer.
So..good audio equipment is sort of expensive. If you dig doing voiceover
and can see yourself doing a lot of it down the road, I'd say commit to a
pre-amp (decent ones in the $200 to $400 range). You are going to want to
make sure you have a usb coming out of it, so that there's a connection
between the preamp and your PC. Otherwise, you'll need another piece of
equipment (audio interface).
If you want to test the waters before committing, go to BestBuy or similar
and get a Blue Yeti. It's a usb mic and very much plug and play. $150. No
preamp needed.
No problem. I love talking audio. Best of luck with your project. And
really, it's not about the equipment. For instance, who would sound better:
Jimi Hendrix on a $200 guitar, or Joe Schmow on a $1000 Stratocaster?
The yeti will be less fuss and fewer pieces. If you're interested in using the AT2020, you can pick up a preamp / usb adaptor from Blue for less than $50 on Amazon:
78 Replies
I'm a mic newbie so I can't recommend a lapel (Lavalier) mic - but after checking Musicians Friend and Guitar Center, there seems to be some decent choices in the $50-100 range. I'd stick to brands like MXL or Audio Tecnica. It goes without saying you'll need to take the positive and negative reviews with a grain of salt.
From what I can tell, the hardwired lav mics use an XLR connection, and the wireless setups look like they use an XLR out from the antenna - so you won't be able to plug them directly into a computer (you'll need a mixer or an adapter). I suppose you might be able to plug the mic from one of the wirless units directly into a computer (I'm pretty sure that is a 3.5mm plug going into the sending unit), but as I said - I'm a newbie.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Search/Default.aspx?internal=1&browser=&fsrc=lavalier&src=lavalier
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/search/search.jsp?sB=r&question=lavalier+
Hi Hayley,
The best bang for the buck I've found for lapel mics is the Azden WMS Pro. It is wireless and costs $159, which is very good for a decent wireless lav. I did a review of it, along with a video so you can hear my talking head yourself, right here: http://www.homebrewaudio.com/2479/audio-for-video-do-not-let-bad-sound-ruin-great-video/
I compare the sound with just using the on-board camera mic. Hope that helps.
Ken
Thanks Brandy & Ken for your help and recommendations
Ken, I have a question about the Azden WMS-PRO mic
Please excuse my ignorance if this is a silly question, but do I also need an external recorder like the Zoom H1?
And since it records in mono, do I have to buy a mono to stereo converter plug so that the recorded sound comes out of both speakers?
Thanks so much for your help!
Hayley
Hayley,
That's actually a great question. Sometimes video producers do use external recorders like that. The answer is that if your video camera has an external microphone input (not very many consumer camcorders do), you do not need something like the Zoom H2 or H4. The Azden receiver has the 1/8th inch plug that goes into most camcorder mic inputs. But if your video camera does not have an external mic input, then yes, you'll want to have a hand-held/mobile recorder. That just means you (or your video editor) will have to add the separate audio track into the video program, sync it up with the camera's on-board audio, then delete the on-board audio track, keeping the externally-recorded audio. Truth be told, the audio from a Zoom would be better than that from most camcorders, even with a lavalier. It's just that it requires those extra syncing steps, and the lav mics deliver audio that is so much better than the on-board camcorder mics that most folks just use the lav audio (which will over-ride/replace the camera's built-in mics).
Does that make sense?
Cheers,
Ken
Really helpful thread, thanks to all!
Hayley, if you want to pick up something very inexpensive to play around with a get started an Audio-Technica ATR-3350 can be had for less than $20. It's a great little started mic and it has a 20' cord so connecting it to your camera is usually a snap. I used one for a long time before upgrading my gear with surprisingly good results.
Once you get yourself established, I would recommend going wireless, it just makes things much easier. I have a few Senheiser ew-100 G3's. They are on the pricey side but I always get consistent results with good distance (we do some events in large venues).
The other thing to consider when you talking sound is what is your delivery method. If you are going to have to compress the heck out of everything to get it to stream across a potentially antiquated corporate network, the sound is going to suffer. It's always saddening when I shoot beautiful HD video with perfect audio only to have it crushed down to nothing so it will stream.
