Record audio seperate or in camera?

I picked up a Canon EOS R, and getting into more video.  Is it better to record audio separate or from within the camera?  

Or does it not make a difference?  


Thank you

Karen

You'll get better sounding audio if you record separate.  If you have a mic like a Rode Video Mic Pro plugged into a Zoom H4 or H5.  

If you have the $$ to get separate audio recording device, this will be much better.  +Zoom H4 or Shure VP83F mic.

If you're just using a Rode Videomic pro, the you can probably get away with a Zoom H1N for half the price of the H4N. If you think you'll be using more professional microphones, then something with XLR inputs like the H4N is vital. Although I've got one and personally I'd buy something with proper dials for the audio levels, because the button interface isn't great. The H5 and H6 both have them. I don't know them as well, but Tascam also do some well-reviewed audio recorders. At the basic level, these audio recorders all have built in microphones, so you can use them by themselves and they'll still be an improvement on your in camera audio, because you can get them right next to your subject.

The problem with using separate audio is then of course you need to sync sound, which means you'll either have to clapperboard everything you shoot, or you can get software like PluralEyes that does it automatically (but costs about $300). It also generally means that you need someone else to operate it, unless you're in a very controlled situation where you can set everything up beforehand (a sit down interview, for example). Separate audio adds to your workflow, so you have to work out whether it's worth it to you. Most of the time, it's good to at least have the option, because there might be times when you want to get the microphone close to the subject but keep the camera far away (maybe you're using a longer lens) and you can't do this if the microphone is attached to the camera.

Another option is to buy a preamp that allows you to use more professional microphones, but gives you full control over the audio levels. This gives the advantage of being able to use a proper camera but still have it record to the same file as the video. Here's a quick video .

Not 100%.  You don't need clapperboard or expensive software.  Well assuming you have FCPX you can select your video file and audio file and right click on them both and click synchronize clips and it does it within seconds for you.  

So unless I'm missing something here, getting the Shure VP83F would be a smaller foot print because it's a mic and external recorder in one right?  

BTW thank you all for all the help!  

Dana Leeson wrote: Not 100%.  You don't need clapperboard or expensive software.  Well assuming you have FCPX you can select your video file and audio file and right click on them both and click synchronize clips and it does it within seconds for you.  

Ah, it's moved on since I last used these things. Adobe Premiere does it too now.

I'm not sure if either of them can do what Pluraleyes can do and literally import everything and sync it all in one go though.

Karen Russell wrote: So unless I'm missing something here, getting the Shure VP83F would be a smaller foot print because it's a mic and external recorder in one right?  

BTW thank you all for all the help!  

I guess so. It's not a microphone I'm particularly familiar with, but it will probably record better quality files because you can record uncompressed WAV files, which your camera can't. It's worth mentioning that the audio recorders mentioned also have decent quality microphones on them, but they're stereo microphones in an X/Y pattern, so they're better for recording environmental sound, whereas the Shure would be more directional. The Zoom H5 and H6 though do have the option of changing the attached microphones, albeit for extra money. They are also obviously not as easy to attach to a camera in a way that doesn't get in the way.

Are there any other mics like the Shure? With the built in mic and audio recorder? 

Olympus makes one.

You have a link for that one? 

Why hasn't Rode come out with an all in one recorder? 

Plus one for Shure