Wireless External Microphones?

Azren the Language Nerd

Azren the Language Nerd

I Love YTtalk
For the past 1.5 years that I've been making videos I have always made them indoors in a quiet location using my Samsung Galaxy S2 (recently been using Galaxy S3) to record them. The video & audio quality has always been quite good. The thing is though is that pretty soon I will be starting a new channel with a few friends, but most of our videos are going to be in public places where there are bound to be quite a few people walking around & talking.

I have seen a lot of Youtubers who use wireless microphones that they clip to their shirts to help with this problem and I was wondering:

a) What wireless external microphone would you recommend? Does it depend on the camera that I am using?

b) Would it be better to stop using my Samsung Galaxy S3 for my videos & to switch to using a proper camera for these kinds of videos? I have a Canon Powershot SX 40HS camera, would that do? Are there any good wireless external microphones for this camera?

Thanks a lot!
 
I don't know about wireless clip mics but I would recommend a shotgun mic as it records audio purely from one focused direction and thus shuts out most background noise, usually they attach to the camera rather than you though.
 
Douglas MacKrell said:
How do you edit your videos when they're shot? Do you do it all in camera, or do you have an editing software that you use?

Personally I use a Zoom H1 digital recorder and an Audio-Technica ATR-3350 Lavalier Omnidirectional Condenser Microphone. I sync the audio in post in FCP by clapping three times before a take.

I know that you can get adapters to use 3.5mm mics with the iPhone/Pad. Here's my video where I explain how:



I'm sure there must be an adapter for the Galaxy as well!
Click to expand...

I edit all of my videos using FCP, why do you ask?

Also a few more questions:

1) I assume that there is a cord from the part attached to your shirt to the iPad/iPhone? I ask because I was wondering if there are microphones out there that are wireless so that I'm free to go a large distance from the camera itself.

2) If I use an external microphone, will the audio be separate from the video? In other words, after importing the clip onto my computer, will there be an audio AND a video file, or will there be 1 file that has both the audio and video? (hope that made sense)

3) So do you think it's better to use an actual camera or to use just my phone?[DOUBLEPOST=1379389869,1379389792][/DOUBLEPOST]
GamerKeebzy said:
I don't know about wireless clip mics but I would recommend a shotgun mic as it records audio purely from one focused direction and thus shuts out most background noise, usually they attach to the camera rather than you though.
Click to expand...

Thanks man! Question for you: if I went a long distance from the camera itself, would the sound still capture well?
 
Let's break down your Qs

  1. I asked if you edit on a computer because if you film primarily on a mobile device you could have been editing on an app - if that was the case, it would be nearly impossible to import sound and sync it.
  2. Yes. The cord that you need for apple devices I picked up for 30 bucks from KVconnection.com. I'm unsure if there is an adapter for 3.5mm mic-to-Galaxy, but you can check and research.
  3. Wireless systems are very expensive and prone to interference. That said, there are some cool workarounds that I've found for mobile devices. Namely the Swivl. (swivl.com) It's 200 bucks, but it's a wireless mic built into a sensor that the camera stand uses to sync your position with motors. Super cool if you want some distance from your camera and don't have a camera man to follow your actions. Personally though I suggest getting an adapter and using the Audio-Technica ATR-3350 Lavalier I suggested above. It has a massive 25 foot wire that allows for quite some distance from your camera.
  4. You should use the best camera for the surroundings your in. Most phones shoot very well in balanced daylight, and your Canon may do better in low light and produce less noise. Practice with both and see which gets the best picture for you. You can always invest in better cameras and lenses down the road. Squeeze the best quality out of the equipment you have!
 
I also use an Audio Technica ATR-3350.
Bear in mind it comes with a really, really, long cable, so you can be pretty far from the camera when recording. How far do you need to be? since havng a wireless setup will add to the expense......[DOUBLEPOST=1379450569,1379450315][/DOUBLEPOST]
Azren Raju said:
I edit all of my videos using FCP, why do you ask?

Also a few more questions:

1) I assume that there is a cord from the part attached to your shirt to the iPad/iPhone? I ask because I was wondering if there are microphones out there that are wireless so that I'm free to go a large distance from the camera itself.

2) If I use an external microphone, will the audio be separate from the video? In other words, after importing the clip onto my computer, will there be an audio AND a video file, or will there be 1 file that has both the audio and video? (hope that made sense)

3) So do you think it's better to use an actual camera or to use just my phone?[DOUBLEPOST=1379389869,1379389792][/DOUBLEPOST]

Thanks man! Question for you: if I went a long distance from the camera itself, would the sound still capture well?
Click to expand...


1. Yes there is a cable, but its really really long - depends how far you want to go from the camera itself.
2. No, it'll be one video file with the audio on a separate track, so when you are in Final cut you can make changes to the audio as you please as it'll be on a separate track to the video. Outside of the editor it will just be one single video file.
3. Depends - check quality on both. As Douglas suggested above, with a small sensor like your phone, lots of good light is the key.

With a shotgun mic, if you are long way away the sound would diminish. You'd need a mic attached to you, or someone with a boom pole with the shotgun mic above you (like they do in the movies etc) for good audio.
 
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