How To Make Any Microphone Invisible (And Improve Your Audio!)

How did I get my voice sounding so rich? Well it as simple as positioning the mic nice and close and then hiding it with some masking trickery. I hope you find this useful and entertaining!
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0:00 Hello
1:48 Why the Shure SM7B?
3:17 Alternatives?
6:16 How to hide your microphone
7:20 What about acoustic treatment?
7:43 Espresso of tips to go

[@HarvVideoAudioStuff]

Check out my new video - How To Vastly Improve Your Lav Mic Audio kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIjIiniZbqqjfLs

[@pabloalguibay]

I'm confused... What mic did you use in this video? It's grey, so it doesn't look like a Shure SM7 (B or DB)...

[@ke4uyp]

Any microphone can sound that good using EQ. Obviously the microphone you're using was EQ'd

[@ke4uyp]

All condenser microphones produce self-noise. Dynamic microphones are completely void of self-noise. If the dynamic microphone is low, impedance balanced back to a low noise preamp which most preamps today are, you can turn up the gain to equal the gain of a phantom powered condenser mic with less noise.

[@worldsheaviestjamband93]

To be fair there was a point on KZbin where people would say “Wow, he’s got a microphone, he must be legit”

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

They still do.

[@splitguy6813]

Well, I don't think it's that. It's the "authenticity" you would feel differently if some of the creators you watch put more into production value. You would not feel that close to them. It's the opposite of "he is legit." It's more like, "Yeah, I could do that too if I wanted to."

[@defmike617]

I won't watch people without a mic in the frame.

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

@@splitguy6813 No its actually all to do with Podcasting and radio presenter style content, where the person is in one room sitting with a mic infront of them talking, think Joe Rogon or Alex Jones, nearly always had the mics sitting in front of them exactly the same as a Radio presenter. Now an obvious factor is also that most of these mics are desktop mics and designed to sit infront of the face, cameras where never a consideration at any point.

[@splitguy6813]

@@HOLLASOUNDS Well, that doesn't change anything. My point was, technically, none of them has to have these microphones, and they usually have even backup boom mics or lav mics when they add cameras anyway. It's about selling that authenticity even if you have the money for a vastly better setup. And I am not generalizing. But, for example, why are LTT videos still done in a set kitchen? Why isn't it some appropriate space to do so? Because it's less intimidating and doesn't seem like they are a 100M+ company. And I don’t see anything wrong with that strategy. It's just dishonest to say, well, people are having these mics because they are lazy. They usually internalize their ideal presenter when they want to create something, and that idol has money to do an amazing studio but chooses not to do so to seem grounded. MrBeast, for example, is spectacular, and he is not trying to hide production value, but someone like Ryan Trahan has way higher margins on each video and can produce them faster. But he wants to sell you the idea of "you could do that too." That is his product. And I sometimes watch them and am entertained because he doesn't always have a crew and seems authentic. But then, he can certainly afford more than a 20 bucks lav mic and a cameraman to follow him anywhere. So, a visible mic is shorthand for authenticity. It's something like "I am still the guy from Mom's bedroom, even if I have studio employees, etc." I am not saying that everyone with a mic in their shot is or isn't lazy or thinks about the appearance of it. But most people who have the money for a better setup are choosing subpar gear to seem more approachable and normal, even if they are millionaires.

[@digitaldroo]

It appears that the trend now is to hold a lav mic or a mini-mic with your fingers, right in front of your mouth, to ensure as many plosives as possible.

[@hdmediaprouk]

Glad it's not just me! This trend bothers me as much as people holding a smartphone horizontally directly in front of their mouth and talking loudly at it, whilst the other half of their conversation blares out of the speaker for all to hear. I suspect both trends are related. I have no idea why either is a thing.

[@digitaldroo]

@@hdmediaprouk I think you answered yourself: it's a thing, solely because it's a trend. I think the majority of people who do it don't hear how badly their audio sounds as a result of doing it…but…it's a trend, so "I guess I'm supposed to do it now."

[@TechBaffle]

Hey the majority goes through TikTok which ruins audio quality anyway, so if it's loud it works I guess!

