Is the issue the sound?

If so, what Ive used is a separate audio recorder (second phone, Zoom H1, etc) placed close to the banjo. You can start the video with a clap and then synchronize after the fact.

Or, for an easier process (no sync issues), an external microphone that plugs directly into your phone. It could be a cheap Lav mic from amazon and an extension cable, or possibly something wireless.

But in general the mic will need to be much closer than the camera.

I'm also a beginner at self-recording, so looking forward to other responses.

I was about to say iphone 13 has really good video, but then read cheap.

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Originally posted by jubal

Hi. I'm looking to do more recording of myself playing on video with audio, but need a cheap, but decent, way to do it. I've tried the cell phone recording and it's okay, but if I can improve on that cheaply for the time being, I would love to get some advice on how to do so.

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Does your computer have a built-in web cam and microphone? If so, it probably came with the needed a/v recording software.

You could go to Amazon and search for inexpensive digital cameras. Depending on your phone, some of these cameras could be better. Since we don't know what you have, we have no way of knowing waht's better.

You can also consider upgrading your phone with your carrier. Maybe you're entitled to a good deal on the latest iPhone or Android phone with potentially a better camera.

Or buy a used DSLR. My Canon is 8 years old and has a high number of megapixels.  When I record videos (which I haven't done much) I record the audio through an Audio Technica AT2020 condenser mic into a Fostex multi-track recorder I've owned since 2010. In iMovie on my Mac I substitute the recorder audio for the camera audio.

I'm sure more experienced people will have better ideas.

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Originally posted by A Drum On A Stick

... Ive used is a separate audio recorder (second phone, Zoom H1, etc) placed close to the banjo. You can start the video with a clap and then synchronize after the fact.

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When I forget to do that, I sync the video visually by aligning the peaks of the waveforms of the camera audio and recorder audio -- before deleting the camera audio. I think I get as close as I would syncing to a clap.

Best to consider the video and audio as separate. Not sure which part indicate need to improve. Or whether hardware/software, or learning to use what got to better ability, bang for buck. Good news is that there are many inexpensive or free apps... however there can be a bit of learning curve.

For video, most smart phone cameras are pretty darn good these days. (can even repurpose older phones for just video cam). The best bang for buck would be more about learning how getting most out of that, esp lighting. For audio, the built in mic/audio on phones, is not great. A better solution is to use an external mic. This would be my guess of what need to improve, and where might need to spend some money. They do make better mics or mic interfaces that will plug directly into phone. This allows to have better set-up for sound, mic where inst is vs where cam is. as such, even a fairly inexpensive  external USB mic setup will get better results. 

The other option, is to use computer desktop/laptop. The audio using a usb mic or mic interface. Can be recorded right into a video app like OBS, or for more audio tweaks/control into something like Audacity or a actual DAW like Reaper. The video can be imported from phone, mixed (with audio). Alternatively, it's not necessary to actually record video on on the phone, rather just send the video direct from the phone cam to the computer. (they make apps that will do this, either via usb or wifi from phone to computer; like DroidCam), recorded into video capture app; or perhaps into something like OBS to direct record audio/video. Or can simply have separate audio/video files, use simple video editing app to import combine video (from phone or computer capture app) and audio from DAW. The one trick is to get the separate video and audio to be in sync; the old using a clap (or clapper) at the beginning makes it easier to align. 

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Originally posted by A Drum On A Stick

Is the issue the sound?

If so, what Ive used is a separate audio recorder (second phone, Zoom H1, etc) placed close to the banjo. You can start the video with a clap and then synchronize after the fact.

Or, for an easier process (no sync issues), an external microphone that plugs directly into your phone. It could be a cheap Lav mic from amazon and an extension cable, or possibly something wireless.

But in general the mic will need to be much closer than the camera.

I'm also a beginner at self-recording, so looking forward to other responses.

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Yeah, it's the sound. And I'm also wanting to record singing at the same time, so any suggestions on that would be helpful too. Thanks for your input!

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Originally posted by Old Hickory

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Originally posted by jubal

Hi. I'm looking to do more recording of myself playing on video with audio, but need a cheap, but decent, way to do it. I've tried the cell phone recording and it's okay, but if I can improve on that cheaply for the time being, I would love to get some advice on how to do so.

---

Does your computer have a built-in web cam and microphone? If so, it probably came with the needed a/v recording software.

You could go to Amazon and search for inexpensive digital cameras. Depending on your phone, some of these cameras could be better. Since we don't know what you have, we have no way of knowing waht's better.

You can also consider upgrading your phone with your carrier. Maybe you're entitled to a good deal on the latest iPhone or Android phone with potentially a better camera.

Or buy a used DSLR. My Canon is 8 years old and has a high number of megapixels.  When I record videos (which I haven't done much) I record the audio through an Audio Technica AT2020 condenser mic into a Fostex multi-track recorder I've owned since 2010. In iMovie on my Mac I substitute the recorder audio for the camera audio.

I'm sure more experienced people will have better ideas.

---

I have an aftermarket video cam with mic for my computer. The only thing is, I've hooked it up and got video, but no sound, so I have no idea what the issue is there. I do have an older DSLR, a Canon T2i. I have a mic with the old three post mic connector on it that I could plug into my mixer and then run the mixer into the computer I guess into Audacity or something. I guess I will do some experimentation. 

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Originally posted by banjoak

Best to consider the video and audio as separate. Not sure which part indicate need to improve. Or whether hardware/software, or learning to use what got to better ability, bang for buck. Good news is that there are many inexpensive or free apps... however there can be a bit of learning curve.

