Does audio matter for Youtube?

[@cesarm8811]

Omar really...I don't have a KZbin channel so I can't comment on audio quality. But I can tell you the video content is more important than the audio perfection.

[@cthulhie]

I really like the multi-day edit here, because it reveals a very relatable "I am obsessing about this because it is an interesting puzzle without a clear answer" tone. Repeated, "Hey, look, this is not the most important thing" followed by "BUY WHAT ABOUT THIS A/B COMPARISON HUH??" It absolutely mirrors my own obsessive research because I like the process, even though I know the correct answer is, "Just choose one and it'll be fine."

[@cineaudiophile4465]

Your instincts seem right on. Through my big screen TV the Rode has the most 'natural' delivery and matches your voice and the room. The MKH50 is slightly better but sounds much more suited to 'intimate' content like audiobooks or podcasts. The room treatment really worked wonders!

[@davidmccoy1378]

It's disconcerting when (voice) audio is too clean. Auditory connection to the environment we're seeing is missing. This is especially true for youtube videos, where the expectation is some degree of personal connection and speedy production. When things are too clean, the platform loses a degree of honesty. IMO.

[@SteveEricJordan]

hard disagree

[@N00bvlog]

There's definitely an auditory uncanny valley at some point.

[@L.Spencer]

My issue with youtube audio is when the video's audio is too low, then the ads come on, sometimes suddenly, and blasts my ears. Ugh.

[@anthonyrock5039]

Makes a huge difference and the longer you want or need to hear a production or piece of content, the audio quality matters even more. As far as what works for you, what matters most is how much is your quality worth vs what you can afford.

[@raymart86]

Audio-Technica makes an AT875R for $169 that I feel fits in that good value range. I also used to think we had to use shotgun mics just out of frame, but lavs can work really well and I also switched to a pair of Behringer C-2 pencil condensers and I put them into a Zoom recorder for a nice stereo track. They’re only $59 and sound great!

[@TimR123]

Congratulations on one of the best produced audio comparison videos i've seen. Sure, it's evident that it isn't your technical specialty, but it isn't most of ours either. You got to the point of how they differ and how the usage and environment effects it . Nice

[@saarin0tsorry]

Audio Professional Hat On: I loved how you talked about the room being paramount to the mic! Please elaborate on this in future videos. As someone that designs sound systems for acoustically challenging spaces (Catholic Churches etc.) I am always having to train folks about how to make mics work well. It’s never just a bad mic; it’s more likely the wrong mic for said application. Also noting how each pickup pattern (cardioid vs. hypercardioid vs. line gradient) rejects the off axis sounds is important to pay attention to than just the sound of the on axis voice. Having a pleasing amount of room in the balance is great, and whether you have the mic below or above the camera view changes the background noise it picks up. Having been in an anechoic chamber, I can tell you having no room sound is not necessarily the best sound. We like to hear space in the mix because it’s naturalistic. But choosing that space sound quality can be an important thing to choose mics, treatments and mic placement to get it right in the mix. LOVED THIS VIDEO!

[@ogonzilla]

Thanks! I appreciate that from a pro. :)

[@donmacqueen]

The single most annoying problem with YT audio is when narration alternates with music, and the music is louder than the narration. I have to continually raise or lower the audio playback level. Besides that, I can easily believe that room acoustics are crucial. I did not find the mics to be enough different to worry about. Oh, and voice quality matters too.

[@droneview-Berlin]

Excellent Performance - and I am not talking about the mics

[@alon7001]

The Rode Videomic NTG sounded the best to me, especially for your kind of content. It had a more grounded and authentic feel, as you mentioned. In contrast, the Sennheiser mics give off a podcast vibe, making the video feel more edited and scripted. I believe that since your content primarily revolves around sharing your raw, unfiltered stories, the Rode would be a better fit. However, for videos with higher production value and scripted narration, the Sennheiser might be the better choice.

