Microphones

Whether you are a seasoned video professional, a passionate video hobbyist, or merely a proud parent looking to record Junior's very first words on tape, these microphone reviews and buyer's guides will help you learn about the many different varieties and uses of microphones. If the words omnidirectional, unidirectional, cardioid, balanced, unbalanced, VHF and UHF seem foreign, don't worry—you're not alone. These are not words you encounter everyday unless you're a professional videographer. These articles will help you select the right microphones to capture the sounds needed for your next video production.

Tips & Tricks Videos

Hiding a Lav Mic

John presents a treasure trove of tips on how to conceal a lav microphone on your subject.

Audio Techniques

• Audio for Video Production: Balanced Vs. Unbalanced
  September, 2009
  by Hal Robertson
  Overview of balanced vs.Unbalanced signals with ways to adapt a balanced audio signal to an unbalanced camera input when recording audio for video production.
• Buyer's Guide to Finding the Best Audio Recording & Mixing Gear
  September, 2009
  by George F. Young
  Guide to finding the best audio recording and mixing gear for video production with tips on how to stay within your budget and links to manufacturers.
• Listen Up! Videomaker's Headphones Buyer's Guide
  July, 2009
  by Randy Hansen
  Careful shopping and consistent use can make your videos a pleasure to hear. Silent movies went out of fashion with The Jazz Singer in 1927.
• Audio: Getting To Know Your On Camera Audio
  June, 2009
  by Hal Robertson
  Did you know your on camera audio may include several tools? Depending on your make and model, these extra goodies may be hiding somewhere.
• Audio: Plosives and Sibilance
  May, 2009
  by Hal Robertson
  Using a combination of talent and recording techniques, along with some post-production tricks, you can create a clean, professional vocal recording.
• Videomaker's Microphone Guide
  May, 2009
  by Tom Benford
  Guide to finding the best microphones for video production. Learn about the many types of microphones. Includes list of manufacturer's websites.
• Audio: Mixing Audio for Video
  April, 2009
  by Hal Robertson
  Tips on how to set up your video editing software tools to achieve the best work flow for adding, cleaning and mixing audio for your video...
• Basic Training: Recording Good Audio for Video
  April, 2009
  by Edward B. Driscoll, Jr.
  If they can't understand your audio, they'll walk out. Learn to get the best audio for video. How to select the right mics & sync external recorders.
• Audio: Make Your Own Mic Blimp
  February, 2009
  by Tom Benford
  Owning the latest state-of-the-art video equipment is very cool, but making your own gear can sometimes be a lot more fun. Let's DIY it this month with Audio…

Microphone Product Reviews

• Holophone PortaMic 5.1 Surround Microphone Reviewed
  December, 2009
  by Hal Robertson
  One of the easiest ways to get 5.1-channel audio into your workflow, even if your camcorder only handles stereo audio.
• Wireless Camcorder Microphone Review: Sony ECM-HW2 Bluetooth Wireless Microphone.
  June, 2009
  by Brent Holland
  The Sony ECM-HW2 Bluetooth camcorder microphone is lightweight & easy to use. The signal has an impressive operating range & remained strong during all&…
• Audio Microphone Tech Specs
  December, 2008
  by Hal Robertson
  Buying a microphone can be an ordeal. You have to balance features and price, and part of that is having to wade through the many technical specifications.
• Shotgun Microphone Review RODE NTG-3 Shotgun Mic
  October, 2008
  by John Burkhart
  Excellent performance and value in a shotgun microphone.... RODE is a well-known Australian manufacturer of microphones, whose products tend to deliver more&hel…
• Microphone Review: Azden SMX-10 Microphone
  May, 2008
  by Hal Robertson
  Small and Powerful
• Music 2 Hues Adrenaline Crush | Nady USB-24M USB microphone | DVCA-D1 camcorder dolly.
  July, 2007
  by Charles Fulton
  New Gear: CD of "aggressive, high-energetic grooves". USB microphone utilizes a dynamic neodymium element. DVCA-D1 miniature dolly
• Nady wireless diversity microphone | crane measures 3 feet tripod to camera
  March, 2007
  by Charles Fulton
  New Gear: Crane can accommodate up to 50 lbs. and measures 3 feet from tripod to camera. Nandy offers a 1,000-channel PLL frequency-synthesized UHF…
• Shotgun Microphone Review: Audio-Technica AT897
  February, 2007
  by Hal Robertson
  Riding Shotgun
• Adobe Premiere Elements 3.0 | Pinnacle Studio MovieBox Plus
  December, 2006
  by Charles Fulton
  Digital Hotcakes offers ten matching sets of DVD menu templates. Adobe Premiere Elements 3.0 adds a sceneline view.

Audio Recording Blog Posts

• Avid Helps Cultivate the Next Generation of News Professionals with ABC News On Campus Program
  Oct 29
• YouTube and Videomaker Webinar next week!
  Oct 23
• Avid Brings Professional-quality Recording into the Home With New Pro Tools Essential Bundles
  Sep 10
• AKG's New Perception 120 USB Microphone Brings Studio Quality Performance To The Desktop
  Sep 10

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