How do you choose a perfect microphone for your camcorder? It can be quite baffling even if you're an expert videographer. After having put up with your onboard camcorder mic for many days you conclude that you require a camcorder shotgun microphone.
An inbuilt microphone simply cannot provide the kind of audio that would suit your top quality video footage. If you decide to check shotgun microphone reviews you wind up with lots of Shotgun microphone reviews which leave you more baffled than ever before.
Sony or Shure or Audio Technica
It is not that easy to make an definitive decision based on the varying recommendations. The range of makes & models is quite astonishing. There are Sennheiser, Canon, Audio Technica, Rode, Sony & even more companies trying to get your attention. Best sellers range from Rode's Stereo Videomic Directional Shotguns, Sennheiser's MKE 400, Canon's DM 100 and much more.
The prime question is, where do you shoot? The critical point that should influence your decision is the situation where you would be making your video.
Is it the outdoors? Like if you're capturing wildlife in their natural habitat, the adding of real life audio will take your video to another level altogether making it look really professional, even if you are just an amateur shooting for fun.
If you mostly shoot indoors, where you film a stage action in a concert hall or even an interview, the right type of shotgun microphone would minus out all the nearby noise and give you superb audio to go with the superb footage that most Video Cameras provide nowadays.
External Video Camera Microphones are broadly classified into two types:
* Shotgun Microphones
* Cardioid Microphones
There are even further sub-classifications of Shotgun and Cardioid Microphones. Hyper-Cardioid, Super Cardioid etc. Mostly, a Camcorder microphone is either a Shotgun or a Cardioid. But there are some video camera microphones which are a bit of both - you can choose the depth of Shotgun or Cardioid that you require.
Broadly, it can be said that Shotgun microphones are for catching long-range audio, like when you are filming wildlife while Cardioid microphones are better suited for near range applications.
The power source is also a factor in making a decision. Does your microphone have its own power source or does it get its power supply from the Video Camera? You may end up spending much more than you had bargained for if you have to keep buying new batteries for your external microphone.
The weight of the microphone is another criteria mostly overlooked by first-time buyers. But a bulky and heavy microphone could be a great hindrance especially if you are going to be shooting long hours in the outdoors.
Do not forget to check the length of the microphone you intend to buy. You may be attracted to that long, no-nonsense type of shotgun microphone. But do ensure that it does not extend beyond the front of your Camcorder and become a permanent feature in your frame.
All said and done, it's most likely the cost that is going to be the deciding factor. Go for the best camcorder microphone in your price range. You should be able to get a very good microphone for around $275.
In general, the more costly models are some what better and come with many more bells and whistles. For instance when you shoot outdoors you need a sound muffler to cut out the wind noise. These are also called Deadkitten windscreens and you need to find out if your chosen model comes with one. Otherwise, you may need to buy a Deadcat separately adding to the price.
Author Resource:
Rajkumar Fredrick is a professional Camera Man. He writes reviews on Gadgets & Videography equipment, like the one devoted to Shotgun Microphones. Please visit the following link to understand external microphones better and also check out his recommendations on audio technica atr6550 and choose the perfect match for your Camcorder audio technica atr-6550
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