In-camera microphones
The standard advice for using the in-camera microphone is “don’t.” The placement of the microphone is wrong (too far from the sound source), and most camera microphones do not have the quality needed for good sound.
Sometimes, however, you won’t have any choice except to use the in-camera microphone. Here’s how to do it:
Find a quiet place to do your shoot.
Identify and minimize background noise. (Turn off things like refrigerators, fans and air conditioners. Use a wind screen to reduce or eliminate wind noise.)
Listen for reverberation (echoes) in the room. (Find somewhere else to do the interview if the location has reverberation.)
Open the lens wide, and move your camera as close to your subject as possible. Try to get your camera within 12 inches of the interviewee’s mouth. (Obviously, this works best for documentary interviews, unless you're shooting the Blair Witch Project.)
When using the in-camera microphone, get close.
Lavaliere microphones
If your camera has a “Mic” (microphone) input, use an external lavaliere microphone for documentary interviews and some narrative films (if you can hide the lavalier while still getting good sound). Lavaliere microphones range from inexpensive $30 consumer models to $600 and up professional models.
Consumer grade lavaliere microphone.
Professional lavaliere microphone (the silver tube is the pre-amp).
The difference in sound quality between the consumer models and the professional lavaliere microphones is nothing short of stunning. With a good lavaliere microphone, your interviewee’s voice will have a rich, intimate sound. This short video shows the difference in sound quality between a Sony HC7’s in-camera microphone, a consumer lavaliere microphone, and a professional lavaliere microphone.
