To aid in producing this blog series I am going to team up with a friend from Nature Talks and Walks to create some video footage for his business. Through the process I will explain the audio production and show you the result.
Firstly, I need a low cost way of recording his voice outdoors.
He already has a Cannon camera and has got reasonable results using the built-in microphone. He now wants to achieve higher quality audio whilst recording outside.
I have numerous mics that would achieve a great recording; however, he does not want the mic to be too visible in the shot. Also, he needs his hands free so this rules out any kind of handheld mic.
As discussed in “Video Soundtracks on a Budget – Part 1” we will not be using a shot gun mic or boom setup, instead will be looking at some lower cost options.
The answer is a lapel (aka Lavalier) microphone.
Keeping in mind the level of production needed for this video and the fact that cost is an issue I researched lower cost lapel mics.
Here are the final 3 that I considered.
Audio Technica ATR-3350
This is a microphone company that is well-known to me and I very nearly purchased the Audio Technica ATR-3350 Lavalier Microphone from Amazon for £21.50 (at the time of writing this). However, I was put off by some of the reviews and also didn’t like the fact that this mic needed a small watch style battery. I also noted that several people mentioned that a Hama mic had given better results for similar cost.
Hama LM-09
This appears to have some good reviews, but I have never used Hama products previously. The Amazon price of £21 for the Hama LM-09 clip on mic (at the time of writing this) is attractive, but this too required a battery for its operation.
Giant Squid Audio Lab
While looking through reviews I read great things about an independent microphone builder in the USA, Giant Squid Audio Lab. This is the name Darren Nemeth goes by who actually builds his microphones to order (although delivery is a number of weeks). Having heard samples and read good reviews I thought I would try it out. I purchased the Omnidirectional Mono Microphone with 5 foot cable, which cost $49 including shipping to the UK (about £33) so very affordable. Also, it does not require a battery.
Any one of these lapel mics would have been suitable and affordable for our purpose (based on reviews), but I think that Giant Squid Audio Lab appeared to have the edge from the reviews I read and samples I heard.
When I receive the microphone we will be creating some recordings and I will let you hear the result.
Read Video Soundtracks on a Budget – Part 3: Recording Video Dialogue
As you say, the equipment you use may be outside of the budget for many, but it is always good and interesting to hear how professional video producers go about capturing audio on a shoot.
In terms of audio equipment, you have clearly made good decisions with your purchases and have had good results. I think it is always good to get the best equipment that budget will allow.
Thanks for your input, much appreciated.
My first experience of lavalier microphones was using a pair of Genexxa mics with a small inline power unit using LR44 batteries. Whilst the quality of the recording was sufficient for the task in hand I very quickly became tired of being physically attached to my subject via 3 metres of cable.
This become particularly difficult when you need to adjust the filming location or angle slightly and are forced to either unplug your subject or lead them along like a dog on a lead!
I soon decided to upgrade to a set of Sony UTX-P1/B1 radio packs with the higher quality ECM-77BC Mic. I can honestly say I have no regrets and although not cheap they have paid for themselves many times over!
The quality of the mic is superb – Almost 10 years of service without any faults or limitations. Nothing more to say there!
The mic packs allow a lot more freedom of movement and have great battery life. I simply mic up my subject and attached the radio receiver to my belt. I’ve used them for interviews, weddings (attached to the groom) and even on a makeshift mic stand allowing the mic/transmitter to be passed along a table to record speeches/conferences.
I combined this mic with the cheapest of the Zoom recorders – the H1 (the quality of the onboard mics or the cheaper quality of the plastic casing is irrelevant in my case – the sound quality is first class).
I’ve just purchased the Tascam DR40 for it’s four channel recording ability and so far it’s been very good.
I appreciate my suggestions above may be outside the budget for an amateur or hobby filmmaker, but I would certainly suggest spending a sensible amount on audio equipment. My purchases have never failed me.
The Pearstone OLM-10 Lavalier Microphone is an excellent low cost mic for recording audio for your budget video productions. I made an unboxing and testing video about it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kN4Z9Mqa8SM