In the pursuit of creating engaging videos, it’s crucial to remember the importance of professional audio quality. There’s a saying in the industry that viewers will forgive bad video but they will never forgive bad audio. This means if the dialogue isn’t clear if there’s distortion, buzz, or any other noise that makes the audio difficult to follow, viewers will abandon your video as quickly as they found it. Basically, bad audio equals no viewers. And, of course, you make videos to be watched.

So how can you improve the quality of your audio for your videos?

AUDIO EXPECTATIONS

Most viewers take good audio for granted. People expect a quality video to have sound that doesn’t annoy or distract. Simply put, your audio needs to be;

1. Balanced – no one wants to hit play on a video only to have their eardrums blasted out as soon as music starts playing or an action sequence starts. Therefore, make sure your audio levels are consistent throughout.
2. Dialogue is clear – It’s important that the viewer can hear all that is being said. Don’t overwhelm dialogue with loud sound effects or a soundtrack.
3. No Background noise – Wind, traffic, clicks, or an appliance hum (yes, many appliances have a natural hum) can distract viewers.

WHERE TO START

When you first start creating video content, your focus will probably be on filming and editing. It’s often a misconception when starting out that you can fix a lot of mistakes in post (with editing software). But learning to get professional quality audio in post-production can be intimidating and not a great use of your time. Not to mention, a completely different tool than video editing software.

The best advice for getting good audio when you’re just starting out is to record good clear audio.

BEST TYPES OF MICROPHONES

Having the right microphone for recording your video is a good place to start. But, how do you know which microphone will work for you and the type of video that you want to record?

The most valuable piece of information when choosing a microphone is knowing what you’re going to use it for.

Do you need this microphone for Youtube? Filmmaking? Corporate Videos? or a Video Podcast?

While it is certainly possible to serve multi-purpose mics that will fit all your needs, every mic comes with its own strengths and weaknesses.

Keep this in mind when you’re researching what microphone to buy.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN TYPES OF MICROPHONES?

There are two main types of microphones and knowing what they’re called and how they work will make it easier for you to pick the best mic for your video content.

DYNAMIC MICROPHONE

Dynamic microphones use magnets to turn sound waves into voltage. These mics are often used when the sound source is fairly loud because they need to be close to the source.

They’re less prone to distortion and overloading and produce minimal handling noise. For these reasons, you’ll often find dynamic microphones used in everything from podcast recordings to radio stations, and concert halls to live-streaming sessions.

You know the mic you used as a child for karaoke? That’s a dynamic mic.

Dynamic microphones are usually cheaper and don’t always require external power, meaning you can pick up an affordable USB model without breaking the bank.

CONDENSER MICROPHONE

Condenser mics work as a battery, essentially. They convert the vibrations from sound waves into electrical currents, meaning they’ll often need a phantom power source to operate, like an audio interface.

These microphones are perfect for voiceover work and higher-budget productions, as they do a better job when differentiating tone and amplitude. However, they’re much more sensitive, meaning any bumps or knocks will definitely be heard. You can get around this problem with a shock mount, which uses elastic bands to keep the area around the mic nice and tight.

WHICH IS BETTER: DYNAMIC OR CONDENSER MICROPHONE

When it comes to achieving professional-quality audio in your video productions, choosing the right microphone is crucial. Dynamic and condenser microphones are two popular options, each with its own set of strengths and applications. Understanding the differences between these microphone types can significantly impact the clarity and richness of your recorded sound.

Both types of microphones have their pros and cons.

Dynamic Mics:

Pros

• More durable
• Does not always need a direct power source
• Very easy to use and handle

Cons

• Not very sensitive – so need to be very close to the source to mic up softer noise.

Condenser Mics:

Pros

• More sensitive so can pick up softer sounds with ease and noise from far distances
• Feeds easier than dynamic mics

Cons

• More fragile
• Must always have a power supply

When you’re first starting out with youtube, a dynamic mic is probably your best option because it’s going to be more durable and less expensive. If you are a serious podcaster or want to really take your videos to the next level then a condenser microphone is a great investment.

STYLE OF MICROPHONES

Once you have a clear understanding of the location, video type, and the number of people in the video, you’ll be able to pick the best style of microphone for your needs, ensuring professional quality audio. Whether you opt for a handheld, lavalier, or shotgun microphone, it’s essential to consider both dynamic and condenser options. Selecting the right type of microphone is crucial, but the style also plays a significant role in elevating the overall impact of your videos with top-notch audio.