[@movieproductionde4123]

😂😂😂 seen to much of it

[@MrAdopado]

he he

[@PaulSpades]

I'm on studio monitors, and my God... This voice recording sounds so crispy, warm and natural with good room - it's way better than almost every other talking head youtube video. You're doing the lord's work right here.

[@paulstubbs7678]

Now for 'the lords work', I'd love to get this type of audio from my parish priest's badly positioned lav.......

[@ThomasFrankExplains]

Sometimes you just need someone to point out that you can combine two things you already know. I've been positioning shotgun mics just out of frame for years. I've also been masking stuff out for years. Why did I never think to put a mic in the frame for better audio and then mask it out? THANK YOU for pointing this out. You've got a new subscriber 😁

[@gennyg8662]

Thomas, your mic is gorgeous, don't hide it =)

[@demha03]

This guy is a master at making very “KZbin”y videos. He could have just said “photoshop the mic out” in the first 30 sec, but he’s got me here watching the whole damn thing

[@yousefveartist]

You provide a great solution and it's a great way to conceal the mic while keeping quality up. Good stuff. I do want to point out there's two reasons why they have the mic right on their face that you don't mention in the video. 1. It's to reduce the room as much as possible, especially reflections/reverb. I can hear hear reflections/reverb in your audio, but it isn't much because you smartly positioned yourself in the center of the room and further away from the walls. Podcasters/KZbinrs often film desks and close to walls where the sound can reflect easily. Having a cardiod/super-cardiod dynamic mic close to your mouth almost entirely eliminates the room. 2. They have the mic in frame on purpose. The idealic/filmmaking philosophy is to hide the mic which increases perceived quality. They want to show the mic because it feels authentic or they're challenging what's seen as "good." It's a philosophical and brand choice. Think about the TikTok mic phenomenon where people on TikTok are handholding tiny lapel mics. It's humorous and different.

[@JamesZhan]

I definitely agree that there are benefits to having the mic in frame. Take this video we are commenting on for example, because I could clearly tell the audio was recorded with a really good mic that's close to Harv (it sounds awesome), not seeing it in the frame almost makes me feel like there's a disconnection between the visual and the sound. It almost feels like his audio was dubbed.

[@yousefveartist]

@@JamesZhan Excellent points. You know your stuff!

[@pentachronic]

Surely you could add a directional cone behind the mic to get rid of a lot of room reverberance ?

[@paulstubbs7678]

I always took the hand held lapel mic as a good sign that they don't have a clue what they are doing, don't take them seriously

[@JamesZhan]

@@paulstubbs7678 that just sounds elitist. I’ve seen well respected content creators with high quality content hand-holding a lav mic. They absolutely do know what they are doing. Things are just changing.

[@TheManInCommand]

For that budget, you'd love the Lewitt LCT-440 Pure. It's an absolute steal.

[@PavanRChawla]

In fact, better is the Austrian AUDIO OC 16

[@ynotw57]

Only commenting because I like your user icon. Go Tigers.

[@majordrumkill]

I use the 440 Pure. One of the best and brightest mics I have ever used.

[@PavanRChawla]

I've checked the 400 Pure and I liked it too, but then someone recommended the OC16, not one but several trusted professionals, and I did test it out. Loved it, bought it. If I hadn't tried the OC16, I was definitely buying the 440 Pure. Just my view. @@majordrumkill

[@MichaliSarris]

I was hoping this would be mentioned as an alternative because it's a superb mic. Very happy with mine.

[@EdwinvandenAkker]

A voice-over I hire quite often has a wide range of microphones. But the one absolutely loves (and so do I), is the Sennheiser MKH 416. It's a directional mic, used in film and TV productions a lot. It's still very rich in both the low as the high end of the spectrum.

[@petero1068]

Great mic. Used it on a number of documentaries. The Schoeps CMIT 5 U is also another great mic, too. So many options to choose from.

[@DennisFinancialDoctor]

The moment I heard your mic sound, I knew I needed to listen to your advice if I wanted to improve my channel's sound quality.

