Introduction

• Audio as afterthought?

Overview

• Being a good listener• Mic considerations• Mic qualities

Being a Good Listener

• Use the right headphone– Circum-aural (around-ear)

Mic Considerations

• Built-in or External • Balance and Impedance

Qualities: Design

• Shotgun • Lavalier

Qualities: Pickup Pattern

• Omni• Cardioid• Hyper-cardioid• Bi-Directional

Qualities: Situation?

• Voiceover• Wedding• Interview• On-stage production

Qualities: Wireless

• Pros: – Mobility, unobtrusive

• Con: – Cost, loss of power, AC-RF

interference

Qualities: Frequency Response

• Flat as possible

Qualities: Signal-to-Noise Ratio

• Low as you can afford • –60dB OK - 80 dB Great!

Golden Rules

• Get close• Don’t rely on“fixing it in post”• Always record sound• Plan sound like visuals

Resources

• Videomaker Presents: Sound Success DVD, Basics of Videography DVD

• The Videomaker Handbook• www.videomaker.com: Online

microphone buyer’s guide