Audio Recording
This domain tests capturing clean dialogue and sound with correct levels, microphones and monitoring. Expect questions on polar patterns, phantom power, sample rate/bit depth, and avoiding distortion.
Microphones and patterns
Dynamic mics are rugged and handle high sound pressure; condensers are sensitive and need phantom power (+48 V). Polar patterns: omni picks up all around, cardioid favours the front and rejects the rear, supercardioid/hypercardioid are tighter with rear lobes. Choose the pattern to match the room and the source.
Levels and formats
Record dialogue peaks around -12 dBFS to leave headroom; avoid 0 dBFS clipping, which is unrecoverable. Use 48 kHz sample rate and 24-bit depth for video work. Monitor with closed-back headphones; check channels, gain, and that phantom power is off before plugging or unplugging some gear.
On-location practice
Boom the mic just out of frame, pointed at the mouth; use wind protection outdoors; record room tone for each location; slate each take for sync; keep cables secure and avoid ground loops/hum.
Worked example
A two-person dialogue scene in a noisy room. Use a boom with a supercardioid condenser on the stronger speaking side, record discrete channels for each actor if possible, set peaks near -12 dBFS, capture 30 seconds of room tone, and note the slate. Reasoning: tight pattern and close placement raise dialogue over ambience; headroom protects against sudden laughter; room tone lets the editor fill gaps.
Traps that cost marks
- Recording hot 'to look full' and clipping the dialogue.
- Relying on the camera's built-in mic for dialogue.
- Forgetting room tone.
- Confusing sample rate with bit depth.