--- title: "Training Video Tips & Tricks: Gear Prep - Audio" description: Even if you're a novice videographer you can still make impactful training videos! Learn everything you need to know about audio equipment for your shoot. image: https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images/Feature%20Images/How%20to%20Create%20Awesome%20Videos%20Part%204.png --- # TRAINING VIDEO TIPS & TRICKS TAKE 4: Gear Prep - Audio Posted by Thomas Hartmann & Sean Nabors - June 09, 2020 - [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/training-video-tips-tricks-gear-prep-audio) - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/training-video-tips-tricks-gear-prep-audio&title=&summary=&source=) - [**](https://twitter.com/home?status=) - [**](https://plus.google.com/share?url=https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/training-video-tips-tricks-gear-prep-audio) - [**](mailto:?&subject=https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/training-video-tips-tricks-gear-prep-audio&body=https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/training-video-tips-tricks-gear-prep-audio) ** ![header-picture](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images/Feature%20Images/How%20to%20Create%20Awesome%20Videos%20Part%204.png "header-picture") In our [last gear prep blog](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/video-essentials-gear-prep-the-camera) on cameras, we referenced the age old phrase, “Lights, Camera, Action!” Then, it occurred to us that there was something important missing from this classic slogan…Sound! Unless you’re producing a silent film (in which case, you’d still have some audio considerations), you need to think about your audio needs before the day of your shoot. Capturing quality audio is crucial to the success of your production. Bad sound can ruin a perfect shoot. Good sound can make some real magic. **So… “Lights, Camera, *SOUND*…Action!”** ### A Moment of Silence It’s always best to film your production in a quiet atmosphere where you have some control over the background noise. When location scouting, listen to the sounds that certain rooms make. Take a moment of Zen and shut your eyes. In the same way you can star gaze, you can sound gaze. The longer you focus, the more you will notice all the different sounds that come into focus. A camera could pick up any of those distractors. A few specific things to listen for: - Can you hear planes or traffic out the windows? - Is the air conditioning humming? - Is there a refrigerator making a loud buzzing noise that you can turn off? - Is there background music playing at the business you are filming in? Some of these questions may require communication with the location manager to resolve. It just takes a little planning and diplomacy (some cookies never hurt). Don’t be afraid to ask if noisy appliances, or background music be turned off or unplugged during the shoot.   ### Is This Thing On? Let’s talk microphones. Whether you are renting a professional cardioid boom microphone and hiring a sound technician, or simply recording your audio on your iPhone, there are a few things you can do to help ensure your audio is clear and pristine: - Place your microphone as close to your subject as possible, without being seen in the frame. - Be sure your microphone is securely in place, whether in a mic stand, boom or however you’re securing it. - Make sure your audio script needs are assessed before you start shooting. - Organize any sound clips you will want to add later, including music clips and special effects. - Have a plan to mix your audio for good, balanced levels, in post-production.   ### Loud and Clear? So, there you have it. While you will obviously need some kind of audio device to record with, try to think beyond the device itself and more about *how* you are using the device to record. Are you sensing a theme in this series of blogs? Yep. Planning. It all comes down to how organized and well-planned you are. Last time, we covered camera planning and now we’ve hit audio. Any guesses as to what we’ll talk about for our next topic?   **Check out even more video tips & tricks!** - **[Start with Your Talent](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/training-video-tips-tricks-part-1)** - **[The Proof is in the Pre-Production](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/take-2-the-proof-is-in-the-pre-production)** - **[Gear Prep: The Camera](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/video-essentials-gear-prep-the-camera)** Topics: [Video Tips & Tricks](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/topic/video-tips-tricks) --- ### Recent Posts #### [By Alicia Seguin - April 07, 2026 How to Set Up a Learning & Development Review Process in Four Steps](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/how-to-set-up-a-learning-development-review-process-in-four-steps) [![read more](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/hubfs/IMG-TurboSodium/Sodium%20v2/blog/arrow-recent-blog-post.png "read more")](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/how-to-set-up-a-learning-development-review-process-in-four-steps) #### [By Liesl Christle - March 09, 2026 What L&D Can Learn From the Unique Challenges of Seasonal Hiring](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/what-ld-can-learn-from-the-unique-challenges-of-seasonal-hiring) [![read more](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/hubfs/IMG-TurboSodium/Sodium%20v2/blog/arrow-recent-blog-post.png "read more")](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/what-ld-can-learn-from-the-unique-challenges-of-seasonal-hiring) #### [By Liesl Christle - November 10, 2025 How Communities of Practice Can Build (And Sustain) a Learning Culture](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/how-communities-of-practice-can-build-and-sustain-a-learning-culture) [![read more](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/hubfs/IMG-TurboSodium/Sodium%20v2/blog/arrow-recent-blog-post.png "read more")](https://www.reflectionsoftware.com/blog/how-communities-of-practice-can-build-and-sustain-a-learning-culture) --- ### Our Reflections Stay up to date with the latest learning and development industry trends! 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