Things You'll Need:
- Dynamic microphone
- Shotgun microphone
- Video camera
- XLR cables
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Step 1
Place all the equipment you will be using in front of you to make sure you have it all. This is best to do before you pack up your camera bag and head out to the shoot. You don’t want to have to hold up a shoot because you are not prepared, especially if that shoot is in a remote location. Some other items to consider bring besides the ones listed are a wireless system for the dynamic microphone and batteries for the wireless system. However, they’re not necessary.
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Step 2
Connect a long XLR cable into the first channel of your camera. This will connect to the dynamic microphone. A dynamic microphone is a close range, omni-directional microphone held in the hand. The host will talk directly into this and point this at other people. Make sure the XLR cable is long enough for the host to move about comfortably.
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Step 3
Hook the second, very short XLR cable into channel two. This is for the shotgun mic. A longer distance and highly directional microphone. It will pick up the noise around the host and whoever else is talking.
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Step 4
Mount the shotgun microphone onto your camera. There should be a holder that will lock your microphone in place on the side of your camera. Make sure it is snugly secured. Not all microphones are the same size, so it may be necessary to pad around where the microphone is fastened down to reduce shaking.
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Step 5
Check to see if the camera is set to record the tracks separately. Either set the channels to mono or setting a button to channel one. It depends on your camera. If you’re not sure how to do this, read the manual. Don’t record in stereo or the two microphone tracks will become one inseparable track. Also make sure that the camera’s internal microphone is off.
