YouTube is the forefront of programming today, creating an entire ecosystem of new content creators that are eager to provide entertainment to millions of new viewers daily. Because of the ease of entry into the YouTube market, having an edge in presentation quality is a necessity. Inc. notes that great sound production is one of the hallmarks of professional video production and the reason behind that is because the quality of content being produced has become higher. In order to compete you need to have great sound quality or else you risk losing out to someone who managed to invest in a better microphone. What should you consider if you’re recording then?
Desktop Recording Microphones
A desktop microphone should be stable but not take up your entire recording space, especially if you’re using that area to present your video. Shure has a great offering when it comes to sound quality with the MV5. The sound quality is superb and it doesn’t take up the entire desktop space, taking up a minimum amount of space in front of the recorder. the easy connection system makes it ideal for iOS recordings. An option to the MV5 is the Yeti, by Blue. The Wirecutter states that it may be better than the MV5, but also notes that audio determination done by in-house raters may be inefficient. It still offers an alternative to the MV5 that delivers decent quality recording.
Mobile Recording Solutions
Shure again provides a decent option for mobile recording users, offering the impressive MV88 as a mobile option. However, the lack of external power and amount of know-how needed to operate the microphone may come as both a blessing and a curse. A more affordable choice for users who are more budget oriented is the Blue Mikey Digital, but there are issues with this microphone for iOS users because of where it connects to the phone, obstructing the headphone jack, which isn’t that much of a problem if you’re using your phone to record video. Another impressive offering comes from the Zoom iQ6 X/Y. A hardware gain button allows for fine adjustment of sound without having to enter any software control panel. It also plays very nicely with phone cases thanks to the removable spacer that it ships with. Podcast Insights notes that the Zoom iQ6 X/Y also allows for an extensible pickup range between 90 to 120 degrees. For production quality, Shure’s MV88 is head and shoulders above the competition, especially with the addition of the video kit which allows for an updated connection, tripod and mount.
Clip-On Microphones
For video producers that enjoy doing interviews, having a desktop or mobile microphone doesn’t work that well when it comes to capturing the voice of a guest. One perfect small and concealable microphone that you can use is a lavalier microphone. According to Music Critic, lavalier mics provide the perfect hands-free solution allowing the user to wear the microphone directly. Lapel microphones are a better way of utilizing less space while not sacrificing sound quality. The Audio-Technica ATR3350iS is a popular lavalier microphone allowing for uniform sound transmission over its entire range of operation. It offers good sound quality but has an inconveniently placed battery pack and no power indicator. An alternative to this, the Shure MVL offers a more expensive, but a better quality option for recording, according to ProductExpert. This microphone incorporates Shure’s MOTIV technology allowing easy connection to either iOS or Android devices.
Branding and Sound Quality
One of the things that Shure microphones usually have over their competition is their dedication to quality. While Audio Technica and Zoom might offer cheaper alternatives, the quality shows up in the recording. professional recording demands professional level equipment, and Shure has shown the quality of their hardware over years of sustained use. Clean and clear recording for the production of video material shouldn’t be relegated to “extra budget” purchases but should be made a main bedrock of the production. It would only be this sort of dedicated push that a YouTuber can hope to stand out in the already saturated market into which he or she is entering.
Be the first to comment on "How To Pick A Microphone For YouTube"