The Best Microphones For DSLR Video Cameras

Depending on the camera you possess, the built-in mics of DSLR cameras will produce a sound quality that is appropriate for a video. Nevertheless, it is a lot easier to film using only the built-in mics for DSLR video cams than the smart device mics available in the market. Better still is the fact that it isn’t noticeable when you are trying to put together a YouTube video. There are quite a lot of devices for your DSLR video camera that can offer your video a better audio quality. The shotgun is the most widely used microphone and is usually positioned on the top of the camera during filming. There are certain factors that affect the choice of a microphone and these include the purpose for which the filming is going to take place, the amount of money saved up for purchasing a microphone and the precise needs.

The Benefits Of Having An External Camera Mirophone

Microphones come in a variety of sizes and shapes and are often purchased in order to increase the audio quality of the video. The good thing about a DSLR camera microphone is that it can be obtained by anyone and comes in various price ranges. Using a $300 DSLR camera will produce videos of high graphics quality that matches that of hit video sensations on the internet.

Preamps that come along with DSLR camera are unprofessional and are better suited for photography. The settings for gain and other audio tunings will not produce an audio quality that you desire. Furthermore, the coverage of DSLR camera built-in mics is low. For instance, a video marketer who disliked her inexpensive lavalier mics, decided to use her iPhone recorder in filming her YouTube videos because it offered a better coverage over a 10ft range. It all boils down to your preferences. You won’t lose anything if you get another mic for filming purposes. You can check out this guide to DSLR audio put together by B & H Photo.

Things To Consider When Buying a DSLR Camera Mic

• Budget: DSLR camera microphones are reasonably priced and come in a range of prices. Regardless of the amount of money in your savings, you will always find a mic whose price won’t put holes in your pockets after reading through our article.
• What Type Of Mic Do You Need?
• • Shotgun: Shotgun mics are the most commonly used microphones in the filming world. A good reason why it has a lot of fans is that it is an efficient, multipurpose device. About fifty percent of the top ten best microphones listed in this article are shotgun microphones. It can either be used on the top o a DSLR camera or used with a boom pole.
  • Lavalier: Lavalier mics are usually shortened to lav-mics. It can be used in filming product review videos, instructor’s vlogs or broadcasting. They are always attached to the clothing close to your neck. Furthermore, lavalier mics are suited for videos which are filmed in an area that has no noise pervading the atmosphere. These lavalier mics are usually not noticeable at first sight. Lavalier mics are either wired or wireless. Although the wireless brands are more expensive, it allows video production to be done with less difficulty. You can take a peek at the best lavalier microphones we have lined up for you in another article.
  • Handheld: These ones are mostly used by journalists especially TV reporters and correspondents. Reasons being that it is sturdy and you don’t need to press an on-button to get started. The frequency range is low which is an added advantage in that sounds in the background are eliminated giving room to the main audio content of the filmed video. If this is what you prefer, you will have to save up more money to purchase other accessories.
  • Headsets: This is a good choice for videographers filming at a noisy location such as trade fairs and art exhibitions. When used for interview purposes, the voices of the interview participants will be recorded while eliminating all unwanted sounds coming out of the other sources in the environment. If this is not the case, then headsets aren’t necessary.

• Accessories that you will love to have
  There are accessories such as pop filter, windscreen and a tripod that every person involved in video production desires to have. While some mics come with a few accessories as part of the purchase package, there are other situations where there are no accessories provided when purchasing a microphone. In this case, you will need to go shopping to get accessories that are needed to produce a video with a good audio quality.

 

The Best Microphones For DSLR Video Cameras

A list of the top ten microphones in popular use has been provided below. As mentioned earlier, shotgun microphones are the most widely used microphone. We want to know your views and thoughts regarding the list. You can send in your answers by commenting in the comment section below.

