The Big Video Course:
Storytelling filming 🎥

Audio recording

 

In this lesson

If your video has some low-quality shots, people might still watch it. But if it has bad audio, that's a different story. That's why in this lesson you'll learn how to produce the clear, distraction-free audio that viewers expect. 🎧

 

Video index

You're welcome to navigate to a section you're interested in, but keep in mind that these videos build skills sequentially.

➀  The basics
➁  The $20 mic
➂  The walk-around mic
➃  The most versatile mic
➄  The podcast mic
➅  Why wind blows
➆  Microphone comparison


PART 01

The basics


Bookmarks

00:18 → Location tips
01:53 → Mic distance
02:30 → Phone voiceovers


PART 02

The $20 mic

Thumbnail art by Daniel Barreto via Giphy


Bookmarks

00:13 → Lavalier mics overview
01:47 → How to attach a lav
05:02 → Setting audio levels


PART 03

The walk-around mic

Thumbnail art by Team Tumult via Giphy

Bookmarks

00:15 → External recorders
00:47 → Intro to audio syncing
02:43 → Our favorite product


PART 04

The most versatile mic


Bookmarks

00:00 → Shotgun mics
00:40 → On-camera uses
02:02 → Voiceovers
02:36 → Table setup
03:11 → Boom audio
04:19 → 3.5mm vs. XLR
07:02 → Our A-roll setup
09:39 → Setting my levels


PART 05

The podcast mic

Thumbnail art by CBC via Giphy


Bookmarks

00:00 → When to use
01:16 → Podcast mic types
01:32 → XLR podcast mics
03:21 → USB podcast mics
04:19 → XLR vs. USB comparison


PART 06

Why wind blows

Thumbnail art by thisismrmalik via Giphy


Bookmarks

00:00 → The problem with wind
00:19 → Foam covers
00:41 → Deadcats
01:05 → Blimps


PART 07

Microphone comparison


Bookmarks

00:00 → Mic comparison
00:30 → Buying tips
01:52 → Outtakes


Resources

Audio guide

See all the mics and audio gear covered in this lesson!

 

RØDE's YouTube

Top-notch, funny tutorials on specific audio setups ✌️


Assignment

 

Tasks

➊ Pick the microphone you'll use to record your storytelling video. You can use a mic you already own or browse the buying guide. Just don't get sucked down the gear-research rabbit hole.

➋ Test your mic by going through this list of audio tests.


Credit

Music in part by David Cutter at @dcuttermusic and davidcuttermusic.com.


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