Journalism Second-Year Gear List for Print and Online Majors

Photo/video course accessories

The following accessories cost approximately $400 and are mandatory:

• One tripod that’s rock steady when extended to as much as 1.3 metres.
• One pro-quality handheld audio recorder that includes a 3.5mm mic input jack.
• One Lavalier mic with a 3.5mm output plug.
• One memory card for your handheld audio recorder, with a capacity of at least 16GB.

Choosing a tripod

The following inexpensive model provides just enough stability and durability to be considered for your coursework:

• K&F Concept 64-inch (163 cm) tripod legs and head, model K234A0 + BH-28L. (Available from Amazon Canada. Search for B0B1HYVVTV.)

To get yourself better equipped, travel and entry-level pro tripod legs and head combos from maker Vanguard will provide a solid platform, now and into the future. The following models provide unbeatable quality in their respective price ranges:

• Vanguard VEO 2 204AB
• Vanguard VEO 3 GO 204AB
• Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB with BH-100 head (the best mix of features and value)
• Vanguard VEO 3 263AB or VEO 3+ 263AB with BH-160 head (the best and priciest tripod in this list)

Choosing an audio recorder and mic

The majority of the audio capture you'll do will require a portable pro-quality recorder and lavalier (lapel) mic. 

Top recommendation: Zoom F2 Field Recorder

The Zoom F2 offers 32-bit floating recording, which means it’s nearly impossible to accidentally capture audio that is either distorted (because recording levels were too high) or filled with hiss (because recording levels were much too low.) This makes it the best affordable way to record interviews and more.

The F2 all but removes the stress of getting the recorder's gain settings just right since it doesn't have (or need) a gain control. Instead, all adjustment of audio levels is done during editing on the computer later.

There are two models of this recorder, both of which include a good Lavalier mic.

• The F2-BT, also incorporates Bluetooth wireless support. This allows for basic smartphone control of the recorder. However, the smartphone-related functionality is rudimentary and not worth paying the higher price.
• Therefore, it's suggested that you opt for the non-Bluetooth F2 version.

Second-choice recommendation: Zoom H1essential Handy Recorder (Lavalier mic must be purchased separately)

Like the Zoom F2, this recorder supports 32-bit float recording, thereby eliminating the risk of capturing audio at unusably high or low recording levels.

The H1essential is more versatile than the F2, owing to its inclusion of a built-in stereo mic (in addition to a 3.5mm input for a lavalier mic, which you must obtain separately). On the flip side, The H1essential is larger and more complicated to use than the F2, which is why the H1essential is the second-choice recommendation and the F2 is the top recommendation.

The Zoom H1essential stores audio to a microSD card, but none are included with the recorder. A capacity of 32GB is recommended, from a brand-name memory card maker such as SanDisk, and it should include a microSD-to-SD adapter for compatibility with SD card readers.

Third-choice recommendation: Zoom H1n Handy Recorder (Lavalier mic must be purchased separately)

If you already own a Zoom H1n (sometimes, students purchase this recorder in the first year), you might forego the purchase of the F2 or H1essential.

The H1n is good, but unlike the F2 and H1essential, it lacks 32-bit float recording. This means it requires the recording level to be set correctly on the device at the time the recording is made. This is more prone to occasional errors.

The Zoom H1n stores audio on a microSD card, but none is included with the recorder. A capacity of 16GB or 32GB from a brand-name memory card maker such as SanDisk is recommended, and make sure to include a microSD-to-SD adapter for compatibility with SD card readers. 

The Zoom H1n is compatible with microSD cards up to a maximum size of 32GB.

Lavalier mic (needed if purchasing a Zoom H1essential or H1n)

If your recorder is a Zoom H1essential or Zoom H1n, you must purchase a Lavalier mic as well. It’s vital that the Lavalier model you settle on doesn’t need its own battery to avoid a problem that has tripped up students too often in the past - the mic’s battery goes dead partway through an interview, resulting in no sound (and no discovery of this fact until it’s too late).

Choose from the following lavalier mics, all of which feature 3.5mm output plugs and are powered exclusively by the recorder or camera they’re plugged into. Each includes at least one windscreen and can be sourced at either The Camera Store or online.

Note that most affordable Lavalier mics feature a TRRS-type connector for compatibility with a smartphone or the audio port on a Mac. That's true of four of the five mics recommended below, which means they will require a TRRS-to-TRS adapter for use with the H1essential, H1n or your camera's mic jack. Each mic's description lists whether this type of adapter is needed and whether one is included. The recommended adapter is the Rode SC3 (if one is needed but not included).

• Shure MOTIV MVL: Of all the affordable Lavalier mics we’ve tried, this one produces the clearest interview audio with the lowest self-generated noise. It’s an entry-level pro microphone gem. If you opt for this mic, be sure to also get a Rode SC3 3.5mm TRRS to TRS Adaptor.
• Rode smartLav+: Delivering rich interview sound with minimal self-generated noise, this is among the best budget-friendly Lavalier mics available. In our experience, it’s second only to the Shure model above. If you opt for this mic, be sure to also get the Rode SC3 3.5mm TRRS to TRS Adaptor, which is not included.
• Rode Lavalier GO: Clear sound that is somewhat less rich than the smartLav+ makes this mic nearly as good a choice as the smartLav+. Its TRS-type plug means it can connect to your camera or external recorder without the need for an additional adapter.
• PowerDeWise Professional Grade Lavalier Lapel Microphone: This mic provides very good recording quality. The PowerDeWise includes a TRRS-to-TRS* adapter as well as a long extension cable. It's not quite as good a mic as the Rode smartLav+ or Shure MVL, but it's also less expensive. The PowerDeWise is a superb value.
• PoP voice Professional Lavalier Lapel Microphone Omnidirectional Condenser Mic: If you're on a particularly tight budget, consider this mic. It captures voice with good clarity, though the sound is noticeably thinner than more expensive options. Its slightly flimsier build quality means it might not last as long as the other mics too. The PoP mic includes a TRRS-to-TRS* adapter.

_{* The TRRS-to-TRS adapter supplied with the PowerDeWise and PoP models will enable each mic to connect to and be recognized by your camera, the H1essential, H1n or similar audio recorders. But, neither is as suitable for the job as the Rode SC3 3.5mm TRRS to TRS Adaptor. That's because Rode's SC3 features a right-angle plug that will keep the cable tucked in close to the side of the recorder or camera body. Therefore, if you purchase either of these mics, consider getting an SC3 to use in place of the clunkier non-angled adapter bundled with each mic.}