[@innercynic2784]

All depends on what you're trying to do. If it's in a studio setting and you're going to edit it later then out of frame can work. If on the other hand it's live and you're not going to mess with it the a broadcast dynamic or condensor will do just fine. Even the headphones are no issue when it comes to live situations.

[@julian-multiman]

Headphones are not used in live situations? Man, if you are doing any tutorial where sound comes out of the speakers, headphones are a must for monitoring. Also headphones are used to communicate between musicians/ engineers, across rooms… like on Joe Rogan podcasts he is receiving instructions from other team members. Or if you have to replay a video, not just for mic feedback, but the fact that sounds worse if you record what comes from the speakers. The reason the mic and headphones look comes from is radio.

[@user-ko2fq2hg8b]

@@julian-multimanI don't think he said headphones are not used in live situations.

[@davi1]

depending on your setup you can even key in the mask live

[@Stephen-zx4uf]

Solid assessment, imo! AT4033 was my first “real” mic and later a second. Got the sm7b 10 years ago because it seemed so versatile, but in practice another mic has always won and it’s never been used on final recording. Liking your mic hide trick. I’ve always positioned the mic just off camera which works pretty well, but your solution looks much better and with a solid white background this trick would be a snap. Thanks for the great tip!

[@Homesteadyshow]

Yes! Our podcast from day 1 has been a shotgun mic out of frame! Soo much better feel for a podcast about farming! Thanks for the tips!

[@combatplayer]

dont forget to add a blackout curtain to your filming room if you do this near a window, a cloud rolling by will often entirely destroy the illusion otherwise. it's a neat trick though

[@asimpletune]

Hey Harv, I love your videos. They're so simple and to the point and therefore helpful. Would you please do a video or series of videos on a basic vocal fx chain? It doesn't have to be amazing, just how to get 80% of the way with the bare minimum.

[@younken24films]

Hi Harv! Love your new vocal chain! Unless one works in a well equipped studio it' can take a long time to learn how different gear sounds on different sources. KZbin is helpful. After many decades being a musician, studio owner, audio guy, and filmmaker, I've learned I can get good results from "cheap" gear. Better gear can get me there quicker. After 20 years recording interview audio for a PBS station, I learned how incredibly different all voices sound. I move the mic until I get a sound I like. Because of your vids I've been thinking about getting the WA 47. ✌❤

[@vanhap]

The rich audio from the mic your using is spot on, what is it, what capture device did you use? Great right-to-point helpful video, Subbed looking forward for more

[@louisortiz9129]

Funny as an audio engineer I was about to do this type of video great job. ❤

[@MartinBellP]

It's such a relief to see someone making this point. I was beginning to think it was just me! Thanks 😊

[@officialfanofrichiebricker8324]

I think a mic on an articulated boom gives these guys a professional look with their almost radio station look

[@sjazzp]

That’s good for radio, not for video where microphones should be off camera for a cleaner look

[@jerbear7952]

That's why they don't.

[@wearetrackclub]

Amazing tips! Really insightful stuff, Harv. Your audio sounds great 👌

[@NickBDesigns]

I really liked the sm7b I got to use and haven’t had the pleasure of owning. So I use a sm57 with a Shure pop screen and some processing to get a daily close sibling to the sm7b. Having the mic out of view helps this feel like you are having a good conversation

[@JamesMusicCo]

Subscribed because masking the mic is a great idea. You get a better proximity effect and even cheap mics sound much better when closer to the source of sound! Masking is also super easy to do.

[@thesamuelnam]

People like you posting gold content like this helped me build my dream life creating content. Thanks man.

[@Chyle69]

This is brilliant and so simple! Thanks for sharing!

[@davidkennerly]

I agree completely! Although, my choice for mics differs a bit but they ARE condensers, not dynamic. I tend to look further afield than the market-dominant condensers but yes, dynamics don't have the expansive richness of condensers. Also, the Photoshop masking is a great idea!

