Using different microphones can have a noticeable effect on the overall quality of sound in your videos, but only certain microphones are worth changing to.
When comparing 4 of the commonly used microphones, we found the best of the to be the standard full-size shotgun microphone. The matter then all boils down to what are you using to record your audio separately, because sometimes it’s simply not worth the hassle.
Many YouTubers and content creators use separate videos and audio and sync them to produce exceptional quality content. Different kinds of content require different microphones but here are the 4 most popular separate microphones, and when they’re best used.
4 Best Microphones to Capture Audio Separately
Lavalier/Lapel microphones
Lavalier or Lapel mics, are the small clip-on mics you see in almost every daily news and the competitive game show on TV. They are efficient and better than using your built-in camera or phone’s microphone, but they also have a limited frequency range.
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06/03/2023 04:08 pm GMT
While these microphones are wireless, you’ll have to set up a modem-like receptor to use, and are offered for much higher prices than other microphones on this list.
One of the most affordable, but worst microphones to use, the Mounted Shotgun Microphone is only slightly better if not the same as your built-in quality.
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06/03/2023 04:48 pm GMT
These microphones are usually convenient for outdoor shooting and require very minimal setup and accommodations. In addition to their windproof covers that help minimize any unwanted noises. Commonly used by reporters and paparazzi, using the Mounted Shotgun Micwill require close proximity to the audio’s source.
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06/03/2023 04:53 pm GMT
They’re called Shotgun Mic because of their immense focus on the closest person’s sound, balancing every other background noise to be barely noticeable.
Some of the best full-size shotgun mics include Sennheiser MKH 8060, DPA Microphones 4097, and the infamous Shure VP89 Premium Modular Shotgun Microphone.
Phone or Camera Mic
Last but certainly better than using a built-in microphone, you can use your phone to record the audio separately. Although it isn’t the best option it is the best budget alternative for recording video and audio separately.
Commonly used for street interviews, one-on-one conversations, and other interviews, this is the less professional way of doing things right.
Benefits of Capturing video and audio separately
While each content or situation has its unique filming measures, we believe recording audio and video separately is essential, when capturing the audio of more than one person.
If you are creating content of just you speaking, you may not realize the need for this yet. However, as soon as you start making skits and interviews you’ll understand the need to capture the clearest possible audio.
Allows you more flexibility and control over sound quality
Capturing each person’s voice track separately allows for a much more balanced, synchronized, and leveled-out audio flow. Giving you the ability to easily compress, normalize, and noise reduce and alter blends and transitions.
Especially if you are not in a dedicated soundproofed studio, you will be capturing a lot of hissing, wind noise, and random taps and clicks. Utilizing a separate professional microphone will help you overcome these inconveniences and improve the overall level of control you have over them.
Adjust adlibs, comments, and secondary notes
The main reason why you should use an external mic and by far the biggest inconvenience of not using one. Whether it’s streaming podcasting or an acting skit microphones allow you to adjust the levels of audio relative to what you are saying or presenting.
Additionally sound isolated microphones that are specific to capturing the main person’s vocal, require the use of multiple similar or compatible microphones, or the balance will not be the same. You are better off purchasing the same brand than making your own selection of different mics.
Challenges of catching video and audio separately
Syncing video to match lips and body language.
While this may not be an issue for many, if you’re just starting out editing, syncing the audio to align with body language and lip movement can be challenging.
Using cinematic clappers enables you to cut up different audio clips and find them marked in your timeline as you edit.
Limited editing capabilities and controls
When capturing your audio and video in one you are compromising the quality of audio, enabling you to record audio in better quality. Using an external microphone especially and XLR-integrated one will enable you to maximize the depth and detail of everything around you.
To find the best microphone for you, try a few different models of the recommended mics in the same video and compare for yourself.
Time-consuming editing efforts
Lastly, if you’re all about quantity over quality, using two separate recording devices isn’t necessarily your fastest option. Find a balance and create a system that allows you to create content efficiently. Use a single high-quality camera and a built-in or mounted microphone to capture and edit on an efficient scale.
How to record video and audio separately?
You can record video and audio separately using a high-quality external microphone, and the camera or phone you use to shoot your video. Some of the best microphones to use separately include the full-size shotgun and, the lavalier/lapel microphone.
When considering your microphone setup, it is important to have in mind how many microphones you’ll need. While we recommend aligning all your mics to have the same specs and frequencies, you may need to mix and match them for its practicality.
Both your camera and microphone must be placed in proper proximity for optimal results, but a good shotgun microphone will capture anything six to nine feet away.
Be sure to have them rolling together at once, then import what you captured to your computer separately, and use your editing software to sync and align.
Conclusion
The overall production process is improved drastically in quality when using separate audio and video capturing methods. It is in your hands to determine whether or not, you’d like to compromise quality for time and money.
While some creators are satisfied with the quality they currently shoot their content in, others strive for greatness and perfection, at the end of the day it’s all about the viewing experience.
To play it safe on both sides, If you are still recording all-in-one videos at least use a wireless microphone set like the Rode Go ii all-in-oneto balance things out for you.
David Adler is an entrepreneur and freelance blog post writer who enjoys writing about business, entrepreneurship, travel and the influencer marketing space.
Should I record video and audio separately?
