This video by The Basic Filmmaker will give you 24 audio tips to help you get started. Check it out below:


Getting decent sound is supremely important. Most audiences will put up with subpar video quality, but give them some crappy audio and you're looking at a hoard of angry and now uninterested moviegoers. You want to avoid this at all costs.

One of the most integral tenets of recording sound is "garbage in, garbage out". You may not have the money to afford a professional (or decent) microphone, but you can still limit the amount of "garbage" that your budget mic picks up -- for free! You can do this by making sure people are quiet, recording in a quiet location, getting mics close to your subject, and unplugging/turning off all electronics, especially things like refrigerators and A/C units that create a humming noise that you may not notice right off the bat.

A quiet set makes for a great environment for recording audio. Period.

Here's a breakdown of all the segments in the video:

  • Crappy Sound
  • Distance Rules
  • 50% Rule Busted
  • Garbage
  • Bouncy Sound
  • Uncontrollable Noise
  • Controllable Noise
  • Electronic Device
  • Microphones
  • In-Camera Mics
  • In-Camera Mic Tips
  • Audio Recorders
  • Audio Recorder Tips
  • Singer Mics
  • Singer Mic Tips
  • Shotgun Mics
  • On-Camera Shotgun Mics
  • Lapel Mics
  • Wireless Systems
  • Lapel Mic Tips
  • Mic Summary
  • Lazy Filmmaking
  • 16 Audio Second Sync Session
  • Audition Sound Editing

Source: The Basic Filmmaker