Filmmakers working at an intermediate level often overlook audio, preferring to focus more on the visual aspect of the mise-en-scene.
In class we explored sound, chiefly, the use of sound recording devices and their application. We played around with the H2 Zoom Recorder which is a good unit to start with as it is compact, simple and delivers good sound quality at a high resolution; it can produce wav. files which are considered to be the industry standard in digital audio collection.
As I normally work with similar devices, the technical side of this wasn’t new to me; however, it is always good to be made aware of new sonic surroundings. I’ve established that the exterior of the RMIT campus is not a good place to record as it abuts several busy roads and the accumulative sound of trams, cars, trucks and students make for one gigantic hum. Compounding this issue, is the hard glass and concrete surfaces that bounce the sound around making it hard to get a clean recording.
Whenever I’m able to, I record audio in my home office, I have more control over how the sound waves behave as I’ve applied numerous sound baffles and bass traps. To economise, I sometimes use my surfboard cover to diffuse the sound.