Recording 101: Microphones

[@DJ1000ization]

I commented on this video 6 years ago, and was randomly reminded of it today. You guys have had a massive impact on what I know about filmmaking and the process behind it thanks to videos like this. I know you guys don't make videos anymore, but thank you. I really enjoyed them.

[@WeeWeeJumbo]

There's just a ton of information here. Spectacular. Thank you

[@pesterenan]

Joey singing and the boom mic rotating, just comedy gold. xD Thanks RJFS! I own a Ride Smartlav+ and I love it!

[@SoloShortFilms]

WOAAAH IT'S A PARKING LOT

[@TomJ14]

best part lol

[@Jordodude14]

I should binge watch these before I head to college for film. Would be great to have all this essential knowledge to get things rolling a bit smoother. Plus these vids are funny and actually pretty fascinating. Keep it up RJ

[@timebendpictures]

I swear to god, this is THE funniest, most engaging tutorial I've watched!! These are the sort of videos that make me pledge my undying loyalty to a channel ;)

[@ZequiHouseRD]

Awesome tutorial, keep up with the great work

[@The_Other_Dan]

The line "This may seem obvious you fuckin' smart ass" earned this channel a sub single-handedly

[@joelrolston8736]

An excellent display. Bookmarked for future reference, because I always need a reminder.

[@obmosher6863]

I was honestly nodding off before I got to this video, but you brought me back from the brink and filled my noggin with exactly what I came for. I wasn't expecting to enjoy this lesson. Ima subscribe now. Much appreciation!

[@AndrewVaughanOfficial]

I feel like I know a lot less after seeing this, but that's good, it means it's time for me to do some studying. Make more of these please!

[@fepompeo]

You have no idea how hard it's to find good audio courses here in Brazil, so thank you guys. You guys help me soooo much!

[@MonoLucas123]

Ribbon is actually a dynamic mic, dynamics can be split up into moving magnet and moving coil. A ribbon is a moving between 2 magnets, creating the signal... :) edit: But i was too early, @ 4.55 you also very correctly explain it. Kudo's once again :)

[@Asummersdaydreamer14]

Thank you for the informative video, RocketJump team! I really like how you guys break it down in ways people, who are not fluent with all the jargon, can understand.

[@danielmontespierre2983]

I studied mics from books at B&N, pored online, and even hung out at multiple Guitar Center (in different cities, states and countries) but nothing- NOTHING- wrapped it all into a tidy little package like this video. Thanks!

[@campfred007]

So far, I think it's my favourite video from all of the ones I watched to know what kind of microphone to look for my home office setup. Thanks RJFS!

[@otter-pro]

Excellent video on mics. Also I wanted to mention that condenser mics have unique characteristics, such as better clairity especially on higher frequency. There's also LDC and SDC type of condenser mics.

[@DJ1000ization]

This video is educational AND funny. That doesn't happen very often. Great job guys!

[@McOuroborosBurger]

That’s why I use a dynamic and condenser with the capsules equidistant from the vocalist (SM57 w/ windscreen & AT-2035) behind a pop filter. It’s a good sound.

[@StevenEcclestoneFilms]

I never thought about how microphones worked and what the different kinds were, this was super helpful and entertaining!

[@ali.asmr.sleep.]

This was INCREDIBLY HELPFUL!!! Thank you!

[@klatchabobby]

Gosh, I make short (horror) films and one time we were using an NTG-2, and let me say (being the first time I had ever used one like that) that it was definitely a learning experience. I STRONGLY suggest you test out every aspect of any mic even remotely similar to that before you doing any kind of filming, because if you don’t, you’ll definitely notice it.

[@tenishiadaniel2761]

Thank you so much for making this entertaining. I had to watch this for a media class I'm taking and this would have been a slow 9 minutes if you hadn't made this fun to watch.

[@Reelreactions999]

Your video style is fantastic. I was engaged throughout the whole thing. Well done all! New Subscriber.

[@griffithpictures]

Eye Opening! No one should complain about budget ever again.

[@griffithpictures]

(your video jumped a chapter... I was referring to the Lens discussion)

[@Gregg0Palmer]

True the majority of lavs are omni but there are some lavs that are cardioid (Sennheiser ME-4, Countryman Isomax 2, Lectrosonics M140MC). The NTG3 may look like a shotgun with its interference tube, but in reality it has a hyper-cardioid polar pattern not a true shotgun polar pattern. You might want to discuss interior dialog mic selection and why a interference tube mic might not be your best choice.

[@lankyjuggler]

I'd read a lot of this stuff before but the demonstrations were *wonderful*. Thanks!

