Microphone

[elder jasper]

Have you started using an external microphone to boost your audio on your videos? Or do you do this using an app or during editing? How important do you feel audio is in terms of your videos?

[peak patrol]

I have used the Neewer CM28 wireless mic for a couple intro video segments ive done for my gameplay intros.. and the Neewer CM28 is a pretty solid external mic IMO. I used to have a test recording with it, but IDK where it went

I'll still edit the audio in post though - but i'm not great at it

[peak patrol]

here's one, but not the one i was referring to

[rigid frigate]

I'm not sure I fully understand the question, but audio is almost THE most important thing. It should be clear, crisp, and not sound bad in headphones. Whether shotting on the go or in studio, you should be using an external microphone almost always.

[hasty gust]

I Have a Yeti that I scrimped and saved up for a couple of years ago. I dont talk much on Vids as I have a bad voice (covid damaged) But Im glad I have it when i need it, works fine with OBS and Elgato Softwere

[peak patrol]

Your voice is very lovely... and your drawings, WOW! 😍 Keep up the nice work!

[hasty gust]

Awwee thanks I forgot to put I also use my Mobile phone mic which is not the best But im going to use Rush more to do voice overs with the yeti as I appricate how importaint voice is for hooking and engaging (subtitiles for hard of hearing too)

[peak patrol]

you talking Adobe Rush?

[worthy latch]

My wife and I normally record with lav mics and a shotgun. The shotgun isn't ideal on the last batch of recording - several reasons but it comes down to room reverb after changing rooms and a storm that rolled through. I am decent with cleaning that up but it's not a great starting point.

The lavs individually sound alright but my wife's voice is bleeding heavily into mine. I can go thru and mute her from my mic when I'm not talking but it bleeds through so loudly that I can't use a gate to remove it without affecting other dialogue.

Where I think I want to end up is splitting the audio every time we switch talking and dropping the gain to -18 with some cross fade.

Then I could go through and find the less-than ideal edits and manually pull them back up.

Any idea how to do this in an automated way? It's over 30 minutes if dialogue with hundreds is back-and-fourth changes.

[rigid frigate]

The only way I can think of would be to use a paid service/site and let it balance the sounds for you if possible. But even then, you'd probably need two different recording of you individually.

The other option would be to get some lav mics that have background noise reduction and each one should pick up more than the voice right in front of them.

Or may try mics with more of a cardioid polar pattern so they are picking up more of what's in front of them and less from around the room.

You'd probably have to research, but sites like Zencastr or Riverside might let you upload your stuff and do the auto edit bit. Probably going to run you $35-35/mo. Other than that, I'm not sure there's a way to do what you're wanting to automatically.

[worthy latch]

Thanks. First time we've had this issue. We just switched from Rode to DJI lavs and had used them several times but never in this setting. Unfortunately it was really hard to hear the issue when monitoring but in editing there is just a little out-of-phase to it that is off-putting.

I'll just cut and pull it down manually and call it a learning experience.

[eternal wraith]

I just got the holly land mini mics absolutely crisp and super budget friendly but could also get a dji action cam all in with the mic again on sale right now and quality is very good

[elder jasper]

Here's one... What microphones are best get outdoors/nature ASMR use? I'd love to get something that really picks up all the nature sounds in front of me without drowning out sound like water falling and creek flows.

[hexed mica]

I just use some meeting mics from Jabra and it does the trick just fine honestly :)

[peak patrol]

I'd like to think maybe a shot gun mic? but not 100% sure

@limpid zinc might be the best for this question... scratch that.. he IS the BEST

[limpid zinc]

Since you're hiking, something easy and mobile would be best. It's very expensive, but this would be top of the list for hiking applications - https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1870992-REG/dpa_microphones_4560_op_b_b90_4560_core_binaural_headset.html/

You wear it like a headset and the mics go into your ears like earbuds. This captures the space just like you're naturally hearing allowing for a really immersive recording.

If it's a set and forget setup like what pros do to capture ambiance for films and games, a single shotgun is entry level but better than nothing. The issue with just one mic is it's a mono signal so it won't be as immersive for the listener and anyone listening to nature sounds want to feel like they're there. So stereo minimum for best results. An XY pair of smaller shotguns work well, so two of something like these https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/79497-REG/Sennheiser_MKH50_P48_MKH_50_Microphone.html

For budget, you could also go with two full size shotguns like these ($250 each) - https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/878340-REG/Sennheiser_MKE_600_Shotgun.html

Contact mics are another tool for neat nature sounds to get micro recordings. The Metal Marshmallow is my personal favorite - https://metalmarshmallow.com/product.php?product_id=16

Allows you to get super fun sounds like this - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/s8rpDKtEevE

You can stick it on leaves, trees, anthills, beehives, rocks near a river, dirt, whatever.

Hydrophones are also really cool to get underwater river, stream, pond, lake, ocean sounds - https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1330304-REG/ambient_recording_asf_1_mkii_hydrophone.html

Like this - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-jli3pWgq_U

If you don't need to talk during recording you can also take two wireless lavs, like a Rode or DJI kit, and clip both transmitters onto your left and right backpack straps. Sit down and relax in nature, gets a nice stereo image. Also works well for urban recording where you don't want to scare people by wiring yourself up 😅

[peak patrol]

https://tenor.com/view/beautiful-whoa-lord-of-the-rings-gif-19620923

https://tenor.com/view/the-mans-a-legend-roland-roland-schitt-chris-elliot-schitts-creek-gif-20803615

[limpid zinc]

https://tenor.com/view/cat-bow-gif-15103021169784038798

[limpid zinc]

Just heard a demo of these ones, MUCH cheaper than DPAs and sound dang good for the price - https://www.amazon.com/SONICPRESENCE-SP15V-Binaural-Video-Microphone/dp/B0C4W8GRTR

[scarlet maple]

im about to try my new DJI Wireless Mic Mini for VoDs. I'll report back once i have a video ready for upload.