[@capturemeinpictures]

Excellent topic and comparison! One choice was not mentioned. While sometimes not as convenient and certainly hard to hide on tee-shirts:), an XLR-powered clip-on cardioid lavalier microphone can produce a fantastic sound. That is why news broadcasters use them. Small and relatively unobtrusive. I have a Movo LV8-C Cardioid Lavalier Microphone $69 plugged into a Focusrite amp on my desktop for talks while sitting. When filming standing, I use an Audio-Technica AT899 - Condenser Lavalier Microphone $269 plugged into a Tascam DR-40X recorder. Wireless models provide more freedom but are subject to additional failure modes. ... and YES, the room is very important. In addition, turn off the AC/Fan and other noise distractions, such as a nearby refrigerator.

[@isaiahfurrow7414]

For the price and convenience, the Rode Video mic series sounds good, and for many purposes they have a product that is affordable and perfectly usable. You spoke of diminishing returns.... and convenience, workflow, etc.. As long as the audio isn't "bad" , most people won't know the difference between 100-300 ish setups for Audio, and 1200+$ setups... a few will hear a difference, but most won't notice... What people WILL notice, bad audio, if you can't hear the speech clearly enough, or many other things...bad audio ruins many otherwise great videos... Cheers

[@thomasfransson]

Good audio, still one of the most underestimated components.

[@capturemeinpictures]

... Your lighting in this video is excellent!

[@JimKilgo]

I'm listening with airpods and you are correct! MKH50 sounds great! Now budget does come to play... I think for the majority of viewers will consume KZbin without AirPods or headphones. Given this a more economical mic will work for the most part. Now I do more production type videos and less KZbin or livestreams and I have Senheiser wireless, Rode on-camera, and now DJI Mic (wireless system). The quality of the Senheiser are hands down great but since I have been using the DJI system it makes my life much more easier to setup on a shoot. As for the Rode it serves me very well as my run-n-gun setup.

[@RandumbTech]

I'm mildly insulted that my ugly mug was omitted from the collage. Only so much room I suppose 🤣. I refuse to treat my room so I'm stuck with a dynamic mic in the shot (which I personally don't mind). I wouldn't use the VideMic NTG because it would likely die at the most inopportune time. That MKH50 does sound quite good in you space - hope you decide to keep it!

[@ogonzilla]

haha...next time......

[@daniel635biturbo]

As a type of amateur, I look at sound recording like this. (in order of importance in my mind) Placement of the microphone is equivalent to light, bad lighting causes bad photos. Room is equivalent to what you are photographing, you have to think about composition and choose motive well. Microphone, is your lens, you can get away with a cheap one, but you will have some limitations. Recording device is your camera body.

[@jpr-tech]

LOL! I also hate the mic in the shot! I'm still trying to improve the Audio situation in my studio. I'm going back and forth between over the head mic or a lav-mic clipped in my shirt.

[@tonyburkhart888]

While I agree the room acoustics are the single most important aspect, you can't beat a quality microphone. Audio does matter. The part of video production that drives me crazy is the insane background music so many creators use that is far too loud and distracting.

[@jayforcinema]

Thanks Omar! Deity's S Mic 2 (or SMic 2S) is probably the most underrated mic for online content. It's got sound similar to the Sennheiser MKH416, warm and rounded, and I got mine for 300 $ new. From the set, the MKH50 does sound the nicest, although the Samson is also better than I'd have thought

[@kevinparkes417]

I listened through fairly decent earpods and the MKH50 sounded best to me. It was richer and had a bit more bass than the others which is important to us oldies as your high frequency hearing deteriorates as you get older. But I agree the Rode NTG was the best of the rest and the best value.

[@senior_ranger]

Sound is important to me. I don't know what he does or how he does it, but Darko Audio videos always have a noticeably better sound than any other vids I watch. Oh, and there is a "T" in the middle of the word "imporTant." What do people from North Jersey have against T?

[@OGKwasi]

I personally use the ntg as well and i really like it, but it all depends on the shooting situation as well. If you are just talking head like here, booming it (out of the shot obviously) would be the thing i also would do, but if i'm outside or moving in my shot, i think the convenience of a decent lavalier just beats it. I think, the most important thing in audio is not to be bad, because then the people will stop watching. Anyways, love your videos :)

[@ogonzilla]

thanks! I was going to add a lav to this test...but...ugh...too much! Thanks for watching!

[@yammiescommon5704]

Please consider the use of an equalizer to get the sound character you prefer. There's no need to stay with the baked in signal.

