Audio for DSLR Video


Audio for DSLR Video: The Importance

With all the advancements in DSLR camera’s, making gorgeous looking video has never been easier or more affordable. Unfortunately audio, even though equally important, is often an afterthought and left to chance. Unless you are in the business of shooting silent movies, audio is half the story and every film maker should strive to present their films with the highest quality audio possible to maximize impact and emotional response.

 

Built-in DSLR Audio: The Problems

There are multiple problems with recording audio into a DLSR camera. The built-in camera mic is unacceptable for professional work and is also subject to wind noise and internal camera/lens noise. When using the 1/8th or XLR input on the camera, you are introducing possible noise and durability issues due to the unbalanced input. Also, in an effort to keep file sizes to a minimum, audio is often mangled by compression and limiting. A process that is impossible to undo. Obviously this is not the best strategy.

 

Dual System Audio: The Solution

Recording audio with a completely separate device (also referred to as double system sound) is the best approach if you want the highest quality audio for your project. This setup involves a laptop, a professional audio interface (like an Apogee ONE or Duet 2) and a quality microphone and results in feature film quality audio from the start. This system also allows the film maker to monitor, backup and check files on the laptop, eliminating any possibility of lost video footage or audio.

 

Advanced Video Work Flow

The Dual System also increases efficiency and makes file organization a breeze. With a Dual System for your audio, your files are already on your workstation when you are ready to start editing, eliminating the step of transferring audio from a hard disk recorder or the DSLR camera.

 

Audio Post Production

Often a concern with DSLR audio is sync when editing. New with Final Cut Pro X and also offered as a plug-in by third-party software developers, audio can be automatically lined up with video in the correct location with near zero effort.

 

Final Cut Pro X

Using Final Cut Pro X for post production allows you to effortlessly record overdubs in place without having to transfer files and line audio up.

Apple has tweaked the connection between audio and video tracks with something it's calling "Clip Connections." This binds secondary audio tracks to the primary audio tracks that are attached to footage. This way, if it's dragged to another part of the timeline, it won't lose the secondary audio that was added after the fact. Joining that is a feature Apple calls "Magnetic Timeline" which makes sure that these connected items that are dragged around on the timeline do not collide with one another.

 

We're compatible

Use Apogee hardware with any of these popular video applications:

 

Final Cut Pro X
Final Cut Pro 7
Final Cut Express

Final Cut Pro 7

Final Cut Express

iMovie
Media Composer
Adobe Premier

 

Recording Audio for Video Tutorials

 

How to record audio for DSLR video

Product Comparison Chart

ONE, Duet 2 and Ensemble are all excellent choices for the DSLR Filmmaker. Here is a breakdown of their features.

 

Product

ONE

Duet 2

Duet 2

Duet 2

Ensemble
Duet 2

Built-In Microphone 1 N/A N/A
Number of Inputs 1 2 8
Number of Outputs 2 4 8
Number of Microphone Preamps 1 2 4
Phantom Power 48V 1 1 1
Soft Limit   1 1
Portable 1 1 1
Light Weight 1 1  
Price $249 $595 $1995
       

 

More Apogee Solutions...

 

Guitar

Music Creation

Live Sound

Audio for Post Production

Apogee gear for music creation on a Mac, iPad and iPhone

JAM


Apogee JAM

Studio quality guitar input

 

Works with: iPhone, iPad, Mac

  • PureDIGITAL instrument connection for pristine sound quality
  • Designed specifically for electric guitar and electric bass
  • Optimized for active and passive pickups
  • No configuration, just plug in and play
  • Input only, output via iPhone, iPad or Mac

$99

MiC

Apogee MiC

Studio quality microphone

 

Works with: iPhone, iPad, Mac

  • Studio quality cardioid condenser microphone
  • PureDIGITAL connection for pristine sound quality
  • No configuration, just plug in and record
  • Designed for vocal and acoustic instrument recording
  • Input only, output via iPhone, iPad or Mac

$199

ONE for iPad & Mac

 

Pro Tools


2 IN x 2 OUT USB audio interface/microphone
for iPad & Mac

 

Works with: iPod touch, iPhone, iPad, Mac

  • 2 channels of Apogee A/D conversion and microphone preamps
  • 2 outputs for headphones or powered monitors
  • Built-in microphone
  • Maestro control software for iOS and Mac

$349

Duet for iPad & Mac

 

Pro Tools


2 IN x 4 OUT USB audio interface for iPad & Mac

 

Works with: iPod touch, iPhone, iPad, Mac

  • 2 channels of Apogee A/D conversion and microphone preamps
  • 4 outputs, Independent speaker and headphone outs
  • Balanced outputs
  • Full color OLED display
  • MIDI I/O
  • Maestro control software for iOS and Mac

$649

Quartet for iPad & Mac

 

Apogee Quartet

 

4 IN x 8 OUT USB audio interface and studio control center for iPad & Mac

 

Works with: iPod touch, iPhone, iPad, Mac

  • 4 channels of Apogee A/D conversion and microphone preamps
  • 8 outputs, Independent speaker and headphone outs
  • Balanced outputs
  • 2 Full color OLED display
  • 3 speaker set monitor control
  • MIDI I/O
  • Maestro control software for iOS and Mac

$1395

ONE for Mac


ONE

1 IN x 2 OUT USB Microphone and Audio Interface
for Mac

 

Works with: Mac

  • Built-in condenser microphone
  • Instrument input for guitar, bass or keyboards
  • World-Class mic preamp input
  • Studio quality stereo output

$249

GIO


Apogee Gio

1 IN x 2 Out USB guitar interface and software controller for Mac

 

Works with: Mac

  • World-class instrument preamp and converters
  • Hands-free Software control for GarageBand, Logic and MainStage
  • Studio quality output to a guitar amp, headphones or powered monitors

$395

Ensemble

 

Ensemble

8 IN x 8 OUT FireWire audio interface for Mac

All-in-one FireWire audio interface for Mac

This product is no longer in production

Check the Apogee Store for refurbished Ensembles>


Works with: Mac

  • 8 channels of Apogee’s legendary A/D and D/A conversion
  • 4 transparent, digitally controlled 75dB mic preamps
  • S/PDIF, ADAT and Word Clock connections
  • “SoftLimit”, “UV22HR” and “Intelliclock”
 

Symphony I/O

 

Symphony I/O

2-to-32 channel modular audio interface for Mac

 

Works with: Mac

  • Next generation converter quality
  • Modular design, flexible I/O and future-proof connectivity
  • Easily switch between Logic, Pro Tools HD, USB or Standalone Mode
  • Customize your Symphony I/O with 6 Modules

Starting at

$2495


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