3.5 Natural sound and ambient audio

Natural sound and ambient audio are essential elements in television news storytelling. They create a sense of realism and immersion, transporting viewers into the scene and providing context for visuals. By capturing authentic atmosphere, these audio elements enhance emotional impact and evoke specific moods.

Room tone, background noise, and atmospheric sounds are key types of ambient audio. Proper recording techniques, including microphone placement and noise elimination, are crucial for capturing high-quality natural sound. Mixing these elements with dialogue and using them for transitions can create depth and texture in news stories.

Importance of natural sound

• Natural sound, also known as ambient audio or background noise, plays a crucial role in creating a sense of realism and immersion in television news stories
• Captures the authentic atmosphere of a location or event, helping to transport the viewer into the scene and provide context for the visuals
• Enhances the emotional impact of a story by evoking specific moods or feelings associated with the environment (bustling city streets, serene nature sounds)

Types of ambient audio

Room tone

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• Refers to the underlying ambient sound present in a specific location, such as an office, classroom, or living room
• Captures the unique acoustic properties of the space, including any subtle background noises like air conditioning, electrical hum, or distant traffic
• Provides a consistent audio foundation for editing purposes, allowing for seamless transitions between shots or scenes recorded in the same location

Background noise

• Encompasses any audible sounds that are not the primary focus of the scene but contribute to the overall soundscape
• Includes elements such as crowd chatter, traffic, machinery, or weather-related sounds (rain, wind, thunder)
• Helps to establish the setting and create a sense of place, making the scene feel more authentic and believable

Atmospheric sounds

• Refers to the distinct audio characteristics of a particular environment or location, often associated with specific times of day or weather conditions
• Includes sounds like birdsong in a forest, crickets chirping at night, or waves crashing on a beach
• Adds depth and texture to the audio mix, enhancing the viewer's sensory experience and creating a more immersive atmosphere

Recording techniques

Microphone placement

• Proper microphone placement is essential for capturing high-quality natural sound without unwanted noise or distortion
• Involves positioning the microphone at an appropriate distance and angle from the sound source to ensure clarity and balance
• Requires consideration of the microphone's pickup pattern (omnidirectional, cardioid, shotgun) and the specific characteristics of the environment

Stereo vs mono

• Stereo recording involves capturing sound using two separate microphones or channels, creating a sense of width and spatial separation
• Mono recording uses a single microphone or channel, resulting in a more focused and directional sound
• The choice between stereo and mono depends on the desired effect and the intended use of the audio in the final mix

Eliminating unwanted noise

• Involves identifying and minimizing any extraneous or distracting sounds that may detract from the desired natural sound
• Techniques include using noise-canceling microphones, acoustic barriers, or post-production noise reduction software
• Requires careful monitoring and adjustment during the recording process to ensure the cleanest possible audio capture

Mixing natural sound

Balancing with dialogue

• Involves carefully adjusting the levels of natural sound in relation to dialogue or voiceover to ensure clarity and intelligibility
• Requires finding the right balance between the ambient audio and the primary audio elements to create a cohesive and natural-sounding mix
• May involve using ducking or automation techniques to subtly reduce the level of natural sound during dialogue passages

Creating depth and texture

• Layering multiple tracks of natural sound can add depth and texture to the audio mix, creating a more immersive and realistic soundscape
• Involves selecting and blending complementary ambient sounds to enhance the overall atmosphere and provide a sense of spatial dimension
• Requires careful attention to the relative levels and panning of each sound element to create a balanced and natural-sounding mix

Transitioning between scenes

• Natural sound can be used to create smooth and seamless transitions between different scenes or locations in a news story
• Involves using common ambient elements or sound effects to bridge the gap between two distinct audio environments
• Requires careful timing and fading techniques to ensure a natural and unobtrusive flow between scenes

Legal considerations

Obtaining permission

• Recording natural sound on private property or in certain public spaces may require obtaining permission from the property owner or relevant authorities
• Failing to secure necessary permissions can result in legal issues or the inability to use the recorded audio in the final news story
• It is important to research and adhere to local laws and regulations regarding audio recording in various locations

