o you already have a DSLR camera, then you must be wondering why you should get a separate mic for it.
I mean, most DSLR cameras these days come with a built-in mic and they deliver pretty good sound quality, don’t they? Well, rest assured, you’re not the only one. I wondered the same when I first started off with my vlogging career.
But over the years I’ve come to learn about not just why you need a separate mic for a DSLR camera, but also, which one to pick, and what are the benefits of it.
microphone for a camera Benefits
The game-changing revolution to videography started when DSLR cameras started allowing video implementation to them. This not only made things a whole lot easier for videographers but at the same time, it enhanced the video quality to a great deal.
I mean, it basically added all the good sides of DSLR photography to videos. What could be better than that?
Now that video quality was not a matter of worry anymore, the next thing that came into focus was the audio quality. Since audio is an inseparable part of most videos, and even crucial in some. Naturally, the audio quality needed to be premium both in clarity and richness.
Even though most DSLR cameras come with built-in microphones that provide pretty decent audio quality, especially if you’re shooting something that has audio frequencies of different ranges and acoustics, like a talk-show or a live concert.
For a start, the preamps built-in to DSLRs aren’t professional at all. They’re not to be blamed, because DSLR cameras were originally not made for videography, but they just fitted in the video feature later.
Moreover, they sometimes have pre-determined settings for gain control and other audio tweaks that are just not made for a custom sound. To take care of all that in came microphone for a camera
And things have never been the same ever since.
What to Look For In An on camera microphone?
You just clip ‘em onto your apparel and you’re all set. This makes them widely portable and handy. Overall, a good external mic if you’re shooting subjects in controlled environments.
How to Get the Best Out of Your on camera microphone?
Let me tell you that there is no single certain rule of how to use microphone for a camera because it all depends on the user’s preference and requirements.
Weather Check: on camera microphone are powered by internal batteries and might be sensitive to weather conditions.
Always Use A Windscreen: A foam windscreen keeps your sound crisp and clear while blocking out unnecessary background noise like the noise from the AC or wind, or even speech plosives. There are even furry windscreens specially designed for recording in extremely windy conditions.
Keep Away From Sweat: Since microphone for a camera in such close contact with the user, often their sweat can damage the on camera microphone. Make sure to keep yourself well-dried every time before using a microphone for a camera.
In conclusion, I’d just say, go for it. Get yourself an that you think would suit the best with your microphone for a camera and just make the best out of it. Experiment with different types of mics and audio setups until you find your sound. And once you’ve found it, keep working on how to make it better.