Lighting & Sound - Vimeo Blog https://vimeo.com/blog/category/video-school/lighting-sound/ Mon, 10 Jan 2022 15:05:21 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 159940891 Learning how to edit sound? Get to know these 5 popular audio editing software https://vimeo.com/blog/post/audio-editing-basics/ Wed, 27 Oct 2021 14:30:00 +0000 https://vimeo.com/blog/2013/02/15/video-101-editing-sound-music-with-windows-live-mo/ Don't sleep on audio editing. Learn the pros and cons of these 5 sound editing software.]]>

While often an afterthought (or sometimes ignored) in the world of video editing, sound and audio editing is equally important for any film or video project. 

Audio is a crucial building block for any video edit. And while you can handle a lot of audio and sound controls in many video editing softwares — like Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro — for most serious video editors, it’s helpful to have at least a basic understanding of some other audio-specific platforms.

So, let’s take an in-depth look at some of the best digital audio workstations (DAWs) currently available for film and video editors to focus specifically on working with their audio and sound needs.

What are digital audio workstations (DAWs)?

For anyone coming from the world of sound (or music) recording, a DAW (digital audio workstation) should be a familiar term. However, for those of us hailing from a video-centric world, don’t let the term intimidate you. DAWs are simply editing softwares dedicated to working with audio and sound files.

These DAWs run a wide gamut of app and software types which range from the super high-end which are used by world class musicians and recording studios, to more prosumer options meant for smartphones and laptops and casual recording and editing.

When looking for the right DAW (or simply for the right audio editing software) for you, it really comes down to your skills and needs. Here are some of the best options which any video editor looking for sound help might want to consider.

Audacity 

Let’s start with one of the most famous and iconic names in sound editing: Audacity. Originally released way back in the early days of the internet (read: the early 2000s), Audacity is a completely free and open-source based digital audio editing software. 

It’s an extremely easy-to-use program that should help you learn some of the basics, however it does leave more advanced users wanting for more functions and controls. However, as a free legacy software, you should absolutely consider at least downloading it and checking out when first starting off.

Audacity features: 

Pros:

  • Easy-to-use
  • Available on Windows, macOS and Linux
  • Free

Cons:

  • A bit archaic design
  • Not many effects
  • No advanced features

Price: Free

GarageBand 

For anyone who’s ever owned a Mac computer or laptop before, GarageBand is everyone’s favorite digital audio station that can serve as a great introducer to the world of sound recording and editing. 

And while there may be some softwares which are more sophisticated, GarageBand is about as intuitive and fun-to-use as it gets with a straightforward design that lets users get creative as well as technical.

GarageBand features: 

Pros:

  • Fun and intuitive design
  • Great for recording audio
  • Free for Mac users

Cons:

  • Design is meant for beginners to intermediates
  • More music focused than film or video
  • Not as many advanced features or effects

Price: Free (Mac only)

Avid Pro Tools

A mainstay in both the video and audio industries, Avid represents some of the best and most sophisticated technology for professionals of each. While Avid’s Media Composer might be a favorite of industry video editors, its Pro Tools is hands down one of the best digital audio workstations (DAWs) on the market.

However, if you’re new to audio editing, Pro Tools represents a pretty steep learning curve so should really only be used by more experienced and advanced sound editors.

Avid Pro Tools features: 

Pros:

  • Industry-standard tools and design
  • A huge array of options and effects
  • Great for professionals looking to work with other Avid products

Cons:

  • Steep learning curve for beginners or intermediates
  • Need a good deal of processing power
  • One of the more expensive options

Price: $299 yearly subscription

Adobe Audition 

Another popular DAW audio editing software for video and audio professionals, Adobe Audition is a great option for any video folks who already subscribe to Adobe’s Creative Cloud and use video editing apps like Premiere Pro and After Effects.

Audition is a solid choice on its own as well as it provides enough sophistication for advanced sound editors along with a simple-to-learn design that isn’t too intimidating to those just starting out. (Plus if you do use Premiere Pro, you can quickly switch between the two to really get the best of both worlds for your video projects.)

Adobe Audition features: 

Pros:

  • Easy-to-learn
  • Solid amount of controls and effects
  • Great for working with Adobe Premiere Pro

Cons:

  • A bit of a learning curve
  • Not as powerful or sophisticated as some other DAWs
  • Maybe not preferred for non-Adobe users

Price: $20.99 monthly subscription, $52.99 creative cloud monthly subscription

Logic Pro 

For Mac-users who might be ready to take a step up from GarageBand, Apple’s Logic Pro is one of the best DAWs on the market and an awesome sound editing software for video and sound professionals. Like GarageBand though, it is a bit more music-focused than audio for film and video perhaps, but it certainly has all the bells and whistles which you might need.

That being said, it’s still maybe not the best app for beginners due to its sophistication, and it still trails behind Pro Tools in terms of industry use and support. However, if you’re a Mac user who uses Final Cut Pro who wants more audio controls, Logic Pro could be the perfect option.

