Recording audio outdoors poses several unique challenges, not the least of which is having to deal with sound pollution. Noise from traffic, people, and wind are obstacles that you almost always have to find a way around, but making smart choices in your approach can help you record cleaner, more useable audio for your film and video projects. This video from filmora.io offers three tips on how to do just that.

  • Choosing the right mic: Your camera probably has an on-board mic. Don't use it. Get yourself a decent boom mic—it doesn't have to be a $2000 Sennheiser; a $100 RØDE VideoMic GO or pretty much any quality low-budget shotgun mic will work just fine.
  • Mic placement: Where you put your mic is almost as important as the mic you're using. Putting your recording device 1-6 feet away from your subject will help you pick up the best quality audio possible—the closer the better.
  • Recording room tone: Recording at least 30 seconds of room tone, or audio of the background sound of your location, will help you big time when you head into post. Without it, cuts can be jarring, but if you have it in your timeline, your audience will hear consistent background audio that will help make the scene flow much better.

There are many other techniques that will help you record better audio. One that wasn't mentioned in the video is using shock mounts and wind protectors to reduce the amount of noise that results from, you guessed it, wind.

What are some other things that help with recording good audio outdoors? Let us know in the comments!

Source: filmora.io

boom micAudio Recording
Sound & Music