Recommend a high-quality external microphone for the Canon R7 video setup.

Question

Im honestly about to lose it with this Canon R7 I just got. Everyone told me it was the best for video but nobody mentioned the audio is basically unusable if there is even a tiny bit of breeze outside. I tried filming my kids at the park near my house in Seattle and you cant even hear what they are saying over the wind noise. It is so frustrating because I spent all this money on the camera and now I realize I need more stuff.

I have no idea what I am doing or what even fits on this thing. Do they all just plug into that little hole on the side?? I need something that is actually high quality because I dont want to buy something cheap and have to replace it in two months. Sorry if this is a really basic question but I am a total beginner and all the technical talk online is just making my head spin.

budget is around $200 to $250 max

needs to be super simple because I am definitely not a tech person

must work well outdoors because it gets so windy here

I need to buy it by next Friday before our family trip

Is there a specific one that just sits on top and works without me having to mess with a bunch of settings or menus? I just want the people talking to sound clear and not like they are standing behind a vacuum cleaner...

Lauren · Accepted Answer

> I need something that is actually high quality because I dont want to buy something cheap and have to replace it in two months. Unfortunately, I have to disagree with the notion that just getting a generic shotgun mic is a magic fix. I have been disappointed by so many of these setups that still sound thin outdoors. For your R7, you really need something robust. Ive tested a few and honestly prefer these two:

Sennheiser+MKE+400+Compact+Shotgun+Microphone&linkCode=osi&tag=5422-20" target="_blank" rel="nofollow sponsored">Sennheiser MKE 400 Compact Shotgun Microphone: Better for you because it has an internal shock mount. Ive had issues with external ones catching on things and breaking.

Rode VideoMic NTG Shotgun Microphone: Great tech but has way too many dials which might be annoying if you want simple. The Sennheiser+just+works+without+f&linkCode=osi&tag=5422-20" target="_blank" rel="nofollow sponsored">Sennheiser just works without fussing. Just remember that the foam cover it comes with is basically useless for real wind... you absolutely must use the furry deadcat protector or youll be right back where you started. It is kinda annoying that you have to buy extra stuff, but thats just how audio goes.

james.anderson · Answer

Honestly, I feel your pain. The R7 is a beast for video but yeah, internal mics are basically just there for decoration once you step outside. Over the years I've probably spent way too much money trying to fix this exact issue... if there is even a slight breeze, the built-in audio is total trash. If you want something that just works without making you learn a whole new degree in audio engineering, you should look at the Rode VideoMic NTG On-camera Shotgun Microphone. It is right in your budget and is basically the gold standard for people who just want to plug it in and go. The best part is it has an auto-power feature so it turns on and off with your camera... I cant tell you how many times I have ruined footage by forgetting to turn a mic on. It plugs right into that 3.5mm jack on the side of your R7 and stays out of the way. For that Seattle wind though, you 100% need a 'deadcat' which is just a fuzzy windscreen. The Rode WS11 Wind Shield for VideoMic NTG is what you want. It slides right over the top and kills that vacuum cleaner sound you're getting. I've used this exact setup for beach shoots and it is a total lifesaver. Just get it ordered soon so you can test it before the trip next Friday.

ProtonPulse · Answer

Jumping in here... honestly, you should be careful because wind is a total audio killer and most people think a mic alone fixes it. It doesnt. You absolutely need a furry 'dead cat' windshield or you are wasting your money. For the R7, I would suggest getting the Rode VideoMic Pro+ On-Camera Shotgun Microphone. It is right at the top of your budget but it is basically the gold standard for being simple.

The mic turns on and off automatically with the camera so you wont forget.

It has a rechargeable battery that lasts forever.

A safety channel feature records a quieter track in case the kids scream. One DIY tip tho: go into your Canon menus and change the audio recording from Auto to Manual. Turn the camera level way down and flick the switch on the back of the mic to +20dB. If you leave the camera on Auto, it tries to boost the silence and you get that nasty background hiss. Should definitely get you through that trip next Friday without issues.