As an aspiring photographer or videographer, you might have wondered how to make a DSLR camera mic better.
While DSLR cameras excel at capturing stunning images, their built-in microphones sometimes fall short when it comes to audio quality.
Fear not, though! With a few handy tips and tricks, you can significantly improve your camera’s audio capabilities, making your videos even more captivating and professional.
Table of Contents
Choosing the Right Microphone
Upgrading your DSLR camera’s audio quality? It’s time to consider the microphone! With so many options, it can be tough to pick the right one.
Here are some tips to help you make the perfect selection for your photography objectives.
Types of Microphones
Dynamic Microphones: Great for live use, since they only pick up sound in front.
Condenser Microphones: Ideal for musicians, engineers, and vloggers due to their audio clarity. Broad pick-up range.
Shotgun Microphones: Thin profile makes them great for video production. Can be mounted onto DSLR cameras or booms. Here are some of the best shotgun mics for your DSLR.
Lavalier/ Lapel Mics: Tiny form factor perfect for interviews on the move.
USB Mics: Directly connect to your device via USB. Easier road to cleaner recordings with minimal set-up time.
Considerations for Choosing a Microphone
When picking a mic for your DSLR, there are things to think about. The type of mic, the filming environment and how much you want to spend.
Type of Mic: Different mics are better for different shots. Some popular ones are lavalier, shotgun and stereo mics.
Lavaliers are good for close-up speaking. They don’t need a boom operator, since they’re worn and pick up sound in all directions.
Shotgun mics boost background sound and reduce other noise around the lens.
Stereo mics have a 3D sound effect and capture better audio than panning or ADR.
Environment: Consider your environment. If shooting outdoors, choose a mic with a windscreen.
For interior places with lots of reverberations, pick a mic with Inverse Square Law (ISL). This reduces reverberations and makes better recordings even in busy locations.
Budget: Higher quality mics cost more. But with a bit of searching, you can get good mics at low prices.
Second-hand marketplaces are great when starting out. Later on, invest in more professional equipment.
Mounting the Microphone
To improve audio quality on your DSLR camera, mount an external microphone! But, you need to know the proper technique.
This article will show you the basics of mounting a microphone to your DSLR camera. Then, you’ll get better audio!
Mounting Options
Mounting a mic correctly is essential for great audio. Make sure it’s firmly held, free from noise and close to the subject. The right mount depends on the mic type and the project.
DSLR shooters have a few options: camera mount, boom pole mount and lavalier clip mount.
Camera mounting attaches the mic directly onto the setup. Boom pole mounting gets closer to the subjects in tight areas. Lavalier clip mounting keeps the mic close to the talent.
Before filming, choose the right mount that fits your project. Otherwise, you’ll get poor audio!
Mounting the Microphone Properly
To get the best sound quality from your DSLR camera mic, you must mount it correctly. Position and secure it properly – this determines how the sound is captured. Here are some tips:
Attach the microphone to the camera body using a shock mount. This stops vibrations from interfering and prevents unwanted noise. Make sure the shock mount holds both pieces securely.
Adjust the angle of the microphone depending on what you are shooting. For interviews, point it where the sound comes from.
For voiceovers, direct it towards where your subject speaks from. For atmosphere recording, position it for the best capture.
If you can, use an external audio recorder for extra support and backup. This will help capture higher-quality recordings or use multiple mics at the same time.
Audio Settings
Make your DSLR camera microphone sound great. Know the audio settings. Different microphones have different settings.
Gain, frequency response, and sensitivity – understand these to get the best sound. Let’s break down each setting for optimal results.
Setting the Audio Input Level
Adjusting the audio input level of your DSLR camera is vital for better audio. This setting controls the max output of your mic by setting the accepted decibel level.
It should be just high enough for clear sound, without distortion. If the recording level is over 0dB/FS, it causes poor audio quality.
Monitor the levels for a few minutes to see how much sound you’re capturing. Do this with headphones or an external monitor. Both channels should match in volume without going over 0 dB/FS.
If the levels are too quiet, try increasing the Input Level settings on your camera. Do this when more people are talking or there’s more ambient noise.
Pay attention to the noise introduced into the system before increasing further. When set correctly, you won’t get distorted or muffled audio!
Setting the Audio Output Level
Gain is key when setting audio input levels. Easily adjust it via your DSLR’s menu. Keep a consistent level all through the recording. Labels like ‘Mic Level’ or ‘Rec Level’ can be seen on some cameras.
It’s important to not exceed -10 dB. Too much gain can cause clipping, which results in unwanted sound, distortion and lost dialogue.
Aim for -12 dB during moments of high intensity without compromising sound quality.
To get clear, crisp sound, set a proper input level on your mic before shooting. A good rule is to use moderate but not excessively loud levels. This will keep distortion away during playback or editing.
Conclusion
In summary, making your DSLR camera mic better is not only possible, but it’s also an essential step for capturing high-quality audio in your videos.
By investing in external microphones, using windscreens, and adjusting settings, you can greatly enhance your camera’s audio capabilities.
Don’t forget to practice good audio recording techniques and experiment with different setups to find the perfect solution for your needs.
With these tips in hand, you’ll be well on your way to producing engaging and professional videos with crystal-clear audio.
