In short
- Viewers forgive a shaky shot sooner than a speech they cannot hear.
- Decide which voices must be understood, then plan the microphone for each.
- Ask for a [feed from the venue's sound system](/en/guides/sound/a-venue-sound-system-feed-and-a-recording-backup/) and a separate backup recording.
- Serious audio problems cannot always be repaired in editing, so plan before the day.
People forgive a slightly wobbly shot more easily than a speech they cannot hear. Good event audio does not happen by accident. It comes from deciding which voices matter, how each will be captured and who is in charge of the sound.
Which decision are you facing?
| Your situation | Start with |
|---|---|
| You are not sure why sound is worth planning | Why clear audio matters in an event video |
| The venue has its own sound system | A venue sound-system feed and a recording backup |
| The event has quiet vows or blessings | Recording vows and quiet ceremony speech |
| The hall is loud, such as an exhibition | Filming in a noisy exhibition hall |
| People speak in more than one language | Handling multilingual speech in an event film |
| Audio already went wrong | What poor audio can and cannot be fixed |
More guides cover distorted speech, outdoor wind, moving speakers, panels with audience questions, interviews beside a busy event, live music and audio files to request for future editing.
Three questions to answer first
- Which voices must be understood? The groom, the chairman, the panel, the audience questions, a child on stage. List them.
- What is the main sound source? A microphone worn by the speaker, a feed from the venue’s mixer, or a microphone on the camera.
- What is the backup? A second recording that still exists if the first one fails.
If you cannot answer these yet, that is fine. They are exactly what we ask when you tell us about the event.
Who is responsible for sound
At most events, three parties touch the sound: the venue or AV company, the speakers or performers, and the videographer. Problems appear when each assumes another is handling it. Agree before the day who sets the levels, who connects the video crew and who tells the speakers to use their microphones.
The event audio brief builder turns these answers into a short brief you can send to your venue. For how coverage is scoped, read about event videography.
Tell us who will speak, where, and what sound system the venue has. We will suggest how to record each voice clearly and what to confirm with the venue's audio-visual (AV) team.
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