SHOTGUN MICROPHONE

I firmly believe that if you’re serious about making videos every single person needs a shotgun microphone. This is a great mic to have because it’s directional meaning that it absorbs sound from the front and tunes out the noise from the sides of the mic. 

Shotgun microphones can easily be mounted on a camera or a boom pole, which makes it great for capturing clear audio when there are a lot of people in the frame.

 

LAVALIER MICROPHONE

Often shortened to ‘lav mic’, a lavalier microphone is a small buttoned size microphone that can be clipped onto a person’s shirt.

It’s often used in interviews, walk-and-talk videos, or instructional videos. It’s ideal when you need to film a subject who moves around a lot.

A lav mic can be wired and plugged directly into a camera or audio recording device (or even a smartphone). But it’s more common to find wireless lavalier microphones, which are wired mics attached to wireless transmitters and receivers.

These microphones are discreet and are great for Youtubers, Tiktokers, or any type of creator that wants clear crips audio but doesn’t want the microphone to be seen.

SHOTGUN MICS VS LAVALIER MICS

There are pros and cons to both styles of microphones and honestly, both of them have their purpose in filmmaking, (For shoots I usually travel with both styles of microphones).

Most lav mics are about the size of a pencil eraser and can be clipped onto the subject’s lapel or hidden by running the wire behind the shirt.

Shotgun mics, on the other hand, have never been subtle. Ranging in size from a hotdog to the size of a 12-gauge gun depending on the specifications of the mic.

A shotgun mic is directional, so it will only pick up the sound in front of it. A lavalier is an omnidirectional mic meaning it will pick up sounds from all sides within a short range.

PROS AND CONS

Lavalier:

Pros

• Great for solo shooting or unscripted videos
• Ability to go wireless

Cons

• Sensitive and could pick up scratches when touched by hair or clothing
• One microphone needed for each individual
• possibility of picking up unwanted noises

Shotgun:

Pros

• Filters out busy/ noisy environments
• Great for multiple speakers

Cons

• Needs to be close to the subject for clean sound
• Larger and heavier

For the most part, when shooting my go-to microphone is my lavalier mic because it’s discrete and gets the best sound for interviews and instructional videos. When I need to shoot B-roll, I prefer to shoot with a shotgun mic instead of relying on the built-in camera mic.

TIPS FOR GETTING THE BEST SOUND

Achieving professional-quality audio is paramount to creating compelling video content that resonates with your audience. No matter how visually stunning your videos are, poor audio can instantly undermine your efforts and turn viewers away. In this section, we’ll delve into essential tips and techniques to help you capture pristine sound, ensuring that your videos sound as good as they look. But don’t fret, there are plenty of things you can do to ensure you get the highest quality sound for your videos.

CHECK YOUR CAMERA SETTINGS

Whether you are using a mirrorless DSLR camera or a smartphone, most cameras have a few audio settings that you should know about. For example, some cameras allow you to limit the mic level or give you the option to cancel wind noise. But, every camera has different audio settings, so it’s hard to know the best camera settings you should use without knowing your camera.

Choosing the right settings based on where you’re filming will really help your audio quality.

THINK ABOUT LOCATION

Before you film a video, please give the location of where you will film A LOT of thought. For example, maybe don’t film when it’s super windy or in a room with a lot of hard surfaces.

Usually, when you’re filming outside, especially in a city, there will be a lot of unpredictable background noise. Filming indoors usually means it will be quieter and you have more control over the sound because you can reduce reverb by covering hard surfaces with blankets or foam padding.

CONSIDER THE WIND

I can’t stress this enough, if you shoot outside, put a windscreen on your microphone.

Windscreens are usually referred to as a dead cat because of how they look on your microphone but do a great job of shielding the microphone from picking up any wind sound or sharp noise.

Your microphone is more sensitive than your ears and will pick up a wind sound even when you don’t think it’s that windy. Using a windscreen anytime you’re filming outside can save you a lot of hassle in the long run.

mastering professional-quality audio is a crucial aspect of video production that should never be overlooked. Regardless of where you share your videos or the camera you use, high-quality audio is the backbone of a successful production. By following the guidance and tips provided in this beginner’s guide, you now have the knowledge to make informed decisions and ensure your videos sound as impressive as they look. Remember, in the world of video, your audio can make or break your content, so invest the time and effort to achieve the best possible sound for each video you create. Your audience will thank you for it.

If you need more tips on lighting or filming, you can download my free guide: How to Film Yourself Like a Professional or check out other blog posts.