What are the most effective sound recording techniques in pre-production workflow?

1 Know your sound sources

The first step in sound recording is to identify and analyze your sound sources. These are the sounds that you want to record, such as dialogue, music, sound effects, ambience, and narration. Each sound source has its own characteristics, such as frequency, volume, direction, and quality, that affect how you capture and edit it. You need to know your sound sources well, so you can choose the right equipment, settings, and techniques to record them.

2 Choose the right microphone

The microphone is an essential device for converting sound waves into electrical signals, enabling recording, editing, and playback. There is a wide variety of microphones available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. When selecting a microphone, you should consider the pickup pattern, sensitivity, and frequency response. The pickup pattern determines the shape of the area that the microphone captures sound from; cardioid picks up sound from the front and rejects sound from the sides and back; omnidirectional picks up sound from all directions; and shotgun picks up sound from a narrow angle in front of the microphone and rejects sound from other directions. The sensitivity measures how well the microphone responds to sound pressure levels; some are more sensitive than others, which can pick up quieter sounds but can also distort louder sounds. The frequency response is the range of frequencies that the microphone can capture; some have a flat frequency response, capturing all frequencies equally; others have a shaped frequency response, boosting or cutting certain frequencies. It is important to choose a microphone that can capture the frequency range of your sound source.

3 Use the right accessories

To improve the quality and usability of your microphone, you need to use certain accessories. A windscreen, for example, is a foam or furry cover that fits over the microphone and reduces noise caused by wind or breath. It should be used whenever recording outdoors or close to the sound source. Additionally, a shock mount isolates the microphone from vibrations and movements that can cause unwanted noise and should be used when mounting the microphone on a boom pole, camera, or stand. Finally, a high-quality cable is needed to connect the microphone to the recorder or camera. This cable must be secured and not stepped on or pulled in order to transmit sound without interference or loss.

4 Test and monitor your sound

The final step in sound recording is to test and monitor your sound before and during the shoot. This is essential to ensure that you are capturing the best possible sound quality, and to prevent any issues that can ruin your sound. It's important to check your microphone, cable, recorder, camera, and headphones for any defects or issues in the location and conditions that you will be shooting in. Adjust the settings accordingly. Additionally, you need to listen to your sound through headphones while recording, monitoring the levels, quality, and clarity of your sound. Be aware of any noise, distortion, clipping, or feedback that can damage your sound. Lastly, check the sync and alignment of your sound and video.