Rode Videomic Pro

Rode VideoMic Pro comes in at number one on our top ten list of microphones for DSLR video cameras. It is a widely known microphone and has every functionality you want in a microphone except perhaps for a few omissions. But of noteworthiness is the question of “how affordable is a Rode Videomic Pro?” The specifications speak volumes for its exquisite feature. It has a shotgun condenser mic that is well above what is considered standard. It is also pocket-sized (about 150mm in length) and is very light to carry around (about 85 grams). Battery life is not a problem as it can be used for 70 hours with a 9-volt charge. Accessories that come with the mic include a built-in phone windscreen, a 3.5mm stereo mini-jack which gives control to the user by its filter control features. For the audio quality, a pro-condenser have been put together with a pro-quality DSLR video camera. This model is a choice option particularly when you are creating audio recordings of discussion videos or directional applications. If you are searching for a microphone that you can use for live music, then the Rode Videomic Pro isn’t for you. You can explore other options in this list. However, we advise that you choose this model, especially if you are very capable of financing its purchase. Please note that Rode is an improved version of the very first Videomic.

Sennheiser MKE 400

If you don’t really fancy the Rode, you can check out the Sennheiser MKE 400. You won’t regret purchasing it. Like the Rode, it is a question of its affordability? Nevertheless, this price varies from website to website. Unlike the Rode, it is a bit longer and can be used when you are filming a video that has an exact source of sound. Don’t get so excited, we still prefer the Rode. If you are considering the Sennheiser, it has some nice features including a wind noise filter, a shock mount that comes with the device. In terms of battery life, it can run with an AAA battery for 300 hours. Also, the Sennheiser can record sounds over various range without reducing the audio quality. This can make you pick the Sennheiser over the Rode. We have been following Sennheiser for some time now and we can bet that that its features can go toe to toe with the Videomic Pro.

Azden SMX-10

Purchasing the Azden SMX-10 is not a bad idea since it is affordable and has a decent quality. Although Azden isn’t a popular model, it has been around for quite some time. The budget for the Azden is about fifty percent less than the price for the two models previously listed. However, this price may vary from website to website. Therefore, if you are short on cash, you might want to consider this one. It can be used over a wide frequency range with a low-cut frequency filter that comes along with the Azden on purchase. The Azden can run for almost 42 days uninterrupted which makes it a very good option especially when you are on a journey. The quality of this product is fairly respectable when compared to other DSLR video camera mics.

Rode Stereo Videomic

You are guaranteed of having a good time using a Rode Stereo VideoMic if you take note of its suggested use. It is one of the finest devices you can get at a high price. Even though the price at which you can get this model is costly, it is an amazing product that you will not regret buying. It can be used for recording at live music and at noisy locations. However, if you are recording interviews and discussions, we advise that you stick to the Rode Videomic Pro stated earlier. The device components include a dual high resolution 1-2 inches capsule with an X-Y stereo pattern for an audio quality that is more or less natural. Also, there may be rear-noise rejection during recording. The accessories that come with this model include a shock system which is an integral part of the device and a high pass filter that blocks out background sounds such as traffic. This device is worth the purchase and it is usually positioned above the camera during recording sessions. A Rode Stereo VideoMic can capture audio signals within a large coverage zone and blocks out unwanted sounds in the process.

Audio-Technica ATR-3350

If you are looking for an inexpensive microphone for your video filming, the Audio-Technica ATR3350 isn’t a bad deal. For the reader’s digest, we just got into the world of lavalier mics. Although it is a cheap product, it still has a high value in the market. Due to its affordability, you don’t need to break the bank to get an Audio-Technica. Another plus to this device is that it can be used in any direction and if you don’t want the mic to be noticeable, this model is just what you looking for. However, it is suggested that instructors are as audible as they can during video filming. Furthermore, it can be used when conducting interviews and other videos that do not need a mic close to the sound source. It is lightweight (about 6 grams) and has a wide frequency range (50-18000Hz). So if you are in need of a mic that doesn’t create distractions during filming, we advise you to purchase this model. We are well aware of people who purchase two or more of this device at a time as it is inexpensive and can be used for a lot of purposes.

Sennheiser EW 100 ENG G3-A

If you are searching for a mic that has wireless capability, it is time you disembark on all searches and check out the Sennheiser EW 100 ENG. However, it needs some gears in order to function. In that case, you need to prepare to spend extra cash as it only gets costlier with each gear needed. Nevertheless, it is worth the purchase particularly if paying more money isn’t going to be problem and you are in dire need of something wireless. By connecting the transmitter to the mic, an XLR connected mic is rendered wireless. While the transmitter is close to the source of the sound, the receiver is positioned close to the camera. This device is built in such a way that it takes care of the interference problem that may arise during filming. The sound quality is off the chain. So you don’t have cause to worry about how good the sound quality is. In order to avoid interference with other radio signals, it is recommended that you carry out a test-run. The obvious reason is that this model is a transmitter/receiver unit.