[@tomkent4656]

No mention of clip-ons?

[@gdfs47oo]

Generally speaking, I like your usual sound. And also generally speaking, I don’t like a mic in the shot at all. That’s too distracting. Getting the room sound right, getting rid of echoes, is the most important (you know … get some carpets, throw blankets and so on 😊). From then on, it’s like always: you can spend a lot of money to get that one % of improvement. It’s like me browsing the web for my next lens. Do I really need it? Nope. Do I THINK I need it? You bet 🤣! Oh, and to answer your question: I’d go with the MKE600 for 349$

[@1BigBucks1]

The 50 sounded so so good 😊

[@UnconventionalReasoning]

The "diminishing returns" factor is very important. It's like considering the A6400 or A7RIV, R10 or R5, or Z30 or Z8. The photographer should already have an idea of what they're going to get with the 5x investment. When the photographer adds hybrid work or making youtube videos, and does not know what phantom power is, they should stick with the less expensive and easier to use options. Leave the $1k+ mics to the audio pros. The H5 has a 3.5mm line out which can be plugged into the camera to simplify the workflow. Then when better sound is needed, the audio from the H5 SD card can be used.

[@franklingenao7418]

If you get a chance, try the Schoeps CMC641. That’s about the realest sound you’re gonna get from a microphone if realism is what you’re after. I’m sure you’ll love it. And yes, most people will notice the sound from different mics if the room is well treated but in my experience, having the best microphones also inspires creators in a way that cheap or mid tier mics typically don’t . People will debate this but then again they debate everything 😂

[@shlawchablaas]

For me, the MKH50 sounds amazing, then I like the different but very realistic MKE600, then the Röde NTG is nice but somehow a little dead. Of course, the audio quality or lack of studio video lighting never stopped me from watching the early Omar videos back in the day. I've lost too many clips to loose cables (where I end up with no sound because the camera is like oh, hey, something's plugged in, let's use that, except it's not plugged in enough to get a signal :/ ), hum, etc., to not always use separate system sound if I care about having ANY audio. If I don't care, then in-camera auto-levels is good enough. Zoom H2N is my go-to since I often use its built-in stereo cardioid mics. You know what weirdly comes to mind when considering good video audio, though? Kai and Lok's early DigitalRev videos, where you have the on-location shotgun mic / lav mic sound, full of ambience, alternating with super clean voiceovers. Definitely they were recreating a common TV editing style, and probably specifically the mid-2000s Top Gear sound, but it at the same time gave authenticity to the live clips, and authority to the V.O.s, so even when it doesn't sound perfect, it sounds appropriate. IDK, maybe that's just me though.

[@JasonLorette]

People will click away if the audio is bad…but there are degrees of bad. For my studio I boom a Deity D3 Pro overhead, for on the go I use the Deity Wireless, and I just got a Deity VO-7U for voiceovers, I haven’t used that in a video yet…and yes I like Deity, lol.

[@ogonzilla]

Def. I've clicked away. Deity makes great stuff!

[@sukjai_mainoi]

I like the gray background 😀

[@matthieuzglurg6015]

for my videos I just have a Rode video micro with a very long cable and I have in front of me on a mini tripod. It's out of the shot, but it's like 30cm from my mouth and it sounds pretty good even in my room which is for the most part untreated Also, I recorded a video of like 45min the other day with the microphone cable plugged in the wrong jack (so I plugged it into the headphone jack) and the whole video was just the camera's mic in my untreated room. My opinion is that it sounded terrible, but I wasn't going to do those 45min again, so I just put a disclaimer for it in the begenning, like "my bad, this won't happen again" and so far got no complaints and only positive comments about the actual content in the video. So I guess it depends? Better sound is always good, but sometimes what you're saying is more important

[@HaiTomVlog]

Great, now I have to invest in fur coats to improve my audio - thanks Omar! 😂 To be honest, I couldn’t really tell any difference a lot of the times, and I’m using EarPods.

[@POVwithRC]

Bet it does. I do all my ambient exploration walks with a very lovely stereo XY mic. Rode SVMX. It is the best you can get for on-camera. It's like being there with me.

[@evertdeboer]

Love your content by the way!!!

