Audio

The following tools and techniques will help you capture excellent audio. Having a firm grasp on sound design concepts, microphone types and proper audio practices can save you from unnecessary problems in post production.

Sub-categories

Surround Sound Part 2: Getting the Mix

Jordan Claverie - Wed, 07/10/2013 - 9:01am

Surround sound is the next evolution for media creators. While movies are the obvious choice for a surround mix, TV, videogames and even online content can supply a similar experience.
Creating Foley Sound to Polish Your Audio Mix

Adding great audio to your video is an easy way to raise your production value. Foley sound brings details into your mix to make your video sound more professional. We show you how to create footsteps, clothing rustle, breathing, and unique barn door sounds. With some ordinary items as props, you can create some extraordinary sound for your next project.
Zoom H6 Advanced Portable Recorder

Luis Maymi - June 17th, 2013

Many of Videomaker’s forum members use the Zoom H2 in their productions with great success, but now their will be pleased to know that Zoom will be introducing a new addition to their portable recorders, the Zoom H6.
Surround Sound: Part 1 – Gathering the Audio

tkohfeld - Wed, 06/05/2013 - 3:14pm

Surround sound is everywhere: movie theater, home theater, video games and TV, But it’s not just a tool for production facilities with deep pockets. You can create it too.
Microphone Pickup Patterns

Choosing and using the right mic for the job is an important step in any video project, and understanding a microphone’s directional characteristics is one determining factor. In this segment, we talk about a microphone’s directional response and sensitivity, how to interpret a polar response chart, and we listen to examples of various mics to hear how response works in practice. Knowing how to determine the directional characteristics of a mic, and understanding how this affects the sound your mic picks up, can help you make an informed choice for your next project.
Not Your Father’s Noise Reduction

Jordan Claverie - Tue, 04/23/2013 - 9:53am

Once the arrival of recorded sound came along, so did the arrival of recorded noise. Noise has been the bane of recording engineers since ... well ... forever.
NAB 2013 Spotlight Award - Shure DSLR LensHopper VP83F

Jackson Wong - April 12th, 2013

Videomaker awards an NAB 2013 Spotlight Award to Shure for the LensHopper VP83F. Among the DSLR-centric products we've seen, none have done what Shure does with the LensHopper VP83F.
Six Tips for Cutting Down Mic Wind Noise

Greg Olson - March 04th, 2013

So you've got the camera set up, your talent is miked up perfectly, and the shot looks stunning. Your audio guy (or perhaps you if you've got a small crew) slips on the headphones, and that's when he hears it. The windstorm that seems to be blowing a hurricane force wind directly into your mic. Since we're not likely to be able to just turn off the wind, and fixing it in post can have mixed results, here's six tips to cut down wind noise on your mic.
Production Tip: Setting Mic Levels

Getting proper mic levels is essential to capturing good audio. These simple tips will help make sure your audio sounds as pristine as possible.
Audio Location Scouting

Jordan Claverie - Tue, 02/26/2013 - 11:21am

Here’s the scenario: You recently replied to an audio gig posted on craigslist. It’s set to shoot next Tuesday and the producers just hired you. In your email information packet, they list three locations and the addresses. One is indoors, one is an urban downtown setting and the last is on a wooded walking trail just outside of town. A quick look at Google Maps verifies the locations and now you’re wondering what challenges each will bring, and how to deliver the very best quality audio. You need to do a location scout, only this time it’s for audio.