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Recording audio is one of the most challenging aspects of video production for beginners. Even experienced filmmakers struggle to record quality audio that doesn’t detract from the video of the final production. Sound can be one of the most unpredictable aspects of filming, and it’s often a good idea to have a professional sound engineer on hand when you film. However, most beginner and intermediate video film producers and directors do not have a budget that allows them to hire a professional sound team. Depending on the camera that you use, you may have a decent microphone built into the camera. However, having a microphone attached to the camera limits what you can do as well as the quality of sound, especially if you are filming from a considerable distance from your subject. There are a few basic principles for using a microphone to record a film they should keep in mind. First, the basic principles of sound will be the same for anyone who’s recording video. It doesn’t matter if you are Steven Spielberg or a novice just starting out recording video. Sound will react in the same way for you as for anyone else. Second, your audience is going to expect sound that is realistic and does not interfere with or distract from the story you are trying to tell. This means that background noise that is not part of the film will become a distraction. Also, poorly recorded sound that makes it difficult to hear actors speaking will create strain among your audience members which will then disconnect them from the story were trying to tell. Third, sound helps to convey emotion. Inflections, silences, whispering, and other factors contribute to the process of conveying emotion in any film. And lastly, the higher the quality of the sound recording for your film, the less it will be noticed by your audience. The goal of any sound production is to have it appear as natural as possible. White or static noise can distract the viewer, making the sound more noticeable than the picture or the story. Choosing the right microphone to work with is one of the most important steps in generating quality sound. If you spend $10,000, for example, on a video camera to film your scenes, but only choose a second rate, inexpensive microphone, then the quality of your production will become more closely associated with the cheap microphone than the quality camera you’ve chosen. That’s why it’s important to make the right investment when it comes to choosing a microphone for audio recording for your video production. Rick Davis, an experienced TV Producer/Director, invites you to increase your knowledge of video and television production. He has plenty of free how-to videos and PDF cheat sheets to help make your video productions easier. To see more details on this topic check out his YouTube video entitled: Audio Basics.
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