If you want to create engaging and professional videos, you need to pay attention to the quality of your audio. Poor sound can ruin your message, distract your viewers, and lower your credibility. In this article, you will learn how to get crystal clear audio in your videos by following some simple tips and best practices.
The first step to getting clear audio is to use a microphone that suits your purpose and environment. Depending on your video style, you may need a different type of mic, such as a shotgun, a lapel, a condenser, or a dynamic mic. Each mic has its own strengths and weaknesses, so you need to consider factors like the distance from the source, the background noise, the directionality, and the sensitivity of the mic. For example, if you are recording a voice-over in a quiet studio, you may want to use a condenser mic that can capture the nuances of your voice. But if you are filming an interview in a noisy location, you may want to use a lapel mic that can isolate the speaker's voice from the ambient sound.
I hate to sound this way, but get an experienced audio specialist on your project. Audio production requires a unique skill set and expertise. It is different than visual editing. The ear is faster than the eye. Audio is perception is different than visual perception. There are considerations such as what kind of devices will likely be used to view your program and what kind of environment your program will be viewed in. Most people can produce an audio track that is acceptable, but audio is its own unique craft. It is a life study. You can learn over time, but it takes dedication and experience.
Simple. Hire a professional sound engineer. Audio is so often seen as the poor sister to visuals but watch a film without the sound and you'll soon see just how important it is. Oh and hire a professional voiceover artist too, if you need a voice. These things really do make all the difference.
Sound remains an undervalued aspect of Video for many, when in fact the subtle nuances of audio can relay much more in terms of emotion. Good audio will ensure your audience is much more engaged, and it's much more effective at getting your message across. As already stated by others, investing in engaging a good sound engineer during recording and post production will give you a much better end result. Audio remains a specialist function and not just an afterthought. As a (former) sound engineer I've always wondered why good sound is overlooked. Try watching a movie with the sound off. See if you have the same experience. Equally, listen to a movie with your eyes closed. Which of the 2 allows you to still feel what's happening...
Sound can be one of the most overlooked aspects of video production. Watch any video without sound and it completely changes the way you interpret it. I would 100% reccommend getting an Audio Specialist to assist with your production and post production phases. If that isn't an option, do extensive research! Think about your location, the action of the video, if its dialouge or just ambient noise. Then look into what kind of microphone is best suited for your needs. There is no one size fits all and everyone's situation is different.
A pair of professional headphones is a must. If you are recording on location, have someone to liase with from the location, in case you have to turn off fridges, air conditioning, computers etc. If you can't kill an offending audio hum, record a 1 minute atmosphere of the room. This also applies if you are recording different people in the same location. The editor can lay down the atmosphere track under the dialogue track. If the room is big and boxy, a lapel microphone will be required. Make sure whoever is on camera, that they get a widshot to establish the location so the viewer is aware of the sizee and space.
The second step to getting clear audio is to adjust the audio settings on your camera, recorder, or software. You need to make sure that the input level, the output level, and the sample rate are optimal for your audio quality. The input level is the volume of the sound that the mic picks up, and you want to avoid clipping (when the sound is too loud and distorted) or hissing (when the sound is too low and noisy). You can use a meter or a headphone to monitor the input level and adjust it accordingly. The output level is the volume of the sound that the final video will have, and you want to balance it with the other elements of your video, such as music, sound effects, or narration. You can use an audio editing software to fine-tune the output level and make sure it is consistent and clear. The sample rate is the frequency at which the sound is recorded, and you want to use a high enough sample rate to capture the details of your audio. The standard sample rate for video is 48 kHz, but you can go higher if you need more quality or lower if you need more space.
Almost all of this AI generated response is related to the very basics of audio recording and levelling. If you want high quality audio that is dynamically integrated with other elements like SFX and music in a way that draws focus and engagement, hire a professional audio engineer and a commercial mix engineer with experience in delivering for multiple platforms.
With the rise of compact video cameras, there has been a renewed focus on audio recording. Proper audio levels, monitoring, and mixing are important for good audio practices. Digital audio has a hard ceiling at 0dB full scale, and to avoid digital clipping, it's good practice to keep recording levels well below the ceiling, with a common setting of -10 dBFS. Applying a limiter can also save the day from time to time. For a proper audio monitoring setup, trustworthy sound is key. Monitoring should be done at conservative volume levels, and the mix should be compared to "reference". Finally, you should try to keep your audio to worldwide standards and know requirements of each platform.
