Recording Audio for Multi-Camera Video Shoots: A Comprehensive Guide

When shooting videos with multiple mobile cameras for different angles, capturing high-quality audio is just as important as capturing visual content. This guide will walk you through the process of recording audio for such scenarios, covering both scenarios with one audio source and multiple audio sources.

One Audio Source: A Tour Guide Example

If you have a single audio source, such as a tour guide leading a group of tourists or a teacher conducting a field trip, the method of recording audio depends on the audio input options available on your cameras.

Scenario with Audio Input Port on Camera

Wireless Lavaller Microphone: If your camera has an audio input port, you can use a wireless lavaller microphone. The Sennheiser ew 100 series, including both the old G3 and the newer G4 models, are excellent choices. The system consists of a wireless transmitter used by the audio source and a wireless receiver that provides the audio output.

Note: Connect the audio output of the wireless receiver to the audio input of your main camera or a chosen camera.

Post-Production: During post-production, you can easily use the audio recorded by that particular camera.

Scenario without Audio Input Port on Camera

If your camera does not have an audio input port, you need to connect the audio output of the wireless receiver to an external audio recorder. Any model from the Zoom series would work well, such as the F1, H5, or H6. In post-production, you can use the audio recorded by the Zoom recorder.

Advantages of an Audio Recorder

An audio recorder offers many advantages:

You can control the input more easily and precisely. You can record up to six independent audio tracks. For example, with the Zoom H6 model, you can have six separate tracks.

Alternative: Shotgun Microphone

Alternatively, you can use a shotgun microphone like the Sennheiser MKE 600. This can be connected directly to one of your cameras or to an external audio recorder.

Multiple Audio Sources: A Complex Scenario

When dealing with multiple audio sources in your multi-camera setup, you may need to use a microphone for each source. For instance, you might have a tour guide as well as participants in the video. In this case, using a shotgun microphone for each source is recommended. You can connect each microphone to a separate audio input on your cameras or to an external recorder.

Simplified Approach: Voice Recorder

If you find it difficult to manage multiple audio inputs, a simpler solution is to use a voice recorder. This could be another mobile phone. During the editing process, simply add the voice clips and merge them with the video footage. This method ensures that you have synchronized audio and video, even without complex setup.

Conclusion

Regardless of the complexity of your multi-camera setup, proper audio recording is crucial for a successful video project. Whether you choose a wireless lavalier microphone, a shotgun microphone, or a voice recorder, the key is to ensure that the audio matches the visual content seamlessly.