The Audio Counts!

More prosumer HDV cameras are working for producers looking to get the most bang for their buck today. But these smaller cameras pose some significant challenges for sound production mixers.

With tighter budgets, and more small and mid-sized companies opting to go with consumer grade video production, many are not considering the quality of the sound. Nothing new here - sound had taken a back seat to video for years. Yes, many of the prosumer cameras have picked up the quality of on-board sound. But accessing audio functionality such as levels, channel selection, automatic gain control, and so on typically involves switch settings, connectors and menus that differ from one camera to another. Usually your options are not enough. And if a digital audio capture device comes into play, there usually isn't a way to sync the sound anyway.

The freedom of movement and agility that prosumer cameras offer can be a barrier to audio best practices. Most experienced documentary and reality production camera operators and producers understand that they can follow the action better if they monitor the audio. And don't forget that you will have a better looking product if the audio is dead on.

What ever video you are planing, don't discount the audio. Even if it is "just for the web." Talk to your videographer and make sure you have video options before you shoot.