The Best Microphones for any Budget

“Check. Check one. Check two. This thing on?”

When it comes to successful production, it’s vital to remember that audio is just as important as video. This truth is routinely disregarded by many — at times, even by myself. Usually, the punishment for doing so is spending several regret-filled hours trying to salvage a project in post.

This is why choosing the right microphone is essential to the overall outcome of your production. Of course, that might seem easier said than done. After all, there are so many different mics to choose from, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and price tags. With all of this in mind, let’s explore the vast world of mics in order to determine which one is right from the best budget microphones to some more expensive, professional options...

Building the Perfect Grab and Go Video Journalist Kit

Breaking news waits for no one, which is why it's so important for both aspiring and professional video journalists to have specific pieces of equipment at the ready. After almost a decade of freelancing for a large news channel, I know that what you might pack to shoot your next film won’t do you much good crafting news packages. You will need to have the right gear ready to go when your producer frantically calls asking if you can be on location immediately to cover a tornado that’s about to touch down (true story). So we at the Connect2 team are here to help you choose the right camera, lenses, mics, and cases — and offer up some production tips to help you capture incredible broadcast-quality footage. Plus, for those on the go looking to travel extremely light, we’ve included some info on a minimalistic kit to have ready for the mobile journalistic approach...