The types of camera microphones currently available can be defined as an evolution of the device originally invented by the American Emile Berliner and then perfected and patented by the Scot Alexander Grahan Bell in 1877, to be used in one of the greatest technological inventions of all time. : the phone.
It is a kind of sound wave sensor emitted by a transmitter, which can be structured in two ways:
- This system offers low cost.
- Resistance and good fidelity to recorded recordings.
- Thus being the main type of microphone produced; despite the need for a strong transmission of sound waves around it and being as close as possible to the source of the transmission.
This type of equipment is more sensitive to the sound waves of the environment, as the waves do not need to come into contact with a diaphragm, as this transmission occurs directly between the cable that connects the camera to the microphone.
The importance of a camera microphone has a lot to do with its functionality and practicality, as it allows you to record sound and image simultaneously on the device; resulting in a wider range of possibilities for a digital camera and artistic achievements in the audiovisual field.
It also favors the industry as a whole: radio, television, cinema; expand the possibilities of the record industry, shows and events, as it allows greater sound fidelity and greater practicality and agility in the processes of editing, editing, sound mixing, etc.
Not to mention the emergence of new talents in this field, with new proposals and a new vision of the audiovisual creation process.
In a system known as direct sound, due to the concurrency of audio and video recordings, the process of capturing the voice is privileged, which makes it clearer and easier to perceive in its nuances and variables, allowing a faster post-production job and allowing the sound. recordings obtained in the environment to be as believable as possible.
DSLR cameras (DSLR cameras via a photographic lens) are configured as the progress of so-called SLR cameras.
These are devices that receive ambient light and transmit it to LCD (liquid crystal) lenses, a photographic revolution both in resolution (incomparable to previous technologies) and in the practicality of its use.
In DSLR cameras, the external microphone captures the audio of all the front movements of the camera, in a standardized and totally digital way, facilitating the multiplication of so-called enthusiastic photographers, who can now enjoy all the functions of their cameras, even semi-professionally recording events of the most varied types.
However, it is necessary to take into account some peculiarities regarding the use of the microphone for a digital SLR camera, and the main one is that they must be attached to the camera using adapters, in the microphone input (in the case of external microphones) of the device. In addition to being handled according to the technical information described in the instruction manuals or guides.
More than an additional service among the existing resources in a digital camera, the advent of camera microphones has made life easier for professionals and photography learners.
The camera microphone in the most varied situations
Unlike the image, audio, being not approximate, requires additional resources for better sound recording; without these tools, it is virtually impossible to record without noise, imperfections, deviations and other interference from natural factors, such as those caused by wind, rain and other weather conditions.
In an event, for example, the impossibility of approaching the center of the event and getting a perfect recording of what is being said generates many frustrations and discomforts that are practically eliminated or at least minimized with the use of the camera microphone, which can be both integrated (micro) and external to the device.
The main types of camera microphones are: reverse microphone, cannon microphone, arm microphone, handheld microphone (in terms of shape) and directional microphone (as for your sound capture model); which is subdivided into?Omnidirectional? (Who captures sounds from all directions) and?Unidirectional? (which captures the restricted sounds in front of you).
These types of camera microphones are wireless. Sound capture is done by a transmitter and a receiver located at each end. The receiver must be installed in the camera itself and the transmitter attached to the person’s body or any fixed base.
These receivers typically run on batteries and sound waves recorded by transmitters are sent to and from receivers to the camera via a cable.
The result is the transformation of sound recordings captured by the transmitters of these microphones into sounds, which are added to the images simultaneously during audiovisual production; known as “single system”, which records both phenomena at the same time and is recorded on the same device.
This is considered the simplest type, they are usually used in reports where greater freedom of movement and freedom is required, its sensitivity capture mechanism is surrounded by a wire sphere (with the aim of moving it away from the mouth), with the XLR connector at the other end.
It has an internal protection mechanism against possible shocks, as well as a foam windshield, which serves not only as a protective element, but also to avoid interference caused by wind and other friction.
