Filming a web video requires attention to even the slightest detail. However, if you have never filmed a web video before, than you may only be concerned with how the video looks. While this is very important, there is something that you must pay attention to even more than how the video looks. If you have ever watched a web video, and the audio was off, either it was too quite or it didn't match with what was happening on the screen, you probably stopped the video and went to another website.
This is because the audio of a web video is extremely important in getting your message across. But how do you ensure that your web video has great audio quality?
The main step to having amazing audio with your web video is to make sure that you have all of the proper equipment. Now, this doesn't mean that you have to go out and purchase a $500 boom microphone that motion pictures use, however, it does mean that you will need to have at least the basic equipment needed. Many people when they film a web video simply use the microphone that is located on their video camera. While this may be passable for more visually-focused web videos, many videos require a person to talk.
When you use the pre-installed microphone on your camera, you are going to get low-quality sound, and if it is windy outside, or if there is any type of background noise, your audio will be a mess. This is why having a decent hand-held microphone is very important.
If you are worried that holding a hand-held microphone will make your web video look "cheap," there are several ways to cheat the system. If you have more than one person helping you with your web video, simply allow the extra person to hold the microphone out of frame while you are speaking. This will ensure that you are clearly, and professionally, heard but you don't have to worry about holding an awkward microphone. However, if you do not have an extra person to hold the microphone, you can simply place the microphone close to you, but keeping it out of the shot. In order to do this, you may want to have a close-up done on yourself, or the subject that you are filming.
Since the frame will be closer on you, you will not have to worry about the microphone showing up in the shot. You can place the microphone on a table by you, however, this may result in strange noises, especially if you have a neighbor that lives below you. A great tip on filming and recording audio in this manner is to hold the microphone in your lap with it facing your mouth.
This will let you have a shot that is focused on your mid-waist and up, as well as allowing the microphone to be close enough to your mouth to record the audio. Make sure that you speak louder than you normally do when the microphone is in your lap, however, don't yell. Web videos are awkward when the speaker is having to force themselves to be louder.
Push to Talk Conference Microphones – An Edge over Conventional Microphones
The key differences between Push to Talk Conference Microphones and Conventional Microphones are; push to talk microphones are controlled by the delegate or user, who can select by pressing a button, when to speak or not. A conventional microphone is operated by a technician at the back of the room. Therefore when there are highly interactive discussions a push to talk conference microphone in front of each delegate allows them to participate immediately and more fully.
For Technical Readers there are a number of technical aspects of push to talk Conference Microphones that give them an edge over the Conventional microphones
You can have an unlimited number of conference microphones in the room. All ready to go. If you do this with conventional microphones you will get feedback.
Conference Microphones are daisy chained together. Therefore you have a single cable connecting one microphone to the next, rather than a dedicated cable back to the mixing desk for each microphone as in conventional microphones. This means that for the operator there is now one channel on the mixing desk that is microphones.
Anything above 6 conventional microphones managed by an operator with a Mixing desk starts to become unwieldy, with delays in the operator bringing up the gain on a particular microphone. With Push to talk there is no delay at all.
Each Conference microphone has its own built in speaker, this means that you can run a meeting without a mixer and PA if you choose. However most companies will provide a PA to fill the room with sound.
Conference microphones are a basic need of business conferences. Every business delegate participating in a conference is equally authorized to share his views and analysis. Conference microphones give everyone in the conference room a chance to speak up, from the loudest to the quietest person, they are all heard equally.
Conferences are usually interactive sessions which may include a large number of delegates; there is a chance that the conference may get out of control. Push to talk conference microphones allow a chairman to take control in such situations, using the chairman override function.
Modern conference microphones can also have software queuing and video dome systems.
As already stated above, conferences are usually used in interactive sessions, which may include several delegates at a time. In such sessions, it maybe unclear, who wishes to speak first, a clear or who is in the queue ready to speak etc. The meeting is managed orderly and calmly, when the chairman has this information. Software queuing provides the chairman with a screen that shows all these details and lets the chairman direct the meeting in a planned way. An automatic video tracking of the delegate speaking at the moment is provided by the video dome system if required.
Analogue Vs Digital Systems
All Push to talk conference microphone systems has the following characteristics better than conventional microphones.
Simple and fast to install
Guaranteed better acoustics
Easier to control
No delay waiting for operator
No limit to the number of microphones in a room
Allows everyone to participate in the discussion
Chairman can take control at any time.
Push to talk conference microphones can be incorporated into videoconferencing and audio conferencing systems to provide massively improved audio quality.
