Closed Headphones

It cannot be overstated just how important monitoring your audio is when shooting video.  Sure, your VU meters show a signal, but what if that signal is just noise?  Listening is the only way to be sure.  Even the most modest film and Television productions have someone monitoring audio.

It’s possible to spend into the hundreds on a pair of headphones.  You can however find a reasonably good set in the $30 to $50 range.  Be sure to choose a closed design, and not an open “super aural” style.  The latter may be more comfortable, but does not inhibit outside sounds.

In-ear Earbuds have come a long way in recent years in improving both sounds quality, and value.  I’ve long favored them for audio monitoring when shooting video.  They do a great job of blocking out external sounds, are generally more comfortable than headphones.  Especially in hot weather.  They take up much less space in your bag.  In fact, I keep two sets in case one is lost or damaged.  I’ve found earbuds for less that $20 on Amazon that perform quite well.

Especially if you’re shooting live events, it’s not worth taking a chance.  Monitor your audio, and rest easy.

Zoom H1 Recorder

I’ve used the Zoom H2 recorder from Samson, and I currently own an H4.  These things are amazing for the money.  And this new model will sell for $99!  Very cool indeed.

The new Samson – Zoom – Q3 has just recently been made available stateside.  Those who aren’t familiar with great Zoom audio recorders might think this is just another overpriced pocket video recorder.  They would be wrong.

The video is VGA level 640 x 480 just as with the iPhone, and most standard resolution pocket video recorders.  The difference is that this baby records audio at 24bit/48KHZ resolution!

What really urks me about the audio from not only most pocket cameras and phones, but even some pretty expensive camcorders, is that it is just aweful!  Tinny compressed sound will take the wind out of a good quality video any day.  I would always opt for better sound, even if the video is less than HD.