Logic Pro features: 

Pros:

  • Relatively easy-to-learn
  • Plenty of effects and controls
  • Great for Mac users

Cons:

  • More music-based than film/video
  • Still a bit of a learning curve
  • Not great for non Mac-users

Price: $199

Making your decision

Hopefully these options should give you at least a good understanding of the modern state of DAWs and audio editing platforms currently on the market. Remember, these options are meant for a wide variety of skill types, so if you’re just starting off you don’t always need to invest in the highest-end offering.

However, if you are serious about getting the best audio and sound into your film and video projects, it’s important to take the craft seriously and use one of the right tools for the job. So, check a few of these options out and see which one is right for you.

Broaden your video editing know how

]]> 5 best audio editing software in 2022 | Pros and cons | Vimeo Blog Don't sleep on audio editing. Learn the pros and cons of these 5 popular sound editing software. Editing,Sound,Video School,Windows Live Movie Maker,best audio editing software 6605 Sound editing fundamentals: 18 common sound terms you need to know https://vimeo.com/blog/post/ultimate-guide-to-sound-editing/ Mon, 20 Sep 2021 20:13:27 +0000 https://vimeo.com/blog/2015/11/18/what-18-common-sound-terms-actually-mean/ Within this post lies the sweet sound of actually knowing what sound-related phrases mean, and how they may best serve your videos.]]>

Creating videos is half about visuals and half about sound. But when you’re just getting started, there is a ton to figure out just on the visuals side, and when you add in audio, it can be overwhelming (to say the least). 

However, audio doesn’t have to be overwhelming or mundane. And in fact, when done with the right program and insights, it actually can be quite rewarding and fun. It’s a great way to make your videos really pop — often your audience won’t even realize why they find themselves more drawn in to your content and messaging.

So, while many film and video professionals will often still think of audio as an afterthought compared to cinematography, direction and video editing, let’s explore the audacious world of sound editing, including sound terms and fundamentals, and even how to choose the right sound editing software for your next video project.

What we’ll cover

  1. What is sound editing?
  2. Sound editing vs. sound mixing
  3. 18 sound editing terms you should know
  4. Frequently asked questions about sound editing
  5. More lessons from Vimeo video school

What is sound editing? 

So, let’s start with some basic definitions before we dive deeper into some softwares and techniques. Sound editing is a basic term which we use to describe any sort of editing of sound or audio files. This isn’t a video-exclusive term either as there are many sound editors and professionals who work with audio and sound outside of video.

However, for our purposes of looking at audio as it pertains to video, sound editing is usually thought of as separate from video editing — although they are often done (at least initially) at the same time.

Sound editors do more than just edit too, they are often tasked with creating sounds on their own or also recording or re-recording audio or dialogue to help with the video editing process overall.

Sound editing vs. sound mixing 

Another question that usually comes up when one first starts off in video and sound editing has to do with defining the difference between sound editing and sound mixing. And while these two terms are actually quite similar and share many mutual facets, they are indeed different roles which require different expertise.

Sound editing has to do with the editing, recording and recreating of sound and audio clips and effects. Sound mixing has to do more with audio levels and balancing everything out for the final “mix” for a project.

And while on the majority of big budget and professional video projects these two roles are done by different professionals and companies, in the world of modern DIY video production these two terms and roles are often rolled into one. In fact, for many video editors today having skills in each of these practices is almost expected.

Luckily, there are also some really great tools and resources available to aspiring video and sound editors of every skill level as digital technology has transformed what used to be a quite archaic task into one which can be done with some simple clicks of your mouse.

18 sound editing terms you should know  

Let’s dive into common audio terms that are important for all video creators to know. While this isn’t an exhaustive list (there are a lot of audio-related terms!), it’s a great primer on some of the more prevalent phrases for you to tuck away in your knowledge bank.

Cardioid microphones are best explained by their shape: a heart. This is roughly the shape of this pickup pattern. Cardioid microphones will pick up most of their signal in one direction, rejecting most of the noise in the other directions but still picking up some ambient audio around the scene. These are great for speech-related uses, either for voice-overs or — everyone’s favorite — podcasts.

‘Polar pattern cardioid’ by Galak76 – self-made, Adobe Illustrator. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons 

Diegetic sounds arise from the subjects or objects that appear on screen, or are implied to be present within your film’s world. These can be the actors’ voices, sounds of footsteps, or a tinkling piano.

Dual-system recording is sound that was not recorded directly into the camera. You could use another sound recorder to capture the audio separately from the visual shots, for example. The result is having to sync sound in post, which can be done either manually, like with a slate marker, or by using software, like Red Giant’s PluralEyes.

Foley is the recreation of noises synced to picture. Foley sound effects can either be made from the objects that appear in your film, or from completely different sources. For example, a bag of corn starch rustled in your hands hands sounds eerily similar to footsteps in snow — and now you don’t have to stand out in the cold to record that sound.

Lavalier microphones are small microphones generally placed on the body, such as on the lapel of a jacket, in your talent’s hair, or underneath clothing. Paired with a wireless transmitter and receiver, lav mics can be used to record audio wirelessly while staying mostly or completely hidden if need be. 

