Vlogging was once just a casual trend but over the course of the last few years, it has developed into a hobby and even a livelihood for many people. Many people have started using DSLR cameras to record their vlogging videos and post them on social media platforms for views and likes. However, great video quality is not always enough when it comes to recording vlogging videos as you need good audio quality too if you want to create quality content.
Now anyone who has ever used a DSLR can testify for the awful quality that is offered by the in-built microphone. According to Synco, DSLR microphone for vlogging is an essential part of the equipment and you have to acquire it if you are serious about your job.
However, many vloggers get confused by the variety of products available on the market and don’t know which factors they should be looking for when choosing the best DSLR microphone for vlogging. If you too are one of these vloggers who is confused on which microphone to buy for your vlogs, then don’t worry because we have you covered.
In this article, we will be listing the various types of DSLR microphones out there, several external factors that you should look out for when choosing them and help you identify the best option for your vlogging needs. Read the article till the end so that you don’t miss out on crucial details.
What are the different types of DSLR microphones?
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Lavalier
While shotgun mics might offer better audio quality and capture, it is lavalier microphone for DSLR that are favored by the vlogging, interviewing and reviewing community. These are mini mouthpieces that are often attached to clothing near an individual’s mouth. These types of mics are especially useful when you only want to record your own individual voice and the voice of a few other particular persons, instead of everyone’s voice altogether.
They are also extremely subtle and most people barely notice them after someone wears them well. These mouthpieces come at different price points depending on if you opted for the wired or wireless microphone for DSLR. One major problem with these microphones is that their pickup is extremely wide and they can easily capture all sorts of background noise coming from all sides which is not ideal for outdoor environments.
Shotgun
Shotgun microphones are considered to be the perfect type of DSLR mics. They offer the best audio quality and can be used in almost any situation and environment. The best DSLR mics out there are often shotgun ones and that’s why they are every vlogger and videographer’s top choice when it comes to recording audio. There are a variety of ways through which you can use these camera microphones such as by attaching them on the top of your camera or on a separate pole for better clarity and sound access.
Handheld
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Handheld microphones are your standard mics that are used in shows and reports to record an individual’s voice. These mics are extremely user-specific and cater to recording only one person’s voice in an extremely close range – something that you see in news reports during journalist interviews. These microphones have non-existent background audio pick up and are only sensitive to the sound in front of the mic.
Headsets
Headsets are another unique type of microphones that give you a direct feedback of the audio that is being recorded by the mic directly in your ears. This helps you isolate yourself from background sounds and record only your or someone else’s voice. Headsets are great when you need to record audio for your footage but want to hear it first as well.
The problem is that these mics don’t have the best quality in the market and actually come more expensive than other types of dedicated options on this list.
What other factors should you consider when choosing a DSLR microphone?
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Apart from these different and unique types of options, there are several other aspects that you need to check in a mic before you purchase it to ensure that you get the right features from the right product for your vlogging.
Budget – Budget is an extremely important factor when choosing a mic. These products have an extremely wide price range with the cheapest options going for about $20-$30 all the way up to professional grade $500 alternatives that capture the best audio possible.
Accessories – Using only a microphone by itself is hard, especially when you are using it in a DSLR camera setup. Depending on the environmental condition you are recording in, you might need a windscreen to eliminate wind resistance from your audio recording, pop filters to eliminate background noise and a stand to hold the whole apparatus in place. Some mics come with these features prebuilt, some don’t. Choose the one you prefer the most.
Pickup pattern – Different types of mics have different pickup patterns, which are responsible for dictating which direction the sound should be recorded from. A cardioid pattern records audio from its front side, omnidirectional records audio from all sides, Bidirectional records audio front and back and supercardioid is just an improved version of cardioid.
How to find out which type of DSLR microphone suits your vlogging needs the most?
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If you are going to record your audio in a variety of different settings and environments, opting for a shotgun mic is a choice you will never regret. If you want instant feedback while you are recording your audio or want to listen to something while you are recording, headsets are quite a reliable option.
If you are going to record tons of one-on-one vlogging content with one particular individual at a time, handheld alternatives are the best choice. If you want multi-purpose, compact and cheap options, opt for lavalier mics. That is, unless you are planning on recording outside in which case lavalier mics can really suffer a lot.
Conclusion
There are several different ways to choose the best DSLR microphone for vlogging and we hope this article was insightful for you regarding that. If it was, please consider following our website for regular updates as it will help us out immensely.
