Audio Recording

In film making there are two main microphones that are used:

• Shotgun/ rifle microphone
• Radio/clip on microphone

All audio recording devices have different polar patterns.

Radio microphones are Omni-directional and can cover 360 degrees.

An advantage is that it doesn't matter where you place the microphone- it will pick up sound.

A disadvantage is that it picks up every noise.

Some tips are:

• This microphone works better indoors, for example used in a talk show.
• Clothing makes unwanted noise.

A shotgun microphone has a shotgun pattern, which means that the subject has to be directly in front of the microphone.

The cable and boom pole cannot clatter together as it causes unwanted noise.

It is better to place the microphone facing the subject rather than being pointed up, as it will record everything in the sky.

How to protect your sound

• Wear headphones to find out if the microphone is properly oriented and to notice any background noise being picked up, as well as using a decibel metre.
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• Tell actors how audio is being recorded and where to project their voice to.
• Get the microphone as close to the subject as possible.
• Dont use audio connectors with mini jacks- use an XLR instead.
• Audio should be peaking at -12 decibels.