Using different microphones can have a noticeable effect on the overall quality of sound in your videos, but only certain microphones are worth changing to.
When comparing 4 of the commonly used microphones, we found the best of the to be the standard full-size shotgun microphone. The matter then all boils down to what are you using to record your audio separately, because sometimes it’s simply not worth the hassle.
Many YouTubers and content creators use separate videos and audio and sync them to produce exceptional quality content. Different kinds of content require different microphones but here are the 4 most popular separate microphones, and when they’re best used.
4 Best Microphones to Capture Audio Separately
Lavalier/Lapel microphones
Lavalier or Lapel mics, are the small clip-on mics you see in almost every daily news and the competitive game show on TV. They are efficient and better than using your built-in camera or phone’s microphone, but they also have a limited frequency range.
While these microphones are wireless, you’ll have to set up a modem-like receptor to use, and are offered for much higher prices than other microphones on this list.
Mounted DSLR Shotgun
One of the most affordable, but worst microphones to use, the Mounted Shotgun Microphone is only slightly better if not the same as your built-in quality.
These microphones are usually convenient for outdoor shooting and require very minimal setup and accommodations. In addition to their windproof covers that help minimize any unwanted noises. Commonly used by reporters and paparazzi, using the Mounted Shotgun Mic will require close proximity to the audio’s source.
Full-size Shotgun Microphone
The best option out there since time, The full-size Shotgun microphone is certainly the best quality, most reliable mic on this list.
With adjustable frequencies and a wide-range sound-capturing range, if you were to go with the full-size, you’ll need to purchase more than one.
They’re called Shotgun Mic because of their immense focus on the closest person’s sound, balancing every other background noise to be barely noticeable.
Some of the best full-size shotgun mics include Sennheiser MKH 8060, DPA Microphones 4097, and the infamous Shure VP89 Premium Modular Shotgun Microphone.
Phone or Camera Mic
Last but certainly better than using a built-in microphone, you can use your phone to record the audio separately. Although it isn’t the best option it is the best budget alternative for recording video and audio separately.
Commonly used for street interviews, one-on-one conversations, and other interviews, this is the less professional way of doing things right.
Benefits of Capturing video and audio separately
While each content or situation has its unique filming measures, we believe recording audio and video separately is essential, when capturing the audio of more than one person.
If you are creating content of just you speaking, you may not realize the need for this yet. However, as soon as you start making skits and interviews you’ll understand the need to capture the clearest possible audio.
Allows you more flexibility and control over sound quality
Capturing each person’s voice track separately allows for a much more balanced, synchronized, and leveled-out audio flow. Giving you the ability to easily compress, normalize, and noise reduce and alter blends and transitions.
Especially if you are not in a dedicated soundproofed studio, you will be capturing a lot of hissing, wind noise, and random taps and clicks. Utilizing a separate professional microphone will help you overcome these inconveniences and improve the overall level of control you have over them.
Adjust adlibs, comments, and secondary notes
The main reason why you should use an external mic and by far the biggest inconvenience of not using one. Whether it’s streaming podcasting or an acting skit microphones allow you to adjust the levels of audio relative to what you are saying or presenting.
Additionally sound isolated microphones that are specific to capturing the main person’s vocal, require the use of multiple similar or compatible microphones, or the balance will not be the same. You are better off purchasing the same brand than making your own selection of different mics.
Challenges of catching video and audio separately
Syncing video to match lips and body language.
While this may not be an issue for many, if you’re just starting out editing, syncing the audio to align with body language and lip movement can be challenging.
Using cinematic clappers enables you to cut up different audio clips and find them marked in your timeline as you edit.
Limited editing capabilities and controls
When capturing your audio and video in one you are compromising the quality of audio, enabling you to record audio in better quality. Using an external microphone especially and XLR-integrated one will enable you to maximize the depth and detail of everything around you.
To find the best microphone for you, try a few different models of the recommended mics in the same video and compare for yourself.
Time-consuming editing efforts
Lastly, if you’re all about quantity over quality, using two separate recording devices isn’t necessarily your fastest option. Find a balance and create a system that allows you to create content efficiently. Use a single high-quality camera and a built-in or mounted microphone to capture and edit on an efficient scale.
How to record video and audio separately?
You can record video and audio separately using a high-quality external microphone, and the camera or phone you use to shoot your video. Some of the best microphones to use separately include the full-size shotgun and, the lavalier/lapel microphone.
When considering your microphone setup, it is important to have in mind how many microphones you’ll need. While we recommend aligning all your mics to have the same specs and frequencies, you may need to mix and match them for its practicality.
Both your camera and microphone must be placed in proper proximity for optimal results, but a good shotgun microphone will capture anything six to nine feet away.
Be sure to have them rolling together at once, then import what you captured to your computer separately, and use your editing software to sync and align.
Conclusion
The overall production process is improved drastically in quality when using separate audio and video capturing methods. It is in your hands to determine whether or not, you’d like to compromise quality for time and money.
While some creators are satisfied with the quality they currently shoot their content in, others strive for greatness and perfection, at the end of the day it’s all about the viewing experience.
To play it safe on both sides, If you are still recording all-in-one videos at least use a wireless microphone set like the Rode Go ii all-in-one to balance things out for you.