Why Sound Quality Matters in Film, TV and Content Creation

Today’s newsletter is inspired from a recent experience where I hired a videographer to film at an event.  The visuals were great for telling the story, but unfortunately most of the footage had no sound.  I couldn’t believe it.  With no natural sound it means I have to find music to cover this problem.  And in most cases I didn’t want to use music but would have rather had the natural sound of the crowd of people at the event.  The sounds of the African drums playing at the event.  It was rather disappointing and inspired me to write today’s newsletter for people working in film, TV and content creation.

Even if you don’t work in this industry, it still teaches the valuable lesson of why paying attention to detail is a key to success in whatever you work on. 

When I was in college studying radio and television broadcasting, I had a teacher who told us a story that was meant to teach us why paying attention to sound is so important.  He shared a monumental moment when he was granted an interview with Nelson Mandela after he was released from prison. Mandela’s story was so fascinating and inspiring, the whole world was following it after he was released from prison after serving 27 years.  As a media person to be granted the opportunity to film an interview was an honour.  He said it went so well and he couldn’t wait to share the video.  

After loading the footage for editing he realized a big problem.  NO SOUND! He was checking everything in the audio but nothing was coming out as Nelson Mandela’s lips were moving, talking and sharing his journey. Absolute silence.  He was so traumatized that such an important piece of work, a once in a lifetime opportunity, was not usable because there was no sound.

He told us the story to teach us a lesson in how important it is to check your sound when filming.  It’s very easy to be caught up in the moment and not check.  But that could be your worst nightmare.  Despite him telling us that story, I made that mistake a few months later, when shooting a concert in Detroit at the riverfront.  I went home, put the SD card in my laptop only to find no sound.  Imagine that. A concert with no sound.

Big lesson learned. 

Imagine watching a gripping scene in your favourite film with muffled dialogue or a distracting hum in the background. Unfortunately it can happen even to the most experienced in the industry. Poor sound quality disrupts the audience’s ability to fully immerse themselves in the story, making even the most visually stunning production feel amateurish.

Bad sound is unforgivable because our ears are far less tolerant than our eyes. Audiences will endure slightly blurry visuals, but they won't forgive audio that grates, distracts, or confuses. Quality sound signals professionalism and respect for the viewer's experience.

Why is Natural Sound so Important?

While music is excellent for setting the tone or driving the story, natural sound—or "ambient sound"—provides depth and context. The rustling of leaves in a park, distant chatter in a café, or the hum of city traffic subtly anchors viewers in the scene, creating a sense of place and reality.

Natural sound works best when it’s authentic and not overpowering. For example, the quiet chirping of birds can enhance a tranquil moment, while the absence of sound in a suspenseful scene heightens tension.  

This goes back to my dilemma when the videographer gave me no sound at the event. How do I capture the setting, the sounds of the crowd, the drummers without natural sound?

Music is essential for pacing and emotional resonance, but relying solely on it can feel artificial. A balanced combination of music and natural sound creates a layered auditory experience that feels more genuine. The best productions understand when to let the environment speak for itself, adding a richness that resonates with the audience.

Here are some steps to Ensure Good Sound in Production

1. Pre-Production Planning: Identify potential sound challenges in your locations. Consider how ambient noise (raffic, weather, or people) might interfere and plan accordingly.
2. Invest in Quality Equipment: Use professional-grade microphones suitable for the type of sound you're capturing (e.g., boom mics for dialogue, lavaliers for interviews, or shotgun mics for isolated sounds).
3. Hire a Sound Professional: A dedicated sound engineer ensures that audio recording and mixing are optimized. If it’s in your production budget, it’s a good idea to get one. Their expertise can be the difference between clean, clear sound and a frustrating post-production nightmare.
4. Capture Clean Dialogue: Dialogue clarity is paramount. Always record in quiet environments if you can, or use directional microphones to minimize background noise.
5. Record Natural Sound: Take time to record ambient sounds at each location, even if you don’t think you’ll use them. These soundscapes can be layered in post-production to enrich the atmosphere. This can be done using a Zoom recorder to capture natural sound.
6. Monitor While Shooting: Always monitor sound in real-time to catch issues like distortion, interference, or mic placement problems before they ruin the take.
7. Sound Mixing in Post-Production: Good sound doesn’t end in recording. Post-production mixing ensures all elements (dialogue, natural sound, effects, and music) blend seamlessly to support the story.
8. Test Your Sound: Play your content on different devices (speakers, headphones, TVs, smartphones) to ensure consistent quality across platforms.

Remember that sound is more than just an accessory to visuals—it’s a co-creator of emotion, tension, and immersion. Ignoring its importance risks alienating your audience and undermining your hard work. By prioritizing high-quality sound, embracing natural ambiance, and following best practices, you can elevate your productions to professional standards that resonate with viewers.

Whether you're producing a blockbuster film, a corporate video, or a YouTube series, remember: your audience may see with their eyes, but they feel with their ears.

What steps do you take to ensure great sound in your productions? Share your insights in the comments below!

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