GEAR OF THE YEAR AWARDS
AUDIO Even if you’ve nailed the visuals, making sure your audio doesn’t let you down is vital. Dialogue that’s lost to wind noise or a crackly mic ruining your best take can make or break a production. That’s why this year’s GOTY Awards are putting your viewers’ ears first, highlighting the ultimate gear for pristine sound across categories for recorders, mics and wireless systems. Starting with recorders and adapters, which are the backbone of any professional audio rig, Tascam’s Portacapture X8 still sets the bar high with its 32-bit float recording and touchscreen control, but this year’s Zoom essentials range of H1, H4 and H6 options are popular, with their pro features in pint-sized bodies. Add the Beachtek DXA-Max for on-camera XLR or Tascam FR- AV2 for DSLR audio integration and you’re ready for anything. There’s no room for compromise with microphones. The Sennheiser MKH 416 remains a location legend, but the switchable-pattern MKH 8018 adds versatility. Rycote’s BD-10 and HC-35, the Rode NTG3, Audio-Technica BP4029 and Deity S-Mic 3 all deliver serious punch, even in hostile sonic environments. Hybrid shooters and vloggers are well served for camera-top
mics. The Rode Videomic NTG and Pro+ are fan favourites, but so is the compact Sennheiser MKE 400, Shure’s VP83F – with built- in recording – or the Sony ECM-B1M, which gives Alpha users a streamlined set-up and sweet sound. And the Deity V-Mic D4 Mini and Saramonic VMic5 Pro are perfect on the move.
Of course, going wireless means total freedom – and this year’s line-up is stunning. Rode’s Wireless Go Gen 3, Interview Pro and Wireless Micro lead the charge with intuitive controls and pro features. The Deity Theos adds timecode, while DJI’s Mic Mini and Hollyland’s Lark M2 punch well above their weight. New contenders include the Icon Airmic Pro, Shure Movemic 88+ kit and Saramonic Blink Me. Plus, Sennheiser’s Profile Wireless audio kit has never been so creative, as it can convert into a handheld reporter mic. From solo shooters to full crews, the right audio kit makes your work sing. So listen up, and cast your vote for the gear that’s made your year sound as good as it looks.
OF MICS AND MEN Audio kit is crucial to every production, whether it’s wireless systems or high-tech recording equipment
Audio recorder/adapter Beachtek DXA-Max Sennheiser Profile USB Tascam FR-AV2 Tascam Portacapture X8
Zoom H1essential Zoom H4essential Zoom H6essential
Microphone XLR Audio-Technica BP4029 Deity S-Mic 3 Rode NTG3
Rycote BD-10 Rycote HC-35
Sennheiser MKH 8018 Sennheiser MKH 416
Microphone DSLR Canon DM-E1D
Deity V-Mic D4 Mini Rode Videomic Pro+ Rode Videomic NTG Saramonic Vmic5 Pro Sennheiser MKE 400 Sennheiser MKE 440 Shure VP83F Sony ECM-B1M Wireless mic Deity Theos DJI Mic Mini Hollyland Lark M2 Icon Airmic Pro Rode Interview Pro Rode Wireless Go Gen 3
Rode Wireless Micro Saramonic Blink Me Sennheiser Profile Wireless Shure Movemic 88+ receiver kit 3 Legged Thing Str3amcase
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PRO MOVIEMAKER
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