ALL The Audio Gear You Need To Film A Wedding

[@whoismatt]

😍 You can buy any of my Kondor Blue Audio Cables or the carrying pouch here! kondorblue.com/products/whoismatt-audio-pack

[@jampaPT]

I wish. Unfortunately, you can't get it in Portugal or Spain (I even contacted Kondor Blue).

[@rvdvideografie]

The Sony TX660 is by far the best and easy to use audio backup i've purchased in the last 4-5 years. Putting those on the wireless mics with the sleeve is a godsent. It saved my ass multiple times. Highly recommend! I have 3 tascams, 6 is a bit overkill i think.

[@chrispelleyfilms]

As someone who has used the splitter before, DJs in the past have been annoyed about it. I have never had any issues finding an xlr or 1/4inch out from the DJs system. Also, it has generally made a popping sound that has scared the DJ when I would turn my recorder on/off.

[@BSRWeddingFilms]

Great video! Also highly recommend Bubblebee Lav Concealer for the lav mics in place of the rycote stickies, less clothing rustle.

[@emyoswald]

I just shot my first wedding, and I was so, SO thankful to have multiple audio sources - I was originally told that the DJ would mic the bride and groom, so they didn't want to be mic'd by me. Turns out, NEITHER of them were mic'd!!! Only the officiant was. I put a TX660 in the groom's pocket, and that's the audio of the vows that turned out. The soundboard was only good for the officiant and their music.

[@whoismatt]

Good save! :)

[@trill_is_bliss]

Happens often. I’ve had the officiant not give the couple the mic to say their vows and having the groom mic’d up saved my butt lol.

[@LukeWalker-s8f]

This is every wedding I film 😂

[@michaelocunningham]

"Excuse me can you get married again?" is wild 😂. Backups are definitely life savers though

[@sikapacapture]

For Sony ahooters, don't sleep on this old one . I sold it for new mics and bought it back because this one has the best stereo audio for me. Sony ECM-XYST1M

[@AnthonyMoreschi]

Matt, 6 is crazy! I’m always about extra audio sources but this is WAY overkill! Mic the groom and officiant with a good lav, TX660 on the handheld. Sometimes you need 2 for the readings if they’re on a separate mic. I don’t trust the dj feed for the ceremony. Dj feed is usually more trustworthy in the reception but make sure to use an attenuator. Use the TX660 on the hand held mic again. No need to mic the bride unless you’re going for some Justin Porter style. For a typical wedding I use 2 dr10l and 2 TX660s. Done. You can also use the dr10l to record off the board at the reception. No need for a big expensive 4 track recorder.

[@mr.croissant7960]

That’s why he probably gets paid more than you. If you’re a videographer and not looking for the best sound you’re not doing actually 50% of your job. And you’re insinuation that the brides speech doesn’t matter because the grooms Mic will pick it up is pretty gross. You wouldn’t shoot an interview that way or any other professional recording session so why wedding?

[@AnthonyMoreschi]

@@mr.croissant7960 I should’ve been more specific. If you have the budget and time for what he recommends, then by all means knock yourself out. My point is that it’s not necessary for most people starting out. I would assume if you are watching this you aren’t getting big budget weddings yet and all that gear is probably unnecessary and gets very expensive. I never said that the brides audio wasn’t important but putting a mic on a wedding dress isn’t an easy task. And in most cases you can get great audio off of one of the many other audio sources without stressing out the bride or yourself. I’ve been doing this for a long time and getting to the next level of higher budget weddings has very little to do with the quality of your work. It’s more about building relationships which I admittedly am not great at. I’d hate to see someone think they need 6 lavs to start filming weddings. I’d also say that audio is more like 90% of the job in a live event. I don’t take it lightly and in 10 plus years I’ve never delivered a wedding with bad audio.

[@kingweddingmedia]

The sony tx660 is fantastic - I actually accidentally left mine on a venue's microphone a couple of weeks ago (totally forgot about it as it was just a backup source) so was interested to see what happened when it ran out of battery - would it store the file before shutting down or not. It turns out it has a maximum file size it can record (about 6 hours 45 minutes) so saves it when it reaches this time and then starts recording again. My one ended up recording two files that were 6 hours 45 minutes and then a third file around 3 and a half hours - reaching the full storage capacity of the tx660 - so good to know it saves the file after a certain time so it won't be stupidly large, but also good to know the battery life outlasts the storage space for recording!

