If you’re a content creator, you know how important it is to have good audio quality. A built-in microphone on your video camera may not always cut it.
Connecting an external microphone to your camera can improve your audio drastically. In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to connect a microphone to your video camera.
Step 1: Choose the Right Microphone
First, you need to choose the right microphone for your needs. There are two main types of microphones: dynamic and condenser.
Dynamic microphones are great for recording loud sounds, like live music events or interviews in noisy environments. They don’t require an external power source and are generally less expensive than condenser microphones.
Condenser microphones, on the other hand, are more sensitive and better at capturing subtle sounds. They require an external power source, usually from a battery or phantom power from your camera or audio recorder.
Step 2: Check Your Camera’s Input Jack
Before purchasing a microphone, check what type of input jack your camera has. Most cameras have either a 3.5mm jack or XLR input.
A 3.5mm jack is a smaller input that’s commonly found on consumer-grade cameras and smartphones. XLR inputs are larger and typically found on professional-grade cameras.
Step 3: Connect Your Microphone
Once you’ve chosen the right microphone and checked your camera’s input jack, it’s time to connect the two.
For a 3.5mm jack, simply plug one end of the cable into the microphone and the other end into the camera’s mic input jack.
For XLR inputs, you’ll need an XLR cable that matches the length of cable required for your setup. Plug one end of the XLR cable into the microphone and the other end into your camera’s XLR input jack.
Step 4: Adjust Your Camera’s Audio Settings
After connecting your microphone to your camera, you’ll need to adjust your camera’s audio settings.
Most cameras will allow you to adjust the audio levels and select the input source. Make sure to set the levels appropriately and select the correct input source.
Step 5: Test Your Audio
Once you’ve adjusted your camera’s audio settings, it’s important to test your audio before recording. This will ensure that you’re getting good quality sound from your microphone.
Use headphones or speakers to listen back to the audio and make sure everything sounds clear and balanced.
Conclusion
Connecting a microphone to your camera can drastically improve your audio quality. By following these steps, you’ll be able to connect an external microphone to your camera and get great sounding audio for your videos. Remember, choosing the right microphone for your needs is crucial, so do some research before making a purchase.
