(Click Part 1 and Part 2 for previous articles in this series)

Recording Audio

We have all heard videos with bad voice overs, they are extremely distracting and pull attention away from the story you’re trying to tell. There are a few different ways to capture audio. If possible, try to create a controlled environment that is as quiet as possible. If you try to capture audio in a louder location like outside or in a public place, like a market, you will want to use something that plugs into a recording device or camera. Try not to use your microphone that comes in your camera or phone. There are cheap and expensive ways to get better audio, and it is worth the investment to have better sound.

External Recorder

There are a lot of external recorders, however they typically record in condensed stereo sound. That means the audio closest to the recorder sounds the best, but usually will still have room and background noise in the recording which is not always ideal or as flexible. You also have to sync the audio with the video while editing. I wouldn’t recommend this method for any beginner.

Lavalier Microphone

This is probable the cheapest and easiest way to get better sound without necessarily having to edit the audio in post. There are many “lavs” available on Amazon that will plug straight into your phone or camera for $20 or less. The best thing about a lav mic is that it will mainly pick up the audio of whoever is wearing it, making it ideal in noisy surroundings. This is a great method for beginners, and pros often prefer it too (at a more expensive price point.)

Shotgun Microphone

Shotgun mics are more technical, but often produce better results. They pick up audio in a cone pattern coming from the source it’s pointed at. Shotgun mics are typically put on boom poles and held just out of shot near the source. I have seen some use them on top of their camera, but if you’re doing an interview you’ll want it about the same distance you would be from someone you were having a conversation with. Shotgun mics require more technique than a lav mic. For that reason I would not recommend this method unless you know what you’re doing.