Acoustic Bounce

Light bounces. So does sound.

Videomakers can reflect or absorb light for creative effect. Same with sound.

Reflected light, if not controlled, can destroy a scene. Likewise, reflected sound.

Most videomakers spend lots of time fine-tuning their lighting. Not so their acoustics. This benign neglect sabotages the overall quality of your video. However, with a little planning and practice, you can make sure your acoustics-and in turn your audio-is the best it can be.

Sound Space

It's natural to worry about visuals when you shoot. The placement of background elements, the quality of the lighting, the location of props-we all fine-tune these for realism arid continuity between shots.

But what about the acoustics?

Every enclosed space you've ever been in has a different combination of objects and surfaces; each adds reflected sound to the room's unique acoustic signature. Our minds constantly process these sound reflections, which tell us almost as much about our surroundings as our eyes do.

Try a test some time: have a friend lead you blindfolded through an unfamiliar building. You'll know almost instantly upon entering each room how large it is, especially if you clap your hands or shout.

We've all seen movies or ads the dialogue-every word of been re-recorded in a studio.

To the eye, everything matches up precisely. To the ear, however, the resulting audio proves too sterile, flat, uninvolving.

Our ears expected a potpourri of reflections and reverb; what they heard instead were the acoustics of a foam-lined room. It's the aural equivalent of shooting every scene without a background.

Like it or not, the acoustic signature of a room becomes an integral part of your soundtrack. You would not shoot without first removing distracting visual elements from the background. Likewise, you should make sure your aural backdrop enhances- rather than hinders-the clarity and realism of your sound…