For video, most smart phone cameras are pretty darn good these days. (can even repurpose older phones for just video cam). The best bang for buck would be more about learning how getting most out of that, esp lighting. For audio, the built in mic/audio on phones, is not great. A better solution is to use an external mic. This would be my guess of what need to improve, and where might need to spend some money. They do make better mics or mic interfaces that will plug directly into phone. This allows to have better set-up for sound, mic where inst is vs where cam is. as such, even a fairly inexpensive  external USB mic setup will get better results. 

The other option, is to use computer desktop/laptop. The audio using a usb mic or mic interface. Can be recorded right into a video app like OBS, or for more audio tweaks/control into something like Audacity or a actual DAW like Reaper. The video can be imported from phone, mixed (with audio). Alternatively, it's not necessary to actually record video on on the phone, rather just send the video direct from the phone cam to the computer. (they make apps that will do this, either via usb or wifi from phone to computer; like DroidCam), recorded into video capture app; or perhaps into something like OBS to direct record audio/video. Or can simply have separate audio/video files, use simple video editing app to import combine video (from phone or computer capture app) and audio from DAW. The one trick is to get the separate video and audio to be in sync; the old using a clap (or clapper) at the beginning makes it easier to align. 

 

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I wonder if there's a class on youtube on this kind of stuff. It does sound like a bit of a learning curve to figure it all out. Thanks for your input. 

I use a Scarlett 2i2 for audio. It has 2 inputs you can use for either mic or other input. I’m not good enough to play banjo and sing at the same time, but I use a mic in one input and my Tele in the other. The software that comes with it allows you to treat them as separate audio streams, or a single composite stream.

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Originally posted by NewBlackDak

I use a Scarlett 2i2 for audio. It has 2 inputs you can use for either mic or other input. I’m not good enough to play banjo and sing at the same time, but I use a mic in one input and my Tele in the other. The software that comes with it allows you to treat them as separate audio streams, or a single composite stream.

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I'm not good enough on banjo to sing and play at the same time either, but I'm good enough on guitar to do so now. I'm thinking about recording the guitar track, then playing along with that until I get the banjo track down, and then add in my voice later. Maybe. Still not sure on what I'm doing.

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Originally posted by jubal

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Originally posted by NewBlackDak

I use a Scarlett 2i2 for audio. It has 2 inputs you can use for either mic or other input. I’m not good enough to play banjo and sing at the same time, but I use a mic in one input and my Tele in the other. The software that comes with it allows you to treat them as separate audio streams, or a single composite stream.

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I'm not good enough on banjo to sing and play at the same time either, but I'm good enough on guitar to do so now. I'm thinking about recording the guitar track, then playing along with that until I get the banjo track down, and then add in my voice later. Maybe. Still not sure on what I'm doing.

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The problem is the sound, yes? That's been my experience anyway. The iPhone microphone did not satisfy me at all, meaning the recording simply did not sound like what I was hearing. So I bought a Shure MV88. That's an improvement, but still not sounding right. After much reading around I got a Shure MV27 (large diaphragm condenser), which is more than twice the price of the MV88 (not sure what your definition of "cheap" is, but that's $350). This mic. is definitely good enough for me, but I'm certain there are better, and the world of microphones is a whole 'nother topic.

But to use the MV27 you have to have an interface, so I have the same one as NewBlackDak, the 2i2. Now we're around $500. You mention Audacity, that will enable your multiple tracks, but I'm not sure how Audacity helps with video. Actually I don't know anything about video. I decided to buy Logic Pro, but is that necessary? No, but it can handle video, I'm guessing most DAWs can.

You asked about YouTube. Yes, there's a ridiculous amount of video on YouTube about recording, actually too much. You have to figure out who's giving the best advice. There's also a lot of BHO experience with audio and video, in fact the recommendation for the MV27 came from BHO.

Below is a Best Buy link for an inexpensive Vivitar camcorder that has an external microphone input. Best Buy offers it for $150.

Vivitar Camcorder With External Mic Input

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Originally posted by jubal

I have an aftermarket video cam with mic for my computer. The only thing is, I've hooked it up and got video, but no sound, so I have no idea what the issue is there. I do have an older DSLR, a Canon T2i. I have a mic with the old three post mic connector on it that I could plug into my mixer and then run the mixer into the computer I guess into Audacity or something. I guess I will do some experimentation. 

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Not sure what aftermarket video cam means in this. Depending on the camera, the question is what possibilities to connect external mic (or interface) for better audio. On some cameras, have 3.5mm port(s) input for line or mic... so can plug direct into one of those. Some modern ones might have some USB or Lightening port connectivity. As well most phones do decent video, and there are mics (like Shure MV51) that plug in to Lightening port. In all those cases, it's possible treat the video and audio as one recording. Other than that, might have to perhaps as mentioned, treat the video and audio as different input sources. Either direct record, or copy files into the computer as separate sources/files and merge them in editing/stream application. It's not that difficult, and gives bit more options/control.

One option for remote videography, (don't need to be connected to computer... is I see folks using a ZOOM device with camera, IIRC all can plug a XLR(s) in, as well as other options; not sure if sound routed direct to the camera, or simply recorded on ZOOM and then merged later in editor. 

I wonder if there's a class on youtube on this kind of stuff. It does sound like a bit of a learning curve to figure it all out. 

Yeah there are tons of videos on video and audio recording. How much learning curve, depends on what goals are and complexity toward those goals... start with the basics, are not that complex. Unfortunately on YT might have to weed thru a bunch videos that don't really help in your goals. It really helps to start with a much more narrowed down defined parameters and end goals in mind; "recording of myself playing on video with audio" is fairly vague covers a huge range.