How to leverage field audio

Images that are captured on video usually sound. Sound also exists, you hear what you see. Just as a frame, a certain camera position, a movement... for the auditory part, other aspects such as microphones, recorder and mixer are chosen.

According to the professionals of this specialty, the most important decision factor for audio work is a quality microphone, which allows adapting to the most diverse situations of direct sound recording.

A good microphone guarantees fidelity in sound capture and does not produce alterations if you do not have the possibility – as often happens in field production conditions – of having a wide selection for different applications.

Likewise, a good microphone offers a wide range of frequencies that helps solve problems faced by a filmmaker and his sound designer when they must obtain sound recordings in situ.

There are microphones for very specific applications such as voice recording, ambient sounds or musical instruments; and between the latter, there are differences according to the characteristics of the frequencies that each instrument produces. In addition, microphones designed for stereophonic, dynamic, wireless, lapel, handheld and shot gun sound, among others, are available.

Performing tests with them and appreciating the characteristics of each of them thinking about the material you want to record is a good tip before starting any sound task. It is a work similar to that done with the camera to test each of its lenses: you can work with only one, but if you have a set of optics it is good to know what each of them is for.

Secondly, having a portable multi-channel mixer is a great tool for this job. The mixer makes the sound independent to some extent at the time of recording. You are not tied to the camera, especially when working with compact camcorder equipment.

Both the camera and sound operators can do their job without such obstacles. When the recording medium is the same videotape, the mixer is of vital importance as it allows the sound player to establish the sound quality that is wanted. In this case, the recording does not have a second option. Each shot is unique and should be the best.

Finally, the recorder or recording media you choose also determines some quality results. It can be the videotape directly where you can have between two and four independent channels, depending on the characteristics of the equipment, but it can also be done separately in recorders of DAT and MiniDisc formats.

These recorders in particular, capture sound in digital form, with a high level of accuracy when it comes to sound for later synchronization in the post-production room. This is a factor that must be taken into account when choosing the support.

1/4-inch magnetic tape format recorders are still a good alternative, due to their fidelity and the low chances they have of failing in field productions, especially in adverse weather conditions. However, these are equipment of greater volume and weight, which count when you must travel with few comforts.

The sound plane and the audio shot are fundamental for the narrative construction of the audiovisual. A good sound, both on television and video, ensures attention from the viewer. Everything you see also sounds; even if it is silence, it is also heard.