When it comes to post-production, audio editing is one of the challenges editors have to face. For some, colour correcting stock video clips and trimming on-site footage seems easier than editing dialogues and sound beds. On the flip side, though, there are those who are overenthusiastic about audio editing, particularly in equalising all audio– and often, this mentality creates hidden problems that ruin production value.
There is nothing wrong with tweaking audio tracks until they sound perfect, but you have to make sure they sound real. Going overboard during the equalisation process alters the aural integrity of all your audio–from the primary dialogue to the royalty-free sound bed–to the point that it no longer matches the realism on screen. To avoid this from happening, follow these EQ-ing guidelines:
Justify
Not all tracks need EQ-ing; accept the fact that some tracks are better off left raw. Before you meddle with the knobs and buttons, stop and think why you’re tweaking that part of your film’s audio. Be sure play particular sound files with purpose so that you do not perform unnecessary adjustments that may do your film more harm than good.
Simplify
The more you play with sound, the more you alter–so keep the EQ-ing to a minimum as much as possible. To keep things simple, follow this three-step rule: filter, cut, and boost. Clean the audio and remove everything unnecessary, cut the overtones that distort the audio’s character, and boost the volume levels of important frequencies. Editing your sound in this sequence streamlines your workflow and reduces the work you need to do without jeopardising sound quality.
You might be wondering why boosting is last. Truth be told, it makes more sense to cut down on unnecessary noises than amplifying your main tracks. Cut/Mute more, boost less to balance your audio levels. This makes it so that the sound won’t garble or distort even at full volume.
Diversify
Layer your tracks like a pro. Although some sequences work well with just ambient noises and dialogues, know how music can improve your film. Stock up on royalty-free audio tracks to keep your library full of possible sound beds for all the projects you handle. As long as you know how to EQ tracks properly, you can play with multiple layers of audio to make your film more complete.
Now that you have these insights in mind, it’s time to put them to practice. Let MotionElements help you through the royalty-free audio tracks available via our new music channel. With our music, you can easily create multiple layers in your film’s soundscape for better production value. Get in touch with us today to know more about what we offer.