Microphones
HOWEVER MUCH YOU spend on a mic, it’s best to place it as close to the subject as possible. TV and film crews often have a dedicated boom operator with a shotgun mic at the end of a boom arm, held just out of shot. Or for interviews, it’s suspended above a subject’s head. Alternatively, you could invest in a lapel mic – also called a lavalier, or lav, mic – and fasten it to the subject’s clothing. Lapel mics can be plugged into the camera if you have a long lead, but are usually linked to a wireless transmitter box, held by the subject in a pocket or on a belt. It talks to a receiver on top of the camera. Many companies – such as Sennheiser, Saramonic, Sony, Rode and Kenro – make lav mics. It’s a definite must-have. Lavalier mics can be omnidirectional and cardioid in their pattern. Omni mics don’t need to be pointed at the sound target for the clearest pickup, but inevitably detect other sources. Nonetheless, their range is limited, so it’s not too much of an issue. Directional lav mics require a little more preparation, as they have to point at the subject’s mouth. For recording interviews, especially on the street, it’s best to invest in a dedicated reporter’s mic, such as Sennheiser, Rode or Shure products. If you have a powered XLR mic and plug in a dedicated XLR wireless unit, it sends the audio to a wireless receiver on the camera, forming a clean solution. GETTHE BEST FROM YOURMIC
WIRELESS RADIO MIC systems can cost hundreds of pounds, and are packed with advanced features. But as a bargain option, the Saramonic SR-WM4C wireless kit is incredible value for money. It comes with a lavalier mic and transmitter unit, wirelessly beaming its signal to the receiver that plugs directly into the camera. The four-channel unit with flexible antennas transmits a signal for up to 60m/66yd. It also runs on AA batteries, while volume is controlled by a simple wheel. It’s not the most high-tech system, but works surprisingly well for £99/$90. WIRE-FREEONABUDGET
IMAGES The Kenro (top) and Saramonic (right) lavalier mics are small and discreet, clipping on to clothing for use indoors and outdoors
THE RODETOWIRELESS
RODE’S WIRELESS GO II is a diminutive mic system that uses integrated mics. Alternatively, you can plug in an external mic and use it like a conventional wireless system. The Wireless Go II kit consists of two transmitters for recording two simultaneous sound sources, a dual channel receiver, and comes with a 3.5mm lead for connecting to your camera or recorder, USB-C cables for charging the units, furry windshields and a neoprene slip case. At well under £300, it’s gives great flexibility at a decent price. The units are tiny, weighing 32g each. They are easily carried in a pocket or clipped inside a shirt collar. They have a broad integrated clip for mounting, doubling up as a coldshoe mount on the receiver. Operating the system is very simple – the units arrive already paired. If you need to re-sync them, it’s just a case of pressing the sync button on the receiver unit for
three seconds, while simultaneously tapping the transmitters’ power button to tie them up. The only other button is ‘gain’, cycling through 0dB, -12dB and -24dB output settings. Nothing else is required, and even without an external mic, you can be up and running in seconds. The small LCD shows levels and peaks, turning from green to red as audio peaks, as well as each unit’s battery life and link status. On the transmitter units, two blue LEDs display power and connection. The sound quality from the built-in mics is excellent – rich and clear with solid low-end and high-end tones. As an omnidirectional mic, it’s difficult to lose tone, even as you turn your head, while background noise is quite well suppressed. The Wireless Go II system’s fluffy windjammers do a good job of removing wind noise – and the quoted range of up to 200m within line-of-sight allows the videographer to capture clear audio wirelessly in multiple situations.
“FOR RECORDING INTERVIEWS, ESPECIALLYONTHE STREET, IT’S BESTTO INVEST INADEDICATED REPORTER’SMIC”
IMAGE The Rode Wireless Go II is mini but mighty, with good sound quality from two microphones – and a line-of-sight range of 200m, costing £279
Issue 88 | Photography News 27
photographynews.co.uk
Powered by FlippingBook