Basic Principles of Recording Sound
In film, Sound is as important as pictures. Sound is used in lots of different ways, it can be used to show where and when the film is set, revealing important things, building an atmosphere, setting a tone, describing a character, hinting on an imminent action.
As a basic principle, if recording good live sound isn't possible, then it's better to fake the sound - creating the soundtrack on the computer during the editing stage.
Other fundamental principles before shooting and recording sound are:
1. Using a separate microphone. In case the in-camera or on-camera microphone is the only available option, then zoom out completely to get as close as possible to the subject.
1.1. Handheld cardioid - general-purpose microphone, it can be used on a stand or hung from the ceiling. Their name comes from the pattern they pick up: they capture mostly what is in front of them, but some to the sides, in that sense is somewhat heart-shaped.
1.2. Clip-on lavalier - small button-sized microphones, usually battery-powered and with a clip that can connect to the lapel of a suit jacket. These are very useful and reliable of all.
1.3. Shotgun microphone - extremely directional microphones, with very little spill to the sides. They are usually used on booms poles.
1.4. Another option for recording audio is to use a separate audio recorder and sync the sound in the edit. A tip, to make the editing faster, as the camera starts rolling, clapping or making a loud noise will appear on the volume waveform on the editing program, making it easy to sync the sound.
2. Getting the sound levels right. Very loud sound can distort; very quiet sound can have ‘hiss’.
3. Building the soundtrack also from other individual sounds, not just the recording on the on-camera microphone.
While on a shoot:
4. Listening before shooting. It is really important while choosing the right place to shoot, away from any distracting background noise.
5. Listening while shooting. Monitoring the sound while shooting using headphones.
6. Shooting away from any distracting sounds so if there is a lot of unavoidable background noise, the shot should be set behind or away from it.
7. Using a wind gag when shooting outside.
8. Recording silence. Getting the room tone, a minute or so recording of the background sound from the location while nothing is happening. It's useful to cover gaps and glitches when editing.
While editing:
9. Using sound to help the edit flow. Split edits, Sound bridges, J-cuts, L-cuts.
10. Adjusting the level while editing, making it even throughout. Reducing background sounds and music to focus on dialogue.
Sources:
https://learnaboutfilm.com/making-a-film/film-sound-basics/
https://www.videomaker.com/article/c10/13534-basic-sound-for-video
As a basic principle, if recording good live sound isn't possible, then it's better to fake the sound - creating the soundtrack on the computer during the editing stage.
Other fundamental principles before shooting and recording sound are:
1. Using a separate microphone. In case the in-camera or on-camera microphone is the only available option, then zoom out completely to get as close as possible to the subject.
1.1. Handheld cardioid - general-purpose microphone, it can be used on a stand or hung from the ceiling. Their name comes from the pattern they pick up: they capture mostly what is in front of them, but some to the sides, in that sense is somewhat heart-shaped.
1.2. Clip-on lavalier - small button-sized microphones, usually battery-powered and with a clip that can connect to the lapel of a suit jacket. These are very useful and reliable of all.
1.3. Shotgun microphone - extremely directional microphones, with very little spill to the sides. They are usually used on booms poles.
1.4. Another option for recording audio is to use a separate audio recorder and sync the sound in the edit. A tip, to make the editing faster, as the camera starts rolling, clapping or making a loud noise will appear on the volume waveform on the editing program, making it easy to sync the sound.
2. Getting the sound levels right. Very loud sound can distort; very quiet sound can have ‘hiss’.
3. Building the soundtrack also from other individual sounds, not just the recording on the on-camera microphone.
While on a shoot:
4. Listening before shooting. It is really important while choosing the right place to shoot, away from any distracting background noise.
5. Listening while shooting. Monitoring the sound while shooting using headphones.
6. Shooting away from any distracting sounds so if there is a lot of unavoidable background noise, the shot should be set behind or away from it.
7. Using a wind gag when shooting outside.
8. Recording silence. Getting the room tone, a minute or so recording of the background sound from the location while nothing is happening. It's useful to cover gaps and glitches when editing.
While editing:
9. Using sound to help the edit flow. Split edits, Sound bridges, J-cuts, L-cuts.
10. Adjusting the level while editing, making it even throughout. Reducing background sounds and music to focus on dialogue.
Sources:
https://learnaboutfilm.com/making-a-film/film-sound-basics/
https://www.videomaker.com/article/c10/13534-basic-sound-for-video
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