How to Get Loud Consistent Sound for Video

If you’d like to learn how to record and post process your sound, be sure to have a look at my sound for video courses at http://school.learnlightandsound.com 

In the last episode we covered how to set the input or gain level on your audio recorder when recording dual system sound (sound recorded by a separate, dedicated audio recorder). One of the things I suggested was that it is best to leave some headroom so that if the person speaking suddenly gets very loud, the sound will not distort and clip.

But the problem is that most of the sound isn’t loud enough. So how do you manage this? You loudness normalize the audio. This ensures that it is loud enough and that it is consistent from video to video.

Here are three ways to do that. The third way is to manually loudness normalize and is a longer, more involved process. You can see how to do that here: https://youtu.be/r0U6KX65NGA

Visit us at https://learnlightandsound.com for more updates on how to improve your lighting and sound for video. Also be sure to subscribe to get new episodes every week!

Gear used or mentioned in this episode:

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Tascam DR-60DmkII Audio Recorder (good option for a beginner who wants to record higher quality sound - shown in the clip to demonstrate leaving headroom)

Amazon: https://geni.us/cnf04UA

B&H: https://bhpho.to/2miXZzv

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Audio Technica AT4053b Hyper Cardioid Microphone (for the talking head clips)

Amazon: https://geni.us/RxeVLBr

B&H: https://bhpho.to/2lIMLCz

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Sound Devices 633 (Talking head portions recorded with this)

DVeStore: http://www.dvestore.com/guy-says-gear-reviews/audio/audio-recorders-mixers/sound-devices-633-six-input-compact-mixer-with-10-track-recorder/#aid=6242

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Aputure Light Storm COB120t LED Light (Key Light)

Amazon: https://geni.us/I6nj

B&H: https://bhpho.to/2mDOUoi

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Aputure Light Dome Soft Box (for COB120t key light)

B&H: https://bhpho.to/2lIDfj0

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Celadon LED Pro Radiant 2XL Pro LED Light (background light)

Amazon: https://geni.us/tjam

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Panasonic GH4 m4/3 Camera

Amazon: https://geni.us/ZX0AO

B&H: https://bhpho.to/2k9edgO

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Panasonic Lumix 12-35mm f/2.8 Lens

Amazon: https://geni.us/mfLgRy8

B&H: https://bhpho.to/2k9dmg2

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Copyright 2017 by Curtis Judd

Ethics statement: Some of the links above are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, or other affiliate links.