Buyers’ guide
GIVE ITA SHOTGUN
IMAGE The Sennheiser MKE 440 has two aligned and matched mini shotgun mics, ensuring it captures stereo audio while rejecting off-axis noise
EXTERNAL MICS ARE mostly shotgun-like, where audio travels down a long tube, pointed towards the subject. This makes them more directional and reduces the noise from around the camera. Your kit should include at least a shotgun mic, typically equipped with an elongated polar pickup pattern called supercardioid, hypercardioid or lobar – depending on how narrow its shape is. It’s important to aim shotgun mics accurately, but they are often the best option, proving highly versatile. They also mount on the camera, can be handheld by you or the subject, or mount on a boom. A camera-top option, usually a designated DSLR mic, has a standard input jack. A number of manufacturers produce them, including Rode, Sennheiser, Shure, Saramonic and Deity. Basic units, such as the Rode VideoMic Go, sit on the hotshoe and plug into the mic socket – and
THANKS FOR THEMEMORY!
THE INNOVATIVE SENNHEISER Memory Mic is a plastic clip-on box that attaches to a lapel or pocket. It features an omnidirectional condenser capsule mic, designed to record the subject’s voice, as well as the sound around them. It’s able to communicate with a smartphone via Bluetooth, and has the ability to internally store up to four hours of audio. Once you’ve used the app to start recording video on your smartphone and audio on the memory mic, there is no need to maintain the Bluetooth connection between the two devices. This means that your subject could literally be way off in the distance while you’re filming them – yet the mic would still be picking up their voice perfectly well. When paired with the smartphone once again, the memory mic downloads the audio. The process is intuitive, removing some logistical panics. The Sennheiser Memory Mic is internally powered, meaning it should be charged up regularly. A USB cable is used to supply this power. The device records 48kHz/16-bit audio and, despite its diminutive size, features up to four hours of battery life.
“THERE'SAWIDE RANGEOF HOTSHOEMICS OUTTHERE, SUCHAS STEREOUNITS IDEAL FOR RECORDINGLARGE CONCERT PERFORMANCES”
Rode VideoMic NTG even has USB-C connections, enabling the mic to be plugged directly into a computer. Meanwhile, Tascam offers a recorder with its own shotgun mic, fitting to the hotshoe. There is a wide range of hotshoe mics out there, such as stereo units ideal for recording large concert
performances. These kind of mics also perform well at sporting events and loud gigs. Refusing to peak too highly, they stop the nasty clipping of audio caused by excessive volume. A step up to a pro-quality XLR mic gives you an industry-standard bit of kit. Again, manufacturers cater for various needs, suiting a range of budgets and sizes. Sennheiser and Rode are the two most popular brands among filmmakers. Companies like these continue to push the boundaries of technology, providing the best possible results. If your camera is a traditional camcorder or cinema camera, it already has XLR inputs, plus very robust audio controls and amps, making for incredible sound. Otherwise, you can record to an external recorder, such as one from Olympus, the Zoom range or Tascam’s various options. Alternatively, it’s possible to use a pro-style unit that takes XLR inputs and outputs them directly to your camera, such as the award-winning Tascam DR-701D or a product from Saramonic’s range. These can include mixer functions, enabling you to blend together inputs from two wireless mics. For Sony shooters, the range also includes UWP-D wireless units. These enter the camera’s hotshoe, communicating via MI contacts – you don’t even need to plug in a separate cable. Sony also offers a dual-input receiver, connecting two external wireless mics to one receiver. The camera records two different audio channels, and you can mix later in the edit. It’s a neat solution.
that’s it. There is nothing to adjust, plus they don’t even need batteries. It’s far better to invest in a higher- quality product with battery power, adjustable gain, a shock mounting and a foam rubber windshield to reduce wind noise. Certain bits of kit, such as the Shure VP83 LensHopper, have a built-in recorder. And the
IMAGE The Sony range includes UWP-D wireless units that fit a camera’s hotshoe, communicating with the camera via the M1 contacts – no separate cable is needed
26 Photography News | Issue 88
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