{"id":100408,"date":"2018-03-23T12:24:57","date_gmt":"2018-03-23T17:24:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/?p=100408"},"modified":"2018-03-23T12:24:57","modified_gmt":"2018-03-23T17:24:57","slug":"getting-good-sound-every-budget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/getting-good-sound-every-budget\/","title":{"rendered":"Audio Tip: How to Get Good Sound on Every Budget"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the key ingredients of a good video is great sound. Here’s how you can get pristine\u00a0audio\u00a0on a variety of budgets.<\/h2>\n

Cover image via guruXOX<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

There’s an old adage in the film industry that goes like this: Great sound quality can save bad footage,\u00a0but great footage will never save bad sound.<\/em> There’s just something that ruins your immersion when you notice terrible\u00a0audio. Take The Blair Witch Project<\/em><\/a> for example (the original, of course).\u00a0The filmmakers used a\u00a0cheap handheld camera, but you still became immersed into the film because\u00a0of quality sound. I’ve seen countless films that were cinematically excellent, but bad sound completely\u00a0kicked me out.<\/p>\n

You may think that you don’t have enough money in your budget\u00a0for quality sound-recording devices, but I promise you, you do.\u00a0A good audio kit includes a shotgun mic, a lavalier mic, and a\u00a0portable audio\u00a0recorder. In this article,\u00a0we’ll explore three options for three different budgets.<\/p>\n

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The Beginner Budget: Under $100<\/h3>\n

If you are just starting out in the film and video world, and you want to make a short film, or you just plain don’t have the money (it’s okay, we’re called starving artists for a reason), then this is the\u00a0option for you.<\/p>\n

Audio-Technica ATR-6550 Condenser Shotgun Microphone<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 $60<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n


\n<\/a>\"Audio
\n<\/a>Image via Audio-Technica.<\/em><\/p>\n

This shotgun mic is the cheapest you\u00a0can get, but you will still get consistent quality out of it, compared to in-camera audio. (Pro-tip: if you don’t have a boom attachment, you can attach the mic to a painter’s pole that you can buy for less than $20.)<\/p>\n

Audio-Technica ATR3350iS Omnidirectional Condenser Lavalier Microphone<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 $30<\/h4>\n

\"Audio<\/a><\/p>\n

If you’re doing interview-style work, it’s important to have a lavalier mic<\/a>\u00a0to get consistent audio of your subject. This lav is wired, and it can connect directly to a smart phone\u00a0for recording.<\/p>\n

Yes, a smart phone. You can use your own as a personal audio recorder. This lav can plug directly into the phone,\u00a0and you can use your phone’s native sound-recording program. If you don’t have a native recording app, try using Audio Recorder from the Play Store<\/a>. (Note that you most likely won’t be able to monitor audio while recording.)<\/p>\n

You can connect either of these to the camera as well, so you can record audio using these external devices\u00a0instead of your camera’s sub-par onboard mic.<\/p>\n

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The Intermediate Budget: $350<\/h3>\n

For\u00a0those getting a little more serious\u00a0about their filmmaking careers, take a look at these options.<\/p>\n

Zoom\u00a0H4nSP 4-Channel Handy Recorder<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 $159<\/h4>\n

\"Audio<\/a><\/p>\n

Having this “Handy” recorder is, in fact, pretty handy. You\u00a0can hook up both conventional audio jacks\u00a0and XLRs. Recording on a personal audio recorder is essential when running audio, since it\u00a0has dials\u00a0you can use to adjust levels on the fly \u2014 along with a headphone jack\u00a0so you can listen to your audio in real time.<\/p>\n

Rode VideoMic Shotgun Condenser Microphone w\/ Boom Pole, 10′ Extension Cable, and Adaptor<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 $159<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

\"Audio
\n<\/a>Image via\u00a0R\u00d8DE<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

R\u00d8DE is a pretty big player in the industry, and every filmmaker usually gets one as their first pro mic.\u00a0You can find sets online that include the microphone, boom, cable, and adapter\u00a0set for around $150USD.<\/p>\n

Fifine 20-Channel UHF Wireless Lavalier Lapel Microphone<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 $35<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

\"Audio
\n<\/a>Image via Fifine<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

This wireless lav kit will complement your audio recorder well, and it will also give your subject the freedom to walk around.<\/p>\n

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The Professional Build \u2014 $1,000<\/h3>\n

When you want to get serious about contracting your services as an audio recorder, you’ll need the equipment to do the job.<\/p>\n

Zoom\u00a0H6 Handy Recorder<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 $400<\/h4>\n


\n<\/a>\"Audio
\n<\/a>Image via Zoom.<\/em><\/p>\n

This has been my go-to recorder for a while. It has a very simple user interface, four channels, and an easy layout. Simply press the channel button to record on each one. I usually attach it to my belt so I can monitor audio while running boom at the same time.<\/p>\n

Sennheiser\u00a0MKE-600 Shotgun Mic<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 $670<\/h4>\n


\n<\/a>\"Audio
\n<\/a>Image via Sennheiser<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sennheiser is probably the best you’re going to get with audio devices, and their reputation definitely\u00a0precedes them. This shotgun mic will last you ages \u2014 and\u00a0deliver consistent, quality sound.<\/p>\n

Sennheiser\u00a0ew 112-p G3 Camera-Mount Wireless Microphone System<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 $629<\/h3>\n

\"Audio<\/a><\/p>\n

Sennheiser also makes some of the best lav mics in the business. These guys have great transmitters that will capture true sound on any set.\u00a0They\u00a0come with a hefty price tag, but that’s\u00a0what you pay for perfection.<\/p>\n

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Looking for some more gear recommendations? Check out these write-ups.<\/p>\n