I'm exploring some ideas at work for our training.
We've need of some staff to be able to record short videos or stream live from different situations. This includes outdoors.
We've been using our phones since March, they're all HD and 'ok'. Biggest issue is poor sound and occasionally wobble from whoever is holding the phone.
I'm thinking of adding a microphone (with fluffy cover), a tripod stand and maybe a cheap gimbal.
I'd need perhaps 6 sets for staff around the country, most on Android but a few on Apple phones.
Would this add much to the quality? I'm pretty sold on microphone and cover at very least.
Paying our brilliant video people to travel and record just isn't going to happen at present, but they will edit the videos.
I'm in no way an expert but having fallen down the youtube rabbit-hole recently I'll stick with a video if the footage is a bit off but chin it off ASAP if the sound quality is poor.
So with that in mind I'd get the mics first, then the tripods and then maybe consider the gimbals.
But as I say,I'm not an expert - I'm pretty much just guessing based on watching dozens of outdoor kit reviews over the last few months.
Yeah, agree on the sound thing. Always avoid any amateur ‘outdoorsy’ videos (stop s****ing at the back), due to that awful scratchy wind sound.
Are they called dead cats or have I imagined that?
Are they called dead cats or have I imagined that?
not any more.. chance of upsetting people..
fluffys now...
rode do quite a decent, affordable radio mic that should interface with the phone.
Get a tripod or a gimble, I’m not sure you’d need both
edit
if you have mics make sure you get a windjammer to fit.
you can also do a lot with clever mic placement, inside lapels or scarfs.
waterproof jackets are really tricky. They just sound like grease proof paper bring scrunched up....
not any more.. chance of upsetting people..
fluffys now…
Still a dead cat, fluffys are for lapels?
You could get something like an Osmo, either the camera or the mobile gimbal? To improve sound quickly and cheaply you could use a ring sticky with a fury on it over the mic on the phone, it'll keep the wind out.
Still a dead cat, fluffys are for lapels?
not in my world...
Chat to Jon at MadeOnAMobile, he'll give you some pointers as to kit/techniques. Runs fantastic training sessions too, can thoroughly recommend - could be worthwhile to get the team started!
https://hellojon.wordpress.com/
Get the person to do the stuff outside and then do a voice over back at home?
I found that the easiest way for my "Are you bored enough" series which are world renown for their production value 😉
Zoom video cameras for musicians have a great mic, and easy interface. We use for rehearsal room recording.
Get the person to do the stuff outside and then do a voice over back at home?
We're making things interactive - workshops live from the woods type stuff...
That would work where our editor is then matching up sound and video.
Thanks all, I'm going to order a couple of things and try them out.
We bought a microphone to plug in to camera and mobile phones for videos on holiday. "Rode videomicro", very nice quality, comes with furry windshield, about £40 I think. We mount it with the phone on a clamp (we mount it on a wound-down car window), you would have to think of a similar setup if people are presenting doing something i.e. don't have hands free.
Some examples of mobile phone footage from our hols, really cuts out the wind noise but is directional: short youtube video (phone) longer youtube, mix of phone and camera