Different types of microphones and their uses in video/film, audio recording techniques, and audio editing.
Sound Waves and Frequencies: Understanding the science of sound waves and the frequency range of human hearing can help beginners to appreciate how sounds are captured, processed, and reproduced in the recording and playback process.
Microphones: Different types of microphones have different polar patterns, sensitivity, and frequency response. A good grasp of microphone placement and usage techniques can help novices to capture optimal audio quality for different recording scenarios.
Studio Acoustics: Understanding the properties of sound reflection, absorption, and diffusion in a recording studio can help beginners to make appropriate acoustic treatment and soundproofing decisions.
Analog and Digital Recording: Knowing the differences between analog and digital recording methods, their advantages and disadvantages, and how to use analog and digital equipment can help novices to make informed decisions in the recording process.
Signal Flow and Routing: Understanding the signal flow from microphones to mixing consoles, to effects processors, and back to headphones or speakers can help beginners to troubleshoot routing problems and optimize the audio signal path.
Mixing and Mastering: Knowing how to use EQ, compression, reverb, delay, and other effects to blend multiple audio tracks into a cohesive and balanced mix can help beginners to create professional-sounding recordings. Mastering techniques involve enhancing the overall sonics of audio recordings.
Audio Editing: Knowing how to trim, fade, splice, copy, paste, and align audio tracks using digital audio workstation (DAW) software can help beginners to fine-tune their recordings and achieve high-quality results.
Foley and Sound Design: Understanding the creative process of foley and sound design can help beginners to use sound effects and audio samples to enhance the emotional impact and storytelling aspects of audio recordings.
Music Production: Knowing the fundamentals of music theory, arrangement, instrumentation, and composition can help beginners to create high-quality music recordings for films, videos, and other media.
Audio Post-Production Workflow: Understanding the standard workflow of audio post-production, including sound editing, mixing, and delivery, can help beginners to collaborate efficiently with other audio professionals and deliver their work on time and within budget.
Dialogue recording: This is the process of recording actors' spoken lines during a scene to ensure clarity and fidelity.
Foley recording: Foley is the art of creating sound effects in a studio to match the action on the screen.
Voice-over recording: Voice-over is the process of recording a voice that is not present on camera, such as a narrator or off-screen character.
ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement): ADR involves re-recording an actor's dialogue in the studio to replace any poorly recorded or unusable audio from the original shoot.
Sound effect recording: This involves capturing specific sound effects in a controlled environment, such as the sound of glass breaking or a car engine starting.
Music recording: This includes recording the score for a film or adding pre-existing music to a scene.
Atmospheric recording: This involves capturing the ambient sound of a location, such as the sounds of a park or forest, to enhance the overall mood of a scene.