There are many, many choices of microphones available for video recording — from lavaliers to shotguns to on camera-mounted mics. How do you choose the right mic for the given situation? Here’s a guide.

The impending clearance of the 700MHz spectrum band will bring about a significant change not only in what frequencies will be available for wireless microphone operations but also how equipment is designed and used. This contentious topic was discussed at AES New York 2018 during a conference panel featuring product specialists from leading radio mic manufacturers, RF technicians and audio engineers.

The assumptions that many newcomers have about video gear can be surprising to those of us who have been in the business for a long time. One of the most unexpected ideas to me is the assumption that built-in camera microphones are good enough for “professional” video. Well, that is simply not true.

There are literally thousands of different microphones available for broadcasting and recording applications. How does one pick the right microphone for a particular sound source? It’s a complex question. Here’s a guide.

Stereo audio more closely matches the sound humans hear with their own ears because it offers the added dimension of positioning. Unlike a single mono microphone, stereo provides the viewer sound images that correspond to the location of sounds in the scene being watched.

In the most hyper-connected world humans have ever inhabited, it might sound absurd that a large number of people do not know how to hold and use a basic microphone. But it’s true. This glitch in knowledge can make it difficult when trying to record professional audio, whether music or speech.

Since the beginning of television, the picture has always had priority over sound. This has remained true through the years even though it is well known that viewers actually value sound over image quality and will not accept truly bad audio, no matter how good the picture. So why does this trend continue?

Let’s be clear about one thing. Wireless microphones — while freeing users from the restrictions of cables — also can also create headaches. Making a wireless system behave predictably is a challenge faced by all — from touring professionals to first time users. No one and no wireless system made by anyone is immune from problems.

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