[@nevvanclarke9225]

I'll be honest to be really really honest I don't even care whether a video is shot in 1080p or 720 or 4K I just watch it for the content. I don't really care that it has some swanky bit of music at the start or in treeVideo quality. I just watch videos for the content. I don't watch it to be entertain like I'm going to the cinema. I don't need it in surround sound, either. I know that might disappoint. Some Vloggers is but we as viewers dont actually care!!

[@ogonzilla]

true true

[@musicbro8225]

It's not really about what I like though. Whatever you use will produce an impression, so it should be, which one creates the impression that is closest to what you would like. If you were going to do any work on the audio, post - it's easier to add than it is to take away. So the radio announcer booming Senheiser is not flat. It's the JPG audio where as a couple of the others would be nice Raw audio :)

[@SummersSnaps]

Thanks for this video, really useful.

[@HumoraraS]

quality in general is important. this means - the video quality AND sound quality. Just DON'T FORGET to hi-pass your audio! :)

[@grahamwhite2782]

I’ve been a professional sound engineer for 36 years, so I could go into massive detail here, but the one thing I will says is you’ll notice substandard audio long before badly shot video, so spend time getting it right within your budget. And whatever you do, when you’re evaluating your setup, don’t do it on headphones, use a proper pair of loudspeakers, even if it means plugging your computer into your stereo system. You’ll thank yourself in the long run.

[@demazy]

Nice content, but this time I’m really hit by the image quality 😂 Did you change something ?

[@lothcat]

I really like the sennheiser mics but for whatever reason the NTG sounds better to me in your room than the 600 and I think I agree that the 50 sounds the best. I think the NTG sounds great with your room/voice though and especially if you can avoid syncing the audio it would probably be a better value for money in your case

[@robertyoung1777]

It’s frustrating when I can’t stick with a zoom or podcast presentation because of tediously poor audio quality. It’s worth getting the sound right. Funny that audiophile - stereo equipment reviewers offer have lousy KZbin audio quality.

[@loco46m]

The deity duo sounded great with the dead cat on it. I think that and the Rode are more than enough, but it all depends on your shot. I know you said you don't like the mic in the shot.

[@ogonzilla]

Yah!! Totally surprised me, that little thing.

[@K1989L]

My Bower & Wilkings headphones will pick up everything.

[@brentmiller3250]

I’ve never given any thought to the quality of your audio. Half the time I’m listening on my iPad, and half the time I’m listening on a 27” iMac with nice (not great) external speakers. My two cents.

[@Nenad9785]

Hi Omar, please one question, not related to mic, what have the better af for events, canon 5d mk4 or nikon Z6?Thanks a milion :-)

[@RiccardoGabarriniKazeatari]

Most people don't use headphone, they watch KZbin on their phones (sometimes reading subs instead of listening to the audio)... When you said there was an huuuum I had to bring the phones speaker to my ear (even though I'm in a very quiet room at night), so I guess what I want to say is, go with the ceaper one, use the difference for rentals to keep doing great videos like you only can do

[@wymanair]

Listening with Noise cancelling headphones. The $1200 mic makes you sound like radio DJ. It’s..a little too much quality in my opinion. I know that sounds strange but I believe the other options are more than good enough for your purposes. That is not to diminish in any way- And yes, “too booming” 👍 I second the Rode NTG.

[@ogonzilla]

Agree. It does have a low pass filter that tones it down a bit...going to try that.

[@tvariuness]

so i'm going through the same thing. i'm launching a yt channel and i've been testing mics and workflows. for the key is the workflow afterwards. will the mic produce a sound that requires zero adjustment in premiere pro, will it require a little or a lot? since i'm recording my audio in various settings (sometimes indoors in well treated spaces, sometimes outside in nyc with all the city noise), the mic doesn't need to a 1200 mic. so far the rode videomic go is doing the job but i might have to upgrade to the rode videomic pro+ but regardless i have created a present in premiere for post processing that's bringing it all together. so it's the post processing that i think is important.

[@ogonzilla]

good luck!

[@DrSlideit]

Could you please create a Fujifilm XS20 vlog/video crash course? I would gladly pay for that. First time camera is this one, from an iphone

[@crust616]

in order: 1 audio 2 content 3 video

[@manugeee]

The hardware is the one side, so you also post process the audio in software?

