As videographers, our prime focus is always on investing in the best camera out there. However, while the quality of the footage is important, there’s another aspect just as indispensable – the audio! After all, what good is a video without good quality audio?
We recommend an equal emphasis on both video and audio gear. With so many different types of equipment available out there, capturing audio has now become a breeze – all you need to do is find the ones that best fit your requirements. We’ll be helping you out with some best equipment choices. Along with that, we’ll also let you know how to enhance audio quality by editing audio. Then, all you need to do is combine the naturally captured audio with stock music and sound effects, and you have an awe-inspiring YouTube video right there! So, let’s get started!
Best Equipment For Capturing Audio in the Field
Zoom Recorder H2
The Zoom H2 Recorder is built to deliver supreme quality audio, irrespective of your shooting conditions. Moreover, it flaunts an easy-to-use, ultra-portable design, which makes carrying it around for field visits a lot easier. In addition, the microphone features a plastic wire mesh screen, which protects the microphone capsules.
Handling this recorder is very easy, thanks to its user-friendly, accessible design. The recorder does not have any tape or motors, which significantly cuts down on noise while boosting the durability of the recorder. Instead, all your recordings are saved on the supplied 512MB SD card. The card can accommodate 48 minutes at 16bit/ 44.1kHz WAV.
Rode VideoMic Pro Plus On-Camera Shotgun Microphone
If you can’t rely on your camera’s in-built audio capturing mechanism, you can opt for this fantastic on-camera microphone from Rode. Integrated with the Rycote Lyre shock mount, this microphone features a supercardioid condenser as well. Thus, it ensures that the surrounding audio is minimized and the focus on the camera’s subject.
The built-in rechargeable battery ensures you can continue shooting for long hours without worrying about a drained battery. It also has an auto-powering feature that helps you save battery life by powering on and off as required. In addition, the VideoMic Pro Plus features a 3.5mm stereo mini-jack termination and delivers a dual-mono signal. The microphone also features a filter that will prevent low-end noises such as that of air-conditioners and traffic.
Windshields
The little furry cover on your microphone is a lot more useful than people usually think! However, this is nothing but the windshield, and it works wonders to enhance the audio sound quality. In addition, it serves the dual purpose of protecting your microphone from dirt and moisture and blocking out background sounds, too.
The windscreen helps remove unwanted, distracting background sounds, which ensures you have crisp and clear audio. The windshield also provides that the sound of specific letters – B, S, P, and T- are crystal clear and accurate. Lastly, the windshield also keeps your microphone safe from moisture, ensuring the hardware lasts longer.
Mono Recording vs. Stereo – What’s the Difference?
Mono recording, also known as monaural sound recording, uses a single channel to convert a signal into sound. So even if you have multiple speakers, the same signal will be transmitted to both speakers.
On the other hand, stereo uses more than one channel when converting the signal into sound. Therefore, every signal sent out in the stereo recording is unique, making it seem like the sound is coming from different sources. Depending on your preference or situation, you can choose mono or stereo recording – most signals are compatible with stereo instead of mono sound.
Fade Audio In and Out
Those who know about music and audio files in Premiere Pro already know what Fade Audio In and Out is. But Adobe Masters allows you to do a lot more than drop default transitions into your timeline with the Fade Audio In and Out feature.
If you want to introduce dynamic, phenomenal, and functional fade-ins and fade-outs, you must know how to adjust audio levels. Only this would help you raise perfectly seamless transitions in your audio.
How Sound Effects Can Make a Difference to an Edit
The audio you’ve captured while recording your video may be good, but why stop at that when you take it a notch higher? Yes, I’m talking about sound effects! These sound effects are sure to add some drama to your video while sharpening the overall quality of your audio output. One of my personal favorites is the Videvo, a one-stop for all additional audio content you require to edit your audio into something better.
Think About Capturing Atmosphere Sound for B-Roll
B-Roll is the special ingredient that can instantly spice up your video. It is the supplementary footage you use in your video, apart from the main footage, which is A-roll. In addition, it is an excellent tool for seamlessly editing your video. For example, you can use it to smoothly transition from one scene to another or give context to your videos. All in all, B-roll is a great way to make your videos more relatable and watchable.
Select the Right Music to Set the Scene
Nothing makes a video more appealing than some peppy, foot-tapping music! You can choose the perfect track that resonates with the vibe of your video and enhances the overall viewing experience.
Final Thoughts
Creating impressive videos is not as difficult as it seems. With high-quality equipment, audio editing tools, and a dash of creativity, you’ll be capturing amazing videos that boast excellent audio quality in no time!
Videvo is well-known for their library of thousands of free stock Footage clips, Motion Graphics, and Audio assets. In addition, they offer two affordable Premium plans that grant access to a vastly extended Footage library with royalty-free licensing, as well as to thousands of additional Music and SFX files.
Their plans are straightforward and their pricing is some of the most competitive in the industry. This makes Videvo ideal for videographers looking for affordable filler shots and b-roll, businesses in need of marketing material like promotional videos or social media content, content creators and YouTubers, as well as students and teachers.
All Premium videos are offered at a quality of HD and up, including 4K. Premium audio clips come in .wav format and standard for video production quality.