Microphone polar (pickup) patterns are how different microphones pick up sounds around their central axis. In other words, this is the audio the mic captures in relation to where you’re pointing it. Though there are several different types of patterns, three common examples are (from most to least focused) are shotgun, cardioid, and omnidirectional. Now, perhaps it would be helpful to overview those terms.

‘Polar pattern directional’ by Galak76 – self-made, Adobe Illustrator. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons  

Natural sound (also called ‘nat sounds’) are sounds that are produced in their actual setting — a.k.a., nature. Think sounds of wind, tree branches, animals, insects, cars whizzing by, etc. Natural sounds may be the best way to add depth and realism to your films. They make your stories come alive in a way that your visuals can’t achieve all on their own.

Non-diegetic sounds are the tones emitted from subjects or objects that do not appear on screen, nor have they been implied to be present within your film’s world. A voice-over or a soundtrack (where the music is not being performed within the film) are solid examples of this.

Omnidirectional microphones are directional mics that pick up sounds from all directions. When you either don’t want highly-focused sound captured, or are trying to record audio in an unpredictable setting, these are a great option. For example, most lavalier microphones (often called ‘lav mics’) are omnidirectional which, when clipped to your talent’s lapel, allows you to capture what they’re saying even when they turn their head and their mouth isn’t pointed at the mic.

‘Polar pattern omnidirectional’ by Galak76 – self-made, Adobe Illustrator. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons  

Peaking/clipped audio is, in short, no good! Clipped audio is just liked clipped highlights in your video — once they’re gone, they’re gone. In the case of audio, it will result in distorted sound that’s virtually unusable. To avoid this, turn down your levels (usually -10db is a good place to start to provide a buffer for the unexpected), or turn on a built-in limiter in your audio-capturing device (most cameras have this ability).

Phantom power is (1) power sent through microphone cables and (2) an awesome name. This phantom removes the need to power your mics individually, allowing your camera or audio recorder to act as its power source.

Room tone is the sound of a space as a result of where your microphone is placed. Generally this is recorded after filming has stopped but before tear down has begun. This is used in the final edit to smooth out any sound edits, such as between interview sections.

Shotgun microphones are highly-directional microphones that reject sound from other directions. These mics are great for recording focused audio when you want to focus in and eliminate the extraneous, such as in an interview.

Sound effects, unlike foley, aren’t recorded to sync directly with picture. They are either created artificially or by enhancing existing sounds. Think explosions, mechanical sounds, or made-up objects (light sabers!)

Sync sound are sounds that were recorded directly into the camera. An example would be plugging your shotgun mic directly into your camera.

Timecodes are used for syncing multiple media tracks (video and audio). In the case of audio, using timecode is another way to sync dual-system recording. Timecodes can either be set in-camera manually or ‘jammed’ into the camera via a separate audio recorder (to ensure both are set at the same value). 

Transient sounds happen quickly and abruptly. They arise sharply and cease almost instantly. Think of a footstep, a plate smashing on the ground, or a punch to the gut (ouch!). The goal in recording transient sounds is to obtain direct sound and minimize other interferences — so get in close.

Walla is background sound, which typically captures the noise of a crowd or conversation. Walla adds a foundation to your films, particularly in scenes where you’d expect to hear distant ambient conversations, such as a couple dining at a busy restaurant. Pro tip: if you’re directing your extras and trying to record walla, ask them to describe what they ate for lunch in the last seven days … all at the same time.

Wireless transmitters and receivers get a little nerdy, but here’s the basic breakdown: the transmitter takes your audio signal and converts it to radio waves, and then sends those to a receiver that does the opposite, and converts your radio waves back to an audio signal. This allows you to wirelessly record audio from a lav mic during a walk and talk interview, for example.

Frequently asked questions about sound editing

How do I mix audio and video? 

You can mix audio and video in most video editing softwares and apps, however for more sophisticated audio controls you’ll need to use an app or software that is designed specifically for sound editing.

How do I use a sound editor?

You can use most sound editors by simply downloading them and diving in. However for the more advanced softwares you might need to read some articles and watch some tutorials first.

How can I edit sound on my phone? 

Most smartphones should have some basic sound editing apps built-in, however for more exact controls you’ll need to find a more powerful app or send your audio files to a laptop or computer.

What do I need to get started? 

To get started with audio editing all you need is a computer. You can choose some basic and free sound editing softwares like Audacity, GarageBand or Audio Cutter to quickly cut, splice and edit audio files.

What’s the difference between sound editing and sound mixing? 

Sound editing has to do with editing, creating or re-recording sound and audio files whereas sound mixing has to do with the mixing sound levels for a sound or video project.

What’s the best sound editing software for beginners?

There are several great sound editing softwares for beginners including GarageBand, Audacity and Adobe Audition, however the best one for you will come down to what type of computer you use, your familiarity with other programs and personal preference.

