Monitor Your Audio

Monitoring the audio signal is even more critical when an external microphone is being used. Even if you only use the built-in mic, you should at least check the audio at the beginning of each recording session to make sure nothing strange is happening. Rechecking it periodically is also a good practice. The goal is not only to expose irritating artifacts like buzz, hum, and static, but also to make sure that you are keeping tabs on how well you are hearing what you really want to hear. If background noises or interference obliterate your main source, then your video is going to be seriously compromised. After all, the picture is only half of the story.

Many camcorders now come equipped with a built-in speaker monitor and some no longer include a headphone jack. While a speaker is better that nothing, it really doesn't allow you to hear well enough to be totally satisfactory. It's best to buy a camcorder with a headphone jack whenever possible. If yours doesn't have one and you're shooting something important, then I would suggest connecting your camcorder to a monitor that has a headphone jack and using it to check your audio. It's also a good way to make sure your video signal looks like you expect it to. Not all problems can be immediately fixed even if you know they exist. But one thing's for sure, if you aren't aware it's there as you record it, there's even less you can do about it once the tape is shot.

There are a variety of things that can cause problems with audio and I'll go into more detail about them in an upcoming article. If you're using the on-camera mic, the main thing you want to do is check to be sure that there is in fact audio coming in to the camera. Once you've established that, listen for the quality, clarity, and volume of the sounds. If the volume is low, try getting closer to the source. Sometimes moving to a different part of the room can also help. You'd be surprised how much variation there can be in the sound levels from one spot to another. If there are extraneous noises that are overwhelming your main source, try using your body to shield the microphone. You can also try getting closer to a wall. Large flat surfaces help to reinforce the sound waves entering the microphone, making it more sensitive in the process.

Of course, your best bet for improved audio is to use an off-camera microphone or an on-camera mic that has a more directional pickup pattern. Either way, you still need to monitor the audio so that you know exactly what is being picked up by the mic. You don't need anything fancy, an inexpensive pair will do. In fact, I've had good experiences with the in-ear models commonly referred to as "earbuds". They're cheap, easy to carry, and much more comfortable than traditional headphones, especially when wearing them for long periods. Whatever you choose, make it a point to start monitoring your audio. In addition to making sure you are indeed capturing something, it will make you more keenly aware of the part that sound plays in the process of collecting video images.