The single best upgrade for most business videos is a proper microphone close to the person speaking. The built-in microphone on a camera or phone picks up the room as much as the voice, so even a modest external microphone usually sounds far better.
Which type to choose depends on what you film. For interviews and talking heads, a lavalier (clip-on) microphone gives clear, consistent speech. For run-and-gun filming and vlogs, an on-camera microphone is quick and simple. For a more polished look with no visible microphone, a shotgun microphone on a boom just out of shot is the usual choice. For voice-overs, webinars and screen recordings at a desk, a USB microphone plugs straight into the computer.
Before you buy, check how the microphone connects to your camera, phone or computer. That decides which adapters, cables or interfaces you need, and it is where most first purchases go wrong.
The four main types compared
| Type | Best for | Strengths | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lavalier (clip-on) | Interviews, presentations, talking heads | Close to the mouth, consistent level | Clothing rustle, visible cable |
| On-camera | Vlogs, events, quick shoots | Fast to set up, no extra cables | Only as close as the camera |
| Shotgun on a boom | Interviews, drama, polished promos | Natural sound, out of shot | Needs a stand or operator |
| USB microphone | Voice-overs, webinars, podcasts | Plugs into a computer, no interface | Not designed for camera use |
Microphones of all four types are listed in the equipment range, and the wider video creating section brings together equipment, lighting and courses.
Lavalier microphones
A lavalier is clipped to clothing about a hand’s width below the chin. Because it stays at the same distance from the mouth, the level stays steady even when the speaker turns their head. That makes it the default choice for interviews and corporate presentations.
Points to check:
- Connection. Some lavaliers have a 3.5 mm plug for cameras, others a TRRS plug for phones, and professional models often use a connector for a wireless transmitter. The beyerdynamic TG L58 is an omnidirectional condenser lavalier aimed at presentation and broadcast use; check which connector your version has.
- Wired or wireless. A wired lavalier is cheap and reliable but tethers the speaker to the camera. Wireless systems free them to move, and need batteries and a clear radio channel.
- Pattern. Most lavaliers are omnidirectional, which sounds natural and is forgiving of placement, but also picks up some room sound.
Hide the cable under clothing and tape a small loop near the microphone to stop it pulling. Avoid placing it where jewellery, lanyards or a beard can rub against it.
Shotgun and on-camera microphones
Shotgun microphones are highly directional. They pick up what they point at and reject much of the sound from the sides. On a boom pole or stand just above the frame, pointed at the speaker’s mouth, they give a natural, open sound with nothing visible on screen. The Sennheiser MKE 600 is a widely used example of a video shotgun microphone.
An on-camera microphone is a short shotgun mounted on the camera’s shoe. It is a big step up from the built-in microphone and suits vlogs and events where you need to move quickly. The Rode VideoMic GO is a compact example with a built-in shock mount. The limitation is distance: if the camera is three metres from the speaker, so is the microphone.
Whichever you use, a foam or furry windshield is essential outdoors. Even a light breeze can ruin a take.
USB microphones for voice-overs and webinars
For narration, screen recordings and online meetings, a USB microphone is the simplest route to clean audio. It plugs into the computer, needs no separate audio interface and works with most recording and editing software. The Blue Yeti offers several pickup patterns; for a single voice, the cardioid setting picks up mainly what is in front of it.
Place the microphone close, about a fist to a hand’s width from the mouth, and slightly off to the side to reduce popping sounds. A pop filter and a shock mount help. If you want to grow into studio microphones later, an audio interface with an XLR condenser microphone is the next step.
Getting good sound on the day
The microphone is only half the job. The room and your settings matter just as much:
- Choose a quiet room. Switch off fans, air conditioning and notifications. Close windows.
- Soften the room. Hard, empty rooms echo. Curtains, rugs, sofas and bookshelves all absorb reflections.
- Get close. The closer the microphone is to the mouth, the less of the room you record.
- Set levels. Aim for speech peaking well below the maximum, so loud moments do not distort. Do a test recording and listen back.
- Use headphones. Monitor the sound while recording so you catch rustle, hum and interruptions early.
- Record room tone. Ten seconds of silence in the room helps the editor smooth over cuts.
Our blog covers more of this in the post on clear audio for business videos. Good sound goes hand in hand with good light, covered in the guide to video lighting. If you want to learn to clean up recordings in the edit, the editing and courses sections list tutorials on audio and video editing.
Quick checklist
- Microphone type chosen for what you film.
- Connector matches your camera, phone or computer.
- Adapters, cables or interface in the basket if needed.
- Windshield for outdoor shoots.
- Quiet, soft room and the microphone close to the mouth.
- Test recording checked on headphones.
- Spare batteries for wireless systems and on-camera microphones that need them.
Common questions
Is a USB microphone good enough for YouTube?
For voice-overs, tutorials and screen recordings, a good USB microphone close to the mouth sounds clear and is easy to use. For filming on camera away from a desk, a lavalier or shotgun microphone is more practical.
Wired or wireless lavalier?
Wired is cheaper and has no batteries or radio interference to worry about. Wireless lets the speaker move freely and is often worth it for presentations and walk-and-talk shots.
Do I need a separate audio recorder?
Not always. Many cameras record good audio from an external microphone. A separate recorder helps when the camera’s audio input is noisy or when you need several microphones, but it adds a step: syncing sound and picture in the edit.