[@paulbradshawguitar]

I've ended up using a MKH600 shotgun mic that's out of shot i was using a dynamic close mic before but wanted to try something else, as it was not only in shot but when playing guitar in front of sort of takes things away from the shot, and means sitting at an appropriate distance, decided to buy a shotgun mic instead with post processing and a relatively quiet room outside of desk reflections it's working really well so far

[@fifi23o5]

Finally someone with brains! And when you position yourself and compose the frame, you realize you can get very close with mic. I just hate these big ''vocal microphones'' that cover half of the face. An film they usually capture sound with shotgun micss,which are often a few feet from talent's head, but the sound is still good. Actually, in average film the sound is better than 99.99% of YT videos. Well, truthfully, most of KZbinrs don't even know what sound is and how things works, they just saw it somewhere....

[@adamcycle]

This is the way. I'm all for using what you have, but suggesting that people get an LDC and do this is not great.

[@paulbradshawguitar]

@@fifi23o5 thanks, i was pleasantly surprised with just how good the audio was, once everything was setup i can get surprisingly close using a standard microphone stand that's on my desk (it looks kinda funny, but i have the space between my speakers and the back wall for the legs) while still being out of shot and another advantage is i don't have to be pretty much glued in front of the mic stand to get a good take/audio, wish i'd bought it sooner

[@hdmediaprouk]

Shotgun mic is what I was thinking about all the way through this video. No need to cut a separate clean shot. I'm a professional sound engineer including boom operator on live television, and you'd be suprised how close you can get a mic and still be out of shot. I have a Sennheiser MKH 416 which is easily one of the best sounding mics I own. It is over the budget mentioned in this video, but well worth saving up for - the difference between this and many of the usual suspect cheaper shotgun mics is night and day to my ears - it's not an accident it's been the de facto industry standard for decades.

[@adamcycle]

@@hdmediaprouk Exactly. It all depends on the shot though for sure. I ditched my big RE20 very recently and swapped it out for a small SDC on a gooseneck pointed straight at my mouth about 5 inches away just out of frame of my computer camera. Couldn't do that with an LDC because it's too large and heavy.

[@stevenleonmusic]

I've been using an AT2020 for 5 years for everything and I love it. I don't do a whole lot of videos anymore but one thing that also helps is using a longer focal length and moving the camera back. This changes the perspective of the shot so the field of view is smaller and you can get the mic much closer to yourself but keep it just out of frame. My only caveat there is that your shot will be flattened out and it's not as flattering, especially if you're trying to make yourself look thinner.

[@robertrenatomusicb]

AT2020 gang!

[@Joel_Eade]

Very clever use of masking. Glad I stumbled on your channel. I have an AT2020 for client online meetings and video tutorials. I bought a poor man's SM7B; a PreSonus PD-70, and it too, being a dynamic mic, required a cloud lifter so I got a Klark Technik mic booster and it worked a treat. Sounded fat and warm with minimal room/noise ratio. I then, however, decided I loved the PD-70 for live vocals over my Shure Beta 58A so back to the AT2020 I went.

[@studiohermited7052]

Your vocal sounds awesome. Thanks for the tips and tricks.

[@SteveSterlacci]

This was a great video! First of yours I have seen and really enjoyed it. Thanks !

[@RonCoy]

All good points. You can also just get a shotgun mic and a boom and a stand with a boom holder and place the mic outside of the shot. If you’re not trying to get a carbon fiber boom pole, you can do this setup on a decent budget.

[@OnlySufyanKhan]

So finally as per your promise you made this video. Thanks man. This is the best trick out there 😋😋

[@Mauuuurice]

I bought the Audio Technica AT2020 in 2008 for my podcast and I am still using and loving it. I always wondered why it's used so rarely. Thank you for the video, I am starting to film tutorials and wasn't sure what to do with the mic - now I know!

[@lostsanityreturned]

It is one of the most commonly used microphones

[@wilfredoyvanessa]

Thanks for sharing your honest thoughts and opinions about these mics, Harv. I believe that anyone who has the money should buy the mic of their choice, whether it's a certain brand or the most valuable one. Nonetheless, it's good to spread awareness like you did that anyone can still get good voice quality from cheaper mics. This topic is the same as having a low-end or high-end camera. It's not always about the gear, but how do you use it and why you use it. There are many people out in the world over spending money trying to catch up to KZbinrs by wanting to use the same products they use, thinking they will get the same results. -Wilfredo

[@FreerunMediaService]

The thing is, as an ENG sounds engineer ( Electronic News Gathering ), this is what we did all the time. In a "controlled" environment front the top. Loud environment, a little closer in the camera and from the bottom with the back to the traffic. I noticed that sound is most of the time a problem and the reason for the SM7b and EV RE320 is they are close mic. The room don't need that much of room treatment and "it looks cool".