But having been convinced of the need for a conference microphone system which one do you choose? The following table helps you choose between the 3 main options that manufacturers offer.
Analogue Conference Microphone System
Pro’s
Low Price
Simple to use.
Con’s
Limited in functionality
Cannot integrate with SW or Video
Not Immune to Mobile Phone interference
Wired Digital Conference Microphone System
Pro’s
Immune to mobile Phone interference
Simple to use, adding complexity easy
Allows SW integration and PC Control
Integration with Dome Video Camera
Secure (Cannot be eaves dropped)
Integrates with Simultaneous Interpretation systems
Con’s
Higher Price than Analogue systems
Wireless Digital Conference Microphone System
Pro’s
No cables easiest to install
Ideal in Heritage buildings
Immune to mobile Phone interference
Complete flexibility in location.
Allows SW integration and PC Control
Integration with Dome Video Camera
Integrates with Simultaneous Interpretation systems
Con’s
High Price
Requires knowledge of existing Wifi systems in building
If you are buying or renting a Push to talk conference Microphone system you need to know a few things and ask questions of your supplier
Is it analogue or digital?
Is it immune to mobile phone noise?
Is there a Chairman’s unit, how does it work?
Who will install the system?
Will it integrate with the AV set-up that I have planned?
Do I want and is Software control of the push to talk conference microphones available?
Does this have cost extra?
How many microphones are required? 1 per person? 1 between 2? 1 between 3 or more?
What will happen to the system if a cable is pulled out by a delegate? Will it completely fail or will it start working as soon as the cable is plugged back in?
Push to talk microphones, offers every facility that is needed at a ideal business conference. People, who have experienced them have found them more advanced in comparison to standard table microphones. Push to talk microphones are a proved medium to achieve faultless communication in business conferences.
About the Author
Rental & Sales of Simultaneous Interpretation Equipment, Translation Equipment, Audience Response & Voting Systems, Message Management, Silent Auction and Conference Microphones with Queuing SW & Cameras. Operating throughout Asia & Australia. For More Information Visit : http://www.congressrental.asia
Using a USB microphone? A USB mic can be used for recording music, conversing in a meeting, Podcasting or just communicating over the internet. They are so easy to use. (Even a technophobe will find it easy.) The portableness is another feature that makes them as popular as they are. The reasons for using USB mics are numerous, especially with the many things that can be recorded on your personal computer.
There are great plusses to using a USB Mic, especially for dictation. Unlike the microphones that PCs have built-in, many users these days use one to ensure the microphone captures the voice so as to be intelligible. This might be on a headset or an stand alone mic sitting on your desk. The reader employs a program that understands words so it can type the text onto their computer monitors. The mic plays a key role in this since it can be placed as close as needed to the mouth rather than at a distance from a built-in type. In most cases the people that dictate often will use the headset mic that simply plugs into the USB connection.
Where ever you go on business or for pleasure you can take a portable USB microphone with you. It may be for a meeting across town or just to save some ideas you are working on. Any laptop with a USB port can connect to a USB mic where you need it and when you need it .If you are concerned about sound quality these devices can deliver more than adequately.
When you would like to record music, of course a good quality microphone will be needed. Many music bands use external USB Mics to record their songs on a PC. Because technology has been regularly improving these types of microphone, they have become a budget-minded standard - good enough at least for demo recordings if not professional recordings. In addition there are numerous programs that can edit, over-dub and change the music. This helps in getting as many takes as needed for the best performances. A mounted mic on a mic-stand can be put exactly where you need it to record the optimum sound. This can be from drums, a singer, a guitar or a bass. A bonus is that they can render hi-fi sound for any kind of music that you might be performing.
In the business world there has been increased use of the USB Microphone. At meetings, negotiations or even interviews a USB mic with variable pick up patterns is ideal. Because it connects so easily to your computer's port (and in the majority of cases is ready to use), it helps to make your event go smoothly.
To get a USB mic based on your needs, there are plenty of places to search. The web has many sites where you can order one and have it shipped without hassle to your home or your place of business. A number of brands offer a wide span of prices from about $50.00 to $300.00 USB.
In essence these microphones are as versatile as they are easy to use. No preamplifiers, no mixers are needed and many of them come with a desktop mount so no stand will be required.
About the Author
Bruce Hathaway is a renowned recordist, film composer and producer. Through his experience in the studio and on the stage, he has become an expert on microphones
for recording, stage performance and Podcasting. Click on the link above where you'll find useful information and great deals on microphones.
![M-Audio Producer USB Condenser Microphone [1/B36608A]](http://www.etroyal.com/images/e/170775063571_0.jpg)