[@mikenorth2215]

this video is awesome, even if you dont give a shit about microphones. awesome style of humor, and all the little touches make it super funny yet professional at the same time.

[@MMfish_]

You guys are amazing! Best video on the subject I have seen. Thank you!

[@hypnosiscenternyc]

Loved it. I could have saved months watching this video instead of reading archaic audio manuals. Good job .. learning videos that are entertaining

[@djFizzleToast]

This was great and so informative for my finals coming up lol and it cracked me up.

[@torstenmatthiessen1801]

I am sure someone else has pointed this out already, but David Lettermans deskmic is a M147 condensor-mic with tubes - not a ribbonmic ;-)

[@PatrickHogan]

I was like, Wow, recording with one hundred one microphones? That's a lot of microphones.

[@MarijadanDurian]

This is a very informational and pleasant to watch informational video. Thank you from Jakarta Indonesia!

[@catlord69]

Examples were really helpful, thank you !

[@oscareduardoestrada578]

Clear, concise and fun. Great video!

[@vdevov]

The Neumann KM-184 is my choice for most situations. A cardiod condenser that is great for quiet or loud between 0-4 yards away. Then again, I'm also a fan of the Schoeps CMIT-5U, and I've heard some in the industry don't like that mic. Is it really that bad to want crisp clean audio that's neutral in temperature?

[@TheLotanos]

Kevin is simply the best! I can't cait for more videos with him :) And by the way, I've seen in a lot of shows the use of two or even three lavalier mics at the same time. (e.g. Last Week Tonight) Why is that? Also, I've seen some people point them down to their feet instead of their head. Seems really wierd...

[@jmdmusicstudios2026]

That was amazing! So entertaining yet also so informative

[@marquitost4]

Very Useful! truly a mic 101 video. Thanks!

[@metalinyourhead3604]

So much info and still simple to explain. I wish I’d found this sooner.

[@j10ul27]

TBH.. I rarely see your videos even though I subscribed to you.. but this topic attracted me very much.. and guess what? this video is very informative and entertaining.. IMO this is very awesome and the best way to explain microphones this far..

[@ioLanche]

Great overview! Thanks guys!

[@spamsfilms]

So condenser mics produce higher fidelity audio for voice recording than shotguns? why would you choose a shotgun mic over a condenser then? Purely for how directional they are?

[@davidlovegrove4237]

You got it! Shotgun's are more often than not Condensers also, but super directional, so good for ignoring any other sounds apart from what you're aiming it at.

[@KevinSenzaki]

Shotgun microphones are a type or sub-classification of condensers - for most practical intents and purposes, film production microphones are going to be condensers, with the exception of lavaliers.

[@spamsfilms]

Thanks guys, what sort of non-shotgun condenser would you use for dialogue then? What is the sort of generic name and pickup pattern? Sorry if this was covered in the video I just want to get my knowledge of it as correct as possible!

[@KevinSenzaki]

You'll generally be looking at something within the cardioid polar pattern family - to put it simply, it'll be a microphone that favors one direction over the other. I tend to recommend a shotgun microphone if you're getting your first (and only one) for production, but having a more compact microphone with a less narrow polar pattern (like the Rode NT5 cardioid condenser we briefly show at the end of the video) can be more forgiving and natural-sounding in some interior spaces. We also used a similar cardioid condenser mic (I unfortunately don't recall the exact model off the top of my head) for the majority of the interiors in VGHS Seasons 2 and 3, but shotguns (Sennheiser MKH-416) for our exteriors.

[@justoneperson]

Thanks for posting guys, it was really informative . The parking lot was AWESOME!!

[@RhojeKPyne]

lol great info lol the dramatic presentation killed me lol

[@BenDurham]

Awesomely well put together! Thanks for pumping this stuff out constantly!

[@danieljuhasz685]

Where'd you get that sweet Foxhound beret?

[@gobstudios868]

Very Entertaining and Informative information, I really enjoyed this and wished I had this in my school

[@JohnGiggleBox]

I have been looking for some good information on different microphones and this was really helpful. Thanks!

[@MsMerllin]

Almost for first in my life i laugh to youtube video that want to explain something, and really explained something to me! Thank you.

[@NickShollMusic]

Thanks for the intelligent overview! Question: Say I want to record vocals in videos where I hardly move - which category is the most effective? Going by your tips it sounds like a shotgun.... Thanks for your response, most appreciated!

[@CloudStudiosPhoto]

You always make this educational content funny and for that I appreciate you guys more than you know. Thank you again 🤙🏽

[@pengcreations7413]

very useful video RJ. Much love xx

[@gargason]

This is the video I was looking for!