If you're not familiar with how sound works, it's best only applying a high pass filter. Going into audio editing without a solid understanding of the entire process can potentially harm your recording. Remember, audio editing is more like an art than a cake recipe; it takes some practice and know-how.
The third step to getting clear audio is to edit and enhance your audio using an audio editing software. You can use various tools and effects to improve your audio quality, such as noise reduction, equalization, compression, normalization, or reverb. Noise reduction can help you remove unwanted sounds, such as hum, buzz, or wind, from your audio. Equalization can help you adjust the frequency balance of your audio, such as boosting the bass or cutting the treble, to make it more pleasing or natural. Compression can help you reduce the dynamic range of your audio, which is the difference between the loudest and the quietest parts, to make it more even and audible. Normalization can help you increase the overall volume of your audio to a standard level, without clipping or distorting it. Reverb can help you add some depth and space to your audio, to make it more realistic or atmospheric.
This is where people get too lost in the sauce. Hire a professional audio engineer! You’re not going to get your best audio with these AI-generated steps. This is like a summary of a summary of a book about audio processing.
Compression can also even out the louds and softs and when one person is louder compression can bring up the level of the softer voice. A limiter can bring the louder voice down.
I use the free program Audacity to help get ever better audio. To edit my audio, I first detach it from the video and save it as an MP3 file. Then I import the MP3 file into audacity, where I can remove background noise, make it sound louder, and reduce extreme variations in pitch.
Here are some tips: 1. Room Treatment: Before even beginning the recording process, try to ensure that your recording space is treated to minimize noise and echo. 2. De-Essing: This is a specific process to reduce the harshness of 's' and 'sh' sounds that can be overemphasized in recordings. 3. Stereo Widening: For a more immersive sound experience, consider using stereo widening effects sparingly to create a broader soundstage. 4. A/B Comparison: Regularly toggle your edits on and off to compare the edited version with the original. This helps to maintain perspective and prevent over-editing. 5. Ear Fatigue: Avoid long sessions of editing as your ears can get fatigued, affecting your judgment. Take regular breaks to keep your ears fresh.
For sure, you can choose which takes you to keep from your audio in some free or paid software or even online editing solutions. Okay, some new AI tools let you make text-based editing of your video/audio. But you need a professional person who helps you make your audio crispy, and ready to use on the different platforms, any speakers, any audio system, etc.
The fourth step to getting clear audio is to test and review your audio before you export or upload your video. You need to listen to your audio on different devices and speakers, such as headphones, earphones, laptop speakers, or TV speakers, to check how it sounds and how it matches with your video. You also need to watch your video with your target audience in mind, and ask yourself if your audio is clear, engaging, and appropriate for your message and tone. You may need to make some adjustments or corrections to your audio based on your feedback and evaluation.
I listen to my audio through my desktop computer speakers, laptop, headphones and smartphone to ensure it is high quality. I also ask my friends and family to give me feedback on my audio, just in case they pick up something I didn't notice, so I can improve the audio even further.
After the final mix, check your audio on different devices such as a car, home audio system, headphones, or speakers. If your audio sounds the same on all of them, then you're on the right track.
Use headphones to have sure you make it right, forget about external audio monitors if you do not have the right acoustic for it, just a simple headphone can save you.
Bass frequencies can be deceiving. It's always good to have a spectrum view of your audio, whether it be an analyzer or in your equalizer. You can bet that there will be unperceived rumbling that can be taken out of the low end. While you may want some bass in some tracks, like in your score or certain FX, generally there isn't a need for those lower frequencies that eat up headroom.
"All You Need is Love", a Beatles song. ""All You Need is Ears", a book by Beatles Producer/Engineer Sir George Martin. Ear training cannot be taught. Be it through years of experience, or the simple subconscious decision to be a student.... enroll yourself! This world is a beautiful place to close your eyes, shut your mouth, and simply listen! Prive for that degree = $0.00!
The fifth step to getting clear audio is to learn and improve your audio skills by practicing, experimenting, and studying. You can learn from other video creators, audio experts, or online courses, and find out what works and what doesn't for your audio quality. You can also try different mics, settings, and effects, and see how they affect your audio. You can also ask for feedback from your peers, mentors, or viewers, and use it to improve your audio. The more you learn and improve your audio skills, the more you will get crystal clear audio in your videos.