Up your video editing know-how with these articles

Hopefully these terms and techniques have helped you at least get a basic understanding of how audio is recorded, edited and mixed. If you’d like to learn more about the world of sound and video editing, here are some helpful tutorials and roundups to check out:

More lessons from Vimeo video school

**Content originally published on Vimeo by Story and Heart in 2015. Updated by Jourdan Aldredge in 2021.

]]> Best sound editing software for beginners 2021 | How to learn sound editing Discover how to learn sound editing, common sound terms and what they really mean, and how to choose the right sound editing software for your next video project. Sound,Video School,sound editing 7571 Video lighting tips and tricks for your next at-home shoot https://vimeo.com/blog/post/video-lighting-tips/ Thu, 17 Dec 2020 15:30:00 +0000 https://vimeo.com/blog/?p=31413 Laptop screen with lighting effects, text reads "how to set up lighting for video"Whether you want to look great for your next Zoom call or just shoot a new video, it's easy to improve your video lighting with these tips. ]]> Laptop screen with lighting effects, text reads "how to set up lighting for video"We’re all shooting more video, but not all of it looks very good. Whether you want to look great for your next Zoom call, YouTube video, or even a Vimeo Record video message, we’ve got some video lighting tips and tricks (plus some helpful gear shoutouts!) to improve the lighting of your next video.

Lighting tips and tricks for shooting video at home

Accomplishing good video lighting doesn’t have to take a lot of time or cost a lot of money. Here’s how to light your next video like a pro, regardless of cash flow.

1. Use natural light

When it comes to video lighting, the easiest option is to use the most powerful and cost-effective light source in the world. The sun! When getting ready to shoot anything on camera, let that sun shine directly on that face. This will provide a beautiful, even light that helps hide blemishes and brings out the colors in your eyes. If the sunlight looks a little harsh on your face, you can use a very sheer white curtain or even a translucent white shower curtain to help soften that light. (It’ll also help keep nosey neighbors out of your business.)

2. DIY a three-point light for low-light rooms

If you want to mimic a more traditional video lighting setup, you can also just keep the window to one side of your face, a set up known as key lighting. The other half of your face needs some light as well, so you’ll need what’s called fill lighting. You can just pop a lamp with a daylight-colored bulb right on the other side of your face to even that out. If you’re still seeing those unsightly shadows, you should use a bounce to direct light back onto your face. While you can cop a small bounce for just around $10, you can also use a piece of white card stock (Or a pizza box! Even aluminum foil!) to bounce the light from the window back onto your face. Pro-tip: use silver reflective surfaces — like that foil— to accomplish strong fill light, and use white surfaces for a softer, more natural fill.

3. Try a pair of lamps for night-time shooting

…But what if it’s dark? The solution is actually fairly simple. All you need is two lamps, one on your left and one on your right. If you can, arrange them 45 degrees to either side of your face and raise them to just above your eye line. These two lamps should help minimize the amount of shadows on your face, and should do a good job in evenly lighting you for your next webcam address.

If you make a habit of recording video on your phone, investing in a small ring light attachment makes a huge difference when it comes to looking nice on camera. (And everyone wants that, right?) Here’s a quick rundown of how to set one up:

How to set up a ring light 

  • Set your camera just in front of the light. Generally, ring lights include a mount that let you place your camera just in front of (or in line with) your lighting set-up. But if not, find a ledge or small tripod to stabilize your phone close to the light source.
  • Adjust the light (and camera) so they’re in line with your face. Most ring lights you purchase come with an adjustable stand, which is great. Just make sure you’re the focal point!
  • Place the light just two feet away from your face. This is more of a suggestion rather than a hard and fast rule. The video should look brightest and clearest from this distance, but you might want to play with it a bit to get the effect you’re looking for.

4. Be careful with your backlight 

If you’re gearing up for your next Zoom call, remember that most webcams are equipped with autoexposure, which means that if you’ve got a bright lamp, TV, computer screen, or a window in the background of your video, your camera will focus in on that. That’ll leave you in the shadows, which isn’t ideal unless you’re in the witness protection program. Take the time to get that light in front of you, instead of behind you! (If you need to do a little furniture arranging to make this happen, we promise, it’s worth it.)

5. Try not to mix your video lighting 

When DIYing your video lighting setup, you might have the urge to combine all the light sources laying around your house. Fight that instinct. Using competing color temperatures (think: warm light from a lamp combined with cool sunlight) can make shots look different as your camera tries to adjust to the new white balances. Daylight color bulbs (5,000-6,000K) are available at most stores but when in doubt, stick with natural lighting.

What’s the best lighting for filming?

While we love a three-point lighting kit, it’s hard to beat the natural lighting the sun gives us. Simply orient yourself so you’re facing the light, then set your camera in front of you (without blocking that precious light!) for a gorgeously lit shot.

The best video lighting tools for every budget

Regardless of how much you have to spend, we’ve got gear recs to take your home filming game up a notch.

Tips for video lighting on zero budget

As we discussed up top, one of the best (and cheapest!) forms of video lighting available to you is sunlight. Gathering a few household items — a gauze-y curtain and a large white poster board — will help you make your footage look even more polished, and should only cost a couple of dollars, max. Position your desk and chair with the sun right in your face, taking care to make sure your computer or camera doesn’t block your light! Sit on a chair or another flat surface that will put you in line with the rest of the items in your home to make your background look as nice as it can.