[@The_Chad_]

Man, thanks for making this video. I've been thinking the same thing. I honestly think a lot of people put an SM7B right in the middle of the shot as a badge of honor or flex or something. I've I even seen people have an UNPLUGGED SM7B on their podcast while wearing a lav!!! I have a Lewitt LCT 440 and I love it. I'm able to keep it out of frame too. The next Mic I'm looking at is either the Earthworks Icon or Ethos. I just can't get enough of their look, especially the Icon. And when I do get one, it's going to be hard to keep it off camera. They're just so sexy. Honestly, I'm not even that much against having you mic on camera, but when 99% of people have the exact same mic, it gets really stale and played out. At least customize and make it your own if you're going the have the same thing as everybody else.

[@NerdSyncProductions]

I had been trying to hide my mic for years and I will always appreciate how the meta now is that audiences don’t really care. Still a useful tutorial but I’m glad I don’t have to rely on hiding my mic anymore.

[@CreativeIsolation]

I don’t own one, but I’ve heard comparisons and it shocked me how affected the SM7b sound is. Definitely NOT a flat response at all. I think it’s well suited to a podcast sound. Voices seem to have presence while being very intelligible without sibilants, but in no way is it a “true” sound. The challenge with condensers is their sensitivity, picking up all the bad room stuff too. But I like your solution. Pointing downward (assuming you have carpeting or a rug) probably helps a little with unwanted reflections, plus you can hide it in this way while still having it relatively close. You also don’t need it as close with a condenser as you would with the Shure. Your idea is definitely helpful and a good reminder that you don’t have to shove a $450 mic in your face for your videos.

[@jeremiahreilly9739]

No hate, just love. What a well edited, focused, useful instructional video. Thank you.

[@vitaminbp1]

I love this, I have always found the giant mic and mic arm on KZbin, podcast videos as well, to be so obstructive and intrusive.

[@josuastangl7140]

Hahaha that's awesome! Why have I never thought of that. The SM7B is a great choice that works nearly anywhere on anyone. But if you have a treated studio space, a nice large diaphragm condenser sounds better most of the time.

[@johntorp]

Totally agree with the smb7 in the face 🤣 and love your channel! I have been struggling myself with loving music, studio production and filmmaking, and here I can see it working in one channel! So that was a great to see 👍😊 keep it going!

[@andress398]

Since it means so much to you and you asked so nicely, I subscribed ❤️

[@danvanspam]

I've seen a lot of videos out there where people just crank the gain on the SM7B and you can hear the noise floor. While others have it quite far away despite most of it being a pop filter, leaving things sounding very muffled. For the presenter style, I prefer the classic Electro-Voice RE20 although it's also pretty preamp-hungry. If anyone's on the fence about sinking dollars upon dollars on an SM-7B I'd take this guy's advice. Others have mentioned more hyper-cardioid mics like shotguns which will lessen spill from the room. In the video you can hear sibilant sounds from his voice scattering around the room for example - but a bit of realism isn't the worst. As he says though, as long as the source is loud enough compared to the room sound, it's workable. The great thing about having a side-address condenser like the C214 or others is they are very versatile for other applications. However once you've given the SM-7B a boost, it's ready to go for certain applications without needing to do much extra EQ because it's already rejecting plosives, reducing the top end etc. At the end of the day, what sound do you want to go for and what is your budget?

[@felipebarco]

This is gold! Thank you for all your insights… and this is from an SM7B fan!

[@EnlightenMewithJoePena]

I've used that technique to hide the mic before, but because the mic dipped into the frame. Nevertheless, considering you use a LDC, I don't have to tell you it's smart to have it closer for a stronger ratio between signal and room. -- I currently use an Audix SCX1/HC on an overhead boom, juuuuuuuust out of frame.... mainly because I edit a lot and I'm all for having one less thing to do. There is one thing though, I do miss that LDC sound. Thanks to you, I'm tempted to boom test them. You never know, I just may end up swapping that pencil mic out. Nice clean sounding and looking video, Harv.

