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How to Get the Best Sound When Recording With Your DSLR Camera

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DSLR cameras are great for recording interviews, podcasts, short films, and more; however, they need a good microphone to support the sound quality front. Unfortunately, not all DSLR cameras comprise powerful built-in microphones to deliver excellent sound quality. 

 

However, we’ve found some hacks to help you enjoy professional sound quality with your DSLR cameras. Therefore, we’ve got you covered whether you’re a filmmaker, vlogging enthusiast, or podcasting expert. This post will list different ways to get the best sound when recording with your DSLR camera. 

 

Get a Good DSLR Microphone

 

The first and easiest way to enhance the sound quality of your DSLR recording is to use the best DSLR microphone. A DSLR microphone is a special type of microphone crafted to run smoothly with a video-enabled DSLR camera. It is typically lightweight and can be easily mounted to the shoe of a camera.

 

A DSLR camera provides a highly directional sound recording by pointing directly at the sound source. In simpler words, it ensures a clear sound recording. It is widely used by news correspondents, podcasters, interviewers, etc., for recording great audio quality amidst noisy surroundings. 

 

You can connect a microphone to your DSLR camera using the camera’s built-in mini jack or an XLR adapter. One of the most significant advantages of using a DSLR microphone is that you can manually adjust and monitor the sound. 

 

Check Your DSLR Camera’s Audio Setting

 

The next step you should take is to check your DSLR camera’s audio settings. Adjust the setting per your audio requirements. Don’t forget to check the gain settings (we’ll discuss this in detail in the next section). 

 

Most DSLR cameras comprise the following:

 

  • Automatic gain control 

  • A limiter

  • Wind noise reduction

 

Turn them off and evaluate if there’s any change in the sound quality, especially if you are using an external microphone. You may not need a limiter if you’ve set your DSLR camera’s gain correctly. A limiter can make the sound uneven and excessively compressed. 

 

Switch Off the Automatic Gain Control Feature

 

Almost all DSLR cameras comprise the Automatic Gain Control (AGC) feature; however, to enhance the sound quality of your DSLR camera, we highly recommend switching off this feature. 

 

The ACG feature automatically modifies the sound according to the volume that is being picked up. It’s a good feature; however, sometimes, it does not work per your requirements. Moreover, if you’re using a DSLR microphone, the AGC can significantly impact the sound quality by:

 

  • Altering your audio levels in a way that impacts the overall sound quality

  • Amplifying background noises

  • Distorting the overall sound quality

 

Use Headphones to Monitor the Sound Quality

 

Modern DSLR cameras comprise headphone jacks. Therefore, you can also use headphones to monitor the overall sound quality. Headphones can help a great deal in:

 

  • Identifying external disturbances in the recorded audio

  • Ensuring the audio levels are not clipping

 

However, ensure you’re using the right headphones to monitor the sound quality of your DSLR camera. Like sleeping with the right headphones helps relax, using the correct studio monitoring headphones will help thoroughly evaluate your DSLR camera’s sound quality.

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