Audio gear can drain your budget fast. Here’s what to buy first, what to rent, and what you can skip.
The Non-Negotiables
If you’re recording dialog for commercial work, you need:
- A good microphone: Shotgun for most work (Sennheiser MKH 416 is the industry standard). Lav mics for interviews and hidden mic work.
- A recorder: Zoom F6 or Sound Devices MixPre-6 II. Don’t rely on in-camera audio for anything that matters.
- Headphones: Closed-back, flat response. Sony MDR-7506 are the standard for a reason.
- A boom pole: Extendable, lightweight. K-Tek or Ambient are solid.
- Wind protection: Deadcat for outdoor work. Indoor foam windscreen for controlled environments.
What to Rent
Wireless lav systems are expensive ($1,500-3,000+ per channel). Unless you’re using them weekly, rent them. Same with specialty mics (shotguns for specific environments, plant mics, boundary mics).
What You Can Skip
Preamps, mixers, and multi-channel recorders are overkill for most commercial shoots. A good field recorder handles everything you need. Save the fancy mixer for narrative features with complex sound design.
The Mistake Everyone Makes
Buying cheap gear to save money. A $200 shotgun mic sounds like a $200 shotgun mic. You’ll replace it within a year. Buy the MKH 416 once, use it for a decade.
Where to Save
Cables, boom poles, and windscreens don’t need to be name-brand. Monoprice XLR cables work fine. But the mic, recorder, and headphones? Don’t cheap out.
Location Sound vs. Studio
Location work needs portable, battery-powered gear that can handle unpredictable environments. Studio work lets you use AC-powered equipment with better specs. Know which you’re doing before you buy.
Need help building a sound package?
Get in touch. We’ll spec the right audio gear for your shoots without wasting money on stuff you don’t need.
