Better Sound for Your Videos: Basics for Sound Newbies

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How can you make your videos sound better? Here’s a quick overview for newbies who just want better sound but aren’t really interested in becoming a sound expert. 1) Get the microphone close to the person speaking. 2) Choose the right kind of microphone. Boom mics sound more natural but lavaliers allow the flexibility of moving around more. See the videos below to help you choose the right mic for you, and if you choose a boom mic, how to boom it close to the person speaking.

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses at https://school.learnlightandsound.com

My recommended microphones and how to boom a mic for not too much money:
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RODE VideoMic Pro+ boom/shotgun microphone - Incredibly convenient, flexible, and good sounding microphone

Amazon: https://geni.us/uJ9tkm

B&H: https://bhpho.to/2HgqSa7

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Aputure A.Lav Lavalier Microphone - the best sub $40 microphone I have found

Amazon: https://geni.us/xr6xi

B&H: https://bhpho.to/2HlQLWk

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Extension cable for when you boom your camera-top shotgun microphone:

Amazon: https://geni.us/4hrI

B&H: https://bhpho.to/2FVQXKq

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How to boom a microphone like the RODE VideoMic Pro:

https://youtu.be/TUEmQBZKoBs

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3 camera top shotgun microphones compared:

https://youtu.be/qRyUvMGVjis

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6 Affordable Lavalier Microphones compared:

https://youtu.be/CZKs1U1GA84

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5 Indoor Boom Microphones compared:

https://youtu.be/q-b_1gOYOEQ

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5 Shotgun Microphones compared:

https://youtu.be/veD8BVXV3Ls

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3 Professional Indoor Dialogue Boom Microphones compared:

https://youtu.be/RYWD5wI6B9k

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3 Affordable Indoor Dialogue Boom Microphones compared:

https://youtu.be/iLOp-_oIzeg

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Panasonic GH5S (My current favorite small camera)

Amazon: https://geni.us/JoPCaS

B&H: https://bhpho.to/2Cbt6mY

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Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 OIS Lens - incredibly versatile lens that is on the GH5S most of the time

Amazon: https://geni.us/1wrd0p

B&H: https://bhpho.to/2i6s2gv

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Copyright 2018 by Curtis Judd

Ethics statement: Some of the links above are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, or other affiliate links.