I ordered an Apogee MiC a couple of weeks ago and LOVE it so far. The sound quality is better than my snowball and it's so small. You can hear some examples here. I've been recording directly on my iPad using TwistedWave and sending the audio to Dropbox. It's got both the iPad connector as well as a regular USB for connecting to PC / Mac.
was using a crappy logitech headset (was horrible but we didn't know any better)
now use a blue yeti-- awesome!
i used to record outside of articulate, per best practice-- but have found the in-application audio editor in storyline to be a godsend and no longer do a redundant recording
Bottom line: use a USB microphone with noice cancellation.
I have excellent, pro studio quality results with a Logitech Headset.
The advantages are great. My voice talents are not pros, and usually their microphone technique is not good.
The headset microphone is always the same distance from their voice and it i don't need to have a sound booth.
I work next to the airport, and jets flyover all the time.
With the noice cancelling headset, almost none of the external noises are ever picked up.
If you have a quiet environment, Blue's "Yeti" microphone is the best I have used, and I have used a lot of microphones.
tallis
Hi everyone I suggest ZOOM H1 for recording acoustic guitar, songs, etc..
First the measurements are approx 5.5" x 1.75" x 1.25". Might help. No USB cable, lanyard or case is provided.
It comes with a 2GB microSD/HC card. It will take up to 32GB which is a lot of recording and way beyond the battery's 10 hour capacity. I'd suggest at least a Class 4 card. You can download the Quick Start Guide as a pdf from Zoom's japan site. There's a list of compatible microSD/HC cards.
If you wanted combination video/very good quality audio for offsite recording, the Zoom Q2HD is not bad. Be forewarned it looks/feels cheap in your hand, but it wasn't much more expensive than an audio only Zoom so I decided to give it a shot. The video would be barely passable for most (with good lighting), but the audio is very good so i consider the video part a "bonus". It's standalone so there's no plugging it in to camera/camcorder. It auto equalizes so bands are using it to record performances while videoing the crowd/themselves. Normally around $150-$175.
Todd
Hi there! What is the best way to connect the at2020 xlr to a computer?
Hi, Dan: If you are talking XLR cable, you are going to need some type of
pre-amp. I assume you have a condenser mic?
Yes, the at2020 is condenser. Is there a budget friendly preamp you can recommend? Totally new to this.
Thanks in advance!
Sent from my iPhone
Do I need a preamp? Any budget friendly recommendations if so?
Thanks in advance.
Yes, if you have a condender mic, you will need a preamp. The cheapest way
to go (if you company is paying) is to get a usb mic--e.g., Blue Yeti.
AT mics are great (I have AT4040), but condenser mics such as these require
preamps, and in some cases an interface that connects from pre-amp to
computer.
Question: do you have a mac or PC?
PC...and company is not paying. Just got my first contract externally. How much am I looking at?
Sent from my iPhone
So..good audio equipment is sort of expensive. If you dig doing voiceover
and can see yourself doing a lot of it down the road, I'd say commit to a
pre-amp (decent ones in the $200 to $400 range). You are going to want to
make sure you have a usb coming out of it, so that there's a connection
between the preamp and your PC. Otherwise, you'll need another piece of
equipment (audio interface).
If you want to test the waters before committing, go to BestBuy or similar
and get a Blue Yeti. It's a usb mic and very much plug and play. $150. No
preamp needed.
Thank you VERY much for your advice!
Sent from my iPhone
No problem. I love talking audio. Best of luck with your project. And
really, it's not about the equipment. For instance, who would sound better:
Jimi Hendrix on a $200 guitar, or Joe Schmow on a $1000 Stratocaster?
Best of luck. --Daniel
The yeti will be less fuss and fewer pieces. If you're interested in using the AT2020, you can pick up a preamp / usb adaptor from Blue for less than $50 on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Microphones-Icicle-Converter-Preamp/dp/B001EW5YQS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446770702&sr=8-1&keywords=blue+icicle
I haven't used one of these. Seems well reviewed.
i second the Yeti. multiple polar patterns and picks up great sound.
AND is USB.
technically, you need phantom power, not necessarily a preamp.
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