[@TheFandangovideoguy]

amazing! This is why you are the best for wedding videos. Audio is hugely important...I'm so not prepared for weddings! I only have a couple of Sennheiser wireless G3 kits that I use. I plug into the DJ console (if they let me) and get a transmitter to my camera and I also place a lav on the groom and that's it. But I had issues lately with radio interferance on my Sennheiser. I should have scanned for new channels before the ceremony...so I'm thinking that buying a wireless mic kit with a lavalier that can also do internal recording would be good...I can see that you like the Tascam DR Ten L pro which is only a recorder but I was wondering about the DJI mic 2 (with an additional Lavalier)-the selling point for me is that it will transmite audio to my camera and if there are issues I can always go to the internal recording. Have ever considered something like this? I have been using Sennheiser G series forever but technology has advanced a lot-I wonder if the DJI has good audio wirelessly...thanks for the video

[@jefferson.castillo]

I have a big wedding next month and this video has helped me tremendously! May you create a video explaining and demonstrate the XLR splitter? Thx for this gem 💎 🎧

[@petercofrancesco9812]

Don't film weddings anymore but all great recommendations. One backup option I've used I can share is a dynamic mic. I put it near the loud speaker while it's not the best sound quality, it functions as a cheap back up.

[@theroadtoseaview]

Tentacle Sync Track E is likely a better solution than the DR10L - has both 32 bit float as well as timecode. To gain the benefit of timecode add a Tentacle Sync to each camera running TC to either metadata (if the camera has TC input) or to an audio channel (if the camera doesn’t have a dedicated TC input). Deity have a similar system, as do others. If I were starting out in wedding videography, I’d definitely be going the timecode route. Big time saver after the shoot.

[@whoismatt]

Only con is the track e has much less battery life

[@theroadtoseaview]

@@whoismattThe batteries in the Tentacle Sync Track E are reported to last a minimum of 10 hours and can be fast charged via USB. The DR10L lasts about 24 hours on 2xAAA, which is great, but at the expense of TC. So it’s a matter of workflow requirements. It would be pretty unlikely that the bride and groom would remain miked up and continually recording from the moment they start to get dressed in the morning until the end of the night. So battery life is quite unlikely to be a limitation for the Track E for a typical wedding. Nevertheless, the battery life of the DR10L is a standout feature.

[@CAMphotography_]

Lowkey overwhelming but in a good way 😅 shooting my first wedding early next year for video (mainly a photographer) and this is a LOT to take in. Thanks for making this

[@OneWaveFilms]

You are the man, the myth, the legend!

[@chrischadwick1]

Matt needs bumblebee industries lav mic concealers. Those bad bois are a game changer! Bye bye wind noise 🤙

[@MillennialDiligence-sx8re]

YES. This is why I subscribed. I love this practical info. Thanks. Congrats on the weight loss!

[@brennanspark]

I would love to see one of these videos for all of your lighting gear too! Thanks Matt!

[@ricardocarvalho1184]

I prefer use dji mic2 as backup to mic reception, 32bit float . Nice gear Matt.

[@paulgero]

I do too but this weekend my DJI Mike 2 was causing interference with the DJ’s wireless Shure set up. Luckily could turn it off from the receiver. When I went to record speeches later I used the tx660 instead. I think they are both great options and one can be the backup when the radio signal causes interference.

[@ricardocarvalho1184]

I use on mic , but turn of as you , just it ​@@paulgero

[@ricardocarvalho1184]

@@paulgero I always use it disconnected from the receiver, just a DJI mic2 unit recording directly without using the receiver, so I had no interference, and I use an H4 essential on the DJ's soundboard, I leave it recording the signal via XLR and at the same time recording on the external mic of the H4e to get ambient sound.

[@paulgero]

@@ricardocarvalho1184 very good points. Thank you. How do configure the H4 so that does the ambient as well as the line if I may ask? I have a d40x that was plugged in to the board but didn’t realize I could have the external mikes record ambient.

[@ricardocarvalho1184]

@@paulgero H4 essential, I connect the internal microphone to record the environment, so I have an audio track of the ambient sound, then I connect an XLR cable from the soundboard to the H4, so I will have another audio track, I can also connect another cable on H4 channel 2 for some extra track or backup. I hope I helped you with something.

