Sound quality is an aspect of videography that many creators often overlook on YouTube. It is easy to get persuaded by the newest lens or fanciest camera on the market. However, great sound quality is just as important as the images that people are viewing. This article will look at the different types of microphones and their best use scenario. We will give you tips on planning ahead to ensure all of your audio needs are met. Finally, we will help with editing your audio in post-production.
Planning Ahead with a Simple Call Sheet Template
Planning is crucial to make sure you are prepared for your upcoming shoot. One of the best ways to plan ahead is to create a call sheet. A call sheet is a document that lists all of the details for a shoot. This includes contact information, what is being filmed, a shot list, and more. You can find a free call sheet template online or find a call sheet example and create one yourself.
Include the following information on your call sheet: production company name and contact information, director’s name and contact information, camera operator’s name and contact information, locations being used, a brief description of the scene being filmed in each location, transportation arrangements for crew and equipment to each location, and any special instructions or notes about a scene or a place. Call sheets are created to help a shoot run more smoothly and faster. Efficiency is vital on a set, and this document is setting your shoot up for the best possible outcome.
A shot list is an integral part of a call sheet. In a shot list, you will want to put the order of the scenes you are filming with a brief description of what is being filmed. For example, “Scene 3A: Two friends playing video games in their basement” or “Scene 4B: Couple getting into an argument outside.” With each scene, you want to put what type of equipment is being used and how the scene should be blocked. Having all of your gear listed ahead of time will guarantee you have everything you need for each scene.
Different Types of Microphones
With many options for microphones available on the market for recording YouTube videos, knowing which one to choose for your video project can be difficult. There is not a single best microphone for YouTube. You must know their strengths and weaknesses when choosing. Here is a breakdown of the different types of microphones.
Shotgun Microphone: A shotgun microphone, which is a directional microphone that is used to capture sound from a specific direction. Shotgun mics are usually attached to a camera or used as a handheld microphone. This mic is great for interviews and capturing sound from a specific direction.
Lavalier Microphone: A lavalier microphone, also known as a lapel microphone, is a small microphone that is clipped onto someone’s clothing. This type of mic is great for interviews and dialogue.
Condenser Microphone: A condenser microphone is a type of mic that needs electricity or a battery to operate. Condenser mics work best for studio recording, broadcasting, and general sound recordings.
Boom Microphone: This mic is attached to a long pole and swivels left and right. This mic is great for capturing dialogue from multiple people at once. It also captures sound that is below the camera, such as noise on the ground or the movement of people around the camera.
Best Microphone For Your Scene
Knowing what type of microphone to use in various shooting situations can be tricky. You must know how each microphone captures audio and how each one handles ambient noise. We will look at different situations and give advice on the best type of microphone.
Busy street and trying to record conversation: For this shot, a boom mic or shotgun mic would be best. They are both directional and will pick up a little of the ambient noise to make the audio feel more realistic.
An in-studio interview: For this, a condenser microphone would be best. They are the most common type of microphone for studio recording, and they will give you the clearest sound. Since you are in a studio, you will have power available, which condenser mics require.
Shooting a video of your child singing in their room: In this situation, a lavalier mic would be best. Since this mic is small and unobtrusive, it will not distract from the video. This mic is also great for interviews, where you will want the audio to be crisp, but not distracting.
Sound recordings of nature or animals: For this situation, a shotgun or boom mic would be best. They are both directional microphones, so they will pick up less noise in the scene and will record what you want to capture in the audio.
Post-Production Sound Editing
Now that you have sound recorded with the correct microphone, most of the hard work is done. The last step is to polish the audio in post-production. There are many ways to edit audio, and each project will require a different approach. Here are some basic tips for editing your audio:
Start by removing any ambient noise that is not desired in the scene. Do this with a noise gate or by simply cutting out the sound clip.
Next, adjust the levels of each audio clip, so they all are at the same volume. This will ensure the audio is consistent across the entire scene.
Add sound effects or audio clips that are not captured on set to help tell the story, but try not to overuse them. These sound effects should enhance what is happening in the video and should not distract from what you are trying to capture in your audio.
Finally, do a little mixing and matching to get the audio to sound the way you want it. This can involve adjusting the pitch, speed, or volume of a clip. You can also add reverb or other special effects to give the audio more polish.
In Conclusion
It is clear that there are many aspects of sound recording to consider. Always start by preparing with a call sheet and shot list. Whether you’re at a studio or on location, picking the right microphone for the scene can help you get better audio with less effort. Once your recordings have been captured, post-production editing will highlight the amazing audio quality. Knowing these tips, we hope that filming future videos or interviews will be easier than ever before.
