Record Good Sound on Set

Amateur filmmakers often focus on the visuals and forget about sound, assuming that the on board mic will be adequate. Follow these steps to learn how to record good sound on set.

Steps

  1. Have someone who is familiar with the process to provide care and attention. Even on the tightest of budgets you should always have a sound man.
  2. Scout for quiet locations.
  3. Record sound separately. Never use an on board mic. An affordable recorder is the zoom H1. Sync up later using plural eyes.
  4. Never let the levels peak. Keep levels at about 2/3rds, if unsure it is better that it is slightly quiet rather than distorted.
  5. Monitor levels, using headphones.
  6. Never say you will fix sound in post. You cannot do much with poorly recorded sound.
  7. Get microphone as near to subject as possible. Use a boom pole to get the microphone near the subject.
  8. Record ambience. At the end of a shoot in a location record room tone and any other sounds you can't get from a sound archive.

Common Problems

  • Distortion. This happens when the levels peak when recording, there is 'nothing' you can do about this so learn to avoid it in the first place.
  • Hiss.
    • poor levels. You turn the levels up when a low sound input comes from microphone, this can be solved by using a pre amp, such as a beachtek. A cheap alternative to the beachtek is a headphone amplifier.
    • poor cable. A long minijack cable is prone to picking up hiss and the radio. You are less likely to encounter this problem with a XLR mic and cable.
    • poor mic. Try different microphones.
  • hum.
    • Mains power. Run equipment off batteries as using mains electricity will result in a humming sound.
    • Camera. This is picked up when recording using an on board mic or an external microphone mounted on the camera. Reduce by recording your sound externally onto a sound recorder. You can muffle the sound of the camera by placing a leather jacket on it.
  • Traffic/too much background noise. Be aware of: air conditioners, traffic, planes, passers by, crew, clothes rustling, car engine. Avoid by:
    • Scouting for quiet locations.
    • Placing a directional microphone as near to the subject as possible.
    • Sound blanket.
  • Wind. To avoid the sound of buffeting wind, a windshield or a blimp.

Post Production

Mix Sound on a Small Budget Film

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