[@kenc2257]

The MKH50 does sound very, very good, but the Rode NTG sounds almost as good [edited to add: I use headphones to listen].

[@tjsinva]

As long as you don't sound like you're at the bottow of a well. The NTG is sufficient.

[@K1989L]

Rode ntg is best bang for the buck.

[@martintolley9234]

The comparison thing is good. But you (I?) only hear the difference when there are two to compare. Just any one seems OK to me and I think (assuming your sound doesn't sound like you're recording in a tin bucket next to a submarine engine room) listeners "attune" to the audio characteristics of the set you use, and then what you're talking about is what matters. I think what is important is that the sound characteristics are consistent across the various clips you present in a video, people notice any changes to those, and that's what sounds unprofessional can irritate and upset folk.

[@niveketihw1897]

Doug Demuro seems to do okay (views-wise) while sounding like his head's in a toilet when doing certain indoor "quirks and features" reviews.

[@andriibudim]

rode ntg sounds like every other youtuber. Only meh.... mkh 50 sounds absolutely fantastic,- much less environmental reverb, full, rich and overall professional. I myself recently pulled the trigger and bought one for myself, and my only thought was I should have bought it sooner :)

[@RenmiyaAsakura]

As an audience, personally I'll just stop watching immediately if the audio quality sucks. And by "sucks" I mean if it makes me feel like it's cracking and breaking my speakers. Like when someone who's using a poor quality headphone mic. Or when someone is screaming too loudly and too close to the mic and it makes the cracking sound.

[@cusebike5391]

In general, video is good. Audio is still all over the place. You're right. Work on the room, not the mic. If outdoors, rely on the creators who have success. They don't all spend a fortune.

[@ACSanchez26]

I use a 20$ mic. It's definitely not the best, far from it, but it gets the job done. For recording a "better" audio, it's OK for me.

[@fredschoepke7916]

Do you know why the sound crew only count to 2, test 1, 2, testing, 1, 2? Because you lift on 3.

[@ferossan]

What is an "airpod"? ... do you mean HEADphones?

[@71co0k]

Nice kitchen!

[@captainianr]

I hate the close mic in shot. Looks ridiculous IMHO, and sounds too ‘intimate’

[@coka237]

Some youtubers do not realize how awful is their audio and the listeners have to put up with it. End of the line, if the content is good everything else is secondary.

[@HarriRomppainen]

Thanks for great comparisons! Have you tried the Adobe Podcast AI enhancer tool with those lower cost mics?

[@ogonzilla]

I have NOT...another rabbit hole??

[@evertdeboer]

Sennheiser in Europe is spelled with 2 NN's 😄

[@NotAnotherChannel_Channel]

Check. Check one. Check. Check. Check. Check one, two. Check. A basic mic will do the job in 99.99999999999% of the applications.

[@ogonzilla]

Which one should I keep??? :)

[@stirado]

I bought a really cheap dynamic (behringer xm8500) and a "standard" $100.00 dollars dynamic (sennheiser e835) to test and I learned that I can get away with either. I also learned that my voice benefits from a brigther mic. Since I don't particuarly like having a microphone on the shot, I decided I'm going to buy the Sennheiser MKH 50 because it's an end-game microphone -meaning: after buying that microphone, I won't need to buy another microphone again. But first, I need to treat my room. I think you should buy the Sennheiser MKH 50. Why have good sound, if you can have great sound? This first option is for when your budget doesn't allow the second option.

[@jayforcinema]

All of them, because you might be a hoarder at heart... or the MKH50 because it's the best sounding one, and mics, like lenses, stay with you for years

[@thomasfransson]

Mkh50 It brings more Omar into the video

[@nickdubesa8068]

I really like the MKH50, for a bit more I prefer the Schoeps CMC641, its comparable to the 50 but more natural sounding. Would be happy with either though.

[@swagonman]

It does sound like $1200!!! I’m using AirPods.

[@ogonzilla]

RIGHT???? lol

[@nikearth]

Thanks Omar. I actually liked the audio in the untreated room best. I see you sitting there, so a bit of 'room' is expected. 🦬