Microphone Placement

Microphones for Livestreams: Mic Types and Positions

In today’s episode, we demonstrate how different types of microphones in different positions work when it comes to livestreaming. We let you hear dynamic, condenser, boom, and lavalier mics and talk about the pros and cons of each.

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest course is Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, Pictureline or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- Shure SM7B dynamic broadcast microphone - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Earthworks SR314 small diaphragm condenser microphone - B&H, Sweetwater

- Shure TwinPlex Lavalier Microphones - B&H, Sweetwater

- Sennheiser MKH8050 super-cardioid boom microphone - B&H, Amazon

- Canon C200 Camera - B&H, PictureLine

- Canon 24-105 f/4L lens - B&H, Pictureline, Amazon

The intro and outro music for this episode is from Musicbed - “For the Kids” by Utah. Get a free trial of the best music for your videos at Musicbed.

Copyright 2020, Curtis Judd

Better Sound for Your Videos: Basics for Sound Newbies

How can you make your videos sound better? Here’s a quick overview for newbies who just want better sound but aren’t really interested in becoming a sound expert. 1) Get the microphone close to the person speaking. 2) Choose the right kind of microphone. Boom mics sound more natural but lavaliers allow the flexibility of moving around more. See the videos below to help you choose the right mic for you, and if you choose a boom mic, how to boom it close to the person speaking.

My recommended microphones and how to boom a mic for not too much money:

RODE VideoMic Pro+ boom/shotgun microphone - Incredibly convenient, flexible, and good sounding microphone

Aputure A.Lav Lavalier Microphone - the best sub $40 microphone I have found

RODE VC1 Extension cable for when you boom your camera-top shotgun microphone.

How to boom a microphone like the RODE VideoMic Pro:

3 camera top shotgun microphones compared:

6 Affordable Lavalier Microphones compared:

5 Indoor Boom Microphones compared:

5 Shotgun Microphones compared:

3 Professional Indoor Dialogue Boom Microphones compared:

3 Affordable Indoor Dialogue Boom Microphones compared:

Panasonic GH5S (My current favorite small camera)

Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 OIS Lens - incredibly versatile lens that is on the GH5S most of the time

Copyright 2018 by Curtis Judd

Sound for Video Session: Sync Sound, Mic Placement, Reverb, and Orca Audio Harness

In this week's sound for video session we cover a number of questions including the following:

  • Sound sync issues between audio recorder and camera or HDMI recorder
  • Where to place a microphone if you can only mic a live event with one
  • How to manage reverb in rooms with hard walls and floor
  • Ease booming with an audio bag harness (Orca OR-40)