Chapter 11: Audio for Video

surround sound

5.1 surround uses six audio tracks to create a sense of envelopment.

limiter

A device for preventing loud audio from exceeding the system's upper limit (causing overload distortion) by progressively reducing circuit amplification for louder sounds.

condenser microphone

A high-quality microphone that can be very small and is generally powered by an onboard battery, phantom power, or a power supply.

shotgun microphone

A highly directional microphone used to pick up sound from a distance.

dynamic microphone

A rugged, low-maintenance, not easily distorted microphone.

pre-amplifier

An amplifier used to adjust the strength of audio from one or more audio sources to a standard level (intensity). It may include source switching and basic filtering.

stereo

Stereo sound uses two audio tracks to create an illusion of space and dimension.

natural sound

The recording of ambient or environmental sounds on location.

lavalier microphone

These small "Lav" microphones clip onto the talent's clothing and provide fairly consistent, hands-free, audio pickup of the talent's voice.

bidirectional microphone

This microphone can hear equally well both in front and in back but is deaf on either side of it. This is sometimes called a "figure of eight" pattern.

directional microphone

This type of microphone can hear sounds directly in front of it.

omnidirectional microphone

This type of microphone can pick up audio equally well in all directions.

audio mixer

Used to select, control, and intermix audio sources. It may include filter circuits, reverberation control, and other features. It is usually operated by the audio mixer (a job title as well as the name of the board) or A-1 (sound supervisor).

handhelp microphone

Widely used by news reporters and musicians.