Better Sound: How to Boom Your Camera Shotgun Mic

When you bought your camera-top shotgun microphone, like a RODE VideoMic Pro, you were expecting to get much better sound. But if you’re shooting a talking head or interview type of video, you may have been disappointed at the results when the mic was mounted on top of the camera.

The secret to getting much better dialogue sound from mics like this is to get the microphone much closer to the talent and boom it from above, pointing down at a 45 degree angle. You’ll generally want to get the mic within 40 - 60cm of the mouth of the person speaking, if you can.

In this episode, we cover how to boom your mic like this so that you’ll get much better dialogue sound. We also quickly discuss the gear you’ll need to make this work.

If you’d like to improve your sound recording skills for film, please have a look at our Sound Recording for Video course over at http://school.learnlightandsound.com

Visit us at http://learnlightandsound.com for more updates on how to improve your lighting and sound for video. Also be sure to subscribe to get new weekly episodes!

Gear mentioned in or used to record this episode:

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On-Stage Microphone Boom Stand (I’ve had mine for over 5 years and still going strong)

Amazon: https://geni.us/QkKrbL7

B&H Photo: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/400079-REG/On_Stage_MS7701B_MS7701B_Euro_Boom_Mic_Stand.html/BI/19904/KBID/12941/kw/ONMS7701B/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xONMS7701B

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Adapter for RODE VideoMic Pro (5/8” to 3/8” Adapter)

Amazon: https://geni.us/MskdKi

B&H Photo: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1092899-REG/windtech_m_1_5_8_27_female_to.html/BI/19904/KBID/12941/kw/WIM1A/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xWIM1A

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Adapter for most other camera-top shotgun microphones (5/8” to 1/4” Adapter)

Amazon: https://geni.us/BvBKp

B&H Photo: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1176868-REG/triad_orbit_1_4ada_1_4_to_5_8_adaptor.html/BI/19904/KBID/12941/kw/TR14ADA/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xTR14ADA

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RODE VC1 Extension Cable (so that you can connect the mic to your camera)

Amazon: https://geni.us/mSY0OOb

B&H Photo: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/392841-REG/Rode_VC1_Stereo_Mini_Male_to.html/BI/19904/KBID/12941/kw/ROVC1/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xROVC1

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Coldshoe ot 1/4” Adapter for Coldshoe Microphones without a threaded tap

Amazon: https://geni.us/Wa71d

You could also use one like this instead (smaller and all metal):

Amazon: https://geni.us/qi4Dn

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Sandbags for Stabilizing Stands (Be sure to put the sand in heavy ziploc style bags before putting in these sandbags to prevent spills)

Amazon: https://geni.us/XiWiQ1J

B&H Photo: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1175605-REG/phottix_ph88187_stay_put_sandbag_ii_for.html/BI/19904/KBID/12941/kw/PH88187/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xPH88187

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RODE VideoMic Pro - This is my favorite camera-top shotgun microphone. I often use it when I need to travel light

Amazon: https://geni.us/kM2WZRo

B&H Photo: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1152351-REG/rode_videomic_pro_r_videomic_pro_with_lyre.html/BI/19904/KBID/12941/kw/ROVMPR/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xROVMPR

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Copyright 2016 by Curtis Judd

Ethics statement: Some of the links above are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, or other affiliate links.