Tips for video lighting on a mid-range budget

If you’ve got a few bucks to spare, consider picking up a bounce at your local photography supply store to level up your light fill. We think that the Neewer Photo Studio Lighting Reflector and Stand Kit gets the job done nicely. As mentioned above, if you’re primarily shooting on your phone, opting for a super flattering ring light is also a good idea. We love the level of control of the Yesker Ring Light, which allows you to adjust color temperature and brightness.

Tips for video lighting on a higher-range budget

If you want to go all out, we suggest investing in a three-point light kit. A three-point light kit consists of a key light, a fill light, and a backlight, and is your best bet for getting high-quality lighting in your own home. We think the GVM RGB LED Video Lighting Kit is an excellent sub-$500 option. You can also pick up lighting gels and diffusers to soften your video lighting and add a splash of color!

Conclusion 

We love a classic three-point lighting setup, but don’t let any equipment limitation keep you from capturing more video. Even if you’ve only got your webcam or phone camera, you can use these tips to keep your videos looking crispy. Happy filming!

More video school lessons

]]> Video lighting tips and tricks for your next at-home shoot | Vimeo Whether you want to look great for your next Zoom call or just shoot a new video, it's easy to improve your video lighting with these tips. Video School,lighting tips for video 31413 Quick tips: How to get great audio without a recorder https://vimeo.com/blog/post/how-to-capture-sound-with-your-phone/ Thu, 14 Nov 2019 13:00:23 +0000 https://vimeo.com/blog/?p=22149 Don't have a microphone to capture sound with? Fear not, our phones make great audio recorders. We'll show you the basics.]]> Story time! A few years back, the day before I left NYC to London for a shoot, I realized my microphone was broken. It was a Saturday, and most shops that sell them in New York are closed on Saturdays but after a few hours of calling around and paying more money than I wanted to, I got my hands on a new microphone mere hours before my flight. I show up to the shoot in London and realize I left the microphone at home. I messed up. Rather than admit defeat I needed to improvise.

The solution

We live in a world where everyone is walking around with the solution to most video production problems right in their pocket. It’s called a phone. Lost? You have a map. Bored? You have games. Forgot your microphone? You have a microphone! It’s not an ideal solution, but it’s more than serviceable. There’s two ways you can use your phone to capture some crisp audio using the built-in voice recording app.

Use your phone to capture audio

If you have help, have someone hold the phone just out of frame while recording. You don’t want to hold it too far, 2-3 feet at most depending on how noisy the environment is but you can probably get a good medium close up shot this way. You’ll want your subject to speak directly towards the phone for best results. Another option is to place the phone in the subject’s shirt pocket if they have one. If it’s sticking out or otherwise looks strange, you may be limited to a close up shot above the shoulders. Once you’re back in the editing room simply sync up the audio from your phone with the video you shot. From there, you can ditch the audio captured by the built-in camera mic as your phone’s audio is almost certainly better.

The real solution: Check your gear

The real solution to this problem is to check your equipment more than one day before your shoot to make sure it’s all functional and to make a checklist as you’re packing to make sure you’ve got everything. If you’re like me and common sense escapes you from time to time, your phone is your best friend. Fire up the voice recording app and you’re good to go. Bonus: Make sure to text your friends back home to let them know how badly you messed up — so they can have a good laugh.

More Video School lessons

]]> Quick tips: How to get great audio without a recorder - Vimeo Blog Don't have a microphone to capture sound with? Fear not, our phones make great audio recorders. We'll show you the basics. capture sound phone 22149 How to avoid (and eliminate) white noise in your video https://vimeo.com/blog/post/how-to-avoid-and-eliminate-white-noise-in-your-video/ Tue, 10 Sep 2019 17:28:54 +0000 https://vimeo.com/blog/?p=21091 Is white noise holding your video back? Adobe's DeNoise effect can help you achieve crisp audio greatness.]]> A rattling air conditioner, a whirring generator, the hum of a refrigerator. Any and all of these sounds can ruin an otherwise perfect take — and they can take hours to smooth out in post-production. As many a video creator can attest: white noise is the bane of sound editing.  Thankfully, Adobe Premiere comes with a powerful tool to help deal. It’s called the DeNoise effect and it’s one of our go-to’s because it seriously improves audio clarity. Watch the video above to see what DeNoise is all about, and read on for tips on how to avoid white noise in your video.

Plan for white noise during filming

There best way to deal with white noise in your audio track is to have as little of it as possible when you get to the editing bay. Unless you’re shooting in a vacuum (or big-budget studio conditions), you’re going to have some background noise on your audio. So plan for it. Before cameras roll, sweep your set and proactively eliminate unwanted noise. Close windows, unplug loud appliances, take your room tone, and position your microphone as close to your subject as possible.

DeNoise takes care of the rest

Sometimes you can take all the necessary steps during production, but noisy elements still wind up in your edit. This is where the DeNoise effect comes in handy. This powerful tool removes unwanted frequencies from your background audio. And, while this once was a tough-to-perfect technique, Adobe recently improved the feature, making it easy and accessible for all editing levels.

