Article: Audio Solutions Matrix...Advantages/Disadvantages

Some advantages and disadvantages of various microphone schemes...

[TABLE="class: grid, width: 800, align: left"]
[TR]
[TD]Option[/TD]
[TD]Advantages[/TD]
[TD]Disadvantages[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Built-in camcorder microphone



[/TD]
[TD]* No extra cost
* Built-in, no extra gear, wires, etc.
* Typically default recording source
* Convenient one-an crew "run-n-gun"[/TD]
[TD]* Usually way too far away from subjects
* Typically poor ambient noise rejection
* Sensitive to camera /operator noise
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]External microphone
mounted on top of camera[/TD]
[TD]* All advantages as above
* Choice of better mic than built-in[/TD]
[TD]* All disadvantages as above
* Need very short cable[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Boom or lav or hand mic
Hard-Wired to Camcorder[/TD]
[TD]* Least things to go wrong
* Likely lowest-cost
* Ability to monitor while recording[/TD]
[TD]* Many camcorder mic preamps low quality
* Low-end camcorders unbalanced input
* Low-end camcorders permanent auto-level[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Boom or lav or hand mic
Hard-wired to audio recorder[/TD]
[TD]* Most advantages above plus...
* Probably higher quality than camcorder
* Probably XLR mic inputs
* More flexibility for camera/audio location[/TD]
[TD]* Extra equipment, more hassle
* Requires separate crew for best results
* Separate sound file to download and track
* Requires audio/video sync in editing[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Wireless to camcorder
or audio recorder[/TD]
[TD]* No cables, freedom of movement
* Ability to monitor while recording[/TD]
[TD]* Decent RF at least $500-600 minimum
* Location ambient RF interference
* Cast/crew cell phone interference[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]On-talent recorder
(of any type)[/TD]
[TD]* No cables, freedom of movement[/TD]
[TD]* UNABLE TO MONITOR WHILE RECORDING
* Extra equipment, remember start/stop
* Separate sound file to download and track
* Requires audio/video sync in editing[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Using talent's own
recorder/iPhone, etc.[/TD]
[TD]* No cables, freedom of movement
* No extra recorder cost[/TD]
[TD]* UNABLE TO MONITOR WHILE RECORDING
* Probably extra cost of adapters, etc.
* Must install recorder app on device
* Extra equipment, remember start/stop
* Must get recorded file off device rogar-Mad(DBG):
* Separate sound file to download and track
* Requires audio/video sync in editing[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Others are welcome to add/delete/enhance/correct this matrix I devised off the top of my head.

 

[AdamBoston]

nice..how about techniques for placing lav's on talent.....has that been tackled here?

 

[Mfsteve666]

What kind of recorder apps are available? any good suggestions?

 

[ryandvc]

Great list! The only thing I'd say to qualify the downside of mics hard-wired to camcorder is that you can make up for the camera's poor quality mic preamps and unbalanced input by running your mic through a quality XPR adapter. I've been using the BeachTek DXA-SLR Pro with several cameras and couldn't be happier. If your camera won't allow you to disable AGC, the adapter can override it by sending a constant signal to one channel, which forces the AGC to remain at one constant level.