Scouting Locations for Clean Audio

Getting clear, quality audio is one of the most important aspects of any film or video shoot. You can have the most breathtaking, beautifully shot visuals, but if the audio is bad, it can completely ruin the project. While you can fix some issues in post-production, the cleaner the audio you record on location, the less you have to compromise on your final cut.

Location, Location, Location

Just as cinematographers scout for the perfect shot, the audio team needs to scout for the perfect acoustic conditions. You can avoid many recording problems simply by picking the right place to shoot.

But a quick walk-through isn’t enough. Many inexperienced teams will do a brief vocal test and call it good, but this doesn't give you a true picture of the environment.

A great tip for scouting for audio quality is to visit the location at the exact time of day and day of the week you'll be filming. A restaurant patio might be perfect on a Wednesday afternoon, but you don't want to find out on a Friday that a live band plays next door. This kind of advanced scouting gives you insight into potential issues like traffic, construction, or other unexpected noise.

And if you can, bring some audio recording gear with you. A location might look and sound viable to the naked ear, but a microphone will give you a much more accurate story and help you find the best spots to set up your equipment.

Environmental Challenges

Even a great location can have its challenges. Knowing what to look for can help you prepare for and choose the right equipment.

Outdoor locations can be particularly unpredictable. Is there a school nearby that lets out at a certain time? Are you next to railroad tracks? You need to consider all the sounds that might pop up during your shoot. Echoes and reverberation are less of a concern outdoors, which can allow for a wider variety of microphone choices, like a shotgun mic on a boom pole. But if your shot is too wide for a boom mic, you might need to use wireless lavaliere mics that can be hidden on the actors. You also need to check for nearby cell towers, airports, or power stations that could cause interference with your wireless signals.

Interior locations often have issues with reverberation. While post-production can fix some things, it’s extremely difficult—and often impossible—to remove echoes without seriously damaging the quality of the recording.

Rooms that are empty, flat, and square are more likely to cause echoes. The best locations have lots of soft or angled surfaces that help break up and absorb sound waves. Look for places with angled walls, support beams, furniture, rugs, or carpets.

Quick Fixes and Best Practices For Clean Audio

Sometimes, you'll encounter small issues on set, especially in indoor locations. Luckily, there are a few simple tricks you can use.

Most people deal with air conditioners and refrigerators by simply turning them off during takes. For a refrigerator, you can tell the crew to put their keys inside. This ensures someone will turn the unit back on before they leave so you don’t accidentally spoil the food of your gracious hosts.

If the room's acoustics are good but you're getting some slight reverberation, you can hang sound blankets just out of frame. This can help absorb some of the sound. Sometimes, just moving or adjusting furniture can make a big difference.

Finally, always record a few minutes of room tone at the end of a shoot, before you change the setup. This is a consistent recording of the natural sounds of the room—the subtle hums and hisses you might not notice on set but become obvious in editing. Having a consistent room tone track allows you to smooth over edits and makes your audio sound much more professional.

Recording great audio on set is an art that requires skill, experience, and creativity. By putting these tips into practice, you’ll significantly improve your chances of getting the perfect audio track every time.

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