How we use DeNoise at Vimeo

In post-production, we utilize the Heavy Noise or Light Noise Reduction, depending on the amount of noise we need to eliminate for crisp audio. You’ll find those options in the Presets dropdown menu, within the DeNoise custom setup window. When dealing with something like a buzzing light bulb, set the Processing Focus to Higher Frequencies (the icon furthest to the right). Be prepared to tweak your DeNoise settings, and play with your Parametric Equalizer until you have your track sounding pitch perfect.

Less is more

While DeNoise expertly smooths out unwanted frequencies, it also impacts the quality of your clip’s vocals. Make sure you only utilize it when you need white noise reduction. And again, the best way to deal with white noise in your video is to eliminate it during filming. 

More Video School lessons

]]> How to avoid (and eliminate) white noise in your video - Vimeo Blog Is white noise holding your video back? Adobe's DeNoise effect can help you achieve crisp audio greatness. Video School,White noise video 21091 How to fine-tune your audio with Adobe’s Parametric Equalizer https://vimeo.com/blog/post/intro-adobe-premiere-sound-effects-parametric-equalizer/ Tue, 06 Aug 2019 20:21:10 +0000 https://vimeo.com/blog/?p=20549 Audiophiles meet crisp, clear audio files. Adobe's Parametric Equalizer, polishes your vocals in no time, and this article breaks down how to use it.]]> When our video team is in the throes of post-production, we often lean on Adobe Premiere Pro’s robust toolkit of features. Their professional-grade audio effects streamline our sound editing process, and we mean it when we say it will save you hours — even days — in the editing room, whether you’re making marketing videos or short films. This article introduces Adobe’s Parametric Equalizer (aka EQ), which is an essential final step in amplifying your video’s sound design. Watch the tutorial above for some quick tips on adding that final polish to your audio, or read on for a simple breakdown of how to incorporate it into your next project.

1. Equalize your audio

So, you’ve cut out your stutters and removed the buzz from your speaker’s audio track. To add that final clarity and flow to your vocals, go to Effects > Audio Effects > Parametric Equalizer. From there, drag Parametric Equalizer onto your clip. If you want to further customize, click on your clip and go to Effect Controls > Custom Setup > Edit. Pro-tip: For more clarity, raise the higher notes in the track; if you’re craving a fuller, bassier sound, boost those the lower frequencies.

2. The Vocal Enhancer saves you even more time

If it makes you happy, you’re welcome to spend hours manually tweaking your vocal frequencies to attain crisp, clear vocal perfection. But we’re proponents of conserving our post-production time by relying on the Vocal Enhancer. If you want to test it out, select Vocal Enhancer in your Parametric Equalizer’s dropdown menu. From there, tweak your frequencies up and down (it’s most effective if you keep it around 5 dB) until everything sounds right.

3. It’s case-by-case

Countless variables will influence your overall audio recording — a buzzing lightbulb, a speaker’s distance from your microphone, the brand of microphone you’re using. In each of these scenarios, you’ll want slightly different settings to finesse your video’s audio. No matter what you’re working with, the Parametric Equalizer is an excellent starting framework for all your audio mixes.

More audio lessons

]]> How to fine-tune your audio with Adobe's Parametric Equalizer - Vimeo Blog Audiophiles meet crisp, clear audio files. Adobe's Parametric Equalizer, polishes your vocals in no time, and this article breaks down how to use it. Video School,Parametric Equalizer 20549 How to choose the right music for your video https://vimeo.com/blog/post/choosing-the-right-music-for-your-video/ Thu, 06 Jun 2019 12:00:00 +0000 https://vimeo.com/blog/2017/01/23/choosing-the-right-music-for-your-video/ Being strategic about the music you use in your video will set the mood of your film. Here are some tips on how and what to pick for your soundtrack.]]> Choosing the right music for your video can seem like a daunting task. For starters, your music will dictate the overall mood of video; depending on the project, it can also play a crucial role in bringing audiences into the throes of your plot. (Case in point? The Jaws soundtrack). Regardless of what type of video you’re making, there are a few universal principles to consider as you’re choosing your tunes. We cover them all below.

Always be planning

Similar to most aspects of making a video, think about the role music will play in your production before you go to production. In fact, it’s not uncommon to start thinking about music as you’re writing your script, or even earlier. While you’re compiling your shot list, think strategically about how your soundtrack will influence production and post-production. How many scenes call for music? Will there ever be dialogue over your music? Will picking a certain song make the editing of a scene more difficult? And so on.

Diagetic vs non-diagetic

Both diagetic and non-diagetic are great for ambiance but serve highly different purposes. Non-diegetic music occurs outside of the film’s reality (think film scores). Diegetic sound, on the other hand, occurs within the narrative: a record player spinning at a dinner party, or the radio playing in someone’s car.

