Audio for Live Streaming 101

67% of people say quality is the most important factor when watching a live video. Yes, that includes video and audio. Sometimes, audio quality is even more important. 

Your audience has to be able to understand what you’re saying, even if the video is choppy. You might not notice when the audio in a production is good, but you definitely know when it is bad.

Fortunately, the right microphones and accessories can help you avoid audio issues in your streams.

Choosing a Microphone

If you want the best audio for your live stream, you can use a shotgun mic or a lavalier mic.

Shotgun mics are mounted to your camera or put on a boom pole. These are directional, which means they are designed to pick up audio from the direction in which they are pointed. But you have to protect your mic from picking up unwanted sound like wind. 

Lavalier microphones are usually clipped to the subject to pick up audio from a single person.  

Choosing the Right Audio Accessories

Now that you have the right microphones, you need to accessorize them to optimize the audio.

Take a look at the following accessories for shotgun and lavalier mics:

Shotgun Microphones

Shotgun microphones can be mounted in a number of different ways. 

You can mount the mic directly on the camera with a shock mount to reduce noise from vibrations. 

The best option is to use a separate audio recorder to capture the audio from your shotgun mic.

If you’re filming outdoors, then you need slip-on wind protection.

Wind protectors are the furry mic covers you often see during outdoor broadcasts. They absorb energy so it doesn’t get converted to sound.

If you attach the mic to your camera, you need to stay close to your subject. Alternatively, you can use a boom pole to reach further and stay out of the shot.

Lavalier Microphones

Sometimes, you can use a lavalier microphone to collect audio from a single person. These are extremely popular for interviews.

Lav mics allow movement away from the camera or the boom pole.

Lav mics attach to your clothing, but there are certain products you can use to conceal them from view. Just make sure to avoid clothing rustle.  

Armed with the right mics and accessories, you can make sure you productions have pristine audio quality. Whether you’re using a shotgun or a lavalier microphone, or both, always strive for clear audio!