[@alutzlft]

Agree, using SDC, shotguns or better yet wireless lavs, are for convenience and workflow shortcuts.

[@domovoi_0]

You are saving the world. Love and blessings!

[@hhscope]

Super helpful. Thank you!

[@charlesjohnston1506]

Thanks. Great advice.

[@tappistrt]

Very cool video editing trick! Will keep this in mind when post a video like this one with myself in the shot.

[@simeonboxco]

This is super interesting and useful. Thanks for this.

[@Bip4e]

Wow thanks about the info that SM7DB has built in active circuit, Also your voice sounds wonderful , nice engineering , well done 😊

[@pelagiavillarias2117]

Amazing and educational video!! Subscribed!! ☺️👍

[@JoeSmith9021090210]

Very, very useful content, man. Love this tip. I don't think it's needed for some content but when it works, this is brilliant. Cheers!

[@micahortega6041]

Thank you for making this. As a sound guy it drives me nuts seeing those close mics that are undergained.

[@samuelcharlesbird]

Great vid! I really dislike seeing massive microphones but it’s become so common place!

[@Alan_Wick]

Excellent video Harv-thanks. I've subscribed! Have you tried using a Sennheiser MKE 600 shotgun mic? I have that around 2' in front of me, out of shot. It's connected to a Focusrite Scarlett Solo, with the gain at 2pm. My room is carpeted, and I've added dampening panels to the walls and ceiling. I think this setup sounds as good, maybe better, than the AT2020 I used before (which needed to be just in shot to sound OK). What do you reckon?

[@EdwinvandenAkker]

6:38 The way you hide the microphone is nice. Unfortunately it only works when the light conditions don't change over time. If you are filming next to a window, chancing sunlight by clouds or the sun's position could change the lighting in the room. This would make the overlapping clean shot visible. 🤨

[@TechBaffle]

That's pretty nifty! I never thought about masking out the microphone. I used to use lapel mics but found they sounded too boomy and needed heavy EQ'ing. I tried all sorts, including a Behringer C-1 above (although overhead out of shot, hence not great) but reverb and noise was an issue. I currently use MV7X mics which like the SM7B works best when spoken closer. The reason why it works best for me is there's little audio bleed between two mics when I film in a relatively small space.

[@user-bx3dw9eh8s]

Excellent points. The SM7B is a mic designed for radio. KZbinrs using it aren't on the radio. As a 40 year video pro, to me it is out of the question to use anything but a shotgun mic an inch out of top of frame or in a working TV studio environment a high end lav. I use a Schoeps shotgun but Rode makes a beautiful and affordable one.

[@Skrenja]

SM7B is such an overrated mic lol.

[@user-bx3dw9eh8s]

@@Skrenja The SM7B is a solid mic for radio broadcast.

[@JoseVGavila]

Subbed, thanks for the hints!

[@JustinSBarrett]

Great tips! I don't record much on-camera any more, but I'll definitely give this a try if/when I do.

[@Robocalypse0101]

Love the tips!❤🎉

[@anthonyrock5039]

Part of the visible mic for youtubers is that they want to display the type of mic they are using. It is part of their commercial aesthetic. Trends then push them towards what is popular to do eg. lav or field recorders in hand.

[@nattieCSH]

My current regular microphone is an AKG Lyra usb microphone, I don't mind having it in my livestream frames because the retro aesthetic is just my vibe 😁

[@actualGG]

thanks for the professional advice! it is true mics have no place in the shot unless they are telling something, and most of the times that's not what the producer wants. Thanks for the reminder to go back to the classic wisdom.

[@PaulBSimpsonJr]

Excellent tip!

[@garyshirinian]

Thx for sharing. What mic are you using for this video. Speaking of AT 4033a, I have one and I actually like it better than AKG C214, because I had one. I like using WA47, U47 style mic. I love that one, with lots of body to it. In fact looks like you are using something similar I also have the WA67. Thx again.