[@mikeblack_pw]

I bought the cable kit. I had all the cables but I’ve given some away to just starting out videographers. And some I’ll keep as back up.

[@stevejaystudios819]

thanks Matt! watching from Ghana 🇬🇭

[@Exclusive-Studio]

Excellent video! It will be helpful for some of us to see how you do it at a real wedding. If you can make it, that video will be a blessing.

[@paulgero]

Matt would a good shielded XLR splitter cable do as well as the box you show?

[@jordantenenbaum8424]

The cable kit just got delivered, it's exactly what I needed and would design if I had the opportunity. Thanks for making my life easier!

[@jrmurrayproductions]

Matt, you needed to wear a T-Shirt that says “It’s AUDIO” for this particular video! Lol!

[@ricardocarvalho1184]

Yesss 😂

[@whoismatt]

😂😂😂 I should totally make that

[@Skwealer]

Hey Matt, wondering if you had a suggestion for something like a DR 10L with all of its amazing features but also features wireless monitoring?

[@melaniegriesemer]

I was wondering the same!

[@Afrokatv]

Good ol’ days, I did weddings for many years, for different agencies reps as well. All I needed for Sony pd150 later Dvx200, on sennheiser g2, one shot gun mic on top of the camera. One Omni and another optional Lowell tota light 😅 all in one bag. Better yet Lowell light on top of the camera at the reception, one dynamic mic needed to interview guests. Since invention of DSLR I wonder how’s the game going now?

[@whoismatt]

I filmed my first wedding with a Sennheiser G2! :)

[@AlbertPalmer]

Amazing! I could have done with this last week 😆 might have to return a few items to Amazon

[@MikeJaySingerandEntertainer]

Luckily for me im also a wedding singer so i have all the cables but its a great package for someone who doesnt own them

[@MORPHPICTURES-m7c]

Perfect timing 💯

[@thetoptenfotography]

What are you top three recommendations for a beginner with only but so much money to spend.

[@melaniegriesemer]

I got the Tascam DR10L and I found it sooo hard to clip it on! So hard to open up the clip part. Is it just me??

[@AnthonyMoreschi]

It’s impossible to use that clip! They really need to fix this.

[@paulgero]

The tx660 is a lifesaver. Great video Matt.

[@sikapacapture]

You can't go wrong with that

[@ww1www]

I dont do weddings, but I did immensely enjoy this video - as always :)

[@Interfilmpro]

Hi Matt, I just brought the testacy x6 because you said its good, and now im using Sony FX6 any idea what is the easiest way to do timecode with this to please?

[@dandelionestudios]

I wouldn't use the splitter, because if there's any kind of problem with the sound they might say it was because of the videographer. I prefer not to interfere with the sound setup.

[@wangmedia]

What does the XLR splitter box do differently than an xlr splitter cable? Is it the shielding?

[@whoismatt]

Yes it’s significantly more shielded which will help convince DJ’s that it won’t cause interference with their equipment. :)

[@danny_cunningham]

I'm sad you didn't talk about time code. I followed your recommendations but now I want time code. Can you possibly talk about the tecticle sync or deity line up

[@ricardocarvalho1184]

Deity is very good, I got 3 TC1 Deity ,

[@danny_cunningham]

@@ricardocarvalho1184 yes but unfortunately I already bought the tascam products and they are not compatible with deity :/

[@wangmedia]

We use Tentacle Track E and Sync E for all cameras and recorders. Save me hours in post.

[@whoismatt]

Working on a review of the Deity PR-2

[@danny_cunningham]

@@wangmedia can you confirm something for me? I heard a recent update allowed the tecle track to generate its own time code. So it's not need to use the tenticle sync. Is this true?

[@nutoriousclown4107]

Matt how do you sync all that audio with your cameras? Your previous sync software suggestion link isn’t working?

[@whoismatt]

Use Syncaila

[@nutoriousclown4107]

@@whoismatt thanks for the reply. I ended up using syncaila but I noticed audio drift.

