It’s all in your head
The Sixth Day of Christmas
By Nick Dunkerley & Frederik Bjørn
Stereo Microphones: Great for Soundscapes, Not for Interviews
Stereo microphones are excellent at capturing immersive soundscapes.
Think birds chirping, waves crashing, or a choir singing.
But when it comes to interviews, stereo mics can cause a problem:
If you’ve ever listened to a recording with headphones, you’ve probably noticed how sound moves between the left and right channels.
In an interview, this effect can make your guest’s voice seem to bounce around in the listener’s head, creating a distracting, uncomfortable experience.
For interviews, stick to mono microphones that focus on a single, clear audio source.
Save your stereo mic for capturing environmental sounds or ambient layers to use later in your mix.
The Case Against Clip-On Microphones
Clip-on or lavalier microphones are often seen as convenient because they’re small and easy to attach to your guest’s clothing.
But here’s the catch:
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Designed for TV:
Lav mics are built for visual discretion, not optimal sound.
Their small size means they have tiny diaphragms, which simply can’t capture the richness of sound that a proper handheld or field recording microphone can. -
Placement Issues:
Because lav mics are attached to clothing, they can pick up rustling sounds or vary in quality depending on how your guest moves.
If you’re aiming for the best possible sound in your audio story, stick to a proper field microphone.
Lav mics might be okay in a pinch, but they’re not your best option.
Why You Should Always Wear Headphones
This is non-negotiable: you should always wear headphones while recording.
Why? Because your ears aren’t enough.
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Catch Issues in Real-Time:
Headphones let you hear exactly what’s going to tape, including any background noise, mic handling sounds, or distortion. Without them, you could end up with a ruined recording and no way to fix it. -
Closed-Back vs. Open-Back:
Choose closed-back headphones for fieldwork.
These block out external noise, allowing you to focus on what the microphone is picking up.
Open-back headphones, while great for mixing in the studio, let in too much ambient sound for reliable monitoring. -
Monitor “After Tape”:
If your equipment allows, monitor the audio after it’s been recorded to ensure what you’re hearing is exactly what’s being captured.
Which headphones should I get?
When adding a pair of headphones to this years wish list, which pair should it be?
As we all know, Santa might need a bit of guidance, to not get lost in the specifics of impedance, sound pressure level, frequency response and so on.
No need for worrying, we have assembled a list for you to follow;
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Beyerdynamic DT-770 80 ohm
The great field recording option
A classic, all around choice, durable and come with 80 Ohm impedance, which is versatile and great for field recordings.
They are closed-back, meaning they provide excellent sound isolation by blocking external noise and minimising sound leakage.
This is great for only hearing what the microphone captures, but can be tiresome over long periods of time and it can take a while to get use to.
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Beyerdynamic DT-900 250 ohm
The professional studio recording option.
The sister pair of headphones to the DT-700, a great all around choice.
These are however open-back, letting in more external noise, but are more comfortable to wear over long periods of time.
They have an impedance of 250 ohm, making them the better option for recording or editing session at home or in a studio.
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Sony MDR-7506
The field recorder on a budget
A more budget friendly pair of fine all-round headphones.
While being closed-back, they don’t close as tight around your head as the DT-770 making them easier to get used to, while still minimising sound leakage.
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Sennheiser HD-25
The lightweight option for the recorder on the go
A smaller set of closed-back headphones with a low impedance of 70 Ohm, make these headphones a great pair, not only for field recording, but also of everyday use.
They work surprisingly well in loud environments, especially taking into consideration their small size, making them a classic choice for DJ’s the world over.
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Sennheiser HD 650
The perfect pair
These open-back headphones with an impedance of 300 Ohm, are the best of the best, and their price mark clearly shows.
If you edit podcast on a daily basis and is on Santa's nice list for the fifth year in a row, then these might be for you.
How to Get the Best Sound Every Time
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Use a Mono Mic for Interviews:
Keep the focus on your guest’s voice with a single-source microphone. -
Wear Headphones, Always:
Closed-back, over-ear headphones will help you catch every detail of the recording. -
Avoid Clip-On Mics:
Reserve lavaliers for situations where visual discretion is essential, and use a proper field mic for everything else.
🎁 Today’s Challenge: Test your setup!
Record a short interview using different equipment: stereo mic, mono mic, and clip-on.
Listen back with headphones to compare the sound quality and see why some tools work better than others.
Tomorrow, we’ll explore how to find the perfect recording location and minimize background noise.
Hindenburg is the only way to go. With a significant reduction in my editing time, I’m now free to focus on my content and my audience!
Field recorder
for iPhone recording
The best audio recorder is the one you have with you at all times, and our field recorder is ready to capture professional-level audio whenever and wherever you are.
Just plug in an iPhone-compatible microphone or use your phone’s built-in options, and you’re set!
We offer simple editing features as well as a one-dial compressor and a clipboard to store your favourite clips.
When you’re ready to export, you can send your session directly to Hindenburg PRO or LITE, or upload it to SoundCloud and a host of other sites. Always be ready.
