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Mic vs no mic

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b_r_tregs
Posts: 298 - Karma: 204
I have been using a mic for my a few of my videos and i have found it nice to have sometimes and other times just not necessary.

I'm just curious what you guys do and why, because I might start going no microphone.
Apr 18 2013 10:39PM
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Mitchell.
Posts: 1650 - Karma: 630
Audio important = Mic
Audio not important = No mic?

I dont mind my mic most of the time so I pretty much always use it, unless I dont need any audio at all.
Apr 18 2013 11:17PM
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b_r_tregs
Posts: 298 - Karma: 204
Bump
Apr 19 2013 6:37PM
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BK
Posts: 2353 - Karma: 1,123
unless its windy and the mic is interfering with the stability of your camera, there is no reason to not always have a mic attached. all those times you think you don't need the audio, well I bet you will find a use for it later and be kicking yourself when you dont have it.
Apr 19 2013 8:49PM
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Rem-Dog
Posts: 264 - Karma: 1,131
A directional mic is well worth it
Apr 23 2013 7:59AM
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Rem-Dog
Posts: 264 - Karma: 1,131
Crisp directional audio just adds more power to your shots, not making them feel flat
Apr 23 2013 8:06AM
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skibumb2929
Posts: 1119 - Karma: 1,475
i always use my mic but the port for it broke so i have so send my camera in to canon so they can fix it and not having a mic sucks when my mic works i always have it in
Apr 23 2013 12:46PM
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cwillygood
Posts: 6831 - Karma: 1,829
really depends if the audio is important, i find it hard to glidecam with the mic, especially if its windy, but the audio really does make the shot more powerful and legit IMO
Apr 23 2013 9:00PM
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eheath
Posts: 61647 - Karma: 123,456
I hate not recording audio, always use a mic IMO
Apr 24 2013 2:03AM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
High quality on-camera microphones are basically used to record crappy audio with nice quality.

The one major advantage that comes to mind is documentary-style rungun work, where a narrower pattern and more low-end is needed.
Apr 24 2013 3:39AM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Also keep in mind that audio is 70% of what you see...
Apr 24 2013 3:40AM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
What?

and @eheath is the fs100 mic removable?
Apr 24 2013 6:10AM
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NMMedia
Posts: 982 - Karma: 1,700
I dont usually use a mic, since it just makes my rig more heavy and the glidecam not work as well. But they are nice to have for certain things. Out of interest what mics do you guys use/like?
Apr 24 2013 9:00AM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
People overemphasize the benefit of on-camera external mics because mic'ing from on-camera is an inherently poor place to mic...well anything. Proper mic placement will be far more effective than using a nicer microphone. The main advantage I see to them is to narrow the pattern (e.g. if you're filming by a river but don't want the rapids to interfere with dialoge), but aside from changing the pattern and having a different EQ response, it won't have much of a positive effect. And if you're using a glidecam, it could be a complete tradeoff, at which point you have to ask yourself if its worth it.

That's not to say you should just ignore audio, since its role is incredibly important. I don't use on-camera external mics because I record sound separately and superimpose in post. Given the choice between using the built-in mic v.s. using a RODE Videomic Pro, obviously the RODE is a better option of the two; my point is simply that it isn't optimal, contrary to what many will tell you.
Apr 24 2013 5:06PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
Ah got you, like booming from above pointing at a rail to reduce background noise(e.g snowcat or something?)

I don't think many people on here will be at that level.
Apr 24 2013 5:15PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
It isn't difficult, nor does it require a boom. I use a little handheld condenser recorder and in my spare time I record things like people taking off, grinding, slashing, rain, etc. Then in post I have a library of sounds I can use for any particular edit. I do it for the Boys Club edits and those are as half-assed as they come.
Apr 24 2013 5:17PM
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b_r_tregs
Posts: 298 - Karma: 204
I'm thinking of doing this and just dubbing the audio later when i'm editing.
Apr 24 2013 7:11PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
Neat idea, got any samples of grinding? What do you do to make them fit? They're never going to be on the rail the exact same length, do you stretch the audio? Speed up the clip? Etc
Apr 24 2013 7:15PM
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b_r_tregs
Posts: 298 - Karma: 204
I hope it doesn't seem like im stealing the answer from you @pandysloo but i have passed experience with this if the audio for a clip isn't good, what i would do is find the audio that fits the best and slow it up or speed it up to mach the rail. However if you change the speed to much it sounds shitty.
Apr 24 2013 7:57PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
Yeah that was my thoughts, must need a lot of clips
Apr 25 2013 3:45AM
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