Poor sound is a barrier to effective communications
Break the sound barrier
Poor sound quality is a barrier to effective communications.
We are all familiar with the saying ‘You’re on mute’. It’s frustrating when someone's lips move but you can't hear what they're saying (ask Pink Floyd).
So if we are annoyed by no-sound why do we tolerate poor sound?
Awareness
We may not actually be aware the sound we are generating is poor quality.
Bias
If we can hear ourselves clearly we tend to assume others can. Video calls demonstrate that being seen is not the same as being heard. This subjectivity extends to our thoughts (what we think we said or did versus the reality) and assuming we sound different when we hear a recording of our own voice (but others recognise it).
Environment
It’s unlikely you will occupy the same physical space as your audience. Even if you are under the same roof the further you are away from the speaker the harder it is to hear. This is because of the physical dynamics; the ambient conditions and the time it takes the sound to travel from the source to the receiver. Therefore, what you hear is not the same as what they hear.
Timing
If the sound is played in real-time (e.g a live event) listeners can alert the speaker. But if the dialogue is pre-recorded (a video is published after it's recording) it’s too late. This is especially true if we are recording ourselves (and not checking).
Monitoring
Whether we are recording ourselves or being recorded by others, we cannot be certain that the audio being captured is good quality, unless it is monitored during recording or checked directly after a session or ‘take’.
In-person
When we are physically present with other humans we are able to discern what others are saying more easily. Microphones cannot ‘lip-read’. They do not have our brain’s ability to filter out extraneous information in real time, so we lose that sensitivity when the technology is between us and the source. This phenomenon is compounded by whatever sounds are present when listening to the recording afterwards.
What constitutes poor sound quality?
Poor sound quality is audio that detracts from the listening experience. This may take the form of music that is too distorted to enjoy or dialogue that is too quiet to hear clearly.
Why does sound quality matter in video production?
Because video is primarily a visual medium, sound tends to get treated as an afterthought. While this is understandable from the perspective of the content producer it doesn’t help their audience.
When music or effects are poor technically the audience may have a less enjoyable experience.
If the dialogue is poor quality listeners have to work harder to understand what’s being said. This can negatively impact the effective delivery of your message.
This could harm your credibility - especially if you want a reputation for quality.
Can we just ‘fix it in post’ ?
Knowing there is software and plugins available to improve audio it’s tempting to try to ‘cut corners’ and defer audio issues until the editing stage. Even if you have tools - and know how to use them - the results can vary.
Sometimes a technique removes an unwanted noise, but that process introduces another.
Best practice is to plan to get things ‘right first time’ and save editing time for creative enhancement or fixing issues that could not be avoided.
Can’t we just use captions instead?
Captions or subtitles are not a substitute for dialogue, they are a concession designed to assist people who are limited by physical, language or location constraints. By ignoring audio you are actually decreasing accessibility (by restricting use one of our five human senses).
Tip: Add captions to audio but avoid substituting audio for captions.
How do we avoid poor sound quality?
Being aware of the importance of recording good sound is the first step towards good video production. Once you have that awareness it’s important to maintain and share it with others on your team. There’s no point in just you being ‘quiet on set’ if everyone else is loud! It’s not just about production either...
The approach to achieving good sound begins in planning-consider the following before you hit record:
• Content (script, cues or agenda)
• Participants (who is speaking or supervising)
• Equipment (microphones, recorders, cables, power etc.)
• Location - studio or on-site (survey premises for suitability)
• Post-production workflow (how to import, monitor, mix and export).
Tips for recording good sound quality
• Quiet conditions
When recording on location - inside or outside - ensure you will not capture unwanted or distracting sounds like traffic.
• Avoid hard surfaces
Glass, metal, brick etc. can 'bounce' sound around, causing distortion. Avoid or cover these with fabric to soften the effect
• Big rooms
Large spaces can reverberate creating an echo effect. This can diminish the speaker. Use a smaller area or prepare to 'dub' over the dialogue afterwards
• Get the gear
Choose the right type of microphone (lapel, shotgun etc) and recording equipment based on your programme, participants and location
• Monitor
Test the audio levels and sound clarity before during and after each take. Don't rely on visual meters - use headphones too!
• Listening environment
Consider where your audio will eventually be heard, as well as where it will be recorded. This may influence your budget and workflow.
Summary
You do not necessarily need expensive studios and equipment to achieve good quality sound.
You do need a grasp of the factors involved and a commitment to getting it right. This may involve practice, so if you are taking a “Do It Yourself” approach:
make sure to plan ahead to give your self time to acquire kit and test your workflow.
The last thing you want is to interview someone important and have to tell them later the recording was a failure!
If you don’t have the runway to ‘go solo’ you can always hire a 'co-pilot' in the form of an experienced producer.
Sound Motive take audio very seriously and will ensure we help you break the sound barrier.
Check out some of our examples or contact us to make your project take flight!