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rosstcorbett
Participating Frequently
August 2, 2019
Answered

Removing Camera Lens Clicking from YouTube Videos

  • August 2, 2019
  • 1 reply
  • 2803 views

Hi Everybody,

I have bought a new camera for making videos on YouTube.

The Canon lens I am using makes a slight clicking noise whenever it changes focus and the microphone picks this up. It's not very loud but noticeable.

I have never used Audition before and was just wondering if this is something Audition can do? Also, moving forwards, I would probably want to hire somebody to do this for me due to the amount of videos being recorded, is there somewhere, a such as a forum or website where I can hire those who are skilled in Audition?

Thank you very much for your time .

Regards,

Ross

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer SteveG_AudioMasters_

    rosstcorbett  wrote


    I use The Rodeo Video Mic Pro+ on top of the camera. I'm confused because most Big YouTubers (Who shoot with a Canon) use the 16-35 usm which I am, and you can never hear the mic on their videos. Many smaller YouTubers  such as myself who use the same lens are constantly asking how it is that the 'big boys' lens noise is never heard. Hence, why I assumed they must be doing it in post as at the end of the day it is the same lens.

    I wouldn't assume anything about what they're doing - except to note that they may be trying to put you off the scent... and whatever it is they're doing, it certainly won't involve fixing things like that in post - they're all after quicker results than that.

    If we have a look at the SOS review of the Rode, you will note that it says the following:

    "Off‑axis rejection is good in many situations, though you won't want to get yourself caught too far from the subject. Despite being a shotgun, the Videomic Pro's polar response isn't as directional as something like a Rode NTG3, for example, so long-range dialogue work is a little out of its comfort zone!"

    What this is basically saying is that it will pick up close-range noise because it's not so good at rejecting it, and probably not what the 'big boys' are using at all.

    The other thing we used to teach all students new to videoing (I did this for 19 years) was to switch the auto-focus firmly off... which is what most pro users do. Nothing screams 'amateur' more than auto-focus, except possibly zooming out on somebody speaking... Either don't move, or if you need to show something else, then re-frame the shot.

    Ultimately though, having any mic mounted on a camera is wrong, except in terms of capturing continuity. It's really not where the listener needs to be in terms of viewing the results at all. Unfortunately it's still a common mistake. You don't need massive amounts of pro kit to do a good job of a video - you just need to learn what it is you have to do to make it effective, and that information is not, unfortunately, quite so commonly available...

    1 reply

    SteveG_AudioMasters_
    Community Expert
    SteveG_AudioMasters_Community Expert
    Community Expert
    August 2, 2019

    It might, if the sounds are consistent, be possible to isolate them using the Sound Remover, but this only works if the sounds are absolutely consistent, and generally focus motor noises aren't.

    But I have to say, almost in the same breath, that using the built-in mic in a camera to record YouTube videos is not the way to go at all! In fact it isn't for any video, really; the mic's in the wrong place relative to the performer, and as you've noticed, it picks up everything else you don't want, and generally the quality of them is dubious, to say the least. You should either use an external mic plugged into the camera (if there's a socket available - most decent SLRs have one these days) or alternatively use a stand-alone recorder, also with an external mic, and sync the sound afterwards. This is what the vast majority of YouTube video makers are doing these days and if you don't, then you'll likely get fewer views and likes - people are putting up less and less with crap sound now. At last. It's taken a long time to get there...

    There are some audio recorders around dedicated to the task now - Zoom make a range of them: Field Recording | Zoom The F1-LP might be a good bet, although you have to use the mic carefully (or get one with lower handling noise). Don't get the shotgun version - that's not intended for anything other than effects, really. There are other recorders also - have a look at Tascam's offerings too, for instance.

    Bottom line is that this needs to be fixed at source, so don't use the camera sound. If you are recording voice, then ideally use a lav mic, much closer to the source of the sound you are recording, whatever it is.

    R
    rosstcorbettAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    August 2, 2019

    Hi Steve,

    Thank you for the response.

    I use The Rodeo Video Mic Pro+ on top of the camera. I'm confused because most Big YouTubers (Who shoot with a Canon) use the 16-35 usm which I am, and you can never hear the mic on their videos. Many smaller YouTubers  such as myself who use the same lens are constantly asking how it is that the 'big boys' lens noise is never heard. Hence, why I assumed they must be doing it in post as at the end of the day it is the same lens.

    Thanks for the feedback.

    Ross

    SteveG_AudioMasters_
    Community Expert
    SteveG_AudioMasters_Community ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    August 2, 2019

    rosstcorbett  wrote


    I use The Rodeo Video Mic Pro+ on top of the camera. I'm confused because most Big YouTubers (Who shoot with a Canon) use the 16-35 usm which I am, and you can never hear the mic on their videos. Many smaller YouTubers  such as myself who use the same lens are constantly asking how it is that the 'big boys' lens noise is never heard. Hence, why I assumed they must be doing it in post as at the end of the day it is the same lens.

    I wouldn't assume anything about what they're doing - except to note that they may be trying to put you off the scent... and whatever it is they're doing, it certainly won't involve fixing things like that in post - they're all after quicker results than that.

    If we have a look at the SOS review of the Rode, you will note that it says the following:

    "Off‑axis rejection is good in many situations, though you won't want to get yourself caught too far from the subject. Despite being a shotgun, the Videomic Pro's polar response isn't as directional as something like a Rode NTG3, for example, so long-range dialogue work is a little out of its comfort zone!"

    What this is basically saying is that it will pick up close-range noise because it's not so good at rejecting it, and probably not what the 'big boys' are using at all.

    The other thing we used to teach all students new to videoing (I did this for 19 years) was to switch the auto-focus firmly off... which is what most pro users do. Nothing screams 'amateur' more than auto-focus, except possibly zooming out on somebody speaking... Either don't move, or if you need to show something else, then re-frame the shot.

    Ultimately though, having any mic mounted on a camera is wrong, except in terms of capturing continuity. It's really not where the listener needs to be in terms of viewing the results at all. Unfortunately it's still a common mistake. You don't need massive amounts of pro kit to do a good job of a video - you just need to learn what it is you have to do to make it effective, and that information is not, unfortunately, quite so commonly available...

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