Start with this step to avoid making the kinds of beginner mistakes that tarnish your reputation right out of the starting gate. If you don't already know the level of detail and careful, creative craftsmanship that goes into audio production on a professional level, you cannot help but make these mistakes. There are a number of very good mixing courses available online if mentorship with an audio professional isn't an option for you. Spend the money. You won't regret it. If, after the fifth video on how to use compression, you find yourself, saying, "what have I gotten myself into", rest assured that you're well on your way to understanding a little bit of what goes into professional audio production.
Try to keep you updated with the latest in the field. Follow the professionals, read forums, and articles, and watch new videos of companies who provide solutions in your field. And don't stop trying new things. Improve your skills again and again.
If you don't have the bandwidth or patience to learn more about capturing good audio for your videos, hire an on-set audio mixer to help achieve the results you desire.
You must have a repertoire of what a "good audio" is. If you do not know what it means, you should work more with your ears and less with your hands.
The sixth and final step to getting clear audio is to enjoy the benefits of clear audio for your videos. Clear audio can make your videos more attractive, persuasive, and memorable for your viewers. It can also make your videos more professional, credible, and authoritative for your clients or partners. It can also make your videos more enjoyable, satisfying, and rewarding for yourself. Clear audio can make a huge difference in your video production, and it is worth investing your time and effort to achieve it.
Audio is the hardest part of video because audio is invisible. You must monitor audio on every video shoot. I have found the easiest way to run audio reliably is to avoid wireless and wear headphones to monitor it continuously unless you have a dedicated audio tech. Every open mic is an open problem. I rely on XLR cable and wired lavs. If the client wants wireless or has more than two people speaking on camera at the same time it is time for them to add an audio engineer to the set. At this point I have too much to juggle to also manage the audio effectively. It is like juggling three balls and a chainsaw. I can juggle three balls consistently while filming, directing, and monitoring audio. The chainsaw is a problem.
Good audio is as important as video content. Poor audio quality can lead to a viewership of no more than 5 even with perfect visuals. On the other hand, good audio can make up for bad visuals. Since many people listen to videos while doing other activities, such as working, studying, doing chores, or walking their dog, it is important to balance the audio and visual components. Both audio and visual components are equally important for success, each accounting for 50% of the total content.
Audio for video is pretty specialized. While it's become fairly common for the Cinematographer to record audio in camera for interviews, it's a special skill set. It's best to get proper training as audio is just if not more important then the visual. If you're recording audio in camera for an interview, you'll need a good quality shotgun mic and boom arm. You'll also need to record a 2nd channel with a proper LAV mic on your subject. The two audio inputs give both a back up and a choice of sounds.
Consider this: #1 When dialogue is too dynamic it’s hard to understand - dynamic range must be reduced. Options from best to worst: -control during recording & then -automate level and/or clip gain & add -upwards compression (expansion) to raise soft ends of words etc. -just up&downwards compression -just a ton of downwards compression If dynamics are controlled, compression can add character, like wearing the perfect amount of cologne/perfume. The inexperienced will apply compression like a 13year old schoolboy applying Axe body spray to cover up body odor. #2 side chaining dialogue to a dynamic eq on the music allows music to shine between words, then compress to taste. (vs, killing music track with only EQ and heavy level ducking)
In video content, audio quality is key. Here's a concise guide to ace audio editing: Plan & Prepare: Start with a clear plan and essential tools. Dialogue: Focus on clarity. Remove distractions, correct clips, balance volume, and use EQ wisely. Add smooth audio transitions. Sound Effects: Enhance with hard effects, foley, ambiance, and sound design. Music: Select the right music from stock libraries, ensuring legal rights. Finale Mix: Export audio in stems (dialogue, music, sound effects) for control. Blend in your video editing software. Follow these steps to elevate your video projects. Impress your audience!
If I had to pick between having crystal-clear audio or crystal-clear video for my content, I'd definitely go with top-notch audio. To me, clear audio beats clear video any day if you want your audience to truly enjoy what you're putting out there. The trick to nailing clear audio is to record in a place that's not super noisy, windy or echoey to begin with. You must use a decent audio recorder (even your phone mic works pretty well). But let's be real, that ideal setup isn't always an option. That's when you turn to plugins and audio filters to work their magic & in today's day and age they do a very good job!
Take time to interrogate your list of properties of *bad audio*. I find we can get too sucked into theory and technique sometimes. Taking some time to reflect on things you are watch and what attributes define good and bad qualities can help you look at your own practice and improve.