Shooting Bad Omen in that warehouse was a sound nightmare—echoes, creaking, wind, and worst of all, planes flying overhead constantly. Since we didn’t have time for endless takes, I just accepted the challenge instead of stressing about it. We held for planes when needed and relied more on lav mics than directional ones to cut down on echo. But honestly, the real lifesaver was bringing in a pro sound team for mixing, foley, and cleanup. Some ADR was unavoidable, but having the actors fully commit in the booth made a huge difference. In the end, post-production sound saved the day. It was a tough shoot, but the final mix turned out way better than I expected!

Post audio can do some amazing fixes, but losing a great performance or an important interview because of bad location sound is a hard disappointment. So if you’re serious about capturing good sound on location hire a professional Location Sound Mixer (aka PSM, Production Sound Mixer.) because they will have the skills and the gear you need on set, skills that take years to learn: scouting locations for sound , hiding lavaliers on difficult wardrobe , judging if a particular noise is a problem or not, booming , wireless frequency management , file management , comm systems, tracking down and fixing noises on set…Listening with an ear toward post. Reach out, inquire , consult a pro, we tend to be nice people. Good Luck !

🎤 Optimize Recording Setup Use directional microphones (shotgun or lavalier) to isolate the subject’s voice. Position mics as close as possible to reduce background noise pickup. 🔇 Control the Environment Record in soundproofed or controlled spaces when possible. Use acoustic panels, blankets, or foam to absorb unwanted echoes. Schedule shoots during quiet hours to minimize external noise. 🎚 Use Smart Audio Techniques Record room tone for easier noise reduction in post-production. Enable low-cut filters on mics to remove rumble and background hums. 🎛 Fix It in Post Use noise reduction tools like iZotope RX or Adobe Audition. Apply EQ and compression to enhance clarity.

Having worked in corporate and industrial filmmaking for over 15 years, I’ve often dealt with noise disruptions during shoots. Here’s what works for me: Use Unidirectional Microphones – Shotgun or lavalier mics help isolate the subject’s voice while minimizing background noise. Optimise Audio Capture Levels – Keeping the receiver at the right level prevents distortion or excessive background noise, making post-production easier. Enhance in Post – Tools like Adobe Enhance AI help clean up remaining noise and refine the final output without compromising audio quality. Good sound can make or break a video, so I always focus on capturing the cleanest audio possible.