Let's be honest here. We've all botched an audio recording from time to time. It happens. While you can't be ready for every possible situation, you can avoid some of the more obvious problems. This issue, we're reviewing the 10 most common audio mistakes and how to fix them before they happen.

1. Recording with AGC

Automatic Gain Control, or AGC, is the nemesis of every video shooter. AGC is a special circuit that monitors the incoming audio level, decides what is too loud and too soft, and adjusts the recording level accordingly. What's wrong with that? AGC isn't very smart and works in real time. It can't predict what will happen next and only reacts to volume changes as they occur. This means that loud sounds will suddenly get softer while quiet sounds get cranked up until the noise is unbearable. If your camera has a manual audio level setting, use it. If not, you have to pay close attention to the recording to minimize the effects of AGC.

2. Background Noise Problems

Virtually every location has some background noise, there's just no way around it. While some background noise occurs naturally - traffic, birds, bugs and weather - many sounds can be controlled. For instance, refrigerators and freezers are usually easy to unplug. They'll stay cool long enough for your shoot and you won't have to worry about their compressors kicking in. Air conditioning systems make lots of noise too but, if it's not too hot or cold, you can turn them off temporarily. Don't forget to silence the cell phones and turn off the background music. Sometimes, the simplest way to eliminate background noise is to simply shut the door.

3. Wind Noise

Savvy outdoor shooters know that wind is the enemy. While foam windscreens are available for most microphones, a light breeze is about all they're good for. Any stronger wind and your audio will be ruined with rumbling noise similar to thunder or an earthquake. Fortunately, the fix is simple - a fur windscreen. Also available for most microphones, a fur windscreen can block much stiffer winds and salvage an otherwise impossible shoot. If you need to improvise a fur windscreen quickly, visit your local fabric or crafts store. Look through their selection of craft fur and get a piece large enough to wrap around your microphone. A couple of ponytail holders and you've got a temporary windscreen that will minimize most wind noises.

4. Not Using Headphones

You're still not monitoring your recordings with headphones? Seriously? If your camera has a headphone jack, it's time to find a pair of headphones, leave them in your camera bag and use them on every shoot. While a nice pair of full, over-the-ear headphones is preferred, anything is better than nothing. This means your MP3 player earbuds can do double-duty in your shooting setup. With headphones, you'll hear hum and buzz, wind noise, catch shorts in cables, dead batteries and other audio problems before they're permanently recorded. Unfortunately, not every camera has a headphone jack. In these cases, try monitoring through a mixer or simply do a test recording and check it before the shoot.

5. Picking the Wrong Microphone

Imagine a crazy, urban skateboard video with a bluegrass soundtrack. It's just wrong and everyone knows it. The same can be true of your microphone choices. The choice of a mic is determined by situations that arise during the shoot or simply what you have on hand. It's hard to go wrong with a good shotgun mic in your bag. They work for interviews, dialog, handheld use and even effects recording. If you're using other types of microphones, make sure they suit the situation. This simple step will improve both the visual and audio portion of your video.