How I master my audio
Added 2024-12-13 03:37:44 +0000 UTCLet me be clear: I am no audio expert! However, I have learned some ways to easily level out audio and take out unwanted background noise. In the above video, I walk you through those steps. The TLDR is that dynamics is for leveling, and a plug-in called Clear is for removing unwanted background noise.
As far as mics go, although I demoed all of the microphones in the same way, I actually use them all differently. For example, I use the RODE Go and DJI Mini when I am out in the world and need good audio without bulk. I typically use the shotgun mic when I am facing a camera with my desk behind me or recording sound effects like button pushes or camera shutter sounds. And the desktop mic is best for when I am podcasting or not moving a lot and sitting facing my desk where it can sit, too.
I hope this helps! Please send any and all tips and plug-ins!
-becca
Comments
Joe! This is SO helpful. Thank you! And thank you for not roasting my complete lack of actually knowing what anything is doing 😅
Becca Farsace
2024-12-16 00:25:10 +0000 UTCWow, I feel like the DJI and the Earpods mics sounds a lot better than all the RODE mics 😯
Adrián F-R.G.
2024-12-15 20:45:35 +0000 UTCVery cool video, thanks for sharing! Re: compression - the Threshold is the volume at which the compressor will affect the audio. E.g. at -20dB, anything quieter than that isn't affected by the Compressor at all. The Ratio is the amount it compresses any audio above the threshold. So at 2.3, for every 1dB over the Threshold value, it reduces that signal by 2.3dB. tl:dr higher value = more aggressive volume lowering (and generally less "natural" sounding) One other tip you could play with - the "Limiter" option in the Dynamics panel will block the audio signal from clipping. It caps the audio signal at the Limiter Threshold value. You could try this instead of adjusting your Compressor Threshold, but Limiters can end up affecting the sound, so YMMV! I am a sound designer in my day to day life, if you want to know more, happy to chat.
Joe Cavers
2024-12-14 20:38:25 +0000 UTCaudio is tough! but more and more it is proven to me that plugins are the answer. ahah
Becca Farsace
2024-12-13 17:17:03 +0000 UTCThank you very much for that video Becca, it helps a lot to understand. I downloaded Clear thanks to you and will try it over the next days/weeks. It sounds promising though. Your sound is really good and it had always been an issue for me. I tried different mics and I'm never satisfied. Rode Videomic does the job, and I mostly use the Lark M2 when I need a wireless mic, or if I move around the camera. I definetely needs to upgrade my audio quality. Thank for sharing, again.
LoKan Sardari
2024-12-13 17:06:07 +0000 UTCI got this question in DMs this week too. I think I’ll talk about it next week. But no, I don’t use a teleprompter.
Becca Farsace
2024-12-13 14:24:26 +0000 UTCFor the most part I download sound effects via epidemic sound. But when I need something specific it’s a lot of trial and error till I get the sound recorded right.
Becca Farsace
2024-12-13 14:23:44 +0000 UTCI usually just wear a shirt or jacket with a collar so that I can hide it behind that. 😂
Becca Farsace
2024-12-13 14:22:43 +0000 UTCI don’t know if you have talked about this, but when you are outside and working off a script are you using a telecaster? Have you shown how that looks?
Ricky C
2024-12-13 13:55:08 +0000 UTCThanks for this! Just spent the morning recording a few pickups, and gonna be messing with the audio this afternoon. Let's see how good I can get it...
Phil Knall
2024-12-13 06:32:36 +0000 UTCOh also — you said you recorded the shutter sounds of the RX100 with it which I think is so creative. Are there any other sound design things like that that you do in your videos?
Justin Bennett-Cohen
2024-12-13 04:50:25 +0000 UTCThank you for this! This was really helpful. I was actually thinking about the DJI Mic Mini since it’s perfect for what I’ve been doing with my little photo walk reels without needing to do a voiceover after the fact. How would you usually hide this mic while still getting good audio?
Justin Bennett-Cohen
2024-12-13 04:48:20 +0000 UTC
