How to Buy an External Microphone for a Camcorder

While camcorders are equipped with a built-in microphone to allow for sound and image to be perfectly synchronized, the built-in microphone is usually surround sensitive, so it tends to pick up surrounding sounds. In most cases there is a microphone socket on your camcorder for an additional external microphone, which can be used to avoid unwamted disturbances. These items are easy to use and will greatly improve the sound quality of your video recordings. Here's how to buy an external microphone for a camcorder.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Ensure that your camcorder is equipped with an external microphone socket. This should be a normal 1/8th" plug.

2. Consider your budget. A good external microphone usually ranges between $120-$300. Read audio-video magazines to investigate reviews and features on the different types of external microphones.

3. Research the different types of external microphones to determine the one that is right for your sound-capturing needs. There are omnidirectional microphones which pick up sounds from all directions, unidirectional microphones which capture audio from one person at a time, or shotgun microphones which pinpoint the isolation of sound.

4. Determine if you need a lavalier or handheld microphone. A lavalier microphone is a small microphone that can be clipped to a necktie or blouse to remain discreet. A handheld microphone is good to use when reporting or when the camera is focused on one person.

5. Consider if you will need a hard-wired or wireless microphone based on your budget and recording needs.

6. Look for noise-reduction features. Some high-end microphones will filter out background and wind noise.

7. Determine if you want an omni-directional or uni-directional microphone. The omni-directional will record sounds that surround the microphone, while uni-directional will only record the sounds from the direction which it is pointed.

Tips & Warnings

• Hard-wired systems have limitations based on the length of the cord and you may pick up feedback if you are running the wiring parallel to other electrical wiring.
• Wireless systems have a never-ending demand for fresh batteries.
• If the jack on your camcorder is damaged from use you will need to take it in to a dealer to get the jack repaired. This is a lot less expensive then purchasing a new apparatus.
• Consider getting a shock mount for your external microphone. This will "float" your microphone so that internal camera noises and vibrations don't work their way up to your microphone.