[@YOQishere]

I really like these videos. This one though had me dieing laughing! I'm a bit high at the moment and the part where you do the test in the parking lot hahahahaha

[@TheAnonSamurai]

you guys are so much fun! keep doing you!

[@deathto]

Love that homage to Matrix Great video!

[@badriprince]

Wow.. just wow..I’m really into RJ film school videos..

[@DivineZeal]

Great video, really helped with mic selection

[@everysongisworthamillionwo2088]

Yes I am feeling and thinking an breathing abd understanding for knowledg. Coul dit perhaps increase contentnessity? Lav or bom

[@AryMir]

Thanks so much for this GREAT mic review!

[@anamariaorozco9626]

Excellent video!!! Very informative!!!

[@hansprestonmccarthy5358]

Great video, very informative. I am currently looking for a mic to record vocals for a song. This helped a lot.

[@isshaye]

I love this channel, the videos are done really well. Please keep pumping out more.

[@farzadshahab5312]

Great video you guys, keep up the great work... one of the best online film schools

[@fridafeline]

Thanks for this video! I laugh every time of your jokes haha

[@zacgrimaldo]

So which would be the best for recording talent in a small room or hallway that has an echo in it? (not a recording room, but cinderblock or plastered walls)

[@pidginmac]

You guys are the best! Thank you!

[@enrique4615]

Very informative video, job well done, hats off to you sir

[@pratik1213]

so much fun to learn from this channel....so creative and entertaining

[@aoshaw]

Kevin's at it with the awesome sound videos! Thanks again! :)

[@HarManiBEATBOX]

Can you tell me which microphone is best or good for BEATBOXING and in budget....

[@digitalfxmedia]

You guys rock! Informative and hilarious!

[@AlanTheHuman]

dope tutorial for a recap on all that classes about recording and stuff

[@sharpEAGLES]

This is pure comedy. I love it

[@KieranGarland]

Great video. Really useful, thanks.

[@soulmaster846]

Awesome videos. Keep up the good work!

[@sonicytb]

What is the belt that you've used in the video which holds the recorder? at 3:49?

[@bablubala689]

Nice Video. Very good Presentation.

[@PresidentFTR]

Referring to the example with Joey and the street with cardioid microphones, there are some varying distances. If that's the case, then what stopped everything behind Joey from also being recorded?

[@KevinSenzaki]

The two cardioids we demonstrate function differently; the SM58 (the first one) has a fairly short pickup range where it's sensitive to sound. While most shotgun mics sound best fairly close, the NTG3 is still able to pick up Joey at a greater distance. Whatever is behind Joey also will likely be recorded (which is why shotguns mics on a boom are usually aimed down at the ground), but in our specific example, there's another building behind Joey that's blocking the direct street noise.

[@thelilalife2519]

Brilliant and very informative by getting straight to the point! Thank you :)

[@KevinElamMusic]

only objection is during the "parking lot song", to demonstrate the shotgun polar pattern, the singer turns his head towards the mic exactly as he crosses in front of it, thus muddling the reliability of the results.

[@jakeduggan8682]

so many matrix references! its incredible!

[@alidmo3262]

This is super cool man, thanks

[@deoneimi3044]

best tutorial ever

[@fhannyreyes574]

7:20 LMAO hahaha 😂

[@farismansor]

Awesome tutorial!

[@EricksonFilmsYT]

Excellent video, you did an amazing job explaining this, glad more people will learn about microphones :)

[@abdullahmughal123]

will you guys do more videos about after-effects?

[@solhsa]

Do different kinds of dead cats have different properties?

[@KevinSenzaki]

They serve the same broad purpose of helping absorb and keep wind off the mic with minimal compromise on audio clarity. Unless you're talking about actual, literal dead cats - some are more decayed than others, I think.

[@operationssuperstar]

You wanna get the really well-fermented kind.

[@markoboychuk]

What an amazing video! I can't wait for the next one.

[@eleones]

Great video! Wish I had this when I was in film school. It would've saved me a ton of money and I could've majored in basket weaving instead.

[@BunkerMountain]

Learning new material while laughing my ass off. Love it guys!

[@sammyjohn.production4783]

Shotgun microphones do we need battery or

[@ansenfrench1140]

yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes! YES!!!!! Finally another audio video

[@jwsscotia2795]

fantastic video! very genuine and whole hearted :)

[@musikarama]

this is super helpful, many thanks for sharing this =)

[@TihomRecords]

Thank you so much guys your style is too cool with amazing knowledge..

[@BillyBoggle]

Amazing and good info.