[@chadmwest]

Other channels I watch think the idea of removing the mic from the shot is unnecessary nonsense. I couldn't disagree more. I _really_ despise the giant microphones blocking faces.

[@danaross]

Thats so cool. I never Thought of that. Thank you.

[@TwangThang57]

All great points and I'm with you on the SM7B, I can spot (hear) them a mile away. I'd highly recommend adding the Roswell K47 or K87 to your list. The Roswells have taken the place of many of my more expensive and heralded LDCs as my go to mics.

[@BlackCatBonz]

+1 for the Roswell K47, excellent mic for voice over.

[@YTHalilo]

Thank you for the video! Quick question, how do you EQ your vocals?

[@varnai]

Fiinally someone! Thank yoouuu!! 🎉❤

[@mikemalone372]

Great video thanks! Best of both worlds close use of a fine condenser mic with the look of a boom or lab, brilliant! Would you do (or have you done) a tutorial on how to mask that area of your video? (I’m subscribing and I’ll go check your videos for that) cheers!

[@Beatsbasteln]

I use an AT2020 as well and i'm super happy with the sound. it is just beautifully dry and sounds close, even if you're slightli distant to it. i disagree about editing mics out of the shots tho. i think the microphone adds to the ambiance of my space. sure it's not cool to have it block the face, made that mistake before, but it does look cool

[@KenJonesRealEstateAdvisor]

Interesting video. I've been using an EV RE320 for about 8 years and am very pleased with its sound quality. However, I'm about to start recording talking head videos and I'm not pleased with having the mic in the shot for all the same reasons you've stated. I liked the voice audio quality at the start of this video and want to know if you were using the AT2020, being the mic you initially revealed. Looking forward to your reply.

[@bryangraves9670]

Wow! I used to think that a mic in ALL SHOTS was the professional way to go... Hmmmmm... Harv, you got me rethinking that concept. Think outside the box, I say. But wait, I was drooling so much over the quality of your sound that I didn't hear you mention what mic you used for this video. I may get that answer at some point; much appreciated. By the way, I have the AT2020 USB and XLR. I love them! Thanks for this video!!

[@Raggo12345]

Great vid! Subbed!

[@chadp284]

I agree it looks so much better, and what I agree with more is the SM7b is mid, I honestly didn't know how to mix properly when I got it and was very disappointed when I heard how dull it was, def not beginner friendly, and even if I'm on the go I prefer a handheld condenser, it just has so much more top end that makes it sound so crisp and clean. I do understand the hype for the SM7b though, I still use it on the rare occasion for certain things, works great outside if you want to do something at a park, etc. Just not my cup of tea either

[@majortomcreative]

Nice video 👍👍 your opening statement I couldn’t agree more. Why the big ugly boom arm and mic. 🤷 I do have a question I’m hoping you could help with, I’m recording speakers at small events and conferences and have no access to AV. I’m using an FX3 and typically have just left a RODE Wireless GO (now PRO) on the lantern next to their laptop or clipped onto the gooseneck mic or lantern and then played around with the EQ in post. I’m looking for a mic that I can plug straight into my small Zoom F3, which has 32 bit float that I can leave on the lantern which is typically belly button / chest height. Any ideas? I like the look of the AT2020

[@thenext9537]

I have sm58’s, 57’s and a Neumann u87 from the 1990 (looks like an 84/85 or 86 year model) The 57/58 gets most use, the Neumann is used for acoustics, vocals. It’s fantastic for ambient mic work.

[@PileOfEmptyTapes]

Neat trick! I would have thought it was some green screen hanging in front of the mic, but this is even better. Obviously, not everyone even _wants_ their microphone to be invisible, but that's another discussion.

[@ChasWG]

I couldn't agree more with you on this! I have been doing TV video production for 30 years now and having the mic in the shot is, in most cases, not something I can do. I'm usually using a shotgun mic like my tried and true Sanken CS1-e, a Sennheiser 416 or my Schoeps CMC6/41 depending on the situation and use case. Very different mics than what you're talking about here being in a very controlled environment, but even still getting the mic into the shot is never a great thing. Very distracting and it gives away the magic. Thanks for this and I love the idea of the mask. Getting people to understand that shooting a plate and masking the mic is really not that hard at all is just crazy. I'm always getting these DPs that think they're shooting "Dances with Wolves and everything needs to have massive headroom and they ask that I move the mic out of there shot, yet want great sound... Yes, lavs and wireless. But sometimes a boom mic just sounds so much better! Anyhow, thanks and lets hope this theory of not having a mic in the shot catches on, again.

