In episode 7 of HDSLR 101 we show you the basics of recording audio with DSLR cameras. From onboard microphones, external recorders, lavalier and shotgun mics.
Remember, if you don’t want to wait the full 6 months for HDSLR 101 to be released online, you can download the entire series plus the Bonus Episode here.
Another excellent instalment of HDSLR 101. The Zoom HN4 seems an excellent device to hook up to the Canon 5D or a conventional camcorder like the Sony Z7.
Do you have any advice for capturing sound at wedding events? The lavalier microphones are good for ceremony bits but what about situations like the first dance, guests partying the night away or in other situations where you will be moving around a lot and the attached directional mics like the Rode NTG 1 aren’t so great because of the dips in sound when moving around the dance floor etc.
Some pointers would be greatly appreciated.
We’ll have to consider picking up the XOOM H4N and some lavs. We already own a boom.Â
The poor quality of audio of HDSLRs is often pointed out as a weakness of this style of camera. As far as I’m concerned it’s a pretty small concern in the grand scheme of things given that most types of cameras don’t boast good internal audio recording. Sure, a prosumer or professional camcorder records better-quality audio, but you wouldn’t exactly say it’s good enough to use for a real narrative piece. Sure, single-system sound is very handy for news gathering, simple interviews or recording an event, but I’ve yet to see even a high-end digital video system that measures up to a comparatively inexpensive audio recording device in terms of fidelity. Film, obviously, does not record audio at all.
Two-system sound is pretty clearly the standard for narrative works regardless of which camera you are working with.