What's your sound equipment testing process for field shoots?

1 Check your gear

Before you head out to the field, make sure you have all the necessary sound equipment and accessories, such as microphones, headphones, cables, batteries, chargers, adapters, windshields, boom poles, and recorders. Check the condition and functionality of each item, and look for any signs of damage, wear, or corrosion. Test the connections and levels of your microphones and recorders, and listen for any noise, distortion, or interference. If you find any issues, try to fix them or replace the faulty equipment.

2 Pack your kit

Once you have verified that your sound equipment is in good shape, pack it carefully and securely in a suitable case or bag. Use padding, dividers, and ziplock bags to protect your gear from shock, dust, moisture, and heat. Label your equipment and cables clearly, and organize them by type and frequency of use. Keep your batteries and chargers separate from your microphones and recorders, and avoid packing anything that could damage or interfere with your sound equipment, such as magnets, metal objects, or liquids.

3 Scout your location

Before you start recording, scout your location and assess the acoustics and ambient noise. Look for potential sources of sound interference, such as traffic, wind, machinery, animals, or people. Try to find a quiet and sheltered spot for your sound equipment, and avoid placing it near reflective surfaces, such as walls, windows, or water. If possible, record some test samples of the sound environment and listen to them with headphones. Adjust your microphone placement, direction, and settings accordingly, and use windshields, shock mounts, or sound blankets to reduce unwanted noise.

4 Monitor your levels

During the field shoot, monitor your sound levels constantly and make sure they are consistent and balanced. Use headphones to listen to the audio quality and check for any problems, such as clipping, distortion, feedback, or dropouts. Use a meter or a waveform monitor to visually inspect your sound levels and avoid overloading or under-recording your signal. Adjust your gain, input, and output settings as needed, and use limiters, compressors, or filters to control the dynamic range and frequency response of your sound.

5 Back up your files

After the field shoot, back up your sound files as soon as possible and store them in a safe and accessible location. Use a reliable storage device, such as a hard drive, a flash drive, or a cloud service, and make sure you have enough space and bandwidth to transfer your files. Label your files clearly and consistently, and include relevant information, such as date, time, location, and subject. Review your files and make sure they are complete, clear, and compatible with your editing software.

6 Test your equipment

Testing your sound equipment is not a one-time task, but a continuous process that requires attention and care. You should test your equipment before, during, and after each field shoot, and make sure it is properly maintained and calibrated. By following these steps and tips, you can improve your sound quality and avoid common pitfalls and mistakes that could ruin your field production.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?