If you're in the market for a camcorder, here are a few things you need to know about camcorder audio, plus some tips on what to look for to ensure a quality audio experience.
External microphones for Camcorders & Cameras Pictures have never sounded better. Cameras, though nearly always equipped with a built-in microphone, are for making pictures.
Microphones
Camcorders collect their audio through a built-in microphone, but not all microphones are created equally. There are three basic types: mono, stereo, and multi-channel or 'surround sound.'
Mono Microphones
The most basic microphone, a mono mic is usually found on low-end camcorders and especially pocket camcorders. They collect just a single channel of sound and while passable, some people complain that the sound is flat on these types of mics.
Stereo Microphone
A stereo microphone records two channels of sound, not one. Anyone who's plugged earphones onto their head knows the 'stereo effect' with sound bouncing between the ear or played in both. Stereo microphones are the most common types of mics used in high-definition camcorders (they are also available on pocket models, but are not as prevalent) and will play back well on a TV or computer.
Multi-Channel Microphone
Some high-end camcorders offer multi-channel audio recording. The best way to think about a multi-channel or surround sound recording is to picture a basic home theater set-up. You have three speakers up front, by your TV, and a pair of speakers in the back. In the best action movies, you'll hear sound zipping around your head. With a multi-channel microphone, you're able to duplicate that experience (to a degree) on your camcorder: the camera will pick up and play back sound across five different channels — not the two available on a stereo mic or the one available from a mono mic.
If you don't own, and don't really want to own, a home theater system in your house, recording your home movies in surround sound doesn't make a lot of sense. All things being equal, you'd be better off finding a camcorder with a stereo microphone.
Audio Features
While all camcorder vendors pour time and attention into the bells and whistles of the optical side of camcorder design, some pay less attention to audio.
Zoom Microphone
Normal microphones don't discriminate when it comes to the direction the sound is coming from — that's why, if you're the one doing the recording, your voice booms into the movie if you want to put in your two cents. A zoom microphone, however, can focus audio collection directionally while you zoom the lens. In other words, if someone is in front of you talking and you zoom the camcorder on him, a zoom mic will likewise focus sound collection from the front and not from the sides or rear. Zoom microphones are generally available on higher-end camcorders.
Wind Screen
One of the biggest problems people encounter when recording outside is the wind rushing past the microphone. The wind can produce a deafening sound or just an annoying distraction and so it's pretty common to find camcorders promising to deflect the wind with an internal 'wind shield.' These devices are modest and don't afford all that much protection, so you may wish to purchase an accessory wind shield you can insert over your camcorder's microphone whenever you find yourself in the wind.
On more expensive camcorders, wind-screen mode uses software and digital signal processors to digitally counteract the negative effects of wind. Again, the effectiveness of these technologies varies. Depending on the wind level, some degree of wind noise is usually unavoidable, but a camcorder with a wind-shield mic and noise-reducing mode will at least minimize the distraction.
Microphone Input
Most higher-end camcorders are modest enough to know that they don't quite measure up in the audio department. That's why you'll find microphone inputs on them. These inputs allow you to attach accessory microphones for higher quality audio. If you know you want to add an extra microphone to the mix, you should also find a camcorder with a hot-shoe, since many accessory mics can be mounted more easily on the hot-shoe atop the camcorder.
Stereo Playback
Ever since camcorders began adding built-in projectors, equipment designers focused more attention to the quality of the speakers for on-board audio playback. High-end projector camcorders tend to have much better built-in speakers for audio playback than non-projector models.
If you want to record high-quality audio, you shouldn’t rely on the built-in camcorder microphone. Not only are they of mediocre quality, but they also pick up camera noise, the sounds of you handling the camera and pretty much every ambient noise you don't want to capture. Instead, you should be using an external mic for your video camera, which will pick up sounds more clearly and accurately.
But buying an external mic for your video camera can be a tricky proposition: you’re faced with lots of choices, and it can sometimes be difficult to make a decision. These tips are designed to help you pick out an external camcorder microphone.
External Mic Connections
The camcorder microphone you buy will be dictated by the type of external mic connection built into your video camera. Consumer camcorders often have a stereo jack for attaching an external mic, while higher-end camcorders will have an XLR jack for connecting a mic. Before you buy an external microphone, be sure to check what kind of input your camcorder has, and pick out a microphone that will fit the jack.
You can also visit your local electronics store and buy a camcorder microphone adapter, which will allow you to connect most any external mic to the input jack on your camcorder.
Types of Camcorder Microphones
There are three main types of camcorder microphones to choose from: shotgun, lapel (or lavaliere) and handheld (like newscasters or musicians use). Each type of external mic is suited to a different type of video production, and ideally, you’ll be able to purchase one of each kind.
Shotgun Microphones
Shotgun camcorder microphones can be mounted on your camcorder or attached to a boom pole. The microphone will pick up all of the sound coming from the general direction in which it is pointed. Shotgun camcorder microphones work well for video productions in which you want to record ambient sound or audio coming from multiple speakers.
Lapel Microphones
Lapel microphones are great for video interviews. You attach them to the subject’s shirt, and they’ll pick up the person’s voice very clearly, as well as any sound that is close to the mic. Lapel microphones are also very useful when recording wedding videos.
Handheld Microphones
Handheld microphones are usually pretty heavy duty and durable. They work great for picking up nearby sound (so your subjects need to speak right into them). However, they definitely lend a very “newsy” look to your video, so they’re best used if you’re going for that newscaster look, or if the speaker is not going to be seen on camera.
Wired and Wireless External Mics
Most types of camcorder microphones are available in wired and wireless versions. Wired camcorder microphones connect directly into your camera. Wireless microphones, on the other hand, come with a receiver and a transmitter. The transmitter is connected to the microphone, and the receiver is connected to your camcorder.
Wireless camcorder microphones are very handy because you can record audio that is very far away from your camera. However, they are also much more expensive than wired microphones, and you have to take into considerations things like range, signal interference, and battery power.
Camcorder Microphone Quality
Once you’ve decided on the type of camcorder microphone that you’re going to buy, you still have to choose a make and a model. There is no one external mic that’s best for everyone, so you’ll have to do some research to find one that fits your needs and budget.
Read reviews, talk to video producers, and get your hands on as many camcorder microphones as possible so that you can hear the audio quality for yourself.
Invest in a quality external mic now, and you’ll be able to use it for years down the road. Whether you’re shooting in HD or for the internet, a good camcorder microphone will always be necessary.