There are many different types of microphones, but we are going to review the ones that we use in the business of video production.

Handheld Mics

The most common type of microphone is the handheld mic. They are an industry staple and come in many flavors. They are extremely useful for interviewing, journalism, weddings and even to set on a desk for a talking head video (although that would make them stand-mounted instead of handheld, but it's still the same microphone). Whether it is interviewing athletes at a sporting event or guests at a wedding, or the unglamorous job of recording voiceovers, the handheld microphone is always on the scene.

You can score many inexpensive handhelds with 1/4" connections in the $40.00 to $80.00 range by such prestigious manufacturers as Sennheiser, Shure, Numark, Cad, Peavey and Samson. Just remember two things. First, there is a huge difference between a $70.00 Shure mic and a $700 Shure mic. Second, make sure you get a stereo mic, unless you're looking for a mono mic. And you'll need a 1/4" to 1/8" or XLR adapter.

Stepping up to XLR mics is a huge leap, in both quality and price. However, if your production is worth something to you, then you should be using quality products. XLR is a superior product compared to mics using 6.5 mm ("¼") jacks. Many of the companies listed above also carry these higher-quality mics, along with several other brands including AKG, DPA and Sanken.

Wireless

Another growth area has been wireless. Although the invention of wireless mics was 50 years ago, they really didn't become prevalent until recently. One of the most unique (for the moment) is the Flashmic by HHB. It is a high quality mic that can record up to 18 hours on its 1GB card, although you'll probably have to change the pair of AA batteries after 8 hours of recording. Although this mic costs more than $1,000, it is starting to become popular and therefore, more companies will begin to compete with it.

Wireless mics didn't take off for the first thirty years of their existence because of the problems with channel interference from radios and other devices (including airplanes and air traffic control). Earlier systems also had problems with limited range, short battery life and dead spots. Through technological advances, from better batteries to expansion of the airwaves due to the Digital Revolution, these problems hardly exist anymore and the age of wireless microphones is here. Some of the companies manufacturing wireless mics are Sony, AKG, Beyerdynamic, Electro-Voice, Shure, Nady, Sennheiser, Lectrosonics, Samson, Sanken, DPA and Audio-Technica.

Lavaliers

Lavaliers are probably the most common type of wireless microphones and give the performer the most freedom of movement. Since the transmitter is safely attached to the on-screen performers, they have the freedom to use their hands for something other than holding a microphone. Multiple actors can be miked and transmit on different channels so that their signals can remain separate. Lavaliers are expensive by their nature and there are no cheapies that actually work very well. Even more than in other groupings, you are going to get what you pay for.

When shopping for lavs, the number of frequencies available to you will be one of the determining factors. For instance, look at two excellent lavalier systems made by Azden Corporation: the 105 series (which costs about $400 for the receiver and transmitter combination) and the 305 series (which sells for about $150 more per set). Each is relatively the same high quality and they are even similarly sized, but the Azden 305 series offers users 188 frequencies, whereas the 105 only offers 92 frequencies. Now, if you're not planning to record more than a couple of people at a time, the Azden 105 would be a perfect fit, but if you plan to work with larger groups, you may want to spend the extra $150 for the 305 series (plus extra transmitters).