Microphones what to use for what conditions

Sound is one of the most crucial elements in filmmaking, get it wrong, and even the best-shot film can feel unprofessional. But how do you know which microphone to use in different situations?

Join Giovanni Tria, Sutton Filmmakers club member, production sound recordist, and composer, for an insightful and hands-on workshop on choosing the right microphone for the job. Drawing on his experience working in the field, Giovanni will guide us through the different types of microphones and how to get the best results in any recording scenario.

What You’ll Learn:

🎤 Choosing the Right Microphone for Different Situations – Understand the most common microphones used in production sound and when to use them. We’ll cover:

• Shotgun Microphones – Highly directional and ideal for capturing clean dialogue on set, but how do you use them effectively?
• Lavalier (Lapel) Microphones – Perfect for discreetly miking up actors, but what’s the best way to place them for clear sound?
• Handheld Microphones – Often used for interviews and live events, but when should you use these in filmmaking?
• Boom Microphones – Learn proper booming techniques and how to avoid handling noise while keeping the mic out of frame.
• Boundary and Plant Mics – Lesser-known but incredibly useful for capturing ambient sound or dialogue in tricky situations.

🎧 Capturing Great Sound – Learn the best techniques for recording clean dialogue, even in challenging environments.

🔊 Dealing with Background Noise – Discover the best ways to minimise unwanted noise and improve audio quality when filming on location.

🎬 Practical Recording Session – Get hands-on experience! You’ll have the chance to test different microphones and record various scenarios, such as dialogue scenes, to hear the differences for yourself.