Audio Articles

• Microphones
• Sound Design

• Audio for Video Production: Balanced Vs. Unbalanced
  September, 2009
  by Hal Robertson
  Overview of balanced vs.Unbalanced signals with ways to adapt a balanced audio signal to an unbalanced camera input when recording audio for video production.
• Audio Sweetening
  August, 2012
  by Hal Robertson
  Rarely will a video producer lay down an audio track and leave it. Good, recorded sound is essential in any production, but we can all use a touch-up here and…
• Microphone Anatomy
  July, 2012
  by Hal Robertson
  They say that sound is half of the movie and, while some debate the percentages, few will argue the point. But how do you get the best sound? By choosing the…
• Portable Recorders - The Digital Audio Multitool
  June, 2012
  by Hal Robertson
  Video creators everywhere have discovered the power of the portable audio recorder in place of a camera mic, but these devices provide many other uses too.
• Creative Commons
  May, 2012
  by Hal Robertson
  Your neighbor might upload something using copyrighted music and no one notices, then you upload something and the copyright police send you a take-down letter.
• DIY Sci-Fi Sound Effects
  April, 2012
  by Hal Robertson
  Whether it's Star Trek sound effects, Star Wars sound effects or the many others you hear in the movies and on TV, making sci-fi sound effects is a fun,…
• The Right Mic for the Job
  March, 2012
  by Hal Robertson
  The audio side of video can be intimidating for the newcomer and microphone choice is certainly toward the top of the list.
• Zoom H2n Audio Recorder Review
  March, 2012
  by Mark Holder
  For budget friendly, uber audio, check out the Zoom H2n Audio Recorder.
• Audio Levels
  February, 2012
  by Hal Robertson
  It's a simple question: How loud is too loud? The answer is a bit more complicated. Setting correct audio levels, and monitoring and mixing audio can be…
• Free Sound Effects
  January, 2012
  by Hal Robertson
  It happens when you least expect it - you suddenly realize you need some sound effects for your project but you have no budget. Now what?
• Audio Software Buyer's Guide: Sound Editing
  November, 2011
  by Ben Balser
  How many times have you heard this: If a video is technically poor, the audience might forgive it, but if the audio suffers, the audience will walk.
• Can You Hear Me Now? A Microphone Buyer's Guide
  November, 2011
  by Ron Jones
  What makes great video? Simply put - great audio! As a videographer you can have great shooting and editing skills but if the audio stinks so will the video…
• The Art of the Voice Over
  October, 2011
  by Peter Zunitch
  Recording a voice over isn't like recording an interview or live action in the field. This is the sound that carries your video, and needs to be clear, concise,…
• Audio Field Mixers & Recorders Buyer's Guide
  September, 2011
  by Marshal M. Rosenthal
  Audio mixers and recording devices provide the missing link to great video productions - those days of monophonic mics and hiss-inducing analog mixers are…
• How to Get the Best Audio from HDSLR Cameras
  September, 2011
  by Hal Robertson
  Curious video shooters checking out HDSLRs love the video capturing, but find audio gathering cumbersome. Here are some tips for HDSLR video and audio…
• Sound FX: Think Outside the Source
  August, 2011
  by Earl Chessher
  When you need some otherworldly sound for your "Out of this World" project, think like Dorothy and you'll find everything you need is in your own backyard - or…
• Fixing Audio in Post
  July, 2011
  by Hal Robertson
  Most editors grind their teeth when someone says,"don't worry we'll fix it in post", but fixing it in post are where audio tricks shine.
• Music for Weddings
  May, 2011
  by Hal Robertson
  As a wedding shooter, you won't have the opportunity to choose the music for the wedding ceremony, but you can set the mood for all the video content you…
• Audio Tips For Weddings
  April, 2011
  by Hal Robertson
  You got a contract to shoot a wedding - congratulations. You realize, though, that the audio is just as or even more important than the visuals, right?
• Zoom H1 Handy Recorder Reviewed
  April, 2011
  by Tyler Faires
  With its small build the H1 is a perfect out-of-the-box unit for daily recording and small projects. If you are looking to record live events, office meetings,…
• Sound Accessories
  February, 2011
  by Hal Robertson
  What? You say you have the basics: a camcorder, tripod, maybe a light and a mic... but nothing else? If you've never accessorized your audio rig, now is the…
• 10 Common Audio Mistakes
  January, 2011
  by Hal Robertson
  Listen up! Sound is important to your video. Here are some tips on how to record it, edit it, deliver it, and make it the best. After all poor audio in a video…
• Interview Styles
  December, 2010
  by Kyle Cassidy
  Interviews on TV are quite common, and not just during the news. Interviews are so popular, entire shows are built around the idea of one person asking another…
• Stereo Recording Techniques
  December, 2010
  by Hal Robertson
  Regardless of the type of videos you create, someday, you'll need a solid stereo recording. It's been with us for at least 85 years, but many still don't…
• Audio Dubbing
  November, 2010
  by Hal Robertson
  Audio editing has become faster since the analog days. Before digital technology, the only way to replace audio recorded with the video was to simply record…
• IK Multimedia T-RackS 3 Deluxe Review
  November, 2010
  by Mark Holder
  Whether you want transparency in your tracks or just a little character T-RackS 3 Deluxe delivers.
• Microphone Buyer's Guide 2010
  November, 2010
  by John McCabe
  Microphones are a very important part of our everyday lives- not just as video producers, but in everything we do. From cell phones to public address systems,…
• Audio Software Buyer's Guide
  November, 2010
  by Robin Rowe
  We took our query to the trenches to talk to some of the top film and television sound editors of today who spoke out about the tools they use and why.
• Lavalier Lessons
  October, 2010
  by Hal Robertson
  A terrific little audio accessory every videographer should have is a lavalier mic. They're good for many setups. Here are some lessons on using this versatile…
• Audio Gathering Tips
  September, 2010
  by Hal Robertson
  Audio: get it right and your project has a professional feel. Get it wrong and the video sounds like every other hard-to-understand video on YouTube.