Know your rights

There are a variety of resources you can use to source music for your video, but always, always, always make sure you can legally use that music. In other words, try not to pull a Stanley Kubrick à la 2001: A Space Odyssey. The good news is you can avoid the lawsuits just by sourcing legitimate music. Both free and purchased music is readily available to use in your videos, and we have a bunch of music partners you can use. Other resourceful filmmakers simply find music that they like online and reach out to that artist for permission. You can also hire an actual musician to compose an original score for your video. Or if you’re tight on time and budget, but still want something ultra-original, evoke John Carpenter and write a minimalist score yourself.

What should your audience feel?

Are you telling a happy story or a heartbreaker? The tone of your music can help dictate the emotional weight of your scene. Going for a surrealist vibe? Try pairing a sad song over a happy scene, and vice versa.

Still not sure?

If you’re still not certain about what kind of music you want to use, the best thing you can do is research. Watch lots of videos and pay attention to their use of music. Eventually, you’ll hone in on what you want for your own project. The rest will fall into place. Header image from “How Improvisation Saved My Life” by Tessa Chong.  

More Video School lessons

]]> 8095 Let it snow: Our guide to winter lighting https://vimeo.com/blog/post/let-it-snow-our-guide-to-winter-lighting/ Thu, 07 Dec 2017 15:09:00 +0000 https://vimeo.com/blog/2017/12/07/let-it-snow-our-guide-to-winter-lighting/ The days are shorter and colder, and that can mean great things for your video. 3 reasons to love your lighting during the winter months.]]> It’s understandable that winter would make us want to put away the cameras and halt production until summer. But fear not! ‘Tis the season for big coats, snowball fights, and compelling winter light! In this post we’ll talk about how to use these frigid months and shorter days to your advantage.
Abraham Joffe does a brilliant job of capturing harsh snowy landscapes in the Arctic Circle.

More magic hour

The first major difference between summer and winter is the length of the days. The sun isn’t up for as long during winter, thus there’s less time to shoot in natural light. However, the cold weather provides some very intriguing color temperatures, as well as a longer “magic hour.” If you’re not familiar with magic hour (or golden-hour), it is production’s loving expression for the time right after sunrise or right before sunset. During this window, the sun is low in the sky and has to pass through more atmosphere. This filters out blueish light, thereby giving off a softer, orange tones. This look is ideal for getting romantic, evenly exposed shots. In the winter months, magic hour starts earlier so you’ll have more time to capture those jaw-dropping landscapes. As dreary as the winter atmosphere can seem, it’s actually a blessing in disguise for cinematography. Overcast skies and muted colors act as a natural diffusion, casting unusual shadows and soft light over your subjects. Rather than using an auto-white balance setting, adjust your color temperature to 5500K so that you’re balancing more closely to the natural warm tones of winter.

It’s OK to be shady

In the winter the sun stays lower in the sky, thus light comes in at more appealing angles throughout the day. This casts softer shadows, unlike the harsher contrast in the summer months. This low angle of the sun isn’t good for maintaining your tan, but it is great for adding texture and three-dimensionality to your subjects. In this type of low light, shadows are more elongated, dramatic, and generally appear in more unusual ways. Shadows like this bring wonderful elements of tension to a scene, so take advantage of these fascinating, natural effects and use them to elevate the drama of your scenes.
Check out Samuel Grandchamp’s excellent use of color in a winter backdrop.

Color your world

Winter offers some great “organic” subjects. Sparkling snow, dripping icicles, and naturally damp grounds can add some serious establishing shot beauty, or serve as wonderful background accents in your scenes. Skies and clouds are also much more dramatic, because of the extra distance the sun’s light is traveling through the atmosphere. You’ll notice clouds take on a more orange hue around their edges, pop off the blue or gray winter sky, and stand out in contrast to a snowy landscape or desolate forest scene. Because scenery tends to stick to a gray scale in the winter due to lack of vegetation, vibrant colors pop way more. Think of a red winter coat on a dreary day, a bright green car after a blizzard. Use this to your advantage and choose colors to contrast the muted colors of winter. Make sure you set your aperture and ISO to expose for the brightest spots in your composition so that your camera doesn’t clip the whites of snow banks.

Summing it up

Winter makes us want to curl up on the couch with a hot drink, maybe some takeout, and binge watch television until the warm weather comes back. But, please — for the sake of beautiful videos — get out there and shoot in the gorgeous light that only winter provides. And of course, make sure to upload them to Vimeo!

If you’re keeping things mostly indoors for the chilly months, delve into our lesson on perfecting your office lighting. As always, if you have your own tips for harnessing that winter light, share in the comments below.

]]> 8443 Perfecting outdoor lighting https://vimeo.com/blog/post/perfecting-outdoor-lighting/ Thu, 29 Jun 2017 10:33:09 +0000 https://vimeo.com/blog/2017/06/29/perfecting-outdoor-lighting/ Shooting outdoors leaving you in a bright fright? We’ll help you get over your fears and get that light right.]]> So, you’ve been Vimeo Video Schooled on how to perfect your indoor lighting in the office, but what if you take your production outside? It might feel unpredictable due to the fact that there are elements out of your control, but filmmakers have been making it work for a long time. There’s no reason why you can’t either!

