Audio

Compression makes vocals easier to hear and volumes more consistent and brings out sounds that might get lost in a complicated mix.

Voiceovers are the mainstays of advertising, instruction and promotional videos, television programs and feature films.

There are many reasons why audio from a telephone might be in a video. In a dramatic production, it lends an impressive verisimilitude. (Recall the audio from all those nail-biting phone calls in the newsroom of Redford and Hoffman's All the President's Men.) In a documentary, the audio from a telephone interview with an author or news source could be the underpinning of all sorts of footage. Or maybe you'd simply like to sync home movies of the good old days with an interview of mom and dad, to post on YouTube.

Anyone who has ever struggled to record a clean voice over appreciates the importance of a dedicated recording space.

Learning to Listen

When it comes to audio in our videos, most of us just plug in a microphone and hit the record button.

Commercials, movie trailers, product and training videos all have one thing in common -- they often need a voiceover.

Multitasking when you are directing is not easy but sometimes necessary. Here are a few suggestions.

Two minutes of extra work on the set or in the field can save you hours of headache in the edit bay. You just need to remember to do it.

Considered an art form by many, documentary video production has its own special challenges and rewards. In this second of three parts on how to make a documentary, we'll explore how to plan your approach, find your subject and begin the process of bringing your vision to fruition.

Using an off-board mic is a big step for many video producers but just using any old mic is not good enough. For the best sound, use the best mic for the situation.

One day while shooting you'll run out of audio inputs. It just seems we never have enough.

It might not be 60 Minutes, (more like 15 minutes!) but if you want to make your interviews shine like Ed Bradley's on CBS, read on!

After countless hours of careful acquisition and editing, you go to play your finished work on a television set and part of your audio is gone. What happened?

Waves crashing, seagulls screaming, kids laughing... all elements of natural sound that enhances every story and boosts the impact of your video.

Give Narrating a Try

In order to ensure the quality of your audio, grab a pair of headphones and put them to good use. Better audio awaits you.

Understanding the language of digital audio.

Choosing the best microphone for your next video shoot.