How do I get good sound?

What you need to know, from the kind of user you are to current technologies.

All consumer camcorders have built-in microphones, so even videographers on a shoestring budget can shoot talkies. Front-mounted mikes generally do a better job of capturing sound from a source in front of the camera and of rejecting the sound of the camera operator muttering than do small top-mounted units. If you'll be recording very quiet scenes, such as a baby sleeping, look for a camcorder that doesn't pick up too much motor hum through the built-in microphone.

Different types of videographers need different sound-capture capabilities, so look for the features that match your user type.

User profiles: Home and vacation moviemaker | Independent filmmaker | Budget buyer | Trendsetter | Business videographer

Home and vacation moviemaker

Headphones

• Built-in zoom microphone that "zooms" the audio along with the lens
• Built-in windscreen
• Audio dubbing for adding music or voice-overs
• Microphone jack for plugging in external microphone or other audio source
• Accessory shoe for mounting external microphone

• External microphone for improved sound capture
• Headphones for discreet playback or checking sound-capture quality

Independent filmmaker

Audio-level controls on a camcorder

• Accessory shoe for mounting external microphone
• Audio-level controls
• CD-quality 12- and 16-bit PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) sound capture and audio dubbing
• Built-in XLR ports or an optional XLR adapter for attaching pro audio equipment

• Shotgun microphone for picking up subjects clearly without too much background noise
• Omnidirectional microphone for capturing sound from groups
• Boom poles and microphone stands
• Wired or wireless lavalier (lapel) microphone for documentary or interview subjects
• Headphones for monitoring audio-capture quality
• A good book on capturing sound with video; there's nothing quite as frustrating as getting lots of great footage with unlistenable audio, so make sure to do your homework before you get started.

Budget buyer

Microphone and headphone jacks on a camcorder

• Microphone jack for plugging in external microphone or other audio source
• Audio dubbing for adding music or voice-overs

• External microphone for improved sound capture
• Headphones for discreet playback or checking sound-capture quality

Trendsetter

Shotgun microphone

• Built-in zoom microphone that "zooms" the audio along with the lens
• Built-in windscreen
• Accessory shoe for mounting external microphone
• Audio dubbing for adding music or voice-overs
• Headphone jack

• Shotgun microphone for picking up subjects clearly without too much background noise
• Headphones for discreet playback or checking sound-capture quality

Business videographer

Lavalier microphone

• Built-in zoom microphone that "zooms" the audio along with the lens
• Built-in windscreen
• Accessory shoe for mounting external microphone
• Audio dubbing for adding music or voice-overs
• Headphone jack
• Audio-level controls

• Wired or wireless lavalier (lapel) microphone for interviews
• Shotgun microphone for picking up subjects clearly without too much background noise
• Omnidirectional microphone for capturing sound from groups
• Headphones for discreet playback or monitoring sound-capture quality

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