4 Production Sound Free Online FlashCards

What is production sound?

Production sound is dialogue and other audio recorded during filming.

How should a boom microphone be placed?

Aim the boom mic toward the actor and keep it as close as framing allows, while keeping the mic and its shadow out of the shot.

What does a shotgun microphone’s directionality not do?

A shotgun mic favors sound in front of it, but does not make distant speech louder by itself. Moving the mic closer still matters.

When is a lavalier useful?

A lavalier can provide consistent dialogue when a boom cannot get close, such as in a wide shot or during movement.

What should you check when placing a lavalier?

Place it near the chest and check for fabric rubbing, cable movement, and wind, which can create distracting noise.

What does an omnidirectional microphone pick up?

An omnidirectional microphone picks up sound from all around it.

When is a camera-mounted microphone suitable?

It can work for reference audio or simple situations when the subject is close, but is often too far from actors for clean film dialogue.

What is room tone?

Room tone is the quiet background sound of a location when no one is speaking; it is not digital silence.

How should room tone be recorded, and why?

Record about 30 seconds with the setup unchanged and everyone still and quiet. Editors can use it to fill pauses and smooth cuts without abrupt background changes.

What are wild tracks?

Wild tracks are separate recordings of useful sounds that may be hard to capture during dialogue takes, such as footsteps or a door closing.

Why monitor production sound with closed-back headphones?

Monitor with closed-back headphones while filming to catch problems such as clothing rustle, handling noise, interference, or a noisy location.

How should recording levels be set?

Set levels so the loudest expected speech does not overload or clip; listen and check the meters rather than guessing.