Public vs private property

• The legal requirements for recording natural sound can vary depending on whether the location is considered public or private property
• In general, recording in public spaces is permitted without explicit permission, as long as it does not infringe upon individual privacy rights or create a nuisance
• Recording on private property typically requires the consent of the property owner or authorized representative

Copyrighted material

• Using copyrighted music, sound effects, or other audio elements without proper licensing or permission can result in legal issues and potential fines
• It is crucial to ensure that any non-original audio used in a news story is either properly licensed or falls under fair use guidelines
• Consulting with legal experts or the news organization's legal department can help navigate copyright concerns and avoid potential pitfalls

Storytelling with sound

Setting the scene

• Natural sound can be used to quickly and effectively establish the setting of a news story, providing the viewer with an immediate sense of place
• Carefully selected ambient audio can convey the unique characteristics of a location, such as the hustle and bustle of a city street or the tranquility of a rural landscape
• Using natural sound to set the scene can help engage the viewer and create a more immersive storytelling experience

Evoking emotion

• The strategic use of natural sound can evoke powerful emotional responses in the viewer, enhancing the impact of the news story
• Ambient audio can be used to create a sense of tension, excitement, or unease, depending on the nature of the story and the desired emotional effect
• Carefully crafted soundscapes can help guide the viewer's emotional journey throughout the story, reinforcing the intended narrative arc

Guiding the narrative

• Natural sound can be used as a storytelling tool to guide the viewer through the various elements of a news story
• By carefully selecting and placing ambient audio cues, journalists can create a sense of progression, highlight key moments, or signal shifts in the narrative
• The strategic use of natural sound can help maintain viewer engagement and provide a cohesive structure to the overall story

Common mistakes

Inconsistent levels

• One of the most common mistakes in using natural sound is failing to maintain consistent audio levels throughout the news story
• Inconsistent levels can be distracting and disorienting for the viewer, undermining the effectiveness of the ambient audio
• It is important to carefully monitor and adjust audio levels during the recording, editing, and mixing processes to ensure a balanced and cohesive sound

Distracting elements

• Including distracting or irrelevant natural sound elements can detract from the overall impact of the news story
• Common distracting elements include excessive wind noise, unwanted background conversations, or jarring audio transitions
• It is crucial to carefully review and edit the natural sound to remove any elements that do not contribute to the desired atmosphere or narrative

Overuse of effects

• Overusing audio effects or processing can result in an unnatural or artificial-sounding mix, undermining the authenticity of the natural sound
• While effects such as equalization, compression, or reverb can be useful tools, they should be applied judiciously and with the goal of enhancing, rather than overpowering, the original audio
• It is important to strike a balance between technical refinement and preserving the inherent character and realism of the natural sound

Best practices

Planning ahead

• Effective use of natural sound in news stories requires careful planning and preparation
• Before recording, it is important to research the location, identify potential sound sources, and develop a clear vision for how the ambient audio will contribute to the overall story
• Planning ahead allows for more efficient and targeted recording sessions, ensuring that all necessary audio elements are captured

Capturing clean recordings

• Obtaining clean, high-quality recordings is essential for creating effective natural sound in news stories
• This involves using appropriate microphones, minimizing unwanted noise, and monitoring audio levels during the recording process
• Capturing clean recordings from the outset can save significant time and effort in post-production, reducing the need for extensive editing or noise reduction

Enhancing with foley

• In some cases, it may be necessary to enhance the natural sound with carefully selected foley effects
• Foley involves creating or recording specific sound effects in a controlled studio environment to supplement or replace missing audio elements
• When used judiciously, foley can help create a more immersive and realistic soundscape, filling in gaps or reinforcing key moments in the news story
• However, it is important to use foley sparingly and ensure that it blends seamlessly with the original natural sound to maintain the authenticity of the audio mix