The foam, in addition to electrical and noise-canceling insulation, can function as an aesthetic element, adding a more pleasant appearance by keeping your mechanism wrapped and protected from the elements.
The microphone of the handheld camera has a battery and a transmitter in its own structure (being, for this reason, larger than the others); in addition to having a small antenna at its base, which serves to ensure that the captured audio comes exclusively from the mouth of the speaker and hears the noises around him.
Known as ‘ice cream’, they are easily found even in popular stores, widely bought by small sounds, by singers and in other everyday situations, such as: parties, birthdays and events considered simple and requiring total freedom of movement.
Its main disadvantages are: the proximity effect (the closer the mouth of the speaker is, the lower the tone and the farther less bass), the fact of having low sensitivity, which forces to get as close as possible to the sound source . ; and in many situations you have to use it on your hands, which ends up being a nuisance when it is very heavy.
The Shotgun Microphone is a type of camera microphone formed by a long tube usually attached to it, and which must be suspended where you want to capture the sound, its structure is covered with a foam wrap (cuts the wind) to minimize wind noise.
The area of sensitivity of its structure is considered small, capturing the sound exclusively from where the tube is directed, requiring, for better sound capture, that the shotgun microphone be as long as possible so that the tube can record only the location desired, while the sound from your surroundings is muffled.
Because it has a directional capture mode, its sensitivity can be compared to that of a handheld microphone, but with the advantage of being able to target a group or a small crowd capturing the sound from there, unlike the handheld microphone pointed at one or two people in particular.
In addition, when suffocating, for example, the sound of the people next to you, allows a better capture of the sound of a group and is therefore ideal for capturing audio from events, raffles, contests, etc.
Widely used in interviews, the micro tie is the one that attaches to the clothes of the speaker, and is usually of the type “condenser microphone” because the transmitter itself can contain a small battery as a power supply.
In this type of camera microphone, the sound is picked up and sent by a cable to the receiver at the sound input of the photographic equipment. Its drawback is its price and the fact that it is not very resistant; in addition to not allowing as much mobility as the shotgun and handheld microphone.
The advantages of such microphones are: ease of use (since they do not need to be manipulated, leaving individual hands free), their sensitivity, considered very good compared to other types; you don’t need to have it very close to the speaker’s mouth, among other advantages.
Is it subdivided into Omnidirectional? (to pick up sounds from any direction) and?Unidirectional? (capture only what comes from your front region).
In its one-way sound capture mode, the sensitive area of the microphone is in front of you, capturing only the sound coming from that direction and rejecting the sound from other parts of the environment.
This type of camera microphone has more to do with how it captures sound than with its shape, and various types of microphones (such as shotgun or arm microphones, for example) can be considered directional.
Do you have the boy? Omnidirectional? Capture all sounds wherever they come from; being the most appropriate if you want to capture sounds from any direction or do not want to drown out the sound of a certain area, its area of sensitivity is shaped like a globe, which guarantees the capture of sounds from all regions.
Who has never wondered how actors move so easily from place to place in a TV or movie studio, without exposing their microphones or damaging them with movement?The answer comes from the use of arrow camera microphone types.
It is one of the types of directional microphones for cameras, most used in film or television studios to specifically capture the sounds of an isolated group in a complete area where a handheld microphone or an attached lavalier microphone cannot get close (whatever would limit movement). ).
This works as a long rod (), where it is possible to place a suspended microphone at a certain distance in a given person or group.
Its mechanism is more suitable for professionals, since it usually requires the participation of more than one person involved in the sound capture process; plus a professional known as the arrow operator.
It has the advantage of being suspended and therefore being more discreet compared to others, to be able to be used in a DSLR camera to concentrate the sound only in its sensitivity area, rejecting external sounds and noises.
In addition, it is very resistant and therefore suitable for professional work in the studio, both internally and externally.
See also our article 😕 Sound in film and video: the microphone?
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