[00:00] In this tutorial series, we go over the essentials of how to make you and your orchestral instruments sound and look better. This episode will show you four different options to record the audio for your video: 

• Using a smartphone or tablet
• Using an audio bridge attached to your digital camera
• Using an external mobile recorder
• Using your laptop with an audio interface 

We look at the pros and cons of each setup and talk about useful basic audio settings. Let's go. 

[00:35] The first and easiest way to record the audio for your video is with the built-in microphone of your smartphone or tablet. But this might actually not be the preferred choice to record your orchestral instrument. If you want to improve the sound quality, an external microphone like the Neumann TLM 102 is the way to go. 

In order to make that work, you need something like the iRig Pre HD or the iRig Pro, which connects directly to your smartphone. It supplies the microphone with the necessary phantom power, and it has a gain knob to adjust the level, as well as a headphone output to monitor the signal. This unit is also available with two inputs for a stereo recording setup. 

[01:09] If you are using a digital camera for your video, a small microphone adapter like this connects directly to the hot shoe mount on top of your camera to work with professional microphones like the Neumann KM 184. With both setups, the video and audio are perfectly in sync, as they are stored in the same file on the same device. 

Another option is to record the audio with an external mobile recorder. Some of these devices have even more inputs than just one or two, and the sound quality of the pre-amplifiers and converters is much better than in the forementioned setups. 

[01:42] This is also true for many audio interfaces that connect directly to your laptop to record the audio in a digital audio workstation software like GarageBand, Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase, etc. Here, you can visually check the levels, see the waveforms, and easily edit your audio. 

Since the audio and video are recorded on two different machines, you need something as a reference to sync both media — a hand clap will do. 

[02:18] The basic audio settings we recommend are: 

• Sampling frequency: 48 kHz
• Bit depth: 24 bits 

When you set the levels, try to set the loudest part at -10 dB or even -6 dB. Don't go any higher than this. It's okay to even record lower, just don't clip your audio, as this will distort and sound really bad. Be especially careful with loud instruments with a high dynamic range and fast attack, like timpani or brass. 

However you record your audio, please turn off any automatic gain modes or sound helpers. The idea is to capture your audio as pure, natural, and uncompressed as possible. Before sharing your video, you can easily raise the level of your audio to make it sound loud enough. 

[02:55] In any case, when using one or more external microphones, you need microphone cables that are long enough to connect to your audio recorder. Make sure you use cables with an XLR connector, as only they can transmit the necessary phantom power for your condenser microphones. 

Furthermore, a solid and stable microphone stand with sufficient height and reach is important, as depending on your instrument, your microphone might even be high up in the air. 

When using a pair of microphones, a stereo bar that fits onto one microphone stand will help you place the two microphones in a secure and optimal way. 

[03:26] (Music)

A dedicated mobile recorder or an audio interface with an external microphone generally provides the highest audio quality and greatest flexibility.

Yes, but using an external microphone and audio interface can significantly improve the audio quality compared to the built-in microphone.

A sampling rate of 48 kHz and a bit depth of 24 bit are commonly recommended for high-quality video production.

An audio interface is ideal for recording directly into a computer, while a mobile recorder offers a portable standalone solution.

Create a simple sync marker, such as a hand clap, and align it with the audio waveform during editing.