Tascam TM-2X

This is so much different from the mics that have been listed earlier. Tascam TM-2X microphone is a budget-friendly device and an appealing choice for those who have taken a liking to this product. The X-Y stereo pattern used by this model is common to all models in the Tascam DR-series. If you want to shoot a video in a large environment, then we advise you to choose a Tascam TM-2X mic. But it is necessary that the device stays close to the sound source. Tascam TM-2X has two mics that produce an audio quality that is well above average. A fascinating feature of this microphone is that it doesn’t have a battery. Instead, it uses the power generated by the video camera battery to operate. As such you don’t need to worry about getting more batteries and searching around for another source of power. You can change the mic capsules in order to alter its direction. An accessory that usually comes with the purchase package is a shock mount which prevents sounds that are made during movement of the camera from showing up on the filmed video. This is one of the reasons it has gotten into our top list of microphones.

Shure VP83

Shure mics have been around for quite a while and we are great admirers of this model. It has a good standing in the market. Since it is handheld, it can be used by journalists and for videos that are affected by frequency ranges and has low-sensitivity. It is an affordable device and speech sounds can be fine-tuned. Furthermore, it fairs better with a sound in the upper mid-range which can be made clearer and more defined than what it was meant to be. There are some accessories thrown into the purchase package that makes it a whole lot attractive including a water-resistant mesh grille and a windscreen. Aside from these accessories, Shure VP64A is considered unique since it has a resilient structure. It is best suited for TV correspondents and those who desire a video that has a well-defined and clear audio quality.

Using this model or other handheld mics comes with a bit of complexity. In order to get the DSLR video camera to function alongside the XLR connectivity, an adapter or a connector wire is required. If you are in search of cables, we suggest that you get a Sescom SES-TR-153. But you mustn’t forget that it isn’t a source of phantom power for condenser mics. However, you can connect your handheld mic to your DSLR video by plugging the adapter cable into a 3.5mm port on the camera. There is also another adapter model known as the BeachTek DXA-2T. In addition to being a source of power to the microphone, it also has a functionality that monitors and carry out XLR conversion especially if you don’t want to bank on controls and adjustment parameters on the camera.

Audio-Technica AT8004

Among all the available handheld mics in the market, this is another popular device model. There isn’t much difference to tell between these mics. You can verify the price of the Audio-Technica AT8004 and if it is on the lower end compared to the Shure, then we advise that you go for this product.

Like we have mentioned earlier, we have a great admiration for this product. This device model is in the same price range as the Shure, so it is best you chill out and find out the price for both of them. The Audio Technica comes with an internal shock mount and a mesh grille. Like the Shure, the Audio Technica is omnidirectional. However, on a sadder note, a mic stand isn’t part of the purchase package. You will also need to purchase the connector wire we mentioned earlier in this article.

Zoom SSH-6

The Zoom SSH-6 mic comes in last in our list of top microphones but by far not the least. It is a shotgun model that has a bit of complexity around it. In order to get a near perfect sound quality, you need to get a zoom recorder (H5, H6, and Q8). If you are confident about your finances, then you can purchase a recorder. You will have no cause for regrets after purchasing it as you are guaranteed of having a video with a very high audio quality. This is because the device is not recording sounds directly into the zoom as compared to the lower price rated engines of DSLR cameras.
Like all shotgun microphones, it has a conventional focused center section and two capsules on the sides that increases the recorder’s coverage. The preamps that come with the device is way better than the inbuilt amps of the DSLRs. It also has a hairy windscreen. An advantage of using this product is that it offers the videographer a better chance at refining the digital signals to create a good quality video. It works perfectly well in an open-air environment where there are sounds coming in from different sources. Though, it can still be used indoors. Not to forget, the recorder isn’t part of the device so you will have to sync the video with the audio during the post-production stage. This doesn’t make filming stressful- rather it is just an additional stage. If this mic tickles your fancy, you can check out our Zoom SSH-6 shotgun microphone review.