Sound that does not drive people away.
WHY IT MATTERS MOST
Poor sound makes content unwatchable regardless of picture quality.
WHAT THE BUILT-IN MICROPHONE PROBLEM IS
It is far from the subject and close to the camera, so it captures the room rather than the voice.
WHAT FIXES IT
Getting a microphone close to the speaker.
WHAT OPTIONS EXIST
A clip-on microphone, attached to clothing A directional microphone, pointed at the speaker A handheld microphone, for interviews A recorder placed nearby
WHAT PROXIMITY ACHIEVES
More voice relative to room noise, which is the whole battle.
WHAT ROOM ACOUSTICS DO
Hard surfaces reflect sound, producing echo.
WHAT REDUCES IT
Soft furnishings Curtains Recording in a smaller space Avoiding empty rooms with bare walls
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR BEFORE RECORDING
Air conditioning Generators Fans and refrigerators Traffic Nearby conversation
WHY LISTENING MATTERS
The ear ignores constant noise that the microphone captures fully.
WHAT LEVELS TO SET
Peaks comfortably below maximum, leaving headroom.
WHAT CLIPPING IS
Signal exceeding the maximum, producing distortion.
WHY IT CANNOT BE FIXED
The information is gone.
WHAT TO RECORD ALWAYS
Thirty seconds of the room alone, for noise reduction later.
