How do I improve the sound quality in a Youtube video I film?

Question

With some Youtube videos I watch, like a music video or something, the sound is great. It sounds just like how it would if I were listening to an iPod or radio. Now, how does one go about making the sound so good?

Is it just the camera they're using? But, I don't understand how they do it... Do they film the music video off of the TV? But it seems like that would cause the sound to be "muffled" (sp?). Is there a special way they do this?

I'm asking the question out of curiosity. I never plan on filming a music video, so don't lecture me on how it's illegal; I know. Just please answer my question. Thanks.

Answer 1

There are three ways to do it...

1) If the camcorder is a good one, it will have manual audio control. With this, the mic gain can be controlled. Without it, the auto audio gain circuit can be over-driven resulting in a lot of clipping and very muddy, useless audio.

In my case, with permission, I also use good external mics and all sorts of manual audio control.

2) If the audio is pulled from the mixing board at a good level. This presumes there is agreement from the talent (or audio engineer that this is OK and they send you a "discreet mix" and ALL instruments/voices are mic'd and the mix-down is as good as it will get.

3) Use a field recorder (like those from Marantz, M-Audio, Zoom, Fostex) and replace the audio that was captured with the video.