Camcorder Microphones

Camcorder microphones can be just as important as the camcorder itself when it comes to the quality of your project. Camera noise, additional external sounds, or low sound quality all seem to hamper your scene once you start the editing process. Most people seem to neglect the quality of sound that they will be recording. Whether you're shooting home movies or you are making a production for your neighborhood recreation center or church, high-quality sound is just as important as high quality video.

Most camcorders come with internal microphones that possess low sound quality. Fortunately for you external microphones are here to bring sound quality and high fidelity that you can be proud of. When looking at purchasing a camcorder microphone you must consider what it will be used for, what kind of input your camcorder has, and whether you want wired or wireless. We’ll go over all of these items to help you lean towards the best decision for you. Once you've made your decision click on over to our store for a nice selection of microphones at low prices.

Connections

If you want your camcorder microphone to work you have to know if and what kind of connection your camcorder has. You have to make sure your microphone can connect to it as well. High-end camcorders usually have an XLR audio jack. Consumer and Prosumer camcorders have stereo audio jacks. Camcorders with an XLR jack require a microphone with an XLR input and camcorders with audio jacks require a mic with a stereo input. If your camcorder is equipped with an audio jack you can upgrade your camcorder by purchasing a XLR adapter. You can then use the high end microphones with your camcorder. XLR adapters can carry a heavy price tag so be sure you are willing to pay the price tag for a high end microphone before you purchase an XLR adapter. If you decide you go with a microphone that requires phantom power be sure to pick an XLR adapter that has phantom power as well.

External Microphones

External camcorder microphones can be put into two categories; shotgun microphones or lavalier microphones. A shotgun microphone is a generic term that has come to classify microphones of several types. Typically it is a true condenser (externally powered) long microphone, but has now come to mean almost any long barreled microphone with a narrow acceptance angle. There are several types of microphones, but the two most common types are dynamic and condenser microphones. The condenser microphone generally has a flatter frequency response than the dynamic one. When recording video you should choose a condenser microphone because high accuracy and clarity of the recording is needed.

Shotgun microphones can be connected to the top of a camcorder or a boom pole. Lavalier microphones are attached to the subject usually on the lapel and are sometimes called lapel microphones. They can be wired of wireless, but we’ll get to that aspect of the lavalier microphone a little later. Watch the video below to learn more about one of our favorite shotgun microphones.

Benefits

Shotgun microphones are almost always wired. This means that the camcorder needs to be close enough to the subject it is recording in order to take advantage of all of the benefits of the external microphone. Shotgun microphones are best utilized when shooting sporting events, plays, parties, and other events or situations where there is significant movement of your subjects. There are several different shotgun microphones that can help you obtain great audio for your videos. Lavalier microphones can be wired or wireless. If you have enough cable you can use a lavalier while close up or from a distance even if it is wired. Most people prefer to use wireless lavalier microphones. Wireless microphones allow you to create a greater distance between your subjects and the camcorder. They also allow you to follow a subject who is moving around a lot and because they can be hidden they are a great choice for high quality shoots. UHF wireless microphone receivers and transmitter kits allow for crystal clear communication with a UHF 900mhz signal and 8 channels to choose from for worry free wireless communication without interference.

Cost

The prices of external camcorder microphones vary widely and can seem to be all over the place. The price of one popular shotgun microphone may be $150 while the price of another may be $400. Wireless microphones will more than likely be the most expensive option. Your audio quality will be sacrificed a bit if you choose a less expensive microphone. Always remember, you get what you pay for. Do your research, read reviews and seek out advice from knowledgeable videographers or salespeople to get a better idea of the quality that each microphone will deliver. Camcorder microphones provide the additional flexibility and quality necessary to deliver exceptional sound for home, Website or movie applications.

USB Microphones

Looking for a microphone for podcasts, voice overs, tutorials, YouTube videos etc.? Take a look at this video and learn more about some of the USB microphones that make capturing audio at your computer a breeze.

Field Recorders

Which Microphone Performs The Best?

Did we leave out some information on camcorder microphones that you'd like to share? What type of microphone do you use? What are the benefits of using the microphones you prefer? Tell us the type, brand, and how you use it. Tell us why you choose to use certain mics for certain situations. Our visitors will appreciate your input! If your story is value added we'll create a page on our website with your story and give you credit for writing it!

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