[@RandyHansen-BTS]

Matt, first of all thank you so much for all your content, I've learned so much in such a short period of time watching your videos. I have a quick question, is there any need for an audio recorder (transmit and receiver) such as the Deity Theos, or should a recorder like the DR10L cover all occasions? I understand the Deity also does local 32 bit float, but just wanted to know if any situation would warrant a transmit / receive? thank you

[@whoismatt]

I haven’t needed trasmitting and receiving in years

[@BackstageAudio]

Interesting video!

[@nickc9793]

With the tascam Pro would you not be able to pic up the brides voice too in the ceremony if you only had 1 tascam on the Groom, as its 32bit float

[@whoismatt]

If they are standing close enough you are probably alright, but putting a mic on the bride can make such a huge difference.

[@nickc9793]

Thank you for your reply. So far I have used a zoom h1 and my rode pro camera mic to pic up the audio and then played with it in post to sound good. So will be upgrading soon to 3 tascams, and the zoom h1 32 bit float version.

[@jettlifeproductions]

I do not recommend the Tascam x8 at all. It freezes on me every now and then (4x since November 2022), I don't loose the audio, but I have to let the recorder go until the battery dies because it doesn't let me turn it off. Again, doesn't happen often, but I feel like one of these days it's going to really cost me. Unless you are doing podcasts or live stream events, the Zoom F3 will do just fine. You can plug a mic into the F3 if you need scratch audio.

[@tedcoats4148]

If one were to mic the officiant with 2 lavs (for video) plus 1 for the house system… that’s 3 total. I’ve had issues with ministers agreeing to any additional mics other than PA purposes. I think most officiants would not be happy to have three lav mics being attached to them… especially taking the time to have one of them concealed. Although I’ve asked for every wedding, brides have rejected the recommendation of being mic’ed. I agree to having as many backup audio sources as participants will tolerate, but it’s not going to be an easy sell. Expect resistance.

[@mr.croissant7960]

you dah best Matt

[@robhansen5830]

Damn.. I'm all about backups as well, or at least I thought I was. I thought 3 sources was a healthy amount 😅

[@Roypost]

about time its becoming available in the netherlands....

[@clausstahl5413]

You are the best

[@jarrodbarker]

6 audio recorders… hope you’re using timecode.

[@HwayVision]

Shouldve made this video after Deity pr2s are released in july

[@whoismatt]

Haha will just have to make an update

[@aaron.harrell]

Helps to have a bit of OCD when recording wedding audio. 😅

[@nogoodnecktie12]

out if 400 weddings I micd the bride once. I have the gear but most done want it lol

[@thunderstruck560]

Rule number 1 of wedding audio: Never trust the DJ. Rule number 2 of wedding audio: NEVER TRUST THE DJ. Earlier this year i had my zoom recorder plugged into the DJ system. The DJ asked me to hook into the output of a speaker was close to the ground. i had my recorder on the speaker and somehow during the ceremony the DJ left the booth, hooked his foot through the cable and whipped my recorder onto the ground and it shattered. We lost the audio and the bride was mad at ME. I am still pissed and I don't trust DJs anymore.

[@vahidamini1863]

✌...

[@musikone1780]

Matt, it is hard to trust your reviews as you are getting a commission from the manufactures to peddle their products. Your review of the new zoom H series recorders, how can you stand behind that? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know zoom will be coming out with a better quality version of the H series. For you to recommend people to use the H "essentials" series is irresponsible. Yes, they are 32-bit, but they are still using A/D converts that are 11 years old. I'm writing this to give your audience a heads up that the motivation behind your great review is your wallet. That is a bad road to take your followers. It will eventually blow up in your face.

[@jf_blanco]

With all the respect you don't know what audio gear I need to shoot a wedding. But I love that you share the audio gear you use to shoot a wedding.

[@whoismatt]

Definitely not forcing you to use any of this 😂 but I would bet there’s probably some overlap in what I recommend here and what you use too

[@CAMphotography_]

His first 5 seconds he said “all the audio gear I use” the title is just to get you to click. Unneeded comment lol

[@jf_blanco]

Love your videos Matt and indeed there are many things we do in a similar way. I just can't stand the clickbaitty titles, miniatures... Sorry if my commentary is being interpreted in a rude way. I was talking just about the title. Not the video content. It is superb as usual. To add my 2 cents. Sometimes, just sometimes and as an ultimate backup solution I've had to quickly setup a mic next to a speaker just to record an audio backup.