[@charlienyc1]

That's an impressive little list!

[@robertocalderonabogado1427]

I like to see the microphone in the shot. It´s the style on KZbin, different from TV shows, news or documentaries.

[@sclogse1]

It's annoying when you watch some asmr video, with two big fat black mics left and right as the babe leans over to each one to either whisper to you or chew on the sponge...

[@Charlie-UK]

It's naff and a wee bit pretentious. Not to mention the lack of forethought that is required to compromise on radio studio mikes shoved in peoples faces, on a video production. It displays a singular lack of imagination in simply following the herd...

[@steelesaldutti]

Sounds incredible

[@IstvanJrKoles]

Thanx, good tip!

[@martineikmeier]

I had The same problemm recording classes. Sennheiser E614 was a surprise for me. Not intended to be a microphone for Voice over or dialogue recording like neumanns K185. But its supercardioid figure helps a lot. During pandemics this was The best sounding Mic in my collection. I had The Shure, Rode NT5 Rode NTG1, Sennheiser MKe 600. But the E614 that i bought to Record percussion was amazing in a non treated Room and closed boomed over my Head. Way better than mics built forr that purpose like the NTG1.

[@6classer]

Great tip and I agree for videos such as yours with no source of extraneous sound, even in an average room, would be a great setup. I wonder how this method would work for Minecraft players or other keyboard/mouse gamers to avoid clicking. That is our biggest influence of mic choice, physical positioning, and room setup.

[@Erintel]

Great tip! THX

[@Boz1211111]

Yes your audio is beautiful. Excellent

[@outofexp]

I went basic.. and just got the sm58 and honestly love how versatile is.. Just need to find a way of talking and clicking on the keyboard at the same time ( can't for the life of me get the suppressors or noise gates set up right)

[@jimmcdougall9973]

Great advice, and so handy for us guitar players where the last thing we need is a chip on the headstock.

[@shotgunndunn]

Dude!!! Thanks SO much!! When I first started my channel I had a mic in front of me. But not blocking me. I eventually upgrade to a boom arm. That helped. But I still saw the mic. Then, I bought the Rode NTG-2 shotgun condenser. I can keep it out of frame. But THIS tip??!? Oh man!! I’m SO excited to implement this!! Thank you for sharing!! Subscribing now!!!

[@olafschermann1592]

Great suggestions

[@codythep]

I got the AT4033A for $180 from a pawn shop in 2015! Still my best sounding mic 😊 It does let it a lot of room noise though. Also, I just watched an hour long documentary on why KZbinrs specifically try to leave the mic in the shot to be relatable. All preference, but I like your take here!

[@adamjouahri1]

I completely agree with your opinions on the Shure mic. I’m not a massive fan of the narrow sound and they are ugly. I am a post production sound engineer and I don’t understand why more don’t go for good quality Shotgun microphones which are more diverse and useful for these sorts of set ups. They are far thinner to crop out and are design to work from that kind of distance because they are more directional. People can pick up Sennheiser 416 second hand for 400£ which is THE shotgun microphone used for movie productions for decades. Or rode ntg2 for half the price which also sound great. They are also designed to be used for outdoor applications as well which will help many KZbin videographers. People often think they aren’t good for that Voice over Sound just by the look but there is still a massive number of Voice Over studios and artists that choose the 416 for voice overs because it sounds so great excellent and natural it’s the microphone sound we are used to hearing most as it has been used so much over the decades

[@ClaudioDesideriFilms]

Beautiful video!

[@oscarhodges]

I would love to hear your thoughts on the Rode Broadcaster microphone. I bought it a few years ago because my untrained ears preferred the sound to the SM7B. I don't see many people talking about it though so would love to know if you've had much experience with it