What could really go wrong?

First, let’s figure out the most intimidating parts are about shooting outdoors, and then we’ll tackle them together. While filming, you might run into a couple of problems with your lighting:
  • Not enough light during night shoots
  • Overexposure in certain areas (also known as “hot spots”)
  • Harsh shadows from sunlight hitting only parts of your subject
  • Lens flare (unless you’re a real J.J. Abrams and embrace rather than avoid them)
Those are just a few issues that might come up during production, so don’t let them surprise you! Scouting your locations in advance, and determining the time of day you’ll be shooting, will help you understand and adapt to otherwise unpredictable lighting changes. Prepare by writing a strict schedule, rehearsing your lighting setup, and roll (pun definitely intended) with what Mother Nature gives you.

Adapt by utilizing your handy camera settings

While having the right camera and lenses will help ease your outdoor lighting woes, not everyone can afford to just scrap their current equipment and buy some new gear. In this case, it’s very important to understand how to make the best of what you already have, as depicted below:
As the above tutorial mentioned, you can adjust your camera’s aperture to let more or less light in. Aperture refers to the opening in the camera, controlled by a set of overlapping blades that can be expanded or restricted. Remember that the number associated with aperture might be counterintuitive: the smaller the aperture, the more light. For example, f/22 refers to a larger aperture than f/4, but f/22 will let in less light. If you’re shooting in low light outside, you might want to use a lower aperture, and vice versa if it’s super sunny. Changing your ISO can digitally brighten the image of your shot when you’re filming a scene at night (and the lighting is low) but be wary of the noise it might cause in your video. For a more in-depth info on what ISO is and how to utilize it, check the lesson from our friends at Story & Heart.

Best practices to keep in the brain

When you’re shooting outside during the day, always be aware of where the sun is. The best thing you can do is keep it behind the camera. This will not only prevent those pesky lens flares I mentioned earlier, but it’ll also enhance the color of your image. Of course, this will end up getting some direct sunlight in your subject’s eyes (if they are humans), so diffusing that light will not only be courteous, it’ll help the overall image. If you have a diffusion panel, by all means use it! But before you bust your wallet, don’t forget that muslin or layered sheets can do the trick. You can even make your own diffusion panel for less than $30 by following this tutorial:
To fix any contrast between the light and dark spots that might appear on your subject, you can hold something in front of where the light is coming from to lessen its intensity. A large piece of dark fabric or posterboard work great. You can also bounce light off of a reflector, a white, gold, or silver surface, so that light hits the exact place you want. Now, I know that’s a lot of materials you need to use, but they’ll help you control the sun, a fireball of a beast we know nothing about, and deeply despise (jk, it’s like 4.6 billion years old and I worship its existence).

It’s bright out there (or maybe dark), but you’ve got what you need to start shooting outdoors. You can learn more about working with available light, or branch into other parts of your shooting process, like varying your camera shots or choosing music for your film.

]]> 8286 Sound good, feel good: things to consider when capturing audio https://vimeo.com/blog/post/sound-good-feel-good/ Fri, 03 Feb 2017 18:58:58 +0000 https://vimeo.com/blog/2017/02/03/sound-good-feel-good/ Need to record audio for your film and not sure where to start? We"ve got some savvy tips and tutorials to help!]]> While it seems natural to assume that all of the efforts in creating a video must concentrate on the visual elements of the piece (e.g. cinematography, color grading, the actual actors and setting), recording audio just as important as capturing video when shooting a project. During the scriptwriting process, it’s easy to get carried away with thinking about what type of soundtrack you’ll add later (which you should — music can add so much to a film). However, when it comes to a traditional narrative film, pairing specific dialogue (like a quiet conversation) with the environments you desire (in the bathroom at a busy club) will require you to contemplate how they all affect each other. For example, if you’re shooting a scene outside, you’ll need to be aware of any sounds that might interfere with the dialogue. You can plan for this during pre-production, specifically when location scouting, but even the most prepared film crews will need someone dedicated to recording audio. In this helpful tutorial from DSLRguide, Simon Cade explains, “it really is worth having someone who is thinking about sound on a set because the chances are no one else will.” Check out the full video:
Your choices in how you decide to record sound can help evoke emotion, add realism, or make the audio mixing process much easier during post-production. Whatever you decide, having a boom operator and a sound mixer on set will make this process much more seamless (and let you concentrate on directing). When it comes to actually recording the sound during production, you’ll want to consider a few things:
  1. There are several different types microphones you can use, depending on what you are recording. Good thing we have a guide for figuring out your perfect mic match.
  2. You’ve got to make sure you have the right type of camera to use to input said mics. (Read through our tips on what to look for.)
  3. Heck, maybe you want to use a binaural audio setup and how it can completely transform the viewer’s experience into something even more immersive. We’ve got just the resource for you on what this is.
One thing’s for sure don’t leave it to the last minute! Recording good audio is so important and planning ahead will make the production process go smoother, prevent many do-overs, allow for a less complicated post-production session, which will in turn, provide an amazing viewing experience once the film is complete!]]> 8107