How To Improve Your Video Audio Outdoors

If you’ve ever attempted to shoot an interview in an outdoor environment, then you probably know how frustrating it can be. The unpredictable nature of remote environments creates a whole new level of potential problems that would never be faced in a studio setting. Unfortunately for us, recording in a studio environment is generally impossible and impractical. Over the years, we’ve learned a thing or two about recording clean audio outdoors. Keep reading, and learn how to easily improve the audio quality of your outdoors and travel videos!

Getting Prepared:

First of all, you need to come prepared with the right equipment. During pre-production, consider what kind of audio you need to record for the project, and what kind of environments you will likely be recording in. Are you trying to get interviews in loud environments? Ambience sounds to compliment your video? Will it be windy? These are just some of the questions you must answer before packing for your shoot. Our basic audio kit generally includes an external recorder, a shotgun mic, a backup mic, and respective dead cats to cut down on wind. If you’re shooting in loud and windy environments, consider investing in a wireless lav setup. Lav mics (short for lavalier) have a much smaller range than traditional shotguns, and can be easily clipped to the subject and concealed for high quality interview audio. The external recorder is another piece of essential equipment. Most recorders have high quality, built in microphones, making them perfect for quickly recording ambient sounds. In a pinch, their mics can also be enough to record quality interviews. Their small size makes them extremely packable, making them a staple of any outdoors videography kit.

“But my camera already has a microphone built in!” you might be asking. Onboard camera mics should never be used for professional audio. They are extremely low quality, resulting in jolting, unnatural sound in your final video. Additionally, their location makes them prone to picking up camera sounds such as fans, focus motors, and button clicks. Do yourself a favor and invest in a professional audio kit. It’s worth it! If you’re not sure what to buy, check out the Audio section of this guide from B & H.

Choosing The Right Spot:

Don’t record just anywhere; your location choice can often make or break your audio quality. Generally, try to situate your subject far away from any major, unnatural noises. Instead, situate them in a setting that sounds like your project. For example, when filming projects for All-Outdoors Rafting, we generally record field interviews nearby moving water, to add to the immersive experience of the project. Be aware of your audio levels when doing this, however. If your background noise is too loud, it can adversely affect the immersiveness of your audio.

After setting up your gear, put on a pair of headphones, and listen to the environment for several seconds. During this time, listen closely for any unwanted sounds. If unwanted noises are present, don’t be afraid to move your setup to somewhere quieter. Your editor and your client will thank you in the long run. Keep listening to the audio throughout the interview, to listen for any new unwanted sounds. While doing this, be sure to also monitor your audio levels to avoid audio peaking.

Don’t Forget The Ambience!

Sound is a huge, and often underestimated aspect of outdoors and adventure video production. Whether it’s a commercial, promo, or feature-length documentary, good sound often is the difference between the decent projects, and the great ones. Be sure to allow for proper sound design when budgeting, and don’t neglect it in post production. One of the most forgotten parts of recording in the field is environmental sound effects. During pre-production, look at your shotlist, and make a corresponding SFX list. Allow enough time during your day to record these, as they’re necessary to making your production a truly immersive experience. For a great example of what sound design can do for an outdoor project, take a look at Director Stefan Jose's recent surf photography documentary here. During a break in your shoot, record a minute or two of uninterrupted environmental sounds. Be sure to situate your microphone in a spot far away from the danger of unwanted sounds. 

For more tips and tricks on taking your outdoor filmmaking to the next level, be sure to follow us on Instagram @terraformcreative, or reach out to us at info@terraformcreative.media.

Happy filmmaking!